Another super day on this magical island, we saw some of the Lesvos specialities and a great deal of the superb western landscape. As usual it was dry sunny and hot, all day with a windy late afternoon at Sigri.
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| LUNCH AT THE CHAPEL NEAR MELADIA FORD |
We set off at 8am and drove to the small Chapel just outside of Parkilo, it was quite quiet and after 30 minutes we had seen a handful of species, the best of which were: Cretzschmar's Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Cirl Bunting and a Blackcap.
We stopped at Agra to look for Rock Sparrow but instead we found Western Rock Nuthatch (a family of five), Blue Rock Thrush and more Black-eared Wheatears. Next stop was at Skala Eresos where a walk along the river produced lots of birds but the river was overgrown and visibility was restricted. We did see Reed, Sedge, Cetti's and Olivaceous Warbler as well as Common Nightingale. From the beach we saw many large parties of Yelkouan Shearwaters zooming passed offshore and a couple of European Shags on the sea.
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| RED FOOTED FALCON |
We spent the next couple of hours driving along the track from Eresos to Sigri, we stopped many times to look at various species, mainly Cretzschmars Buntings but also Woodlark, Northern Wheatear and Black-headed Buntings. At Maladia Ford we spent time walking to the Fig Grove where we saw Spotted Flycatcher, many European Bee-eaters and a Green sandpiper at the ford.
We ate lunch at the Chapel nearby where we surprised to hear a Thrush Nightingale Burst into song, amazing and what a lovely song, two of the group later saw the bird as they walked in the chapel grounds. We also found an Orphean Warbler, Black-headed Bunting and another Spotted Flycatcher.
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| REDD-BACKED SHRIKE |
Sigri Fields held a Red-footed falcon and at the beach pool a flock of some 100+ Wood Sandpipers dropped in briefly. At Faneromeni Beach a small pool held Little Stint (6), Ruff (1) and Little Ringed Plover, a grass meadow held over 100+ Yellow Wagtails.
Before we left the area we stopped just outside of Sigri at the 'coach' car park to look for Rufous Bush Robin. We had a great time and spent a glorious hour logging some great species. The Robin showed well for a short time and at the same time we found a Golden Oriole in an open field. A Wood Warbler then showed next, followed by a Whinchat and a few Red-backed Shrikes.
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| CRETZSCHMAR'S BUNTING (female) |
Our last stop was at the base of the hill at Ipsilou Monastery, we walked a short way to look over the rocky slopes below the monastery. Within minutes we heard a Cinereous Bunting singing and quickly located it sitting on a rock in the middle distance. We had great views of it and set off for home well pleased with our day's sightings.
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| CINEREOUS BUNTING |
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