A quick overview of some of the rare and scarce birds recently reported on Lesvos. Status is based on the latest available sightings and can change quickly.
This week!
!!! Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) 1 ind (9/10) at the Eresos end of the Meladia valley by reporter on the WhatsApp group (report for the Greek Rarities Comittee is required)
Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) 1 ind (7/10) ringed in Dipi-Larsos reedbed by E. Galinou | 3 ind (7/10) ringed in Dipi-Larsos reedbed by St. Zannetos
!!! Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) 1 ind (6/10) ringed in Dipi-Larsos reedbed by St. Zannetos
Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) large flocks passing through: 500+ (5/10) at Meladia Valley by H. Vaughan | 300+ (5/10) at Dipi Larsos reedbed by E. Galinou | 900+ (6/10) at Dipi Larsos reedbed by H. Vaughan
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) 2 ind (5/10) immature within Dalmatian Pelicans in SE parts of the Kalloni Pans, by A. Deligiannis
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 ind (5/10) at Meladia Valley (5/10) by H. Vaughan
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)- 1 ind (7/10), above Tsiknias river ford, in riverbed by parked yellow bulldozer on west bank (several observers WhatsApp group & eBird)
Sept 28 to Oct 4, 2026
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) 1 ind (4/10) Kalloni Salt Pans east side by E. Galinou/ G. Conduit
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) 3 ind (30/9) male and 2 1st cy at the Kalloni Salt Pans by Howard Vaughan & Dave Hawkins | 2 ind (1/10) 2 1st cy birds at the Kalloni Salt Pans by Howard Vaughan
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) 5 ind (30/9) passing south over Perivolis reservoir (Eresos) by Dave Grant | 1 ind (1/10) passing through Argenos watchpoint by Ray Purser
Black -winged Pratincole (Glareola normandii) 1nd (29/9) in Polichnitos Salt Pans reported by Mike Holley- unconfirmed
Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) 1 ind (29/9 pm) S parts of the Kalloni Salt Pans near Hide 2, by G. Shaw | 1 ind (30/9) S parts of the Kalloni Salt Pans by Howard Vaughan
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) 1 ind (28 &29/9) immature within Dalmatian Pelicans in SE parts of the Kalloni Pans, by A Royle & 1 ind (28/9) immature in Potamia reservoir, by Dave G.
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)- 1 ind (most days), above Tsiknias river ford, in riverbed by parked yellow bulldozer on west bank (several observers WhatsApp group & eBird)
Sept 21 to 27, 2026
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) 1 ind immature (25-27/9) within Dalmatian Pelicans in SE parts of the Kalloni Pans, first spotted by C. Shaw
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) 2 ind (23/9) over the Kleio watchpoint by N. Dodd | 1 ind (25/9) over Lepetymnos watchpoint | 1 ind (26/9) over the Metochi Lake by D. Oulsnam & 1 ind (26/9) near Sigri by A. Swan
Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) building into 29, 34 and 50+ ind (22/9 pm), Kalloni Salt Pans, west and SW fields, by Mike Crewe, Gary Elton, Gavin Thomas, Ian G and other observers | singles een by the Tsiknias river and Lotzaria track the following morning (23/9) by M. Smith) + 1 that landed to spend the night in Skala Kallonis (Ian G. & G. Shaw) | 1-2 ind in several locations daily ever since
Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) 1 ind, male (22/9 pm) south and east side of the Kalloni Pans, by Mike Crewe & Ian G | seen departing 7:00 am the following morning (23/9) by observer on WhatsApp group
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrorous) 1 ind, (22/9 pm) south and east side of the Kalloni Pans, by Mike Crewe & Ian G | seen departing 7:00 am the following morning (23/9) by observer on WhatsApp group
Corn Crake (Crex crex) 1 ind (22/9 pm), Lotzaria track, by Martin Smith
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) 1 ind (22 & 23/9 am), Kalloni Salt Pans south canal (Hide 2), by Anonymus observer on the WhatsApp group & A. Royle
Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) 1 ind (21/9 am), Filia mast track, by Alex Van Gulijk
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)- 1 ind (21-27/9), above Tsiknias river ford, in riverbed by parked yellow bulldozer on west bank (several observers WhatsApp group & eBird)
Sept 14 to 20, 2026
Argenos Raptor Watchpoint getting busier with birds and birders!
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 4 ind (18/9 pm), Kalloni Salt Pans SE pans, by E. Galinou, 1-2 ind seen everyday at same spot
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) 1 ind (16/9), 2 ind passing together (18/9), Argenos watchpoint, by Raymond De Smet
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) 1 or 2 ind (17/9) Argenos watchpoint, by Raymond De Smet
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)- 1 ind– all week, above Tsiknias river ford, by several observers
Sept 7 to 13, 2026
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 or 2 ind seen every day by several observers, Kalloni Salt Pans SE pans or the lorry line by saltworks entrance
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)- 1 ind– Sept 12, Tsiknias river ford, by M. Smith & several other observers
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)- 7 ind– Sept 12, Argenos Raptor Watchpoint, by R. De Smet, 6 ind– Sept 11, Argenos Raptor Watchpoint, by M. Smith
Rufous Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes)- 1 ind– Sept 11, Lotzaria track, by M. Jackson
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)- 1 ind – Sept 10, Kalloni Salt Pans east side, by M. Crewe
Aug 31 to Sept 6, 2026
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)- 1 ind– Sept 1, 3, 4 & 5 , Tsiknias River ford, by M. Watts & Ellen Walsh
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)- 1 ind – Sept 1, 3 & 4, Kalloni Salt Pans south canal, opposite Hide 2, among Little Stints, plovers etc. by M. Watts & E. Walsh
Aug 24 to 30, 2026
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)- possibly still around- 1st seen: 4 ind– Aug 25, pm- Kalloni Salt Pans SW corner pan (before Hide 2), by M. Smith- Also: 4 ind– Aug 27, am- Kalloni Salt Pans, by J. Selody & K. Kovshun- eBird & 1 ind– pm Tsiknias River, by E. Walsh- Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 30, Tsiknias River, by D. Lyons
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)- possibly still around- Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 30, Tsiknias River, by D. Lyons
Cretzschmar’s Buntings (Emberiza caesia) still around/on the move, reported from Skala Eressos (3 ind- Aug 25, am by R. Hackney) & Makara (2 ind- Aug 25, pm by M. Smith)
Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea) – Last seen: 1 ind – Skala Eresos beach, west end track- Aug 28 (R. Hackney)
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)- 1st seen: 1 ind – Aug 24, am, Kalloni Salt Pans south canal, opposite Hide 2, among Little Stints, plovers etc.- Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 25 pm (M. Smith), same place
Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus)- Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 24, 7:45 am- Kalloni Salt Pans south canal, opposite Hide 2, among Little Stints, plovers etc.
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus)- Last seen: 1 ind, juvenile- Aug 24, 11:45 am- Potamia reservoir, sitting on a floating pipe.
Aug 17 to 23, 2026
Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)- Last seen (heard…) 2 ind– Aug 22 8:45 am- Fig trees east of Tsiknias river (Lotzaria track)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)– Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 17, 11:45 am- Tsiknias River, south of ford, in group with the usual 3 Coots | Not seen on Aug 18 during a morning and afternoon visit (eBird) or on Aug 22
Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)- more individuals around the Lotzaria track (see “Recent sightings” page)- 1st SEEN: 1 ind– Aug 18, pm- Tsiknias River ford (M. Hojgaard- eBird)
Aug 2 to 16, 2026
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) – Last seen: 1 ind– Aug 13 am- Tsiknias River near ford | 3 inds– Aug, 10 & 6 – Kalloni Salt Pans SW corner pan
…
Earlier in 2026
Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)- 1 ind reported 27 April to 19 May 2026- Last seen 19 May – Kalloni Salt Pans (K. Bode/Observation & L. Strobol, R. Praschak, A. Pidcock and A. Royle/ eBird)
