Lake Dystos June 2012 Trip Report (Part I)

June may not the best month to visit most of the popular birding sites of Southern Greece, there is one, however, that can be still very unteresting; Lake Dystos. All the breeding specialties can be seen quite easily, as long as one has a 4X4 vehicle. 46 species were seen in a half-day trip, including Olive-tree Warbler, Rock Partridge and Short-toed Lark.

 Olive-tree Warblers are common and widespread, found in mature olive, oak and almond trees

 Short-toed Larks are common in the adjacent vineyards of the south part of the Lake

Rock Partridge is found in the rocky slopes of Mt Koskina, south of Prasino village. 

Furthermore, Lesser Kestrels, Eleonora's Falcons and Long-legged Buzzards were among the numerous birds of prey seen. 

Some impressive species around Athens

May is almost gone. Migration was slow this year, but even at the end of May, Athens area provides some interesting species, hard to see in many places of Europe.
Most important, we have confirmed another breeding site, at Rafina, of Great Spotted Cuckoo. We saw the parents in March, and two days ago, a young bird was in the area!

Rufous Bush Chat at Vravrona Estuary

Great Spotted Cuckoo at Rafina

Tawny Owl at Kesariani Monastery, Imittos Mt

Rufous Bush Robin arrivals for 2012

As usual, the Rufous Bush Robin is the latest arrival in Attica. More than five males were seen singing in the fields near the Airport of Athens. Their short but very pleasant song can be heard on top of fig, pistachio, or olive trees, or even electricity wires. Very little is known about the biology and distribution of this species, it seems, though, that its population is declining. Few years ago another population was found very close to Vravrona wetland, but now it seems that it's extinct...

Great Spotted Cuckoo's new breeding site!

The great increase of the Magpie population in Greece has many adverse effects, still there is also a positive side (as always in life!). Great Spotted Cuckoos have also increased their breeding range. Once restricted to northeastern Greece and few islands of the Aegean, now there have been successful breeding attempts in many sites near Athens. The latest was recorded in Vravrona. One adult was seen in early April and now a fully grown juvenile can be seen flying aaround. 

 

Great Spotted Cuckoos's host species in Greece are the Hooded Crow and the Magpie. As the Magpie population is large in many other sites near Athens as well, further research could reveal many more successful breedings this year. In the near past, juveniles have been seen in Cape Sounio and Mt Penteli. Keep up the good work Spotties!

Lake Dystos May 2012 Trip Report

May is probably the best month to visit Lake Dystos in Evvoia. All the summer visitors have arrived, including Olive-tree Warbler, Black-headed Bunting, Cretzchmar's Bunting and Eastern Orphean Warbler.

Olive-tree Warblers are one of the most secretive passerines, found in  mature olive groves

Black-headed Buntings are still abundant in the adjacent vineyards and the surrounding maquis-covered hills

Spring passage is still evident, with flocks of Red-footed Falcons and Eleonora's Falcons looking in the open areas for large insects.

Eleonora's Falcons are regular visitors in spring and early summer, preying on large insects

May is the best month to check for Red-footed Falcons

Furthermore, the lake is home to many interesting wetland species, like Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Ferruginous Duck and Bittern (one of the very few sites in Greece that hold breeding populations of this rare heron). Not to forget also the surrounding hills with good populations of Rock Partridge, Subalpine and Ruppell's Warbler. 

More Evros Specialties

Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) at Isabelline flats, Evros Delta

Calandra Lark at Evros Delta

Eastern Orphean Warbler (Sylvia crassirostris) at Loutros Hill, Evros

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) at Loutros Hill, Evros

Sombre Tit (Parus lugubris) at Loutros Hill, Evros

Birdwatching in Meteora/Mt Antichasia

The rocks of Meteora are well known to many foreign visitors of Greece. Thousands visit the area to enjoy the fascinating view of the monasteries that are literally clinged to the cliffs. Few, however, know the ornithological importance of this area. 

Several rare birds of prey nest, such as the critically endangered Egyptian Vulture, the Booted and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk and the Lanner. Furthermore, Black Storks, Rollers and Golden Orioles are common, as well as   passerines with a very restricted distribution in Europe, like the Semi-collared Flycatcher and the Sombre Tit. 

Nightingales are abundant, singing in every bush, tree or even electricity pole!

Semi-collared Flycatchers are quite common in riparian woodland

In addition, one of the very few Rookeries exist, forming a mixed colony with Little Egrets

Rooks are very rare in summer, nesting in very few localities of Central Greece

Four-lined Snake at Evros Delta

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata)

Nest making and food supplying

Nightingale (Luschinias megarhynchos)

Crested Lark (Gallerida cristata)

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)

Sombre Tit (Parus lugubris)

Spring is time when most birds start building their nest. During a short trip to Evros, many birds were observed with buidling material, or carrying food .

Arctic Skua at Evros Delta. mobbing terns

A bird that is not seen often was observed recently at Evros Delta. An Artic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger), unfortunately the pics are not great due to the long distance from the beach

Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) mobing Sandwich Tern offshore, at Evros Delta

Some of Schinias specialities have arrived

Cretzschmar's Buntings and Black-eared Wheatears are some of the most wanted species by birders at Schinias National Parks. They arrive in spring, nest in the area, and leave in autumn. We are waiting for Black-headed Buntings soon...

Cretzschmar's Bunting (Emberiza caesia) at Schinias National Park, Athens

Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) at Schinias National Park, Athens

1st of May...

Blue Rock Thrush is common resident in many rocky habitats of Athens. Its song is one of the most beautiful sounds that can be heard at areas that are not attractive at all,  such as stone quarries. This was seen in such a quarry in Mt Merenta, close to the town of Markopoulo, along with Rock Sparrows, Black-eared Wheatears, Little Owls, Rock Kestrels and Chukars. 

Short-toed Lark haven of Attica

Spata is perhaps the area near Athens with the highest density of breeding Short-toed Larks. The existence of large open areas with sparse vegetation is the perfect condition for this rare lark. Evey summer their songs are echoing in the fields, competing Crested Larks (that are of course much more common and widespread). 

Red Footed Falcons, 2012 edition

It's late April and this is the perfect time for Red Footed Falcons. Small flocks or individiuals are regularly seen in Spata, preying on large insects, like this male shown in the photo. They will stay for no more than a few days, so their presence is a precious but rare gift to Athenian birders. 

"Fox 3" ranged photo

Mammal watching in Greece is very difficult, as most species are strictly nocturnal due to human persecution. There are, however, those moments that you are quite lucky. While I was taking close shots of a Mute Swan in Vravrona wetland, I saw with the corner of my eye that a dog-like animal was standing between me and the swan. You can see that it was no dog....This Red Fox was quite wet, as if it was trying to get its paws on the swan....It spend several seconds looking at me, trying to figure out what was the best way out....After a while it disappeared in the bushes....

"Spanish" newcomers

Spanish Sparrows are common summer visitors in North and Central Greece. In Athens, however, sightings are rather few. This spring, small flocks have been seen in Vravrona and the cultivated areas near the airport. There is a chance that they will actually stay to breed as they were seen in very suitable habitat. We'll wait for the summer to check on any presence...

Migration update

More migrants around Athens, Black-eared Wheatears, Marsh Sandpipers, Swifts and hundreds of Black-headed Wagtails have just arrived.


Black-eared Wheatear at Schinias National Park


Ruff at Schinias National Park


Little Owl at Schinias National Park


Coot at Schinias National Park

One Fine Day in Vravrona wetland

Being small in area,  Vravrona wetland has its pros and cons. Birds are seen in small numbers, in terms of species and actual birds, however one can get very good looks (or photos).

Sardinian Warblers are usually skulking in bushes, sometimes though they can be seen in the open

Little Egrets are seen almost year-round in the area, usually single birds 

A small group of 4 Glossy Ibises was feeding on the brackish water of Erasinos river estuary. 

Wryneck, Citrine Wagtail and Short-toed Larks

Spring arrivals continue day by day. At Schinias National Park, a Wryneck was seen on Monday, together with a female Citrine Wagtail. At Spata fields, the first Short-toed Larks have also arrived, as well as Pallid Harriers


Wryneck (Jux torquilla) at Schinias National Park, Athens


Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) at Spata fields, Athens


Citrine Wagtail (Motacila citreola) at Schinias National Park, Athens


Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) at Spata fields

Warblers are back again

Rueppell's Warbler and Subalpine Warblers are back in Imittos Mt, Athens. They have just arrived and now finding thei territories for nesting.


Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) at Imittos Mt


Rueppell's Warbler (Sylvia rueppelli) at Imittos Mt