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

Lesbos 2016.. the penultimate blog... Ringing yesterday yielded just four birds, a brood of Great Tits which were in themselves interesting as they are so far advanced in moult to be regarded as a 3 in ringing terms which means they are the older young of the year out of juvenile moult. The rest of the day, given the weather was more cultural and included visiting the Roman bridge at Kermastes, where it is currently undergoing preservation by the authorities, ah a picture you may think well I didn't think to take one!! I did manage to catch up with 7 Caspian Terns on the slat pans Today we headed east to pick up a few odd and ends birds and managed to see Olive Tree Warbler, at a reliable site, OTW is a speciality of the island and is a large robust warbler and elusive so eh no photo... Alpine Swifts were seen very well and low down again at a reliable spot along the beach. It has been a tough birding fortnight, splitting time between ringing and birding, wi

Lesbos 2016.. Complacency is an odd thing, yesterday morning I casually remarked "oh Ring Ouzel" as a female of the species flew across in front of the car and landed nearby, a very brief look and I motored on, little did I realise that Ring Ouzel is almost considered a vagrant species to the island opps, I will have to fill out a rare bird description report .... After a few thunder storms through the evening the morning was reasonable but I didn't plan any ringing instead we went off in search of Caspian Terns never did see them though! I then decided that a late and short ringing session was called for so set the nets at the Christou River reed bed at 09:30hrs. By 09:40hrs there were three warblers in the net the first clearly a Reed Warbler, the second was somehow different ( it also called differently) and the third was an obvious Reed Warbler. My "not an obvious Reed Warbler" was duly processed and it seemed apparent that this bird needed reference

Lesbos 2016... Today I woke to a near gale blowing, so that paid end to any plans of ringing. Instead we went "West" in search of Isabelline Wheatears, one of the special birds of the island, fair to say they are pretty reliable at a few sites and within minutes of arriving at one of the sites I've seen them at in previous spring visits one was sat on a wall, then a bush then out of sight..... wind swept Izzy Wheatear We called in to the salt pans and were told of a Red necked Phalarope bingo...., given the diminutive size of the bird and its distance from any human there's no photo.. The forecast rain arrived late in the day with a few rumbles of thunder and one or two impressive forks of lightening, not enough to stop an intrepid duo dashing off to look for a couple of reported Caspian Terns, no joy tonight maybe first thing tomorrow.

Lesbos 2016.... It continues to be a hard trip to get many species, for example I've only seen one wagtail since we arrived! The ringing has continued to be tough also, there is just such a lack of movement, although even the resident birds are playing hard to get. Despite the lack of birds its also noticeable that there is a lack of refugees, having visited the island hotspot of Molyvos there are no signs of there being a crisis, this is largely due to Turkey now playing their part and discouraging the refugees to leave as they will be returned to Turkey!!! A few photographs of the other island wildlife, just to prove there's much to see, one thing for sure is that I must buy a decent camera!!! Carder Bee spp Small Pincertail Mmm not sure?? Turtle Dove(s) 1st Summer Night Heron Thread Lacewing

Lesbos 2016... Thursday and Friday morning I spent most of Thursday at the Kalloni Raptor Point (KRP), it sounds a lot grander than it really is but what a great three hours from 10:30- 13:30. The following birds, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonoras Falcon, Honey Buzard, Long Legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Short Toed Eagle, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk and GOLDEN EAGLE. The usual Agama Lizards, as well as Cretzschmars Bunting and Woodlark. Agama Lizard, the only representative of this African group of lizards in Europe This morning (Friday) I had a four hour ringing session on the edge of a reedbed/marsh and had a good mix of birds including Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler GREAT REED WARBLER, EUROPEAN BEE-EATER, and Corn Bunting. European Bee-eater Corn Bunting We did a "strandline safari" this afternoon, whilst there were many similarities to a stroll along Cefn Sidan, one or two of the mini-beasts lef

Ringing continues to be very tough, ideal location, just no passerines around!!!! Today we ventured out around the eastern side of the Bay of Kalloni, and saw a decent selection of birds, with some photographs.... The best were four Collared Pratincoles, a member of the wader family but more tern like in behaviour. Bee-eaters were close enough to get a half decent photograph but always on a wire!! Waders were evident at one pool, with Little and Temmincks Stints, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilts and a Black tailed Godwit. Its one of the best springs for butterflies that I have witnessed just need to identify them when I get a chance. ???? Painted Lady This female Blackbird, (BTO age 5) really was as grey as the photo suggests

Lesbos 2016 internet issues yesterday so hopefully resolved full update later but best of yesterday included. Montagu's Harrier (2), Honey Buzzard, Bee-eaters (15+) Spotted Flycatcher, Scopolis Shearwater Yelkouan Shearwater (100's). Plenty of butterflies on the wing including Painted Lady, Aegeon Brown and a load to be identified. Painted Lady