Rare Wheatears and Buntings

Although away from the headland itself, a Desert Wheatear found by George Ierapetritis and friends near Gerolimenas on 30th March, looked like being a strong contender for the best bird of the spring.

Desert Wheatear - near Gerolimenas 30th March 2024

A week later and that bird was pushed firmly in to second place when Giota Bourneli found a Hooded Wheatear on the rocky slopes above the Porto Kagio cemetery. See here for pics of that bird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S167431976 Sadly the bird did not hang about and could not be relocated in the afternoon when other birders came to look for it.

This appears to be the most westerly sighting ever of this very rare visitor to Europe. A fantastic addition to the Cape Tenaro list.

The very same day, while searching for the Wheatear,  a Little Bunting was found by Xenia Louverdi in the bushes at the Porto Kagio cemetery. Photos of the bird here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S167432206

Amazingly, although that Little Bunting could not be relocated the next day, what must surely be another was found by Mike Coverdale in the fields at Mianes. This bird was still present on 8th April.

 These are the second and third records for Cape Tenaro, following one that was trapped and ringed in April 2022.

Caspian Tern & Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin

Last Saturday (30th March) a group of visiting birders saw two Caspian Terns fly in an easterly direction past the lighthouse. This is a new species for Cape Tenaro.

Also present on the rocks near the lighthouse an exhausted, and very early, Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, just the second spring record for the headland.

Full details of their observations on 30th & 31st March are available on eBird: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7205235

The first of this year’s Tenaro team arrive this evening (6th April), so daily coverage from tomorrow until 26th April.

Cape Tenaro - Summary for Spring 2023

With apologies to all those who were hoping to see more posts from Tenaro last spring - the birding was so good that we didn't have time to write blog posts at the time and then, for various reasons, I failed to write up anything until now. 

This post provides a short summary of the 2023 season.

Coverage: Spring 2023 saw our best coverage yet - with members of the team present on the headland for just over 4 weeks: 8th to 15th April and 22nd April to 12th May. As a consequence the number of species recorded (117) was a new record, easily beating the best previous year, 2015, when 101 species were seen.

Arrivals: there were several large falls notably on 13th & 23rd April and on the 1st May - providing plenty of enjoyable birding and helping the ringing team boost their totals. In April the dominant species were Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher and Redstart; while in May a greater variety of species were present: Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Icterine Warbler, as well as more Whitethroats.

The most unexpected arrival was a fall of 21 Red-backed Shrikes on 6th May, with at least 17 still present the next day. We've recorded only two previous singles of this species in spring (2006 and 2018) so seeing them in such numbers was a surprise. In spring Red-backed Shrikes usually take a more easterly route to their breeding grounds even if they are nesting in western Europe.

Red-backed Shrike - 6th May

Raptors: Spring migration of raptors at Tenaro is very variable. The table below provides totals for the migrant species that were seen during our stay. In addition sightings of 7 Short-toed Eagles and 3 Eurasian Buzzards on 23rd April may have included some migrants as well as the local resident birds. 

Species	Number Recorded
Osprey	1
Honey-buzzard	5
Marsh Harrier	67
Pallid Harrier	2
Montagu’s Harrier	8
Montagu’s / Pallid Harrier	8
Eurasian Sparrowhawk	4
Black Kite	3
Lesser Kestrel	4
Kestrel	38
Kestrel Sp	45
Falcon Sp	15
Red-footed Falcon	13
Eleonora’s Falcon	7
Hobby	20

Visible Migration: During the second period of coverage there was a sustained movement of Bee-eaters, with birds being seen daily and in above average numbers, including 174 on 24th April and 169 on 30th April.

New Species: There were 3 additions to the Cape Tenaro list in 2023: Cattle Egret (13th April), Little Swift (27th April) and  Melodious Warbler (29th April). 

Melodious Warbler - 29th April

Scarce Migrants: A good selection of scarce migrants were seen: Eurasian Golden Plover (1 sound recorded at night on 5th May), Black-winged Stilt (5 on 1st and 1 on 7th May), White Stork (3 on 23rd April), Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (1 on 11th April), Lesser Grey Shrike (1 on 7th May) and Marsh Warbler (1 on 28th April).

Ringing: It was the best year yet with 1,334 birds of 49 species ringed. The top 10 species ringed are listed in this table:

Species	Number Ringed
Garden Warbler	422
Whitethroat	269
Pied Flycatcher	190
Wood Warbler	99
Sedge Warbler	43
Icterine Warbler	32
Spotted Flycatcher	32
Collared Flycatcher	30
Willow Warbler	29
Nightingale	21

Also of note were: 7 Nightjar, 3 Bee-eaters, 6 Wryneck, 1 Melodious Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Semi-collared Flycatcher.

Illegal Hunting: It is sad to report that illegal spring hunting is still an issue. While less illegal hunting was seen on the headland than in previous years hunters were seen on several days and were seen shooting at Turtle Doves and were seen to shoot and kill at least one Golden Oriole. 

Cattle Egrets - a new species for the headland

Friday 14th April -  A Cattle Egret found on rocks by the lighthouse during the morning flew off south and was followed until lost from sight. Amazingly, just 10 minutes later, another one also flew south. These are the first records of this species for the headland.

On the lands highlights included a Pallid Harrier (present for its third day) that ranged widely across the headland as it hunted for prey and a Roller, the earliest ever.

Counts of grounded migrants for Friday 14th (and the previous five days) are viewable on Trektellen: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/3384/20230414

Cattle Egret on rocks below the Lighthouse

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater !!

The first scarce migrant of the year was seen yesterday (11th April) - this very smart Blue-cheeked Bee-eater was resting on wires next to the road between Beehive Pass and Kokinoghia.

There was also an Eastern Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamiscus) near Paliros and an Osprey flew north. Full details of what was seen are on Trektellen: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/3384/20230411

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Eastern Redstart

Whitethroat Arrival

Monday 10th April - A good count of 65 Whitethroat - info on the other birds seen is now available on the Trektellen website: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/3384/20230409

Cape Tenaro - Spring 2023

This year we will be covering spring migration at Cape Tenaro from 8 to 15 April and from 22 April to 12 May.

For the next week bird news will only be on Twitter @capetenaronews (or use this link like a webpage if you don’t have a Twitter account https://twitter.com/capetenaronews). This blog will have regular posts from 22 April.

Last Morning

Highlights - Wednesday 20th April

A final morning’s birding before the last two of this year’s Tenaro Team departed. Clear skies overnight saw a clear out of grounded migrants and limited new arrivals. The highlights for the morning, in the limited time available, were 3 Eastern Orphean Warbler and a Roller (which may or may not be one of the birds seen on Monday).

Grounded Migrants: 5 Hoopoe, 1 Roller, 1 Wryneck, 6 Woodchat Shrike, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Eastern Orphean Warbler, 5 Collared Flycatcher, 10 Pied Flycatcher. 

Visible Passage: Limited …..

Raptors: 1 Montagu’s Harrier, 1 Harrier Sp, 2 Kestrel Sp.

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: Clear conditions overnight saw most of yesterday’s migrants depart. 

A Mini Flycatcher Arrival

Highlights - Tuesday 19th April 

A small arrival with black and white flycatchers the most conspicuous of the grounded migrants. Also on the move were swifts, Swallows and House Martins. Warblers were down in numbers.

Grounded Migrants: 4 Hoopoe, 2 Wryneck, 2 Golden Oriole, 14 Whitethroat, 23 Nightingale, 16 Redstart, 19 Collared Flycatcher, 24 Pied Flycatcher and 1 Ortolan Bunting.

Visible Passage: A strong movement of swifts say 150 move through, most of which were assumed to be Common Swifts. Also on the move 11 Bee-eaters, 150 Swallow, 100 House Martin ( a notable count for Tenaro) and 160 Spanish Sparrow.

Raptors: 2 Montagu’s Harrier, 2 Harrier Sp, 1 Eleonora’s Falcon

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: Showers overnight and more heavy rain early morning, clearing later.

Two Roller Day

 Highlights - Monday 18th April

The morning saw the first rain since we arrived 3 weeks ago with a shower before dawn and another two during the morning. This grounded a selection of migrants including 64 Nightingale and 29 Whitethroat it also provided the days highlight, two different Rollers, one in the lone pine and adjacent wires 500m north of Kokinoghia and the other on wires to the east of the car park at Kokinoghia. Rollers are a scarce spring migrant at Tenaro, with the last record being back in 2006, this is explained by their migration strategy as in spring they almost all migrate around the eastern end of the Mediterranean.

Other birds of note included a Black Kite, 6 Golden Oriole and at least 14 Bee-eaters.

Grounded Migrants: the rain helped to deliver a small arrival of migrants, Nightingale (64) and Whitethroat (29) being the most numerous. Other counts were: 6 Golden Oriole, 7 Woodchat Shrike, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Subalpine Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Great Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 13 Redstart, 13 Whinchat, 9 Collared Flycatcher, 15 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Ortolan Bunting and a single late Serin. 

Visible Passage: Good numbers of Swallows were present from early on with 100 feeding on the 'Narrows' at 07.00, with the total for the day of 310 being the highest spring count for the headland. Also 32 House Martin and 11 Red-rumpled Swallow through. 14 Bee-eater and 33 Turtle Doves, 25 Tawny Pipit, 31 Tree Pipit and 142 Spanish Sparrow were recorded.

Raptors: 1 Black Kite, 1 Montagu’s Harrier, 1 Harrier Sp, 2 Lesser Kestrel, 3 Kestrel Sp.

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: A pre-dawn shower was the first rain for over 3 weeks. Wind SE 3-4 early on, with two heavy showers during the morning. Overcast with sunny spells. A front moved through late morning after which SW 3-4.

Roller on the wires north of Kokinoghia \ '

Bedraggled Roller in the lone pine tree north of Kokinoghia 

Bee-eater and Turtle Doves at Paliros after one of the rain showers

Golden Oriole at Mianes

A Purple Heron Day

Highlights - Sunday 17th April

Despite expectations a great days birding with a diverse range of species arriving in off the sea at the lighthouse; featuring as the star attraction a spectacular flock of 42 Purple Herons that took almost half an hour to progress past the lighthouse.

The Purple Heron flock fighting; and eventually failing; to fly past the lighthouse

With the forecast similar to yesterday our hopes were not high however conditions in North Africa must have favoured departing migrants as visible passage of arriving birds proved to be the best since we arrived at the end of March (unusually it’s been all but non-existent throughout our stay). Numbers were not huge (see below) however after 3 weeks of almost non-existent movements it was great to see some visible migration.

Grounded Migrants: The continuing windy conditions made observations difficult until late afternoon when the wind finally eased. As a consequence the number of grounded migrants recorded was down on yesterday although it is hard to know if this reflects a true drop in numbers or was simple the windy weather menacing the birds were out of sight. Counts for a selection of species were: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Wryneck, 4 Woodchat Shrike, 18 Nightingale, 16 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Black-eared Wheatear, 7 Northern Wheatear, 1 Isabelline Wheatear, 10 Whinchat, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Collared Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Subalpine Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Eastern Orphean Warbler, 1 Great Reed Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Ortolan Bunting.

Visible Passage: Hirundines, Swifts and falcons were see moving north at Kokinoghia however a wider range of species were visible at ‘Turtle Dove Step’ (the first point on the path to the lighthouse that affords a view of both sides of the headland) which was watched form 11.30 to 13.00 and 14.35 to 15.25 (when passage had dried up).

Combined Counts as follows: 42 Purple Heron, 22 Turtle Dove, 2 Alpine Swift, 84 Common Swift,  3 Pallid Swift, 173 Swallow, 13 House Martin, 28 Sand Martin, 7 Short-toed Lark (+ 5 grounded), 151 flava Wagtail, 2 Red-throated Pipit, 4 Tawny Pipit, 30 Tree Pipit.

The Purple Herons, first seen at 12.25 as the arrived from the SW, twice tried to fly past the lighthouse and continue up the east coast, however the wind was so strong that they were beaten back. On each occasion they circled in a confused state before regrouping, they eventually came, painfully slowly, up the west side of the headland but were continuously caught by down drafts and eddies caused by the near gale force NE wind passing over the ridge that leads to the lighthouse. While the majority of the flock eventually went north (and may have landed on the slopes further north) at least 5 stragglers couldn’t keep up and landed on the slopes just north of the lighthouse (where they presumably waited for conditions to ease).

Raptors: 2 Kestrels, 1 Lesser Kestrel, 7 Kestrel Sp, 1 Hobby, 1 Falcon Sp

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: NE 7-8 overnight and much of the morning, dropping off after 15.00. Heavy cloud to start, brighter later. Rain threatened but only a few drops fell. Visibility fair.

E they 

A flava wagtail takes a first brief rest after crossing the Mediterranean 

Common Swift returning to Europe

Purple Herons arriving at Cape Tenaro

Purple Heron fighting the gusty wind 

Blasted by North-easterlies

Highlights - Saturday 16th April

Another day of sustained north-easterlies winds that hampered observations and limited the number of new migrants from reaching us; as a consequence some rather pitiful totals were recorded and the team's enthusiasm is flagging. 

About the only species showing an apparent increase were Nightingale (23) and the only minor oddity (and that’s stretching it) was an alba Wagtail that was feeding on the road at Kokinoghia.

Grounded Migrants: 4 Wryneck, 9 Hoopoe, 11 Woodchat Shrike, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Collared Flycatcher, 23 Nightingale, 10 Whinchat, 2 Isabelline Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Subalpine Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 4 Ortolan Bunting.

Visible Passage: largely non-existent although a few hirundines, pipits, flava wagtails and Turtle Doves appeared to have managed to make it through.

Counts included 18 Swallow, 12 Red-rumpled Swallow, 12 Tawny Pipit, 24 Tree Pipit, 43 flavas and 16 Turtle Doves.

At the lighthouse both Yelkouan and Scopoli’s Shearwaters were closer in than usual despite the offshore wind.

Raptors: 1 Kestrel and 3 Kestrel Sp.

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: wind NE 6-7, increasing F7 later. Mostly sunny. Vis fair to good.

An 'alba' Wagtail at Kokinoghia - a regular migrant at Cape Tenaro but only in small numbers

Ortolan Bunting at Kokinoghia 

Hoopoe on the road to Koureli 

Yelkouan Shearwaters passing the lighthouse 

Flycatchers Sneak Through

Highlights - Friday 15th April

Another very windy day; surprisingly there seemed to be a small increase in some migrant species although it was unclear if this was due to new arrivals or birds filtering through to the few sheltered areas. 

Grounded Migrants: 12 Pied Flycatcher, 15 Collared Flycatcher, 9 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Hoopoe,  1 Wryneck,16 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 2 Isabelline Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Eastern Orphean Warbler, 7 Woodchat Shrike.

Visible Passage: Limited due to the wind, early on 5 flava wagtails were seen trying to fly north from Kokinoghia however the wind on the edge of the village was so strong they eventually gave up and flew down wind.

Raptors: 2 Kestrel Sp were seen heading north

Bird Ringing: None

Weather: ENE6 thin hazy cloud, clearing to blue skies. Visibility good. Cloud mid afternoon and wind increasing ENE7

Other Wildlife: the first large snakes of the year were seen today, one near Kokinoghia and the other in the ringing site, both were probably Balkan Whip Snakes but as ever afforded only brief views 

Half hidden birds - today’s photos reflect the challenge of birding in windy conditions where most views were of birds bald hidden in the undergrowth 

Spotted Flycatcher at Marmari

Great Reed Warbler at Porto Kagio

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’

A Fall of Nightingales

Highlights - Wednesday 13th April

More info to follow but today saw the first sizeable arrival of small migrants for 2 weeks. Nightingales were the dominant species with 97 being logged (of which 11 were ringed).

Other species present included 14 Collared Flycatchers, 18 Pied Flycatchers, 22 Woodchat Shrikes, 7 Whinchat and 31 Subalpine Warblers.

A photo posted on Twitter (@capetenaronews) of one of four ‘Spotted' Flycatchers recorded today, see below, have raised the possibility that the bird in question is actually a Mediterranean Flycatcher (Musciapa tyrrhenica) Postscript - after looking at more Spotted Flycatchers we do not feel this is likely and plumage tones and apparent lack of breast streaking are a product of the light and wind.

A Siskin, that was heard calling as it flew north over the ringing area, is an addition to our Cape Tenaro bird list.

Grounded Migrants: Words to follow

Visible Passage: Words to follow

Raptors: 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Kestrel Sp.

Bird Ringing: 43 birds of 10 species

Weather: Wind E or ENE 4 all day, clear but a bit hazy later. Visibility good.

Turtle Dove at Koinoghia

Spotted Flycatcher at Koureli

Whinchat at Mianes 

Little wind, few birds, great view

 Highlights - Tuesday 12th April

A gorgeous day with lights winds, blue skies and stunning visibility - from up the mountain it was possible to see all the way to Crete an amazing 135km away.

There were however very few birds present, although the variety of species present was the best yet this spring. Tree Pipit (74) were again comparatively abundant and there was also an increase in Woodchat Shrike (20) and Whitethroat (21). Other species were mostly in low single figures.

Grounded Migrants: not many ………. The best we could do was 4 Hoopoe, 4 Wryneck, 11 Whinchat, 12 Redstart, 17 Nightingale, 1 Collared Flycatcher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Great Reed Warbler. 4 Ortolan Bunting. The totals for the other common migrants are comparable.

Visible Passage: 72 Tree Pipit, 48 flava wagtails, 6 Common Swift, 3 Pallid Swift (the.first of the year)

Raptors: 2 Kestrel sp and 1 Lesser Kestrel

Bird Ringing: just 7 birds of 6 species: 2 Rüppell's Warbler, 1 Savi's Warbler, 1 Robin,1 Tree Pipit, 1 Nightingale, 1 Subalpine Warbler. 

Weather: wind E 3-4 all day, clear skies and excellent visibility. Crete visible from the mountain.

The first Savi's Warbler of the spring

Woodchat Shrike at Kokinoghia

A view of the headland from the north side of Porto Kagio bay