Recent Sightings highlights some of the most interesting bird records of Lesvos, focusing on scarce or migratory species, as well as noteworthy counts, unusual dates and other observations of interest.
NOTE: for site names, see page “Best birding sites“
12 September 2026
CHRISTOU RIVER (ENNIA KAMARES)
(by Vincent Leirens – Observation)
1 Kingfisher
1 Greenshank, 5 Redshanks
6 Kentish & 4 Little Ringed Plovers
1 Grey Plover
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by Martin Smith – WhatsApp)
1 Spotted Crake
1 Water Rail
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
(by Mike Crewe- WhatsApp)
1 Isabelline Wheatear
KALLONI SALT PANS hide 2
(by Mike Crewe & Chris Lansdell – WhatsApp)
1 Osprey
2 Black Storks
KALLONI SALT PANS hide 1
(by C. Lansdell – WhatsApp)
5 Curlew Sandpipers
5 Kentish Plovers, 1 Grey Plover
1 Whrimbrel
MOLIVOS castle
(by Stephen Daniels – WhatsApp)
1 Sub-alpine Warbler
ARGENOS RAPTOR WATCHPOINT
(by Raymond de Smet – WhatsApp)
for 46′
7 Honey Buzzards
1 Common Buzzard
1 Marsh Harrier
11 September 2026
SKALA KALLONIS Aegeon Hotel
(by Chris Lansdell – WhatsApp group)
1 Thrush Nightingale
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by Michael Jackson – WhatsApp)
1 Green Sandpiper
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
(by Michael Jackson – WhatsApp)
1 Rufous Bush Robin
1 Marsh Harrier
PERASMA (MOLIVOS) RESERVOIR
(by Selma Pronk- Observation)
1 Little Owl
ARGENOS RAPTOR WATCHPOINT
(by Martin Smith – WhatsApp)
for 45′
4 Honey Buzzards
1 Common Buzzard
1 Short-toed Eagle
ERESOS
(by Mike Crewe – WhatsApp)
2 Eleonora’s Falcons
3 Laughing Doves (by palm tree roundabout)
PITHARIOU RESERVOIR
6 Eleonora’s Falcons
10 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS east side
(by Mike Crewe – WhatsApp group)
24 Dalmatian Pelicans
18 Spoonbills
1 Marsh Sandpiper
3 Tawny Pipits, 3 Zitting Cisticolas
POTAMIA (KERAMI) RESERVOIR
(by Chris Lansdell – WhatsApp)
1 Dalmatian Pelican
18 Teals, 1 Shoveler
2 Crag Martins
FILIA MAST
(by John Watts – WhatsApp)
1 Turtle Dove
1 Subalpine Warbler
many more resident species
KAVAKI Molivos
(by Chris Lansdell – WhatsApp)
2 Chukars
KALO LIMANI settlement
(by David Lyons- WhatsApp)
100+ House Martins
ERESOS
(by Alice Ryan- eBird)
1 Laughing Dove
9 September 2026
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
(by Mike Crewe & E. Galinou – WhatsApp group)
40+ Greater Short-toed Larks
50+ Yellow Wagtails
2 Tawny Pipits
10 Northern Wheatears
12 Whinchats
15 Red-backed Shrikes
1 Lesser Grey Shrike
4 Woodchat Shrikes
“Many” Bee-eaters
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by Chris Lansdell – WhatsApp)
1 Sedge Warbler
PERASMA (MOLIVOS) RESERVOIR
(by David Lyons – WhatsApp)
20+ Ruddy Shelducks
1 Dalmatian Pelican
1 Black Stork
between Molivos and the reservoir
(by Shaun Price)
8 Dalmatian Pelicans
8 September 2026
KAVAKI Molivos
(by Selma Pronk- Observation)
2 Turtle Doves
1 Tree Pipit
7 September 2026
KAVAKI Molivos
(by Selma Pronk- Observation)
1 Laughing Dove
2 Sardinian Warblers
1 Eleonora’s Falcon
6 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by John Watts)
1 Curlew Sandpiper
7 Little Stints
…
4 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by John Watts)
1 Marsh Sandpiper
1 Wood Sandpiper
2 Ospreys
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by John Watts)
1 Glossy Ibis
1 Green Sandpiper
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
(by Ellen Walsh & David Lyons)
1 Cuckoo
2 Tawny Pipits
4 Short-toed Eagles
MAKARA
(by David Lyons)
2 Alpine Swifts
3 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by John Watts)
1 Marsh Sandpiper
1 Wood Sandpiper
PERASMA (MOLIVOS) RESERVOIR
(by Martin Smith)
17 Ruddy Shelducks
1 Little Gull
Greater Short-toed Larks (flyover flock)
3 Eleonora’s Falcons
MELADIA (TSICHLIONTAS RIVER) VALLEY Eressos to Sigri track
(by Ellen Walsh)
1 Roller
2 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by Ellen Walsh- Lesvos Birders FB)
1 Marsh Sandpiper
POTAMIA OLD RESERVOIR
(by David Lyons- WhatsApp group)
1 Night Heron
1 September 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by John Watts- WhatsApp group)
1 Marsh Sandpiper
1 Wood Sandpiper
3 Ruff
Little Stints, Little Ringed Plovers etc.
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by John Watts- WhatsApp group)
1 Glossy Ibis
1 Osprey
MELADIA (TSICHLIONTAS RIVER) VALLEY Eressos to Sigri track
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Osprey
…
30 August 2026
TSIKNIAS RIVER at ford
(by David Lyons- WhatsApp group)
1 Glossy Ibis
1 Squacco Heron
LAPSARNA (after Liota village)
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Hoopoe
7 Turtle Doves
10+ Sardinian Warblers, most likely incoming birds
1 Wood Warbler
15+ Willow Warblers, some in 2-3 ind parties
5+ Whitethroats
VOULGAGIS RIVER
1 Wryneck
1 Savi’s Warbler
1 Reed Warbler
5+ Cetti’s Warblers, showing very well!
1 Garden Warbler
Whitethroats & Lesser Whitethroats
1 Cretzschmar’s Bunting
8+ Cirl Buntings
ARGENOS RAPTOR WATCHPOINT
(12:30-13:30)
1 poss. Goshawk
2 Marsh Harriers (together)
5 + 4 Short-toed Eagles
68 Ravens
29 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by J. Selody, K. Kovshun & M. Hojgaard– eBird)
8 Dalmatian Pelicans
15 Black Storks
2 Kentish Plovers
10 Little Stints
3 Wood Sandpipers
2 Green Sandpipers
1 Curlew
2 Lesser Grey Shrikes
1 Eleonora’s Falcon
2 Short-toed Eagles
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
(by M. Hojgaard– eBird)
3 Bee-eaters
2 Short-toed Eagles, poss. same birds
TSIKNIAS RIVER
(by J. Selody, K. Kovshun & M. Hojgaard– eBird & E. Walsh)
1 Great White Egret
1 Squacco Heron
1 Kentish Plover
1 Greenshank
1 Curlew
3 Bee-eaters
SKALA ERESSOS track behind Aeolian Village hotel
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Cretzschmar’s Bunting
1 Marsh Harrier
28 August 2026
CHRISTOU RIVER (ENNIA KAMARES)
(by J. Selody & K. Kovshun- eBird)
2 Dalmatian Pelicans
1 Grey Plover, 1 Kentish Plover
2 Zitting Cisticolas
MELADIA (TSICHLIONTAS RIVER) VALLEY Eressos to Sigri track
Eresos end
(by Roger Hackney)
11 Crag Martins
4 Turtle Doves
SKALA ERESSOS track behind Aeolian Village hotel
1 Cinereous Bunting, female
27 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by J. Selody & K. Kovshun- eBird)
4 Glossy Ibisses
12 Little Stints, 1 Ruff
2 Greenshanks
Dalmatian Pelicans (3), Pied Avocets, etc.
TSIKNIAS RIVER– near ford
(by Ellen Walsh– Lesvos Birders FB)
1 Glossy Ibis
ACHLADERI FOREST
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
1 Willow Warbler
1 Sardinian Warbler
1 Kruper’s Nuthatch
2 Short-toed Tree-creepers
SKALA KALLONIS village
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
100 Spanish Sparrows
PYTHARIOU RESERVOIR near Eresos
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Black Stork
5 Short-toed Eagles
MELADIA (TSICHLIONTAS RIVER) VALLEY Eressos to Sigri track
(by Ellen Walsh- Lesvos Birders FB)
3 Eleonora’s Falcons
26 August 2026
TSIKNIAS RIVER– near ford
(by J. Selody & K. Kovshun- eBird)
2 Water Rails
2 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks
1 Lesser Grey & 1 Red-backed Shrike
MELADIA (TSICHLIONTAS RIVER) VALLEY Eressos to Sigri track
(by Roger Hackney)
5 Lesser Grey Shrikes
3 Hoopoe
Yellow Wagtails, Whinchats, etc.
LAFIONAS near village
(by Eddy DC- Observado)
1 Goshawk
25 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by Martin Smith)
4 Glossy Ibises
1 Marsh Sandpiper
PARAKILA HARBOUR
(by Martin Smith)
2 Eastern Orphean Warblers
Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser & Common Whitethroats, Garden Warbler etc.
MAKARA
(by Martin Smith)
1 Night Heron, juv
2 Cretzschmar’s Buntings, juv (on the track)
(by Roger Hackney)
SKALA ERESSOS, track west of the Aeolian Village resort
10 Turtle Doves
Unfortunately, hunting is open now, and Turtle Doves are being hunted in Greece until they officially reach 36.000 killed ind. (as registered by the hunters themselves to a special App created for that reason)
1 Lesser Grey Shrike
3 Cretzschmar’s Buntings, 1 ad.
PETRIFIED FOREST PARK ROAD
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
1 Hoopoe
Western Rock Nuthatches, Eastern Black-eared Wheatears etc.
MOLIVOS village
(by Eddy DC- Observado)
1 Laughing Dove
24 August 2026
37 °C hot!
KALLONI SALT PANS
26 Dalmatian Pelicans
6 Black Storks
1 Marsh Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank
1 Broad-billed Sandpiper
18 Little Stints, 1 Ruff
2 Wood Sandpipers, 25+ Redshanks
2 Curlews, 2 Grey Plovers
2 Stone Curlews
6 Little Terns
1 Lesser Grey Shrike, ad.
3 Short-toed (Snake) Eagles, flying together!
2 Common Kestrels
Pied Avocets, Greater Flamingos,
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
30+ Bee-eaters
2 Middle- Spotted Woodpecker, on electricity pole & tree
1 Spotted Flycatcher
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers
2 Zitting Cisticolas
3 Woodchats, 2 Red-backed Shrikes
2 Masked Shrikes
Yellow Wagtails, Corn Buntings, House Sparrows, Crested Larks etc.
KERAMI (POTAMIA) RESERVOIR
3 Dalmatian Pelicans
25 Little Grebes, 4 Cormorants
POTAMIA OLD (HIDDEN) RESERVOIR
1 Mallard
1 Peregrine Falcon
METOCHI LAKE
8 Little Egrets
1 Common Sandpiper
23 August 2026
TSIKNIAS RIVER– near ford
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
2 White Storks
1 Greenshank
15 Bee-eaters
1 Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
3 Common Buzzards
SKALA ERESSOS – river
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Kingfisher
1 Whinchat
1 Spotted Flycatcher
22 August 2026– see post!
KALLONI SALT PANS
19 Dalmatian Pelican
16 Spoonbills, 8 Black Storks
6 Curlews
3 Wood Sandpipers
8 Slender-billed Gulls
3 Lesser Grey Shrikes
1 Red-backed Shrike
1 Common Buzzard
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
28 Bee-eaters, 1 Hoopoe
4 Reed Warblers
3 Great Reed Warblers
1 Savi’s Warbler
1 Whinchat, 3 Willow Warblers
2 Golden Orioles
2 Lesser Grey & 3 Masked Shrikes
6 Woodchat Shrikes
2 Cretzschmar’s Buntings
1 Common Kestrel
ENNIA KAMARES (CHRISTOU)– Skala Kallonis
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
1 Greenshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper
1 Tawny Pipit
FILIA track (one starting from the village)- pm
1 Black Stork (flyover)
2 Turtle Doves (1 juv)
3 Long-tailed Tits
4 Robins, 1 Wren
4 Red-backed Shrikes (all ad. males!)
PYTHARIOU RESERVOIR near Eresos
(by Roger Hackney)
Several Bee-eaters
3 Eleonora’s Falcons
Willow Warblers
21 August 2026
PYTHARIOU RESERVOIR– near Eresos
(by Roger Hackney)
1 Squacco Heron
4 Bee-eaters
1 Middle- spotted Woodpecker
2 Eleonora’s Falcons
1 Short-toed Snake Eagle
20 August 2026
ENNIA KAMARES (CHRISTOU)– Skala Kallonis
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
1 Stone Curlew, 3 Eurasian Curlews
2 Kentish Plovers, 2 Greenshanks
1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler
PAPIANA – village area
(by Micael Hojgaard- eBird)
2 Scops Owls- heard only
SKALA ERESOS – west end
(by Roger Hackney)
2 Whitethroats
Red-backed & Woodchat Shrikes
MELADIA VALLEY
(by Roger Hackney)
2 Pallid Swifts
2+ Yellow Wagtails
juv. Woodchat Shrikes
18 August 2026
(by Michael Hojgaard- eBird)
SKALA KALLONIS – village
150 Spanish Sparrows
TSIKNIAS RIVER – ford
3 Bee-eaters
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Willow Warbler
1 Lesser Grey Shrike !!! – 1st for this autumn
1 Woodchat Shrike
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
15 Bee-eaters
9 Yellow Wagtails
1 Whinchat
KALLONI SALT PANS- by Hide 2
1 Little Stint, 1 Wood Sandpiper
17 August 2026
POLICHNITOS SALT PANS
1 Dalmatian Pelican
23 Greenshanks, 15 Redshanks
100+ Pied Avocets
2 Black-tailed Godwits
KALLONI SALT PANS
22 Dalmatian Pelicans
7 Black Storks, 16 Spoonbills
1 LIttle Ringed Plover, 1 Kentish Plover
1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers
1 Short-toed Eagle
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
2 Bee-eaters
30+ Yellow Wagtails
4 juv Woodchat Shrikes
TSIKNIAS RIVER– ford
1 Ferrugineous Duck
1 Common Sandpiper (M. Hojaard- eBird)
35 Bee-eaters (M. Hojaard- eBird)
3 Common Buzzards (M. Hojaard- eBird)
NAPI– over village
2 Alpine Swifts, 2 Common Swifts
PETRA– village
(by Ph. Broughton- eBird)
1 Laughing Dove
15 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS – west side
6 LIttle Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Stints
2 Redshanks, 1 Greenshank
1 Wood Sandpiper
22 Pied Avocets, 7 Black-winged Stilts
1 Slender-billed Gull
1 Zitting Cisticola
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
1 Hoopoe
6 Bee-eaters
70+ Yellow Wagtails
9 juv Woodchat Shrikes
40+ Corn Buntings
1 Eleonora’s Falcon
2 Common Kestrels
1 Common Buzzard
2 Short-toed Eagles
TSIKNIAS RIVER – ford
1 Turtle Dove
14 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS – west side
4 Dalmatian Pelicans – flying over east end
6 LIttle Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Stints
2 Redshanks, 1 Greenshank
16 Pied Avocets
2 Black-winged Stilts
4 Slender-billed Gulls
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
2 Tawny Pipits !!! – 1st for this autumn
35+ Yellow Wagtails
1 Rufous Bush Robin
4 juv Woodchat Shrikes
13 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS
23 Dalmatian Pelicans
16 Ruffs
4 Little Stints, 1 Common Sandpiper
60+ Yellow Wagtails !!! – 1st flocks for this autumn
1 Willow Warbler !!! – 1st for this autumn
LOTZARIA TRACK – Kalloni Pans to Tsiknias river
25 Bee-eaters
1 f. Red-backed Shrike !!! – 1st for this autumn
TSIKNIAS RIVER – ford
1 Glossy Ibis
AGIA PARASKEVI village – north
1 m. Red-backed Shrike !!!- 1st for this autumn
5+ Eastern Black-eared Wheatears
1 juv Goshawk
12 August 2026
POLICHNITOS SALT PANS
2 Dalmatian Pelicans
1 juv. Greater Flamingo
1 Black Stork
8 Kentish Plovers
9 LIttle Stints
1 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Slender-billed & 16 Mediterranean Gulls
56 Sandwich Terns
11 August 2026 – see post!!
KALLONI SALT PANS
18 Dalmatian Pelicans
8 Spoonbills
15 juv. Greater Flamingos
106 Pied Avocets
10 LIttle Stints
13 Slender-billed Gulls
1 Kingfisher !!!- 1st for this autumn
1 or 2 Honey Buzzards
1 Winchat !!!- 1st for this autumn
10 August 2026
(by Michael Jackson)
KALLONI SALT PANS
1 Gull-billed Tern
3 Glossy Ibises
Sand Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail
7 August 2026
MITILINI town
1 Laughing Dove
6 August 2026
SKALA KALLONIS village
(by J. Howe/ eBird)
1 Laughing Dove
TSIKNIAS RIVER – ford
1 Squacco Heron
KALLONI SALT PANS
(by E. Galinou & C. Fantana- Observation)
7 Dalmatian Pelicans
3 Glossy Ibises (SW corner pan)
1 juv. Greater Flamingo– 1st of this year
3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Kentish Plovers
8 Little Stints, 3 Dunlins
1 Ruff
1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers
15 Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks
5 Slender-billed Gulls
4 August 2026
KALLONI SALT PANS – west side
(by Michael Jackson/Lesvos Birders WhatsApp group)
1 Black Stork
9 Black-winged Stilts, 1 Pied Avocet
5 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Kentish Plover
6 Little Stints, 2 Dunlins
1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper
1 Marsh Harrier
3 August 2026
(by Michael Jackson/Lesvos Birders WhatsApp group)
PAPIANA village – near Skala Kallonis
1 Nightjar
2 August 2026
(by C. Fantana- Observation)
SIGRI – village
1 Laughing Dove
Lesvos BIRD NEWS 