Windy Weather Returns ……….

 Highlights - Thursday 14th April

A fresh wind got fresher as the day progressed, forcing the few migrants that were here in to the most sheltered areas. There had been a wholesale clear out of yesterday’s fall and there was scant evidence of new birds so the final ringing session of the year was a bit of a flop with just 6 birds ringed.

The overall tally of grounded migrants was dreadful - pretty much as bad as it gets at 5his time of year unless heavy rain or gale force winds make observations all but impossible.

Grounded Migrants: a few representative counts: 2 Hoopoe, no Wryneck, 12 Woodchat Shrike, just 4 Nightingale, 9 Whinchat, 13 Redstart, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, 3 Collared Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Ortolan Bunting. 

Visible Passage: Despite the unfavourable conditions 4 parties of Bee-eaters made it through the largest of these consisted of 17 birds. Other vis Mig migrants: 5 flava wagtail, 30 Spanish Sparrow.

Raptors: 1 Kestrel Sp and another falcon that was either a Hobby or Eleonora's

Bird Ringing: Just 6 birds of 4 species: 3 Subalpine Warblers, 1 Nightingale, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Redstart. This was the final ringing session of the year as the last of the ringing team head home tomorrow. 

Weather: ENE5 increasing F6 later (gusting F7 occasionally) clear, and sunny some haze later. Visibility good.

Other Wildlife: A Golden Jackal was seen at first light, crossing the Porto Kagio road where it switches from the east to the west side of the headland.our first sighting this year.

Ortolan Bunting at Kokinoghia

Tree Pipit at Koureli 

The view south from the eastern edge of 'Swallow Hollow' to the Lighthouse 

The view north from the northern edge of 'Swallow Hollow’