High and rough!

Today we visited Ipsilou monastery high up on a peak above the ridged valleys. We struggled up through a track and almost stepped on a brown snake which wriggled away. 

Wood warbler, golden oriole and beautiful butterflies. 

North coast

Today we went north for the Ruppells warbler. Joined about 20 others waiting for this gorgeous warbler to appear for us. It sits on an overhead wire singing for a mate and is easy to see. Two and a half hours later we gave up. It had appeared twice for short moments during that time but we were looking elsewhere.  Will try again tomorrow.

Had a picnic by a quarry with nightingales competing for partners with their beautiful songs.

Decided to go to the north coast to Efthalou. Headed for Molyvos and decided to turn in to a taverna for a loo stop.  Shirley drove down a ramp and suddenly there was an awful scrape and crunch. OMG!! Managed to get down and find that the ramp had a three foot drop on one side...unmarked, no barrier. We were so lucky that the front wheel didn't come off the ramp. I think we slid down on three wheels for a bit. The car is covered full damage waiver....except for the underneath.

On the coast road ( improved since the last time I was on it) we found a little owl, 15 bee eaters and a roller. A new place was  Skala Sikamineas where we had early dinner sitting at the small harbour and looking at the fishing boats. The sun shone as the local women were decorating the boats for May Day tomorrow. Greek salad and chips, chicken souvlaki. 

Today we finished up with a spur winged plover and a spoonbill at the salt pans. 

Butterflies

Adventure

Ipsilou monastery high on the west side of the island. Swallowtail and scarce swallowtail. Lesser and spotted fritillary. 

Snake which I almost stepped on.

Cretschmars bunting, cinereous bunting, rock nuthatch, sombre tit.  Picnic beside the road overlooking the valley. Ham and cheese and tomatoes and banana. 

Erressou village then the Meladia valley between Erressou and sigri. Warned about not driving it due to heavy rain which damaged the track. First part was not too bad. Arrived at ford and saw loads of flycatchers, orioles, crested larks and black headed buntings. Two pairs of nesting rock nuthatch and barred warbler. 

Decided to drive on and took our wee car along an intermittently dreadful track. We were lucky not to get stuck in the deep channels and rough surfaces.

Sometimes the passengers had to get out as we gingerly negotiated the ruts. Scraaaape.....crrrunnnnch......oh my god. 

Got across the 8 km of the bad track luckily. 

Dinner in Sigri. Battered fish. Fresh Broad Beans cooked in fennel. Vegetable casserole with courgettes, carrots, aubergines and tomatoes.

Today's news

The weather was cool today but pleasant.   Slightly later than planned start with various stops at the baker and the mini supermarket for picnic supplies. Then via the shore to Metoxi lake. We took the long walk round the lake and spotted masked shrike. Lots of birds here are well into breeding. Both parents bringing food to the nest.   A little bittern and a little crake showed nicely. Golden oriole, spotted flycatcher, jay, a distant rock partridge and lots more.

We stopped for Lunch in a spot by the rocks where we watched butterflies and a subalpine warbler singing round his territory.  

Then to Achladeri forest for the Krupers Nuthatch. I walked on up the track and found a Wood Warbler. 

Back via the supermarket for drinks and then to the hotel via the shore where we were delighted to see dark red, summer plumage curlew sandpiper on their way to Siberia. Also ruff and teminck's stint. 

Dinner at the Dionysis restaurant in Skala Kalloni village with Shirley and Gerard, Pat, William and Daphne. It was very busy but were were served promptly.

Out West

We left today at 8:15 and headed for Limonas Monastery. In the car park is an electricity plying with two upright poles.  In one of the poles are two holes belonging to a pair of middle spotted woodpeckers. 

Drove west towards Ipsilou monastery and stopped along a high road to gaze down at the valley.  Spotted a pair of golden orioles, black eared wheatear and others. When you stop, other birders come and join you. So two cars soon turns into 5!

On to sigri but we stopped to see bee eaters! About 29 on the wires and flying about.

Then Jenny, we went to the Australia tavern for lunch and had fried white fish withh tails on, caught in the harbour.

The highlight of the afternoon was the thunderstorm! My God! We were glad we had rubber tyres because it was overhead and very difficult to drive in low cloud and heavy rain.

Anyway we are back and lived to tell the tale!

Goodnight. 

Same day but much later

Our flight was smooth enough and took 3 hrs 20 mins. Arrived at Mytillini airport on the SE edge of the island. Collected luggage and found our coach transfers. It was much easier to be taken though Mytillini rather than negotiate one way streets with signs only in Greek. 

Unpacked suitcases and headed straight out to the salt pans. What a difference from the last time when there was an abundance of water. This year the fields are dried up and being used for pasture. The mud banks are cracked and dry. Not good for migrants.

Dinner at kalloni beach hotel ...all 17 of us. Met Steve Dudley, the author of our bird guide to lesvos. He stays in the hotel pasiphae where I am with Pat and 6 others. The remaining 9 are in the kalloni bay hotel. 

Tomorrow our car and another plan to drive to the west and the monasteries. 

4 am start

Here I am relaxing with Pat in the Servisair lounge. Breakfast and drinks! Luxury.

Preparing for Lesvos

I've been watching author Steve Dudley's Facebook page Lesvosbirding. Last week people commented on the lack of water and that everything was seriously dry and poor for migration.  On Thursday a tremendous storm broke over the island and lasted into the next day.  Now there was plenty of water but some of the roads have been swept away.

So today I'm packing with the weather in mind. Rain, wind, hot sun... ?

Off on Friday to London then bright and early 7am departure to Mytillini.  For more info click here. Lesvos