Schinias National Park new species

Until now (May 19th) 5 new species were added to Schinias National's Park species list
Black-throated Diver, Isabelline Shrike, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Lesser Whitethroat, and last week's Osprey. The areas' bird list is now 222 species, being probably the most significant wetland for Atttica.

Athens 3rd Bird race (part II: the bird list)

Highlights of the day:
Yelkuan Shearwater, Ferruginous Duck, Short-toed Eagle, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Penduline Tit, Rueppell’s Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Rock Nuthatch, Cretzschmar’s Bunting


This year’s Athens Bird-athon trip was combined with the 3rd Athens Bird race. Our team, called “Bee-eaters” managed to arrive 2nd in the overall ranking, having recorded 91 bird species around Athens region! The team consisted of Spyros Skareas (guide and driver) and brothers Elbert & Jose from Holland.

We started at 06:30 from Rafina, where we easily had House Sparrow, Blackbird, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Western Yellow-legged Gull, Sardinian Warbler, Magpie. As the sun started to rise, we could see a Little Egret at Rafina’s Stream, and 2 Barn Swallows flying over the little bridge.

We headed off Schinias National Park, and we were there at 08:00. The marshes were full of Coot, Cetti’s Warblers, and Crested Larks. A flying Bittern was a highlight of the area, very early in the day. We had more that 50 species in that area (stated here in the order seen in the field): Peregrine Falcon, Sedge Warbler, Hooded Crow, Woodchat Shrike, Stonechat, Corn Bunting, Mallard, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Goldfinch, Hoopoe (we saw 7 individuals eating together!), Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Whinchat, Greenfinch, Purple Heron, Black-headed Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Turtle Dove, Little Stint, Great Reed Warbler, Short-toed Eagle, Ruff, Lesser Whitethroat (first record for Schinias National Park), Garganey, Common Kestrel, Nightingale (heard).
A little later, we headed off the cliffs around the marshes, to get some small passerines. Truly, we had Cretzschmar’ s Bunting, Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow.
Back again in the marshes, we saw a Little Owl on the roof of an old house and later on some more interesting species like Green Sandpiper, Ferruginous Duck, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull (first record for Schinias National Park), Red-rumped Swallow, Subalpine Warbler, Penduline Tit (with its beautiful nest).

We continued to Agios Petros, over Nea Makri, hoping to get some rarities, but we only got Woodlark and House Martins. So we decided to go South, to Rafina’s Port again, hoping to see some interesting gulls. We saw Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull, together with Little Ringed Plover.

Another stop was Loutsa Lagoon, a small pond beside the sea. There we had Grey Heron (surprisingly rare during this day), Reed Warbler (heard). The next stop was Loutros Spata, just behind Athens International Airport. The area has dried out fast this year, but it was just enough to get Tawny Pipit, Common Swift and Black-eared Wheatear.

It was around 16:00 were we started walking around Imittos Mt. Close to the top, we had residents Blue Rock Thrushes, and summer visitors Rueppell’s Warblers. Other species recorder were Chaffinch, Serin, Rock Nuthatch, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Chukar, Cirl Bunting, Common Buzzard, Blackcap, Jay, Coal Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Sombre Tit, Orphean Warbler.

It was only 17:00 when we arrived at Oropos estuary, about half an hour ride from Imittos Mt, towards North of Athens. We had great views of Kentish Plovers, Gull-billed Tern, Common Sandpiper, Red-thorated Pipit, Slender-billed Gull, Grey Plover, Dunlin, and more than 100 Yelkuan Shearwaters flying over the sea!

Our last stop was Tritsis Park in Athens. Fortunately, we got Cuckoo, Squacco Heron and Rose-ringed Parakeet and managed to arrive on time for the end of the race.

What a day and what a bird list, just around Athens!

Red footed Falcons around Athens

Hoopoes are looking for food around the wine fields


A typical perch of a Little Owl is the roof of old buildings and churches

Red footed Falcons arrive around the end of April in Athens. Thanks to Chris Vlachos' directions, I was lucky to have great views of several individuals, around Loutros in Spata town.

Athens 2008 Bird race (part I)

3rd Athens Bird Race had a great success. Our team, consisting of myself and 2 birders from Holland (Elbert & Henk Groenewoud) reached the 2nd place in the overall ranking, with 91 species seen around Athens, from 6am till 8pm. This was the first time a team of non-greek birders took part in the race, and thus we encourage birders from all over the world to come and enjoy this great competition.
Nick Probonas' team was the champion for the 3rd consecutive year, having won all three competiotions. 3rd team was Chris Vlachos team, with only one species difference from ours!



Here are some pics and soon I will send the full species list of our team in the race

Orhpean Warbler @ Imittos Mt (Photo by Henk Groenewoud)


Sombre Tit @ Imittos Mt (Photo by Henk Groenewoud)

A short spring day in Imittos Mt.

Spring migrants have arrived in Athens! Rueppell's Warbler, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Black-eared Wheater, together with Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush were April 1rst sightings. Also, 3 Long-legged Buzzards were soaring (first time I see so many in Imittos Mt)


Rueppell's Warbler



Cretzschmar's Bunting


Marginated Tortoise

Wild Orchids around Athens

The pics were taken from Imittos Mt, some from Kareas Monastery and some from the cemetery of Kesariani. Special thanks to Nikos from Flora of Attica for helping me out identifying the species!


Barlia robertiana


Ophrys ferrum equinum


Ophrys sicula (I apologize for not focusing!)


O. italica


O. cornuta (oestrifera)


O. tenthredinifera


O. attica

Spring arrivals in Athens

Spring migration is continuing, despite of rainy and windy Athens weather. Yesterday, on a short bird trip at Imittos Mt, we saw Cretzschmar's Bunting, Rueppell's Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch (heard), together with 3 Long-legged Buzzards (soaring over Kareas Monastery) and Chukar.
Bird pics from the trip will be added soon, together with beautiful orchid pics!

South-eastern migrants

Hooded Wheatear (Oenanthe monacha) © S.Christodoulides
Yesterday's new arrival in Cyprus

Rarities in Cyprus

Cyprus is located in the eastern south corner of the Mediterranean sea. A week of birding can be full of surprises as the country provides shelter for birds during their migration to Europe or Asia. Birdlife Cyprus publishes their annual and monthly lists in this page. Last year, a first Bateleur Eagle was seen for the first time in Europe!

The following pics are from this year's migration highlights, kindly provided by Stavros Christodoulides an avid cypriot birder.


Chestnut-rumped Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna) at Cape Greco.
Photo by Stavros Christodoulides


Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) at Akrotiri Peninsula. Photo by Stavros Christodoulides


Palla's Gull (Larus ichthyaetus) at Larnaca Sewage Works. Photo by Stavros Christodoulides

Isabelline Shrike in Schinias!

A new arrival has been added to the checklist of Schinias. This Isabelline Shrike was first recorded in the 23rd of March and has been hangin' around in the same area for almost a week! A very rare sighting, there have been just a handful of confirmed records of this species in Greece overall.

Athens 3rd Bird Race on April 12th 2008

Athens 3rd Bird Race was announced yesterday. The whole event will take place exclusively in the Prefecture of Attiki, on Saturday April 12th 2008. Participations are open for anybody who wants to enjoy this unique birding experience. Teams from other countries are also welcome! For details about the specific rules of the event, please contact Spyros Skareas or Nick Probonas.

PS: Somebody should finally beat the 2 times consequtive winners!!!

Ancient Corinth (Prefecture of Corinth)

The Acropolis of Corinth or Akrokorinthos in Greek is a dominant land feature of the plain of Corinth. At the top of this rock (which is almost 600 m. high), there are remains of a fortress and various buildings that age from the Antiquity. Apart from its archaeological value, this site is also very interesting for its birds. Blue Rock Thrushes, Rock Nuthatches (like this in the photo), Linnets, Sombre Tits, and many more birds are nesting inside the archaeological site and in the slopes of the hill.

The Rock Nuthatch is a very common resident in Ancient Corinth and can be easily photographed!

Quiz answer - Hen Harrier

This is the next pic from the quiz series. Well, yes, this is a male Hen Harrier at Schinias National Park, as most of you guessed!

Hawfinch

First time I had seen in Veria in 2006 with the harsh winter.
Since then him I observe constantly the wintry months in a lot of points of city.

Bird Quiz is back!

Send your comment guessing the bird in the above pic (taken around Athens, a few days ago).

If you think this is hard to guess, I might give you the next shot

Penduline Tit are having fun

Penduline Tits are found between reeds, at Schinias National Park

Mute Swans at Schinias National Park

Mute Swans are a common species in Europe, but we do not have the chance to see it around Athens every year.

The King of Schinias Marshes

A close-up of this magnificent bird that rules the wetland every winter....

Snowin in Athens

Snow reached the beach!






6 Mute Swans visited Schinias National Park this winter






Serins were looking for food in the snow






Aren't they wondefull?




A curious Penduline Tit played with the camera


Wings spread for this March Harrier





Highlight of the day: Spotted Eagle!

A beautifull day in February, with snow melting from yesterday's! Yes, it snows sometimes in Athens too... The weather was perfect for birdwatching and here is the bird list:

Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Spotted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Sardinian Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Great Tit, Penduline Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting

David and Goliath

It may look like a battle against all odds, however this Rock Kestrel was so determined to keep out of his territory this trespassing Common Buzzard, that he eventually made it! The Buzzard was pretty much annoyed and finally left the area. All these happened at Schinias National Park in the 27th of January.

He's Back!

The Spotted Eagle who had been observed during the last few winters is back in Schinias wetland. Now a sub-adult, it decided to spend another winter in Athens' major wetland. And, why should't it? Ducks and coots are plenty, it's the largest raptor in the 'hood, and as long as hunting is prohibited inside the margins of the National Park, he can pass his leasure time, trouble-free!

Schinias National ParkMidwinter Counts 2008

Ducks were not in great numbers in Schinias this year. However, they offered some great overview photos, like those Mallards in Stomi lake.

Midwinter 2008 (cont.)

Moustached Warbler


Mute Swans enjoying a cold winter morning


Black Redstart: "I'd rather be perching on roofs, but I am thursty now!"

The complete bird list for midwinter counting 2008, for Schinias National Park



ARCTIC LOON (1), Mute Swan (5), Shelduck (6), Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Marh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Snipe, Redshank, Little Stint, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Hooded Crow, Magpie, Great Tit, Penduline Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Wren, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Stonechat, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Midwinter counting 2008 @ Schinias National Park

Midwinter counting at Schinias National Park. A nice sunny day, lots of participants, more than different bird species, 5 species of raptors, a rarity (Artic Loon). Should I ask for more?


Water is not at the highest level yet


Water reflexion


Learning the secrets of nature


Getting excited with the Arctic Loon, at the beach of Schinias National PArk

Schinias wetlands (Attica)

Tango for two, or just a battle for dominance over the reedbeds??

Male Marsh Harriers are not a common sight in winter, however every year at least one male along with several females/juveniles are wintering in Schinias.

Winter around Athens

Happy new year to everybody!


During the last week of 2007, I had some time to visit a few small wetlands around Athens. I realized that the number of ducks remains quite low, almost close to last year's numbers.





A short half-day trip to Schinias National Park ended up with the following highlights:

Mallard (70), Pintail (6), Shoveler (20), Marsh Harrier (4, +1 male), Common Buzzard, Snipe, Common Sandpiper.

During my previous visit in that wetland , on December 20th, I also saw a Rock Bunting!



During the next days, I will posts some pics from these trips.

Rosefinch in Athens

Common Rosefinches are common visitors in Athens. This Asian species has been reported several times in Athens city, mostly around Lycabettus Mt. A recent record, together with this nice pic of the birds, was reported at Papagou municipality, very close to Imittos Mt. Special thanks to Charis Kourouzidis!!!

Lycabetus Hill (Athens)

Magpies are well known "bullies" in the world of birds. This Rock Kestrel was fiercly attacked just because it happened to be at the wrong place in the wrong time... Both photos were taken this Sunday (18/11/07) on Lycabetus Hill.

Seagull Steals

Seagull Steal part II: Stealing a golf ball

Seagull Steals

Seagulls part 1: Stealing Doritos

Winter birdwatching morning around Athens - 11 Nov 2007

Birdwatching during a nice sunny morning around Athens, resulted in a total of 45 species. Locations visited were Imittos Mt, Vravrona estuary and Loutsa.
Highlights of the day were 2 Long-legged Buzzards at Vravrona estuary.

The complete bird list:
Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Moorhen, Water Rail, Mallard, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Common Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, Eurasian Jay, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Hawfinch, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting

Birds in Kerkini Lake. North Greece , Macedonia

Great White Egret



Black Stork

Sociable Lapwing @ Kerkini Lake

A very important observation was announced yesterday, waiting to be approved by the Hellenic Rarities Commitee: A Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) was seen at Kerkini Lake, North Greece. This is the 5th record of this asian species in Greece! The sighting was recorded by N.Probonas, C. Vlachos, A. Gaitanakis, O.Tsimoulis, K.Raptis.

Other highlights of th day were
Lesser Fronted Goose (12), Greylag Goose (12), White fronted Goose (52), Spoonbill (8), Ferruginous Duck (48), Spotted Eagle (4), White tailed Eagle (2), Black Stork (1), White Stork (1), White Pelican (2), Red-crested Pochard (4).

Special thanks to Nikos Probonas for announcing the data.

Lake Kerkini. North Greece. Macedonia region

Mt Hymmetus (Attica)

This female Sparrowhawk has gliding just above me for a few minutes. One of the few times I had the chance to "shoot" a decent Sparrowhawk photo!

Best pic of the month @ Vravrona Wetland (Attica)

This unlucky Long-legged Buzzard was fiercely mobbed by a group of Magpies when trying to locate prey above the fields of Vravrona. After a short pursuit it fled area just to be attacked by a pair of Kestrels! Life can be sometimes be very tough even for a bird of prey....

Winter is just round the corner

A nice cloudy day at Schinias National Park (Athens). Some winter arrivals, not so much water in the lakes yet and the Spotted Eagle hasn't arrived yet.

A brief bird list for 28th October 2007, at Schinias National Park
Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Collared Dove, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Starling, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting

Rare species for Greece

Pectoral Sandpiper (Photo by Chris Vlachos)


Pectoral Sandpiper (Photo by Chris Vlachos)






Two rarities have been added up this month. A Pectoral Sandpiper, seen at Gallikos River (North Greece) and a White-breasted Kingfisher, seen close to Chania (Island of Crete).

They have both been reported to the Hellenic Rarities Committee and they are waiting for approval.

Special thanks to Chris Vlachos for the nice pics provided.

Stone Curlews in Axios Delta

photo 30- Oct-07
220 Stone Curlews in Axios Delta!

An interesting blog with lots of rare European species

The small islet of Antikythira is sited between Peloponese and Crete, just below the island of Kythira. Thus, this is the eastern bottleneck for migration of birds from and to Europe.

Every spring and autumn, thousands of birds are observed in the island, especially some impressive huge flocks of raptors.

For example, these are the highlights of September 25th observations:

3 Lesser-Spotted Eagles (A.pomarina), 2 Egyptian Vultures (N.percnopterus), 2 Long-legged Buzzards (B. rufinus), 20+ Booted Eagles (H.pennatus), 2 Pallid Harriers (C. macrourus), and 1 Short-Toed Eagle (C. gallicus).

Simply visit the blog http://blogs.ornithologiki.gr/osa/ for the latest reports from the Antikythira Observation