Early am we visited an open country site with rocky outcrops it was very productive as we found lots of species and added several new ones to our trip list. Common Cuckoo, Chaffinch, Cirl Bunting, Whinchat, Black-eared Wheatear were all sewn well and to the great delight of the group we found Cretzschmar's Bunting too.
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| we found 4 Scops Owls but this was most obliging |
After breakfast we set off northward towards Petra stooping just a couple of clicks outside of Kalloni to look for Scopes Owl. We found 4 of them sitting in eucalyptus trees, the one shown was about 20ft off the ground.
Before reaching Petra we stopped at the hillside bird of prey observation watch-point where we spent an hour scanning the sky and the hillside behind us. In actual fact the hillside scrub produced more sightings but we did get a few birds in the sky; Long-legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk and Black Stork. In the bushes we found a lovely Cretzschmar's Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear and Goldfinches.
At Petra we went a lovely hour looking over the scrub on the slopes down to a turquoise sea, it was wonderful, all the colourful flowers, birds singing and fantastic sunshine. A Ruppell's Warbler performed very well as did a Turtle Dove, we also saw Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin and a very close Subalpine Warbler.
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| our first Hoopoe of the trip |
At Petra Reservoir we took a walk along the entrance track after scanning the water. On and around the water we found Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe and lots of Yellow-legged Gulls. Our walk produced a number of good sightings. Our first Red-backed Shrike sat on the wires whilst Hoopoe, Subalpine Warbler, Blackcap and a distant Orphean Warbler all showed well.
For most of the next 3 hours we drove along the most picturesque track which too us from Eftalou to Skala Sikimoneus, we stopped many times but never produced that many species. A Tree Pipit was a good find and we did see a lovely Masked Shrike but migrant birds very virtually absent.
The final hour was spent back at Kalloni Salt Pans where we watched many species in overcast conditions with a very chilly wind in our backs. A Tawny Pipit and a Northern Wheatear were the only new species added to our list but we had superb views of Short-toed Lark, Red-throated Pipit, Kentish Plover and Little Stint.
For most of the next 3 hours we drove along the most picturesque track which too us from Eftalou to Skala Sikimoneus, we stopped many times but never produced that many species. A Tree Pipit was a good find and we did see a lovely Masked Shrike but migrant birds very virtually absent.
The final hour was spent back at Kalloni Salt Pans where we watched many species in overcast conditions with a very chilly wind in our backs. A Tawny Pipit and a Northern Wheatear were the only new species added to our list but we had superb views of Short-toed Lark, Red-throated Pipit, Kentish Plover and Little Stint.
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| looking for Middle Spotted Woddpecker |
It was now 6pm and time to head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
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| Black-eared Wheatear |
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| Cretzschmar's Bunting |
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| 3 pictures of the obliging Red-throated Pipit |
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| one of the many Red-rumped Swallows seen today |
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| Subalpine Warbler |
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| another picture of the beautiful Black-eared Wheatear |
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