Lesvos, April 2010.

At this time of year I'm often looking forward to leading a tour to the Greek island of Lesvos. I first visited this migration hotspot in 2010, learning the route and sites as a co-leader / driver for Ornitholidays and fell in love with the island immediately. That was my first birding trip to Greece since the 80's but the birds seemed very familiar indeed.

Most birders and birding groups stay in Skala Kalloni during their stay on Lesvos. It's nicely situated - pretty central on the island with some nice birding habitats close by, including some of the best wetlands on the island.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kalonis April 2010. This hotel is a great favourite with birders on Lesvos and has the official bird log managed by Steve Dudley of Lesvos Birding.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Alykes Wetlands (near Skala Kalloni) 29/4/10.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Alykes Wetlands 29/4/10.

View across the Alykes Wetlands, April 2010.

Single Whiskered Tern Childonias hybrida with White-winged Terns Childonias leucopterus, Alykes Wetlands, 29/4/10.

Birders enjoying a feast of wetlands species, April 2010.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Alykes Wetlands 29/4/10. 

The dry sheep fields of the Alykes Wetlands are worth scanning for pipits and larks.

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus in the sheep fields, 26/4/10.

Nice braces!

Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchus singing outside the taverna as we dined in the midday heat. Not so shy on Lesvos!

More from my this and my other three trips to Lesvos later ....

In the meantime for everything Lesvos, check out Steve Dudley's Lesvos Birding.