The first visit for 2009 at Schinias National Park, with Michael Mescheryakov, a young birdwatcher from Russia, had a spectacular view of the Spotted Eagle. On the other hand, very few of the expected waterfowl (6 Mallards & 7 Mute Swans). Another fellow birder from Switcherland, Felix Rehsteiner, saw the Great Grey Shrike (or Southern Grey Shrike?)today, and send me the following pic. As far as my records are correct, this should be the first record of the species at Schinias National Park, making the area's list up to 223!
The complete bird list of the day:
Schinias National Park: Cormorant (3), Mallard, Mute Swan, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Spotted Eagle, Yellow-legged Gull, Blackbird, Stonechat, Magpie, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Hooded Crow, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting
Rafina's Port: Little Egret, Kingfisher, Black-headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail,
Pictures of the Spotted Eagle soon to be posted
Great Grey Shrike (L. excubitor) or Southern Grey Shrike (L.meridionalis)
(photo by Felix Rehsteiner)
Spotted Eagle & Great Grey Shrike Schinias National Park
January 10, 2009