I've now filled in the missing bits of the daily summaries and added a few more photos from this year's visit to Cape Tenaro. Later this week I'll post a table with species totals for the raptor passage (about 150 birds) and provide a summary and commentary on this year's observations.
'Windy Gap' at Pailiros - Cape Tenaro Headland
We have now left Cape Tenaro for this year, it was a really excellent and exciting visit with several spectacular falls (migrant arrivals). Spring migration was well under way by the time we arrived (26th March) so an even earlier visit would surely be worthwhile in a future year. Over the next week or so I will update some of this year's earlier posts with additional photos and more details of the birds we saw (I was too busy birding to post full daily updates on several days !!); I'll also post a summary of our observations and of the raptor passage.
While our own season has now ended the team at the bird observatory on Antikythira, to the south-east of Cape Tenaro, are now up and running. If you want to follow their work for the rest of this spring migration season see here: http://blogs.ornithologiki.gr/osa/
Antikythira as seen from Cape Tenaro - 4th April 2015
Yesterday (6th April) was our last day on the headland this year however we had time for a good look around before heading back towards Athens for a flight home. A combination of strong southerly winds, overcast conditions and heavy showers overnight and through the morning saw a further fall with a good selection of grounded migrants on show.
Birds had largely found their way to sheltered locations with very few migrants to be found in the more exposed locations. There was a further shift in the composition of the grounded migrants reflecting the advancing spring and the dominance of Subalpine Warblers in arrivals over the last 11 days is now clearly on the wane. Nightingales are now the dominant species with 43 logged, other totals for the day were: 8 Wryneck, 15 Woodchat Shrike, 35 Subalpine Warbler, 28 Blackcap, 5 Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 13 Black-eared Wheatear, 10 Tawny Pipit, 10 Tree Pipit, 71 Spanish Sparrow. Yesterday's Collared Flycatchers had mostly moved on and only 2 were seen, there were also fewer Hoopoe (7), Pied Flycatcher (5), Willow Warbler (3) and Chiffchaff (2).
Nightingale at Paliros
The star birds of the day were a flock of 22 Bee-eater that came in off the sea from the south-east at Koureli resting briefly on the power lines there and were then seen less than an hour later at Porto Kaghio.
Bee-eaters arriving at Koureli
Raptor migration was limited to a single Kestrel.
The other bird of note was a single Richard's Pipit on 'pipit plateau' this may be one of the birds first seen on 31st March however it is conceivably a new arrival as none were located yesterday despite an extensive search.
Today's (6th April) Richard Pipit photo
Today (4th April) was similar to yesterday, a further reduction in migrant numbers, a good variety of species and a few species showing evidence of movement.
Species that had apparently arrived overnight were 8 Hoopoe, 38 Blackcap, 3 Savi's Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 10 Nightingale, 5 Tawny Pipit, 2 Collared Flycathcher (both different to yesterday's bird) and a single Pied Flycatcher. In addition the first Wood Warbler of the year was feeding on the roadside above the Point car park.
Wood Warbler at Kokinoghia
Raptor migration was limited to 2 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Kestrel, a ringtail Harrier and and another Steppe Buzzard.
The Rock Thrush was present for its fourth day and one of the Richard's Pipits was still present on pipit plateau you can just about make out the long hind in the following photo.
Richard's Pipit, Cape Tenaro 4th April 2015
A Tawny Pipit at Beehive Pass for comparison
The Collared Flycatcher in the olive groves above Kokinoghia perfomed particularly well.
Collared Flycatcher in olive groves at Kokinoghia
The only other bird of note was an adult Audouin's Gull in Vathi Bay.
With clear conditions and light winds overnight the 3rd April proved to be our quietest day this year for bird migration. The numbers of almost all migrants had reduced however this involed both yesterday's birds departing and some new ones arriving as evidenced by a scattering of 7 Subalpine Warblers on the path out to the lighthouse (none yesterday), an increase in Chiffchaff numbers from 2 to 10 and a conspicuous male Collared Flycather in the gardens at Poto Kaghio.
The male Rock Thrush first seen on the 1st April was relocated, and eventually was seen by all present.
Male Rock Thrush on the slopes above the road to Kokinoghia
The third Richard's Pipit of the year was heard and seen early on just north of Beehive Pass while the two previous birds (also last seen on 1st) were relocated on pipit plateau.
Richard's Pipit on 'pipit plateau' Cape Tenaro 3rd April 2015
Raptor migration was limited to 4 Kestrel and more surprisingly a Steppe Buzzard that flew north over Koureli at 13.30.
The highlight of the day however was away from Cape Tenaro as, with bird migration providing slim pickings, an excursion was made in to the mountains north of the headland where we heard and then saw two Golden Jackal.
Golden Jackal in the mountains of the Mani
Today (2nd April) saw much improved weather with light winds early on and then a moderate easterly breeze from late morning. It was soon apparent that there had been a moderate arrival of migrants and a number of species showed an increase in numbers. Totals for selected species were: 9 Quail, 14 Wryneck, 1 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 18 Willow Warbler, 28 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, 55 Subalpine Warbler, 2 Savi's Warbler, 18 Nightingale, 3 Black Redstart (including one at the lighthouse) and 5 Ortolan Bunting.
There were 3 firsts for the year today: a Turtle Dove flying north high up on the east side of the mountain, a Red-throated Pipit flying north low down on the mountain and a Garden Warbler feeding along the roadside below Beehive Pass.
Raptor passage was restricted to single Marsh and Hen Harriers and 8 Kestrel.
There are still 5 Isabelline Wheatear present including a single bird at Mianes.
Black Redstart at the Lighthouse
Wryneck at Paliros
Ortolan Bunting at Koureli
Away from the headland:
Green Sandpiper feeding in a roadside pool near Gerolimenas
Strong westerly winds (force 7 at times) made the birding hard work yesterday (1st April); despite the wind it was apparent that there were far fewer migrants present and some areas of the headland were almost bird free. It was therefore a little surprising to find that a few species had made it across the Mediterranean and showed an increase in numbers, the most conspicuous of these were 45 Blackcap and 15 Willow Warbler.
Raptor passage was limited to 2 Marsh Harrier, 6 Kestrel and a single Leser Kestrel.
The Richard's Pipit was still present and been joined by a second bird on pipit plateau.
Richard's Pipit at Cape Tenaro
A few other migrants are worth a mention, there were 48 Subalpine Warblers (reflecting the ongoing passage of this species), there are still 4 Isabelline Wheatear and a single male Rock Thrush below beehive pass was the first of the year.
Ophrys orchid between Paliros and Koureli
Isabelline Wheatear at 'Swallow Hollow' Cape Tenaro 1st April 2015
Posted with Blogsy