GREECE Lesvos 30 April–7 May 2009 Leaders: Bob Buckler and Neil Gartshore

Lesvos, to give it its correct Greek name, has rapidly become one of the most popular Mediterranean birding destinations, rivalling even Eilat in Israel. There are several reasons for this: first, being very close to the Turkish mainland, it is inhabited by several eastern specialities, including Krüper's Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting. Other southeastern birds include Sombre Tit, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Western Rock Nuthatch, Olive-tree Warbler and Masked Shrike. Secondly, many other southern European species occur including Hoopoe, European Roller, European Bee-eater and Eastern Olivaceous and Great Reed Warblers. Finally, Lesvos is also an excellent migration spot. Although Lesvos is a relatively large Greek island, 45 x 30 miles, it can be covered easily in one week. The tour is based at one of the best hotels on the island, which is conveniently situated in Skala Kallonis and has excellent birding sites nearby.

Day 1 Following our flight from Gatwick to Mytilini and our hotel check-in, we may have time for some evening birding at the nearby marshes and river. Amongst the species we can expect to see are both Black and White Storks, Glossy Ibis, Little Bittern, a variety of passage waders including Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Temminck's and Little Stints and Curlew Sandpiper, Black, White-winged and Whiskered Terns and Cetti's and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers.

Days 2–7 There will be no fixed itinerary, as rare and uncommon migrants can turn up at any place and at any time, so we will be flexible. We will visit all the major habitats of the island, however, to ensure that we see as many species as possible. The small town in which our hotel is situated has a river on each side and is virtually surrounded by marshes which are highly attractive to birds. As well as the species already mentioned we may see flocks of Black-headed Wagtails, Garganeys, Ruddy Shelducks, Purple and Squacco Herons, Black-crowned Night-herons, Collared Pratincoles and Pied Avocets whilst Western Marsh and Montagu's Harriers regularly quarter the area. Smaller raptors can include Eurasian Hobby, Lesser Kestrel and Red-footed Falcon, while Lesser Grey Shrikes are very conspicuous as they perch on the telephone wires. Early morning or late evening we will look for crakes, which can include Baillon's, Little and Spotted, while some of the scarcer waders to be seen are Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers. One day we will visit the rocky hillsides at the extreme western end of the island where we will look for Western Rock Nuthatch, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Rock Petronia, Cretzschmar's and Cinereous Buntings, Isabelline and Black-eared Wheatears, Chukar and Short-toed Eagle. In the olive groves scattered around the island we will spend some time looking for Olive-tree Warbler (for a very large warbler it can be very skulking!), during which time we may see Sombre Tit, Masked Shrike, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Treecreeper, Subalpine Warbler, Rufous Nightingale and Middle Spotted Woodpecker. Common species seen virtually anywhere include Crested Lark, Spanish Sparrow, Black-headed Bunting and Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes, but we will make special efforts to see other specialities, including Rufous Bush Robin, Rose-coloured Starling, Eleonora's Falcon and European Scops-owl if they appear, together with the resident Krüper's Nuthatch in the coniferous forests. Regular passerine migrants include Collared, Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers, European Golden Oriole, Barred, Eastern Bonelli's and River Warblers and Red-throated and Tawny Pipits. There is also a good chance that a rarity or two may turn up during our stay. In the past these have included White-throated Robin, Great Snipe, Citrine Wagtail, Black-winged Pratincole and Spur-winged Lapwing.

Day 8 After a final morning birding in the marshes around the hotel we will return to the airport for an afternoon flight home.

General Information There are no special medical requirements. The climate should be quite pleasant with a temperature range of 15-30ºC. Only a medium degree of fitness is required as there will be no long walks, although whole days will be spent in the field.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6; maximum group size: 8 with 1 leader, 16 with 2 leaders.

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