REVIEWING 2014

MOUNT OLYMPUS

Took this pic en route to Agiassos. What with the cooler air, broadleaved trees and shrouds of mist it was almost like being back in England. Especially as this is where the island's difficult - to - see Robin population hides out, along with other familiar species which are Lesvos rarities! Alongside these, however, are Eastern Bonelli's Warblers (sorry no pics ) which was why I ventured up here. Braving Agiassos's steep, narrow, cobbled streets is not for the faint-hearted but once through the town the birding gets good. Singing Serins, Short-toed Treecreeper and a soaring Short-toed Eagle provided a nice supporting cast to the EBWs. I don't have pics as I was fed up lugging the camera around and did Agiassos au naturel i.e. bins only! On the way 'home' however I called in at Kalloni saltpans and found this little critter lurking in the moat...  

Temminck's Stint ( Copyright T D Wright )

Most of these were way out on the pans which is annoying when you're trying to see such a small wader. The Broad-billeds were equally frustrating. Still, checking that moat often pays dividends,even though it was late in the day which meant poor light.  

Temminck's Stint ( Copyright T D Wright )     

Temminck's stint ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sadly, it flew off to join its 'mates' out on the causeways between the pans before I could get more shots. Still, a cracking end to the day.

Lesser Grey Shrikes

There were 4 species of Shrike to see on Lesvos at this time. Most common was Woodchat but Red-backed, Masked and Lesser Grey were all seen within walking distance of the Hotel, as well as around the island at various sites. Stupidly, I didn't photograph them all well but these Lesser Grey shots aren't bad..   

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright )

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright )

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright )

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright ) 

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright )

Another 'photographer' ( the speechmarks refer to me as I'm a birder who just bought a camera; they could've given my camera to a chimp and got better pix probably!) decided that running after this bird was the best way to get closer for a perfect shot. It was hilarious watching him running through long grass as it kept flying further away from him. I believe he was a denizen of another European member State, not British. Anyhow, once the shrike had lured him about 2km from their starting position, it flew all the way back and perched above my 'mobile hide' ( an Opel Corsa ) once more. One must laugh, mustn't one?  

Lesser Grey Shrike ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spot Pics

The great thing about the many monasteries on Lesvos is that they all have something to offer by way of birdlife. Limonos had these nesting Middle Spots. I also saw them around Agiassos but in terms of photography you can't beat a nest-hole...   

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Whilst waiting patiently for the birds to show birders can enjoy a cuppa from the nearby monastery cafe. This was the life! More please...   

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ( Copyright T D Wright )

Next up - Lesser Grey Shrike..

Review of 2014 'Spot the Kruper's' section

Now, where was I before Xmas? Oh yeah, we were still on Lesvos...

Kruper's Nuthatch(Copyright T D Wright)

What do you mean, that's just a mass of branches?! There are 2 Kruper's in there! They were difficult to photograph but I persevered...   

Kruper's Nuthatch(Copyright T D Wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch(Copyright T D wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch(Copyright T D Wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch( Copyright T D Wright)

Apart from differences in appearance, these nuthatches seem to behave much like our GB-resident 'Wood' Nuthatches, poring over their 'wood-text' just as in Bernard O'Donoghue's poem.  

Kruper's Nuthatch(Copyright T D Wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch( Copyright T D Wright)

Probing cones then descending the treetrunk...

Kruper's Nuthatch (Copyright T D Wright)

To pick up what it dislodged? 

Kruper's Nuthatch (Copyright T D Wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch ( Copyright T D Wright)

Kruper's Nuthatch ( Copyright T D Wright )

Kruper's Nuthatch ( Copyright T D Wright )

Peering into gaps in bark like any other nuthatch. 

Kruper's Nuthatch ( Copyright T D Wright )

Kruper's Nuthatch ( Copyright T D Wright )

It's better light when they descend out of the mass of twigs. If I ever go back I'll get better pics than these as I'm learning how to improve some of my camera settings. Next post will be Middle spots...

The First Snow of 2015

Which turns out to be a Goose! This 'Blue' individual was found by Phil Abbot(well, he 'jammed in' on it as we used to say in days of yore), so full marks for realising it wasn't a farmyard greylag and re-identifying it. This species has always had a certain mystique for me ever since I first read Paul Gallico's WW2 story which featured it. Unfortunately, most people assume they're all escaped these days or part of a free-flying Feral population and therefore 'plastic' (another expression from the 'good old days'). I grabbed a couple of record shots from the A3052 gateway.  

'Blue' Snow Goose (Copyright TD Wright)

'Blue' Snow Goose(Copyright T D Wright)

'Blue' Snow Goose (Copyright T D Wright)

The bird had a clear stripe down its nape which I'm not sure it's supposed to have.Is this a 'pure' specimen or not, I wonder?

'Blue' Snow Goose (Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake pics

This Adult Kittiwake was bathing by Coronation Corner in December so I couldn't resist recording it for posterity(or should that be POST-erity?) 

Kittiwake(Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake(Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake(Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake(Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake (Copyright T D Wright)

Kittiwake(Copyright T D Wright)

Colyton Christmas Cracker!

Well after a quiet December I took a stroll around Colyton on 30th not expecting anything more than Redwing or Grey wagtail on the river.Imagine my surprise when just before dusk I had a phyllosc fly into Sidmouth road Cemetery. Chiffchaff would be the most likely in Colyton but as I got my bins on it I saw a stonking super and 2 bright wing-bars! Then it called -swee-e-eet-and I knew I had a Yellow-browed Warbler. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised; it's been an excellent Autumn and Winter for this species. However, finding anything scarce right here in Colyton is always a thrill. I'm just disappointed that no other birders were able to get here before dark to see it. I also wish I'd had my camera on my back as pics would've been nice but I was birding au naturel i.e. bins only. As I say, this was unexpected! (Even though I heard one calling nearby in October near Colyton Church.) Still, I did photograph the one at Bruckland ponds in October so here's pics of that.  

YB Warbler (Copyright T D Wright)

YB Warbler(Copyright T D Wright)

YB Warbler(Copyright T D Wright)

YB Warbler (Copyright T D Wright)

YB Warbler (Copyright T D Wright)

YB Warbler(Copyright T D Wright)