Lesvos: before and after.

Drake Garganey at Skala Kalloni, Lesvos May 2012. 

Angie and Millie at the Ribble Whimbrel roost, 2 May 2012.

Mid May already and spring is slipping by without too much to report yet again. 


A few days birding on the Ribble prior to visiting the Greek island of Lesvos were unremarkable apart from a reasonable "vis'" session at Marshside early morning on 3rd May. Birds were streaming north along the coast (mainly Goldfinches, Siskins, Redpolls and Swallows with 3 each of Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtails logged) but grounded migrants included just Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Reed and Sedge Warblers with a notable increase in these species. The drake Green-winged Teal, a smart Spotted Redshank and a Curlew Sandpiper were on view from Nel's Hide.

Black-headed Bunting, Lesvos May 2012.

The Red-breasted Goose was still near Southerness on the Solway on the first day of May. Indeed winter was still with us as at least 1000 Barnacle Geese were there and I counted 100 Scaup on the Nith Estuary that day too.
Angie and I walked out to the edge of Longton Marsh back home on the Ribble Estuary the next day (2nd) where we counted 165 Whimbrel arriving at the roost there. We didn't arrive until 8.30pm so no doubt many had already arrived at the roost and were invisible on the murky marshes.


A brief visit to the local Longton patch yesterday in blustery westerly conditions produced 3 Avocets, 7 Wheatears and another singing Lesser Whitethroat.


I'll add some photos from the Lesvos tour throughout the month. Full report will be available later on the Ornitholidays website.