A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos


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by Steve Dudley








A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is a completely new site guide to the hugely popular Aegean island of Lesvos.

Lesvos offers some of the best birding in the Mediterranean basin. For four weeks each spring birders from across Europe converge on this outpost of Europe which lies just 5 miles off Turkey and Asia Minor. The birds are a blend of Mediterranean breeding species, migrants moving through to breed in eastern Europe and Asia Minor species such as Krüper’s Nuthatch (and probably the easiest place to see this species in the Western Palearctic).

The guide has been written by Steve Dudley, one of the island's most experienced bird and wildlife guides who has probably taken more groups around, and spent more time on the island than any other bird guide. Steve is also the man behind LESVOSBIRDING.COM - the only dedicated birding website to the island - which continues to provide visiting birders with up to date information including 'what's been seen today' daily summaries during the main spring birding weeks. Steve is also a founding member of the Lesvos Bird Records Committee.

Steve now shares his vast knowledge of the island with this new birding guide to Lesvos which includes -
  • 272 pages
  • a 47 page introduction includes details of when to go, where to stay, recommended places to eat, the birding year, etc.
  • a detailed guide to over 60 of the best birding areas/sites across the island including over 45 specially commissioned maps by renowned magazine illustrator Steven Hall.
  • 32 pages (over 90 images) of colour photos of sites, habitats and species
  • a 39 page checklist to the birds of Lesvos - completely up to date (up to and inc. spring 2009) detailing the status of every species officially recorded on the island
  • separate tick lists for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and orchids
  • plus appendices detailing island place names and pronunciations, bird lists in Greek and Dutch
  • cover and numerous black-and-white line illustrations by renowned bird illustrator Dave Nurney (artist for A Pocket guide to the birds of Britain and NW Europe, Nightjars of the World and Woodpeckers of the World)

- Views and reviews

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is published by Arlequin Press and is the first of the revamped 'birdwatching guide' series to be published since CJ Wildbird Foods acquired Arlequin Press.
Price - only £19.99!
ISBN 978-1-905268-06-1
Order your copy now from Subbuteo Books.

Reprinted version (2010) and faulty copies (from the 2009 print run)
Due to the binding on some copies coming apart, the book was reprinted in 2010 and those with faulty copies can get a free exchange - see here.

Availability on Lesvos
The book is also available on Lesvos from Hotel Pasiphae and other hotels and visitor outlets.

Views and reviews

Sample pages below.
Area page for the Kalloni area

Individual site map page for the North Coast between Efthalou and Skala Sikaminias

Individual site page for Korakas Headland



Individual site page for Sideras nr Agra

Lesvos Birding holidays in 2010

The best way to see Lesvos is on a guided holiday with an experienced bird and wildlife guide. And who better than the man who has written the book - A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos!

Holidays with Steve Dudley/Lesvosbirding.com
Join me and see just why so many people rave about Lesvos - many of them returning time and time again!

If your interested in joining me on Lesvos, email me to register your interest. I've visted the island annually since 2000 and have led over 20 bird trips on the island. Find reports, photos and lists of species seen from many of my presvious trips here.

Max group size 7 participants. B&B at Hotel Pasiphae in Skala Kallonis. Lunches - all at tavernas across the island. Evening dinner at a Skala Kalloni taverna.

The delightful Hotel Pasiphae in Skala Kallonis.

What does your holiday with Lesvos Birding/Steve Dudley entail? Click here to find out!

2010 weeks
Dates and prices will be confirmed in August 2009.

I'm also available for private groups, spring and autumn, if you need someone to arrange your itinerary and guide/drive you around the island.

For previous trips see reports.

We enjoy our food on our Lesvos Birding holidays! We eat out every day for lunch and dinner using local taverans, occasionally the hotel, but always fresh, local produce including sardines, seafood, fabulous Greek salads - you won't go hungry!

Lesvos Birding at Birdfair 2009

I don't have a stand but I will be at the Birdfair (21-23 Aug) all three days. My fixed events are as follows -

Friday, 21 Aug
1100-1200 - book launch and signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

Saturday, 22 Aug
0930-0950 - Lecture - Lesvos - the jewel in the Aegean, Lecture Marquee 1
1100-1200 - book signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

Sunday, 23 Aug
1100-1200 - book signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

If you miss me and are interested in coming on one of my trips then feel free to call me on +44 (0) 7 767 787 287 (leave a message if I dont answer) to arrange a meeting at the Birdfair.

WIN! A free week at Hotel Pasiphae (B&B) in Sept 2010!! Visit the Subbuteo Books stand for details!

Lesvos in autumn - join me this September

From 17-24 September I'm leading a trip for Speyside Wildlife to Lesvos. The max group size is only six and there are still a couple of places remaining.

Autumn on the island is warm and pleasant, the birding is relaxing and it is a fabulous way of seeing the island and an introduction to Lesvos and eastern Med basin birds and birding.

Why not join me? For more info see here. For trip reports, inc. some of my previous autumn trips, see here.