Western Bonelli’s Warbler at Cape Tenaro

On the first day of ringing this year we trapped a Bonelli’s Warbler. The appearance and measurements of the bird suggested that it was a Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) rather than an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis). Unfortunately these measurements were inconclusive so we were unclear as to the birds exact identity. While the bird was being ringed it lost a few very small body feathers, these were retained and have recently been the subject of a DNA test.
The results confirm that the bird was definitely a Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli). This is only the 3rd record for Greece and the first record for the mainland (the two earlier records were both on Antikythira).

Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) - 13th April 2018