Paul's Blog - All comments and views are my own,

A prompt 9am departure gave opportunity for several stops on our way back to Ipsilou one of the highest points on the island at 684m, a result of un-erupted lava forcing its way to the surface and the resultant erosion of the overlying materials. As one of the dominant features on a migration route there are times when it can be literally dripping with migrant birds... but not today. The first stop was at the Kalloni Salt Pans, where GULL BILLED TERN was added to the trip list Gull-billed Tern . Before reaching Ipsilou we stopped off at a known location of MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER nest site, from a very safe distance we enjoyed great views. Middle-spotted Woodpecker Ipsilou had very few birds but SOMBRE TIT was new for the trip. I also found a single MEDITERRANEAN CHEQUERED SCORPION. Mediterranean Chequered Scorpion We set off towards Vatousa where we found ROCK SPARROW and a single CRAG MARTIN. Rock Sparrow A look for Easte

A lie in this morning, I'm sure the gang can manage to do their own thing without me, the birding is easy around the hotel and really suits a pre-breakfast walk. So before another busy day a catch up with a few photographs,

Another mammoth day, (17 hrs yesterday) and ten today...... Demanding gang ........so  much to show them so many great places to go and impressive birds and other wildlife to experience. Some of us started with a pre-breakfast bird watch at the Kalloni Salt Pans with DUNLIN, CURLEW SANDPIPER, WHISKERED TERN, being the highlights. Over breakfast of ham, cheese, homemade baked beans, bread and boiled eggs, out of the corner of my eye I saw a dark long tailed bird land in the poplar trees outside the patio, immediately I could see it was one of the most prized birds to find on the island a GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO; I shouted a bit squeakily at the other guests who didn't pay any attention then I shouted louder and ran to find the rest of the group and the hotel owner, to say everyone was delighted with seeing this great bird would be an understatement. GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO Post breakfast we all set off towards Polchinotos, another set of salt pans, along the way

A pre breakfast potter revealed four LITTLE CRAKES, 2 ♂ and 2 ♀, and a SPOTTED CRAKE, plus a smart LITTLE BITTERN ♂. A nice start to the day. After breakfast we set out to the aptly named Kalloni Raptor Watch Point, where we picked up GOSHAWK, SPARROWHAWK, SHORT-TOED EAGLE, COMMON BUZZARD BLACK STORK AND RAVEN. A short drive saw us at Kavaki where RUPPELLS WARBLER, SUBALPINE WARBLER, and TURTLE DOVES gave really good views. Turtle Dove a very distant Rupells Warbler ♂ We called in to the reservoir at Persama gave us an out of place WOOD SANDPIPER, and 2 RUDDY SHELDUCK. A superb lunch at Molivos Castle, with everyone replete saw us head back south to Achladeri, where KRUPERS NUTHATCH were feeding young at an accessible nest site. Everyone had great views and we left happy. The next bird was surprisingly a "WOOD" NUTHATCH, but not Short-toed Treecreeper. Classic Pine forest habitat for Krupers Nuthatch Back to the Salt pans where a female type MONTAGU

Ah, the smell of the Mediterranean, oh no that will be ANTIFREEZE!!! Another reciting day in the field, 10.5 hours including 40 minutes waiting for a replacement car. Highlights today included,    COLLARED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER, ALPINE SWIFT, TEMMINCKS STINT, MARSH SANDPIPER, WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN, WHISKERED TERN, CUCKOO (2), BLACK REDSTART, MARSH HARRIER, LESSER KESTREL, LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD, SHORT-TOED EAGLE, CINEREOUS BUNTING, CRETZCHMARS BUNTING, ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, WESTERN ROCK NUTHATCH. Plus a good fall of Whinchat and Black-eared Wheatear. The quality of the day was a SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER AT Meladia Valley. Temminicks Stint Rock Nuthatch nest and chick (VH) Starred Agama (VH)

The intrepid party of five set off from Llanelli on Monday 24th at 15:00, we arrived at the Hotel Pela at 08:01 on 25th WOW, seemed like a long time but the journey was uneventful and easy thanks to Airport Flyer of Llanelli and Aegean and Olympic Airlines. To summarize the first day we had 73 full species plus a sub , I insist on counting all the Wagtails as they are my favourites. Bernie managed at least 2.5 ticks, with With Ruddy Shelduck, Masked Shrike and the half was Greater Flamingo, those that know him will have to ask. Nick has been before but Veronica and Cris were blown away (I think, we were all pretty tired). The highlights included, MARSH SANDPIPER, GARGANEY, SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE, LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD, WOODCHAT SHRIKE, WHISKERED TERN, BEE-EATER, BLACK STORK,  SPANISH SPARROW and of course WOOD SANDPIPER. Some dodgy photos from the "bridge camera" Woodchat Shrike Spanish Sparrow European Bee-Eater