More Tree Pipits and some Pied Flycatchers

Highlights - Monday 11th April

Despite the continuing strong winds small numbers of birds had arrived overnight. There were 12 Pied Flycatchers and a Golden Oriole was seen to fly in from the sea at Kokinoghia. Tree Pipits (81) were again the  dominant migrant (see below).

Grounded Migrants: Numbers continue to be poor. Only a few species, such as Whinchat (8) showed a marginal increase, the first female Whinchats of the year were seen today.

The first, very belated, Quail of the year was recorded today when the freshly consumed remains of one were found at 'swallow hollow'.

Visible Passage: modest numbers of Tree Pipit (81) were seen, both heading north and grounded across the headland, given how tight many birds were sitting and how widespread they were the actual numbers were probably significantly higher.

A total of 4 Sand Martins were seen and presumably had also fought their way in from the south. 

Raptors: just one Kestrel recorded

Bird Ringing: 24 birds of 13 species: 5 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Subalpine Warbler, 3 Tree Pipit, 2 Blackcap, 1 Great Reed Warbler, 1 Ruppell's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Robin,1 Woodchat Shrike, 1 Wryneck

Weather: Wind NW7 overnight and similar early on, easing NW6 during morning, wind finally easing off late afternoon. Blue skies and for the first time in 2 weeks the visibility was good; Antikythira (90km away) was actually visible all day.

Woodchat Shrike near Kokinoghia

Pied Flycatcher near Kokinoghia

Flava wagtail near the mosaics

Flava wagtail near the mosaics