Sunday 31 March 2013

A small passage of pipits and wagtails

It was generally another slow day with numbers of the commoner migrants similar or a little fewer then yesterday. The only exception to this was a small arrival of pipits and wagtails, most of these being seen on a walk out to the lighthouse and back; totals for the day were 36 'flava' Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails (at Koureli), 14 Tawny Pipits, 2 Tree Pipits and the first Red-throated Pipit of the year. 

The only migrants to have increased in numbers were Hoopoe (11) and Woodchat Shrike (4). Counts for a selection of the other grounded migrants were: 11 Quail, 2 Wryneck, 4 Willow Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Ruppell's Warblers, 21 Subalpine Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 2 Great Reed Warblers, 18 Nightingale, 1 Collared Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart, 4 Redstart and 4 Whinchat.

Hopefully better tomorrow ! Now where have I heard that before ................

Saturday 30 March 2013

A small arrival ........

The first part of the morning was poor with relatively few birds visible, indeed a walk out to the lighthouse and back found only 4 grounded migrants. Howeve the bushes on the northern part of the headland, particularly around Paliros and at Porto Kaghio were more rewarding. Final totals for selected species were: 5 Hoopoe, 1 Wryneck, 2 Woodchats, 1 Balkan Warbler, 10 Willow Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, 17 Subalpine Warbers, 7 Sedge Warblers, 18 Nightingale and 4 Whinchat.

There were also 8 Quail, including 5 flushed from one small area at Koureli and a male Rock Thrush on the 'Narrows'. Unfortunately there was no sign of yesterday's Trumpeter Finch.

Firsts for the spring included 2 Ruppell's Warblers at Paliros and a Great Reed Warbler at Porto Kaghio. There was also a Cetti's Warbler at the latter site, our first record for the headland, although it does occur immediately north of the area at Achilo.

North of the recording area there were 2 Isabelline Wheatears on the plateau above Gerolimenas late afternoon ( a scarce migrant in this part of Greece).

Friday 29 March 2013

A bird from further south ............

Well while we can't be sure whether it was the easterly winds that blew up overnight or the southerly gale last weekend that blew it in the bird of the day was a male Trumpeter Finch. First briefly seen close to the fishing boats below the Point car park, it then moved to the car park itself where we eventually had good, if brief, views. The bird was very flighty and vanished every time we started to get a camera out ! After 3 visits to the car park over a one hour period, we thought it might have settled down but despite another hour searching, with cameras ready, it was not seen again.

Elsewhere on the headland, despite more time in the field today, there were far few birds than yesterday. The only exception being 27 Tawny Pipits, most of these being seen on a walk out to the lighthouse. There appeared to be a few birds coming in late with several Subalpine Warblers, Willow Warblers and Redstarts appearing, and moving north, while we were looking for the  finch.

Counts for selected migrants were: 14 Subalpine Warblers, 5 Woodchats, 1 Savi's Warbler, 14 Nightingale, 4 Quail, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Redstart, 2 Wryneck, 13 Hoopoe (possibly mostly yesterday's birds)and 6 Northern Wheatear.


Thursday 28 March 2013

Our first afternoon .........

We arrived on the headland at about 2.00pm today after a morning at the Evrota delta (very few migrants seen there however good views of both male and female hen harrier).

At Cape Tenaro it was clear from the outset that there had been a small fall and without much effort we clocked up 16 Hoopoe, 35 Northern Wheatear, 10 Woodchats, 13 Subalpine Warblers, 16 Hoopoe,  3 Wryneck, 8 Nightingale, 8 Redstart, 5 Black Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Song Thrush and two male Collared Flycatchers. There were a few other migrants including an early Pied Flycatcher and a stunning male Rock Thrush. 

East to south-east winds overnight so hopefully something interesting tomorrow.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Antikythira

Greece's only bird observatory on the island of Antikythira opened for the spring migration two days ago. It's located about 90km to the south-east of Cape Tenaro and visible from there on a clear day.

They produce an update on their observations and ringing activities most days and it will be interesting to compare their sightings to our own.

Follow the link to find out more:

http://blogs.ornithologiki.gr/osa/

Friday 22 March 2013

Before we arrive ......

If you're reading this post you are here too early !! The blog will get its first proper updates on or about 29th March 2013. In the meantime here are a few photos to whet your appetite.










Redstart at Koureli