Unconfirmed records:
1 Sigri May 95; 1 Vasilika May 96; pr Tsiknias River Apr 99; 1 Tsiknias River Apr 00; 1 Kalloni Saltpans Apr 01; 1 nr Sigri Apr 02 (Brooks 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002).
GREY HERON Ardea cinerea sW, sPM
Σταχτοτσικνιάς
Small numbers Aug–May.
Max. monthly counts from the saltpans (n/c = no count):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Polichnitos SP 1 2 13 2 4 0 1 6 17 15 15 12
Kalloni SP / Wetlands n/c n/c n/c 3 14 n/c 10 n/c 4 n/c n/c n/c
Other sites: 20 Skala Kallonis 8 May (J van den Tilaart) and 12 Christou (Kamares) River 4 Sep (T Swann). 1–4 recorded from Aghias Stephanos, Almiropotamos River (Vatera), Dipi Larisos, Kalloni Holiday Village, Madaros, Mandamados, Meladia Valley, Mesa Marshes, Metochi Lake, Mytilini, Perasma Reservoir, Platania, Potamis, Sigri Fields, Skala Kallonis, Skala Vasilikon, Tsiknias River and Vouvaris River.
PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea sPM
Πορφυροτσικνιάς
Small numbers, including flocks into double-‐figures, (mainly) Mar–May and (smaller numbers) Sep–Oct. Flocks of 60+ Vergias (Chalandra) River, Skala Eresou Apr 02 (Brooks 2002) and 53 Kalloni Saltpans Apr 08 (SPD) are exceptional.
Spring Recorded 29 Mar – 18 May: Achladeri, Alykes Wetlands, Christou (Kamares) River, Dipi Larisos, Faneromeni, Kalami Marsh, Kalloni Saltpans, Kandria Marshes, Meladia Valley, Mesa, Metochi Lake, Mesotopos, Pandeleimonas Lakes (Eresos), Potamia Valley, Sigri Fields, Sigri Old Sanatorium, Skala Kallonis and Tsiknias River. Double-‐figure counts: 14 Christou (Kamares) River 24 Apr (S Bird et al).
Autumn 1 Potamia Valley 15 Sep (S Wytema et al).
2009: 6 Apr – 6 May and 1 Jul – 19 Sep; max. 23 Kalloni Saltpans 28 Apr (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: 2 Apr – 10 May and 12 Sep; max. 30 Kalloni Saltpans 3 Apr (Lesvos Birds 2010).
2011: 5 Apr – 28 May and 14 Aug – 13 Sep; max. 15 Kalloni Saltpans 15 Apr (Lesvos Birds 2011).
GREAT WHITE EGRET (GREAT EGRET) Ardea alba rR, sPM Αργυροτσικνιάς
Small numbers all months.
Max. monthly counts from the saltpans (n/c = no count):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Polichnitos SP 25 19 15 3 0 0 0 1 12 19 36 31
Kalloni SP n/c n/c 1 6 4 n/c n/c 4 2 n/c n/c n/c
Other sites Recorded from (max. counts given): Almiropotamos River (Vatera) (1), Alikoudi Pool (1), Christou (Kamares) River (5), Kalami Marsh (1), Mesa (3), Metochi (2), Molivos (7), Nifida (1), Perasma (10), Sigri (1) Skala Vasilikon (1), Tsiknias River (1), Vouvaris River (1).
2009: max. 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Mar (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: max. 128 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Nov (Lesvos Birds 2010). 2011: max. 32 Kalloni Saltpans 3 Jan (Lesvos Birds 2011).
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta sPM, rW
(Κοινός) Λευκοτσικνιάς
Common around wetland sites and along the coast in all months.
Max. monthly counts from the saltpans (n/c = no count):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Polichnitos SP 0 0 0 5 2 1 3 26 26 18 12 18
Kalloni SP n/c n/c 1 28 44 1 19 n/c 12 n/c 1 n/c
Other sites Recorded from (max. counts given): Alikoudi Pool (1), Christou (Kamares) River (12), Faneromeni (2), Kalami Marsh (1), Kalloni Holiday Village (1), Keramia (1), Makara (4), Mesa (2), Metochi (33), Nifida (6), Perasma (4), Pithariou Reservoir (3), Potamia Valley (4), Sigri (1) Skala Vasilikon (2), Tsiknias River (6) and Vouvaris River (1).
2009: max. 40 Polichnitos Saltpans 12–13 Mar (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: max. 42 Kalloni Saltpans 26 Apr (Lesvos Birds 2010). 2011: max. 59 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug (Lesvos Birds 2011).
GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus rPM
Ροδοπελεκάνος
A near annual passage migrant Mar–May and Sep–Oct. Usually 1-‐2, but occasionally small flocks (e.g. 18 in Sep 07) and movements, e.g. large movement in Sep 07 inc. largest confirmed flock of 144 (S P & E F Dudley). Some individuals have been caught and tamed by fisherman (e.g. bird at Skala Kallonis harbour from 1997 to present – see note below).
Spring Two records: 5 over Dipi Larisos 5 May (G Boomhouwer) and 1 over Kalloni Saltpans 7 May (C Klaassen).
Autumn Three records: 1 Kalloni Saltpans 23 Aug (P Stassin), 6 Limani 3 Sep (T Swann) and 2 Kalloni Saltpans 22 Sep (S & I Misselbrook).
2011: Additional record: 1 over Kalloni Saltpans 8 May (photo: M & J Cassidy).
Number of Great White Pelican records (not individuals) 2009 – 2012
2009 2010 2011 2012 Spring 1 2 5 2 Autumn 5 2 1 3
2009: Spring 1 record. Autumn 5 records (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: Spring 2 records. Autumn 2 records (Lesvos Birds 2010).
2011: Spring 4 records. Summer 1 record (captive bird released in to wild, finding date unkown). Autumn 1 record (Lesvos Birds 2011).
Please note that the bird which resides in Skala Kallonis harbour is not wild. ‘Peggy Sue’ has only one leg and is usually clipped annually by the fisherman and has been in residence since 1997.
DALMATIAN PELICAN * Pelecanus crispus rPM, rW Αργυροπελεκάνος
Much rarer than White Pelican but occurs in similar periods, Apr–May and Aug–Sep.
Spring Three records: 1 Kalloni Saltpans 26 Apr (P Aubrey, G Elton et al); 3 over Achladeri Forest 30 Apr (R & M Hargreaves); and 1 Kalloni Saltpans 4 & 5 May (R Broad, B Buckler et al). Autumn Four records: 1 Kalloni Saltpans 14 Aug (P Stassin); 1 Kalloni Saltpans 26 – 29 Sep (R Thorpe, M Hodgson et al); 1 Potamia Reservoir 30 Sep (R Thorpe, M Hodgson et al); and 9 Kalloni Saltpans 2 Nov (E & W Kappes) with 4 to at least 25 Nov and at least one to 26 Dec (P Tsakmakis).
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus,
Kalloni Saltpans, September 2012 © Benny Voorm
Number of Dalmatian Pelican records (not individuals) 2001 – 2012
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Spring 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 3 Autumn 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 3 4
An interesting increase in records in the last few years including wintering birds the last three winters 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13.
2000: 27 Kalloni/Potamia area 29 – 30 Apr, 1 Skalachori 8 May (Brooks 2000). 2002: 15 over Kalloni Saltpans and Molivos 28 Mar (Brooks 2002).
2003: Kalloni Saltpans Apr (Brooks 2003). 2006: 1 Polichnitos Saltpans Aug – Oct (MO). 2007: 1 Kalloni Saltpans Sep 07 (MO).
2009: 2 Kalloni Saltpans Jan 09 (E Galinou) and 1 Perasma Reservoir 3 May (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 23 Oct and 21 Kalloni Saltpans 23 Oct with 10 to 21 Dec and 3 into 2011
(Lesvos Birds 2010).
2011: First winter period 3 (from 2010) Kalloni Saltpans 20 3 Jan. Spring 6 records, 3 Mar – 10 May. Autumn 3 records, 16 Jul, 10 Aug & 3 – 5 Oct (Lesvos Birds 2011).
PYGMY CORMORANT Phalacrocorax pygmeus rW
Λαγγόνα
Birds recorded from coastal sites Nov–Apr. Earliest: Vouvaris River mouth 15 Sep 08 (per S P Dudley).
Two records:
2 Dipi Larisos 21 Apr – 5 May (S P Dudley et al) and 1 Vergias (Chalandra) River mouth, Skala Eresou 24 Apr (R Chittenden et al).
Recent records:
2010: 2 Almiropotamos River mouth (Vatera) 9 Nov (Lesvos Birds 2010). 2011: 1 Mesa 1 Jan (Lesvos Birds 2011).
GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis cW (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κορμοράνος
Gulf of Kalloni holds large winter population of c.3500 birds, otherwise small numbers around coast Sep–Apr.
Max. monthly counts off Polichnitos Saltpans (T Robinson):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Polichnitos SP 13 23 560 0 6 0 0 1 3 15 266 923
1–25 recorded from many coastal areas during both winter periods.
EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmaresti sRB (Ευρωπαϊκός) Θαλασσοκόρακας
Present around the coast in all months.
First winter period Gulf of Kalloni max. 35 off Tsiknias River mouth 1 Jan. Spring Gulf of Kalloni max. 18 off Polichnitos Saltpans 30 Apr.
Breeding No confirmed breeding but birds recorded in and around offshore islands off Skala Eresou, Sigri, Gavathas, Petra and Garbias Island.
Summer Gulf of Kalloni max. 15 off Polichnitos Saltpans 22 Jun. Autumn Gulf of Kalloni max. 28 off Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Aug.
Second winter period Gulf of Kalloni max. 5 off Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Dec.
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus being mobbed by Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginae, Alykes Wetlands,
May 2012 © Steve Dudley
WESTERN OSPREY Pandion haliaetus rPM Ψαραετός
Surprisingly rare Mar–May and Sep–Oct.
Spring Three records: singles Alykes Wetlands 29 Apr (B Forbes, S P Dudley et al), Achladeri 2 May (per S P Dudley) and Alykes Wetlands 9 May (S P Dudley, A Vuijk et al).
Autumn Two records: singles Kalloni Saltpans 17 Sep (S & I Misselbrook) and Polichnitos Saltpans 24 Oct (T Robinson).
Number of Ospreys (individual birds) 2009 – 2012
2009 2010 2011 2012 Spring 5 2 2 3 Autumn 2 3 3 2
2009: Spring 5 records, 24 Apr – 6 May. Autumn Singles 2 records, 3 & 9 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2010: Spring 2 records, 3 & 30 Apr. Autumn 3 records, 19 – 30 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2010).
2011: Spring 2 records, 28 Apr and 2 May. Autumn 3 records, 21 Sep – 5 Oct (Lesvos Birds 2011).
EUROPEAN HONEY-‐BUZZARD Pernis apivorus rMB, sPM
(Ευρωπαϊκός) Σφηκιάρης
A relatively common passage migrant, occasionally in good numbers, Apr–May and Aug–Oct. Small numbers breed in both deciduous woodland and pine forests across the island.
Recorded 23 Apr – 5 Oct.
Spring Present from 23 Apr (singles unless stated): Tsiknias River 23 Apr (P Aubrey, G Elton); 2 Agriosikos 26 Apr (H Vaughan et al); Agiasos 27 Apr (P Aubrey, G Elton); 2 Ipsilou 28 Apr (D & J Nurney, S Chalmers); Aghias Ioannis 29 Apr (P Aubrey, N Ballard); Potamia Valley 29 Apr (T Hofmeester); Agiasos 30 Apr (T Hofmeester); Paleokipos 1 May (M Ruijs); Lafionas 3 May (G Boomhouwer); Ipsilou 4May (G Fellows); 3 Agiasos 3 May (W Faveyts); 2 Ipsilou 7 May I Pitts et al); Lardia Valley 7 May (per S P Dudley); Faneromeni 8 May (per S P Dudley); Tsiknias River 13 May (P & V Manning); Cape Lena 19 May (S P & E F Dudley et al); Kalloni Saltpans 20 May (J Devalez); 2 Achladeri Forest 20 May (R de Wijs); Petri 27 May (J Devalez). Birds seen regularly from the Kalloni Raptor Wartchpoint including displaying birds in early May (MO). Summer Voulgaris River 11 Jul (P Schaft).
Autumn Ipsilou 3 Aug (J Norgate); Platania 27 Aug (G Tebb et al); Vasilika 29 Aug (G Coultrip); 39 Prof Ilias, Polichnitos 15 Sep (T Robinson); North Coast track 19 Sep (S Wytema); Hildra 19 Sep (S & I Misselbrook); Kavaki 20 Sep (S & I Misselbrook); 2 Perasma 20 Sep (S & I Misselbrook); North Coast track 25 Sep (B Voorn); 3 Molivos 25 Sep (B Voorn); Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Oct (R Thorpe, M Hodgson et al); 2 Faneromeni 5 Oct (R Thorpe, M Hodgson).
2009: 6 May – 21 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2009).
2010: 24 Apr – 26 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2010). 2011: 28 Apr – 20 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2011).
Noteable record: 85 in off sea Molivos 14 Sep 2003 (Brooks 2003).
RED KITE * Milvus milvus V * 0 | 2
Ψαλιδιάρης
No records in 2012.
Two accepted records:
BLACK KITE Milvus migrans sPM Τσίφτης
Surprisingly only a handful of records noted most years Mar–May and Aug–Oct.
After last years bumper year, a return to normal this year.
Spring Three records: 1 Aghias Ioannis 25 Apr (H Vaughan et al); 3 Lardia Valley 28 Valley (D & J Nurney, S Chalmers); and 1 Koriani, Napi Valley 3 May (S & K Bates).
Autumn Five records: 1 Ipsilou 24 Aug (P Stassin); 4 Christou (Kamares) River 29 Aug (G Tebb et al); 1 nr Klio (P & E Wells); and 1 Faneromeni 2 Oct (R Thorpe, M Hodgson et al).
Number of Black Kite records 2009 – 2012
2009 2010 2011 2012 Spring 3 1 11 3 Autumn 1 7 1 5
2009: First-‐winter period 1 Polichnitos Saltpans area 31 Jan – 7 Apr. Spring 3 records, 2 – 5 May. Autumn 1 record, 12 Sep. (Lesvos Birds 2009).
2010: Spring 1 record, 10 May. Autumn 7 records (of 28 birds) 11 Aug – 29 Sep (Lesvos Birds 2010). 2011: Spring 11 records, 1 Apr – 12 May inc. 3 nr Andissa 19 Apr – 4 May. Autumn 1 record, 26 Sep
(Lesvos Birds 2011).
WHITE-‐TAILED EAGLE * Haliaeetus albicilla V * 0 | 5 (Ευρωπαϊκός) Θαλασσαετός
No records in 2012.
Five accepted records, most recent:
1994: off Sigri, an imm 9 May and ad 19 May (Brooks 1998). 1995: 1 nr Vatousa 16 May (Brooks 1998).
1998: 1 off Molivos 25 Apr (Brooks 1998).
2009: 1 north along Tsiknias River 2 May (Lesvos Birds 2009).
EGYPTIAN VULTURE * Neophron percnopterus V * 0 | 12 Ασπροπάρης
No records in 2012.
Twelve accepted records:
1987: 1 Skala Eresou 14 May (Brooks 1998). 1991: 1 Skala Eresou 19 May (Brooks 1998).
1995: 1 Ipsilou and Agiasos (believed to be the same bird) ‘late’ May 95 (Brooks 1998). 1998: 1 Ipsilou 24 Apr 98 (Brooks 1998).
1999: 1 Napi Valley 7 May 99 (Brooks 1999).
2000: ad Skala Eresou 15 May and imm Lardia Valley 17 May (Brooks 2000). 2004: 1 Makara 30 Apr and 1 Molivos 7 May (Brooks 2004).
2005: 1 Vafios and Mt Lepetimnos 9 May (Lesvos Birds 2009). 2008: 2 nr Ipsilou 2 May (per S P Dudley).
GRIFFON VULTURE * Gyps fulvus V * | 1 | 15+ Όρνιο
A surprisingly rare bird on the island, and with the rapidly declining European population, an increase in the level of records seems unlikely.
One record (accepted by LBRC):
2 birds seen at Ipsilou 9 Jul (P Schaft) present in the west of the island to at least 3 Aug (J Norgate) with at least one bird present to at least 19 Sep (S & I Misselbrook).
Most recent records:
1993: 1 nr Eresos 11 May (Brooks 1998).
1996: 3 Potamia Valley and Filia 7 May (Brooks 1998).
1997: 3 between Filia and Skoutaros May (Brooks 1998) and 1 over Skala Sikaminias then at Vatera (taken in to care) 13 Sep (bearing a Croatian ring; released on Crete) (Brooks 1998).
2002: 1 Efthalou 24 Apr 02 (Brooks 2002).
2003: 2 Molivos 8 May believed same Potamia Valley 11 May (Brooks 2003). 2008: 1 Ipsilou 5 May, 3 Kalloni 9 May and 1 Anaxos 18 May (per S P Dudley).
2009: 1 Potamia Valley 8 Apr and another Eresos 26 Apr and believed same Madaros 27 – 28 Apr (Lesvos Birds 2009).
2011: singles Pithariou Reservoir 9 May and nr Mandamados 13 May (Lesvos Birds 2010).
SHORT-‐TOED (SNAKE) EAGLE Circaetus gallicus sMB, sPM Φιδαετός
Small numbers breed across the island. Seen on passage Apr–May and Aug–Oct. Occasional winter records. Most often seen hovering over open hillsides.
Recorded 20 Apr – 1 Oct.
Spring 1 Kalloni Saltpans 20 Apr (S Wytema et al) and reported daily from across the island with max. 10