It was really windy around the Kalloni Pans (sunny though!) on December 22nd so I made a repeat visit on the 26th- with the company of a good friend. Here are some sightings I enjoyed together with some photos:
The overwintering duck species in the usual for the season figures:
200+ Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 100+Teal (A. crecca), 100+ Wigeon (A. penelope), 20 Shoveler (A. clypeata), 100+ Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), 150+ Ruddy Shelduck (T. ferruginea)
1540 Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus), 20 Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) and…
1 adult Common Crane (Grus grus) unfortunately only observed from my recording spot on top of the nearby hill and not at ground level… And yes this was the top sighting for me, the south-Med birder!!
Several flocks of Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), Corn Buntings (Emberiza calandra), Golden (Carduelis carduelis) and Greenfinches (Chloris chloris) and Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) and several other species present: Robins (Erithacus rubecula)and Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros), Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), Crested Larks (Galerida cristata), Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) etc
In the sea (North Kalloni Gulf) I had 13 Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator), 1 Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica), 70+ Great Crested (Podiceps cristatus), and 4 Black-necked Grebes (P. nigricolis) a few Curlews (Numenius arquata) and Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) and 3 Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvicensis).
Not to forget 2 Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) and 2 Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus), the usual Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and 1-2 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus).
I know it is not a good idea but… couldn’t resist (I am sure you can tell it’ s the Northern Crane!):
Happy New Year from Lesvos!!!
Lesvos Bird News 