birding...

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus ©Panos Oikonomou http://www.wildlifebirdphotography.gr

Lesvos, at approx 25x40 miles in area is the second largest of the Greek islands after Crete. Situated only between 5-8 miles from Turkey it is ideally situated to receive migrants tracking along the Turkish coast in spring and autumn, and also to host several species of restricted breeding range - with Kruper`s Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting probably ranking as the most important.

It boasts a wealth of varied habitats within its confines, ranging from the two important sets of salt pans at Kalloni and nearby Skala Polichnitos to the various wetland habitats (rivers, lakes and marshes) around the Gulf of Kalloni and other productive river mouths dotted around the island as far west as Faneromeni. Although olive groves predominate (with approx 11 million trees) there are extensive areas of upland pinewood to the south- west of the island especially, and the area above Agiassos also boasts a large area of sweet chestnut woodland - unique on the island. Oak woodland is also widespread, especially to the north and west.

Apart from large areas of coastal scrub and wildflower meadows, there are also extensive tracts of more rugged, sparsely vegetated upland terrain (especially to the west) and the highest points (at approx 350 metres) are to be found around Mt Lepetimnos in the north-east and Mt Olympus in the south-west. Apart from olive growing and small scale agriculture, the predominant activities involve livestock grazing (predominantly sheep and goats); fishing and tourism - though with its small beaches, shallow bays, small hotels and lack of night-life Lesvos can hardly lay claim to being a touristy island in the full sense of the word. Therein lies its attraction to birders and botanists, because it still remains largely unspoilt and one can always be assured of an extremely friendly welcome wherever one wanders on the island.

A Brief Selection Of Some Of The Best Birding Sites
With so many good sites scattered throughout the island, the opportunity exists to connect with good birds almost anywhere. Also, because of the seasonal nature of many of the wetlands they may be productive one week and not the next and may equally vary from one year to the next. Those wishing for a comprehensive list of the best sites and how to reach them would do best referring to Richard Brook`s book - details below.

Birding on the Greek Island of Lesvos (available from him direct [£19.70 including p&p] within the UK. If you wish to be fully informed and updated on sites, bird species and the spring migration pattern then there is also his 48 page Lesvos Spring-Summer 2001 Update [available at at £7.50 inclusive of postage]. These and other Lesvos items (checklists, videos, maps etc) can be purchased direct from:
Richard Brooks, 24 Croxton Hamlet, Fulmodeston, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 0NP Phone/fax 01328 878632 email@richard-brooks.co.uk or visit his website http://www.richard-brooks.co.uk
He can also arrange travel to the island in March and April ahead of the main holiday season - when the island is arguably at its best – he arranges special charter flights.

Don`t forget - the sites below are only a very small selection of the large number of sites referred to in Richards book. Rest assured that there are many more with the capacity to produce most of the species so far mentioned - and probably many more. At a conservative estimate, 160+ species should be quite attainable for a two week visit around mid-April!