Tuesday 24 April 2018

Harriers, a Crake and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - 23rd April

Another enjoyable day although there were fewer grounded migrants (or at least they were harder to see due to the wind). 
Highlights included the discovery of the remains of a Little Crake close to the fishing boats in Porto  Sternes, the first record for the headland. There was also a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater that was heard but not seen coming in from the south just north of the lighthouse just before midday; what was presumably the same bird was heard again briefly at Achilo, on the north side of Porto Kagio bay, 3 hours later.
A Green Sandpiper that dropped in briefly at Porto Sternes was only the second record for the headland.
Green Sandpiper at Porto Sternes
Remains of a Little Crake found by the boats at Porto Sternes

Grounded Migrants: Words to follow

Visible Passage: Words to follow

Raptors: A distinct arrival of raptors with several harriers seen to come in off the sea  (a Marsh Harrier seen at the lighthouse had come in from the southwest. Totals for the day were 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Pallid Harrier, 2 Montagu's Harrier, 3 Harrier Sp, 3 Kestrel, 3 Lesser Kestrel, 5 Kestrel Sp and 2 Hobby. 

Bird Ringing: 11 Whitethroat, others to follow
Overall Total: 21 birds ringed from 93m of nets.



Weather: Wind NW5 occasionally F6 pretty much all day. Clear skies with some occasional patches of thin cloud. Good visibility.


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