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G R E E C E
Greece – The Island of Lesvos at Leisure
Spring Migration Magic
Saturday 03 May – Saturday 10 May 2014
Principal Leader: Paul Rogers
2014 Cost: £1,699 single room supplement £140
GREECE
Although Lesvos is the third largest of the Greek Islands it is still
relatively small, being 70km long and 45km wide, making the whole
area easily accessible from one centre. Since it is only a long stone’s throw
from Turkey, the island’s flora and fauna have a distinct Eastern Mediterranean flavour about
them. The island has a friendly and easy-going atmosphere. In early spring, the land is still clad in a
cloth of green punctuated by splashes of vivid red poppies and washed by the golden yellow of
Spanish Broom.
Athens
Skala
Kalloni
LESVOS
Mytilini
In early May, the migration should be in full flow with large numbers of birds heading north. European Roller,
Eurasian Hoopoe, Yellow Wagtail and European Bee-eater appear to be alight in the brilliant sunshine. The resident
birds are well into their breeding cycle with the air full of song, Cinereous and Cretzschmar’s Buntings in the spectacular
scenery of the west, and Krüper’s Nuthatch in the pine woods. There are over eleven million olive trees on Lesvos so it is no surprise that Olive-tree
Warbler is another speciality to seek out. A wide variety of habitats including wetlands, woodlands, saltpans, estuaries, meadows and bare uplands
are all within reach of our hotel situated at the end of one of the two large bays that penetrate deep into the island. In a good spring the numbers
of birds can be breathtaking, all amidst splendid surroundings. No wonder Lesvos has much to offer the naturalist and ornithologist.
One of the delights of our tours is the chance to have a midday break and eat at small tavernas in picturesque settings. Ornitholidays has unrivalled
experience to Lesvos and this will be our 44th holiday – more than any other company. Come with us in 2014 to see why everyone travels with
Ornitholidays to Lesvos!
Glossy Ibis
ITINERARY
Day 1
We catch our direct flight from London or
Manchester to Mytilini, the capital on the eastern
side of the island. The transfer to our
comfortable hotel in Skala Kalloni should take
about one hour. This hotel will be our base
throughout the holiday.
Days 2 to 7
Skala Kalloni is a small resort situated at the
north end of Kalloni Bay, into which empty two
rivers. Our hotel is situated within walking
distance of the sea and of the town itself.
Outside of our hotel is a vegetated area of
tamarisks and reeds which, when there has been
good rainfall, floods and attracts migrant ducks,
waders, wagtails and terns. In some years the
bird watching is amazing here! The waterside
shrubs are a safe sanctuary for Spanish Sparrow
but they usually have to share their haven with
singing (Eastern) Olivaceous Warblers.
Also nearby is Kalloni West River with its salt
marshes and numerous brackish pools. Here
Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers feed in their
stop-start fashion; other waders using the area
as a staging point are Curlew Sandpiper (some
in brick-red breeding plumage), Pied Avocet and
on occasions Collared Pratincole. On the other
side of the town, the Kalloni East River is one of
the best sites on the island, the raised banks
making ideal vantage points to check the river.
The reedy fringes, the willows and the salt
tolerant tamarisks, with their powder-puff pink
flowers, all hold migrants. Little Crake, Little
Bittern and Squacco Heron hide amongst the tall
reeds, brilliant European Bee-eaters nest in the
sandy banks and Stone Curlew crouch
cryptically on the stony spit at the mouth of the
river. Corn and Black-headed Buntings sing their
tinny trills from the taller willows, which may also
harbour roosting Black-crowned Night Heron,
and Cetti’s Warbler blast out their explosive song
from deep cover. Kalloni Saltpans, and the area
known as Derbyshire, also offer the chance for
more waders and the possibility of White-winged
Tern, Ruddy Shelduck and Black Stork. Shorttoed
and Crested Larks, Tawny and
Red-throated Pipits along with Black-eared
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For a previous tour report or further information please call: 01794 519445