Lesvos, 20 - 27 September 07

Pithariou Reservoir and Monastery

Sites visited (from Skala Kallonis) and weather

20/9 Fine, settled, sunny and warm. No wind.
Arrived hotel c.1600h. Metochi Lake

21/9 Overcast. Rain in morning. Very strong NE wind.
Petra Reservoir, Molivos, north coast track to Skala Sikaminias, Sikaminia, Korakas, Napi Valley, Kalloni Saltpans, Tsiknias River.

22/9 Overcast. Strong NE wind.
Christou River, Aghia Ionnis, Pithariou Reservoir, Skala Eresou, Chrousou, Potamia Reservoir, Metochi Lake.

23/9 Sunny. Strong NW wind.
Christou River, Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Mesa and forest through to Achladeri, Skala Vassilikon, Alikoudi Pool area, Skala Polichnitou Saltpans, Skala Polichnitou Harbour, Nifida, Orgalo Hill, Achladeri, Mesa.

24/9 Sunny. Strong NW wind.
Ipsilopetopo, Kapi, Vigla, Sikamonia, Vafios, Molivos, Petra (Avlaki), Skoutoros, Anemotia, Tskinias River.

25/9 Sunny. Moderate NW wind swinging to SW by early afternoon.
Achladeri, Skala Vassilikon, Skala Polichnitou Saltpans, Almiropotamos River, Vatera, Ambeliko Valley, Mount Olympus, Agiasos Sanatorium.

26/9 Sunny. Light S wind.
Ipsilou, Sigri, Medalia River Ford (dry), Eressos, Skala Eresou, Pithariou Reservoir, Koukoumos.


Species list

Common Teal
8 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.

Mallard
4 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9 and 26/9.

Black-necked Grebe
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Little Grebe
18 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9 and 26/9.
26 Potamia Reservoir 22/9.
1 Molivos Harbour 24/9.

Scopoli’s Shearwater
1 off Skala Eresou 22/9.

White Pelican
144 south-east over Orgalo Hill east of Nifida at c.1620h on 23/9.

2 juvs on the sea off Avlaki, Petra at 1700h on 24/9.
18 Skala Polinchitou Saltpans on 25/9, headed off eastwards at 1010h.

Little Bittern
Male Skala Eresou ford 22/9.

Squacco Heron
1 Skala Eresou ford 22/9.

Great White Egret
6 Kalloni Saltpans 23/9.
10 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
11 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Grey Heron
1 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
1 Potamia Reservoir 22/9.
22+ Kalloni Saltpans 23/9.
7 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9 and 25/9.

Black Stork
1 Christou River 23/9.
2 Kalloni Saltpans 23/9.
9 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
13 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

White Stork
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9 and 25/9.

Spoonbill
5 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
2 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Greater Flamingo
Present (inc. many juvs) at Kalloni and Skala Polichnitou saltpans. 1 juv Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.

Short-toed Eagle
1 over Aghia Ionnis 22/9.

1 over Christou River 23/9.

1 over Achladeri 23/9.

1 over Achladeri 23/9.

2 above Kapi 24/9.

2 Vigla 24/9.

1 over Vafios 24/9.

2 over ridge east of Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

1 over Polinchonitos 25/9.

1 Ambeliko Valley 25/9.

Marsh Harrier
1 south over Sikaminia 21/9.
1 south over Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
1 Tsiknias River mouth 23/9.
1 south near Skoutoros 24/9.

Golden Eagle
1 south over Sikaminia 21/9.

Booted Eagle
1 south-east along ridge east of Skala Polinchitou Saltpans at 1040h on 25/9.

Osprey
1 eating fish near Achladeri 23/9.
1 carrying fish south over Vigla 24/9.

Goshawk
1 male over Ipsilometopo 24/9.
1 female over Vigla 24/9.
5 (3 fem, 2 male) south over Sikaminia 24/9.
1 female mobbing Black Storks Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.
1 female Ambeliko Valley 25/9.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk
1 south through Napi Valley 21/9.
1 female south over Vigla 24/9.
2 Mount Olympus 25/9.

Levant Sparrowhawk
1 imm/fem south between Sikaminia and Mantamdos 21/9.
1 fem near Anetomia 24/9.

Common Buzzard
Recorded across the island.

Long-legged Buzzard
1 south over Vigla 24/9.
7 south over Sikaminia 24/9.
1 Achladeri 25/9.
1 over ridge east of Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.
1 south over Ipsilou 26/9.

Lesser Kestrel
1 over Vigla 24/9.
1 imm/fem south over Ipsilou 26/9.

Common Kestrel
2 Alikoudi Pool area 25/6.
1 above Kapi 24/9.

Peregrine Falcon
1 ad Efthalou 21/9.
2 ads Ipsilou 26/9.
1 Pithariou Reservoir 26/9.

Red-footed Falcon
30+ south over entrance of track to Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
1 fem Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Hobby
1 juv over Molivos Castle 24/9.
1 ad Tsiknias River mouth 24/9.
1 nr Pithariou Reservoir 26/9.

Eleanora’s Falcon
1 light adult Petra Reservoir 21/9.
1 dark adult Chrousou 22/9.
1 light adult over Ipsilou 26/9.
2 above Eressos (along Sigri track) 26/9.

Moorhen
Present at Skala Eresou Ford (inc. juvs), Tsiknias River, Potamia Reservoir (inc. juvs), Pithariou Reservour, Almiropotamos River (inc. juvs).

Coot
1 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
1 Skala Eresou ford 22/9.

Water Rail
1 Tsiknias River Ford 24/9.
1 Skala Eresou Ford 26/9.

Stone-curlew
8 Christou River marsh 22/9 (not seen subsequently despite searching).

Black-winged Stilt
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9 and 25/9.

Avocet
13 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9. Also present at Kalloni Saltpans.

Little Ringed Plover
3 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
4 Metochi Lake 22/9.

Ringed Plover
22 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Kentish Plover
1 Christou River 23/9.
9+ Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
13+ Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Little Stint
2 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.

Temminck’s Stint
2 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Dunlin
2 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Common Snipe
1 Tsiknias River Ford 21/9.
1 Skala Eresou 22/9.

Bar-tailed Godwit
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9 and 25/9.

Common Redshank
Present at Kalloni and Skala Polichnitou Saltpans.

Spotted Redshank
1 Tsiknias River mouth 23/9.
3 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.

Greenshank
Recorded at Kalloni and Skala Polichnitou Saltpans. Max. 11 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Green Sandpiper
1 Metochi Lake 20/9 and 22/9.

Common Sandpiper
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.

Mediterranean Gull
1 ad Skala Vassilikon harbour 23/9.
2 ads Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.
7 ads Skala Polichnitou Harbour 23/9.
3 ads and 3 1st winters Nifida 23/9.
13 ads and 1 2nd winter Skala Vassilikon Harbour 25/9.

Black-headed Gull
Common around Gulf of Kalloni coast.

Yellow-legged Gull
Widespread and common around all coast.

Gull-billed Tern
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 23/9.

Sandwich Tern
7 Tsiknias Rover mouth 23/9.

Collared Dove
Common and widespread.

Little Owl
Only one seen, Vatera 25/9.

Long-eared Owl
1 in pinewoods just south of Petra 23/9.

Alpine Swift
3 over Aghia Ionnis 22/9.
2 over Christou River 23/9.
3 Vigla 25/9.

Kingfisher
1 Metochi Lake 20/9.
2 Tsiknias River mouth 24/9.
1 Skala Polichnitou Saltpans 25/9.
1 Almiropotamos River Ford 25/9.
1 Skala Eresou Ford 26/9.

Bee-eater
1 entrance to track up to Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
45+ (flock of 14, 6, 23, 4) south over forest between Mesa and Achladeri 23/9.
16 Mesa (late evening) 23/9.
6 Ariana (late evening) 23/9.
11 Hotel Pasiphae (early morning) 24/9.
4+ Ariana (early morning) 24/9.
9 over Sikaminia 24/9.
6+ Almiropotamos River 25/9.
6+ over Ambeliko Valley 25/9.

Hoopoe
4 together feeding in recently cut field in Alikoudi Pool area 23/9.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker
1-5 seen/heard daily throughout the island.

Crested Lark
Common and widespread.

Woodlark
3 singing at Ipsilou 26/9.

Sand Martin
Small numbers seen throughout the island.

Crag Martin
20+ Pithariou Reservoir 22/9 and 26/9.

Barn Swallow
Common and widespread migrant.

House Martin
Seen daily in small numbers, but many hundreds over Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.

Tawny Pipit
8 Kalloni Saltpans Sheep Fields 23/9.
2 in recently cut field in Alikoudi Pool area 23/9.

Tree Pipit
Common and widespread migrant.

Yellow Wagtail
2 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.
70+ over to roost Tsiknias River Ford 24/9.

White Wagtail
Common and widespread.

Grey Wagtail
1 over Chrousou 22/9.

Robin
2 near Agiasos Sanatorium 25/9.

Bluethroat
1 Pithariou Reservoir 22/9.

Common Redstart
1-2 seen daily.

Whinchat
Common and widespread.

Stonechat
Singles most days.

Isabelline Wheatear
1 Ipsilou 26/9.

Northern Wheatear
Common and widespread. Max. 20+ Alikoudi Pool area 23/9.

Black-eared Wheatear
1 Aghia Ionnis 22/9.
1 Chrousou 22/9.
2 Ipsilou 26/9.
2 Koukoumos 26/9.
1 in forest between Mesa and Achladeri 23/9.

Mistle Thrush
1 Mount Olympus 25/9.

Blackbird
Common and widespread.

Cetti's Warbler
Seen/heard daily around Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis, and at Skala Eresou Ford.

Reed Warbler
1 Molivos Castle 24/9.

Subalpine Warbler
1 Ambeliko Valley 25/9.

Barred Warbler
1 juv Ambeliko Valley 25/9.

Lesser Whitethroat
1-3 seen daily.

Whitethroat
1-3 seen daily.

Garden Warbler
1 Ipsilou 26/9.

Blackcap
5-10 seen daily.

Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler
1 Aghia Ionnis 22/9.

Chiffchaff
3-5 seen daily.

Willow Warbler
Common (hundreds) and widespread.

Firecrest
1 Molivos 21/9.

Spotted Flycatcher
Very common and widespread. Counts of 14 at Ipsilou and Pithariou Reservoir 26/9.

Collared Flaycatcher
1 imm Pitharioiu Reservoir 26/9.

Sombre Tit
Seen in pairs and small parties at many localities.

Blue Tit
Common and widespread.

Great Tit
Common and widespread.

Kruper's Nuthatch
3 above Agiasos Sanitorium 25/9.

Rock Nuthatch
Common and widespread in rocky/upland areas.

Red-backed Shrike
Common and widespread.

Masked Shrike
1 juv in forest between Mesa and Achladeri 23/9.
1 juv Koukoumos 26/9.

Lesser Grey Shrike
1 juv in recently cut field in Alikoudi Pool area 23/9.

Hooded Crow
Common and widespread.

Jackdaw
Common and widespread.

Raven
Seen in many upland areas. Max. 11 near tip at top of Napi Valley 21/9.

Rock Sparrow
2 Ipsilou 26/9.

House Sparrow
Common and widespread.

Cirl Bunting
Common and widespread. Counts of 10+ Petra Reservoir 21/9 and 12+ Pithariou Reservoir 26/9.

Corn Bunting
Common and widespread.

Watching British Dragonflies - it's here!

Well, its taken us over a decade, but today Caroline, Andy and myself are celebrating the publication of our long-awaited book - Watching British Dragonflies!

You can see it at the Birdfair this weekend!

Lesser Stag Beetle

The highlight of my National Moth Night was not a moth, but two Lesser Stag Beetles which I have never seen in the garden before.

National Moth Night

My first ever contribution to National Moth Night, and although pulling out all the stops (MV light, actinic light, wine syrup and patrolling flowering plants) I only managed 37 macro species (143 indidivuals). By mighnight, the wine syrup rags and spots had drawn in 18 species, eight of which I failed to catch in the two light traps, so this was well worth the effort.

15w actinic light trap

160w MV light trap

Only the second Copper Underwing I have caught here

A Herald at a wine syrup wrag

Woodwalton darters

Ruddy Darter, male Common Darter, female.

More moths

Another rather poor catch last night (only 75 individuals of 25 macro species). But amongst them where some rather nice commoner moths including these three.

Dog's Tooth, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen
This is one of my favourite moths. I just love what I call the 'Warrior Mask' markings - dig those fangs!

Green Carpet, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
A common species, I caught five last night, but this is a real cracker - the best-marked one I have seen this year.

Wormwood Pug, 8 August 2007, Farcet Fen.
One of the easier pugs! This one was huge, even larger than the Bordered Pug on the same carton (which unfortunately winged its way to feedon before I could pot it for a photo!).

Twin-spotted Wainscot

Caught at light, 6 August 2007.

This is only my second record of this local species, the first was on 9 August last year - only three days out! Also caught the same date as David caught one at Earith.

White-line Dart - new for the fen

Caught at light, 4 Aug 2007

This was the first of two White-line Darts caught on 2 & 4 Aug. A new species for mew, the fen and VC29sw.

Rosy Footman

Rosy Footman, Farcet Fen, 21 July 2007

I caught this cracking moth the other weekend when Liz and I had a coupleof friends over from Germay staying with us - Jurgen (a very German name) and Elizabetta (a not so German name cos she's one of those nice Italian ladies). I think they find me very amusing in general, but they certainly thought I was seriously amusing when they witnessed the joyous reaction of pulling a Rosy Footman from the moth trap. Well, it was a first for me and only the 49th record for Hunts! Thats exciting enough, but doubly so in a crap summer!

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Farcet Fen

A pair of ovispositing Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Farcet Fen.

Click the image above for a larger picture.

I knew it was only a matter of time before I found this species on the fen. Brian Stone found them in central Peterborough last year, but I don't know of ay other sites locally to have recorded them either last year or this year (not heard of any anywhere so far this year). Is this the first site to record this species in Hunts?

On the above record shot (taken at about 8+ metres range with my Panosonic FZ-30) note on the male the blue on the underside of segments 2, 3 and 8 of the abdomen and the tomato-red eyes (not the ruby-red of LRED). The female is the blue form and you can just make out that she has full off-yellow shoulder stripes.

Large Red-eyed Damselfly occurs out here too, but I have never recorded them from this location on the fen, so as asoon as I saw a red-eye in this area I knew I was on to something!

This species continues to spread west and north through England since its discovery in Britain in 1999 and is already as far north s Yorkshire.

In addition to this ovipositing pair there were three other males present.

Peregrines breed in Peterborough!

Fledged juvenile Peregrine Falcon

Centric’s Peterborough Power Station, June 2007

© Mike Harris/Centrica Energy

Read the full story and how I confirmed the county's first ever breeding Peregrines here.

White-legged Damselfly, Elton Water Meadows

The awful weather predicted for today didn't look like it was going to materialise, and needing a break from work on the book (Watching British Dragonflies) I decideed to go and look at some live beasties for a couple of hours.

The Natural Stone had seen two of my fave odonates, White-legged Damselfly and Scarce Chaser, near his home in Elton which ain't too far from the house. I see Scarce Chaser annually at Woodwalton Fen NNR, but I have to travel further afield for White-legged Damsels, so scoring the latter in particualar would be sweet.

Immature female (form lactea) White-legged Damselfly. The white legs are very obvious, but they are not swollen like the males, which are spectacular, especially when he is displayin. Alas all the adults, inc. a handful of males, were all very active and camera shy!

Alas no Scarce Chasers seen, but plenty of White-legged Damsels, most of them (95%+) where the above young female form lactea.

Banded Demoiselles, Elton Water Meadows

Adult female. Amzing how the false, or psuedo-, pterostigma can disappear from some angles.

Adult female. Here the psuedo-ptrostigma is clearly visible.

Adult male. Look how the blue panel in the wing looks black from this angle.

Adult male. With the light directly on the insect the true colour of the panel and the wing venation and structure is easier to see.

Dorset, 8-15 June

The week saw me retreat to Dorset with Liz and mum-in-law Elsie. The plan was whilst they were out playing I would be working on my forthcoming dragonfly book, Watching British Dragonflies.

The Music Room at Little Woolgarston - our terrific home for the week - and just a short walk along the downs from Corfe Castle (and the NT tea garden for sticky treats!).

Some gorgeous fungi near the cottage.

I decided to take the trap to help de-stress between spells of working on the book and it paid great dividends. V Moth - new for me

Foxglove Pug

Green Pug

Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Whitepoint
A visit to the Middlebeare and Arne area. This is Hartland NNR - a great area for drags - and lived up to expectations with 11 species in one afternoon between here and Arne. Liz and I also managed a breif but good view of a Sand Lizard at Arne which typically scarpered before the camera could be engaged!

Buck Sika Deer at Arne

Doe Sika Deer at Arne

Sundew on Middlebeare

Common Lizard at Arne

Common Lizard close up!

Quad (Four-spotted Chaser)

Small Red Damselfly - in all its finery

Female Keeled Skimmer

A teneral male Emerald Damselfy

Male Emperor dragonfly

A teneral male Common Darter

Female Broad-bodied Chaser

Side view of the BBC

Dyrad's Saddle Polyporus squamosus - a bracket fungus with funky English and scientific names!

Back at the ranch, Liz found this Nuthatch preening on an open branch about 12m away

And so to bed for the wee Nutter

Challard Down running east from Corfe Castle and just north of the cottage

Pyramidal Orchid - typical of chalk downland

Male Common Blue

Pyramidal Orchid - the white form

Returning to the cottage we found a hornet in the living room on two different days.


Eyed Hawkmoth

Side view of the curvey Eyed HM.


Barred Yellow roosting under a birch branch near the trap.

The beautifully named Brussels Lace - a new moth for me - roosting on the trunk of a birch tree near the cottage