9 September 2022 - Skala Kalloni, Lesvos

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Hoopoe, Red-backed Shrikes, Cetti's Warbler, Corn Buntings, Lanner?

After a violent bout of Montezuma's revenge in the night, I set off this morning rather gingerly on foot, towards the salt pans via the East River. On the way out the low morning sun was directly in my eyes, though I did encounter a number of Red-backed Shrikes including a nice male, several Northern Wheatears, Yellow Wagtails and a Hoopoe that landed on the path.

Coming back was rather more pleasant for viewing, though the species profile was rather similar. I did find a Lesser Grey Shrike, but this proved rather elusive and soon disappeared again. A number of Corn Buntings were flitting about and perching on the wires, and I could hear one or two warblers 'chakking' in the hedgerows, which appeared to be Common Whitethroat. A brief snatch of Cetti's Warbler song was heard at one point, and a bird flew out from the hedge into the base of a bush in the field nearby, showing well but briefly. Around half-way back, a Tortoise was working its way slowly across the track, so after taking a couple of photos, I moved it to the verge to avoid it getting squashed by the various farm vehicles that were passing from time to time. On the river bank, I flushed a Snipe, which flew round and ultimately down near the river mouth, where another birder had seen it.

After breakfast, and getting yet another puncture repaired, we had a short trip out to the West River, where a couple of Stone-curlews were out on the marsh, but it was too hot really for cycling so we retired back to the hotel and spent the afternoon on the balcony. Sometime in the late afternoon, a large falcon suddenly appeared from our left, and flew across in front. It appeared a little Peregrine-like, but looked browner and appeared to have a brown or chestnut-coloured patch on its whitish cheek. I thought it was a Lanner Falcon, though I couldn't be sure; it landed on a telegraph pole at the edge of the field but before I could get the camera on it, it had flown.

Shortly afterwards, I spotted a juv. Red-backed Shrike on a fence, and then Joanne spotted another bird perched on top of the Tennis Court fence, which turned out to be another Red-backed Shrike, this time an adult male. I snapped a couple of quick photos and it flew, to be replaced soon after by a Jay, showing the local race black crown plumage feature.

Red-backed Shrike, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250