7 May - shrikes, shrikes and more shrikes

Roller, Sigri Old Sanatorium, 7 May 2013 
(Coracias garrulus) (Ευρωπαϊκή) Χαλκοκουρούνα 
© Steve Dudley

Meladia Valley was ripping with Red-backed Shrikes today, but seemingly on its own. A Lesser Spotted Eagle and the Griffon Vulture seen again, plus reports of Rock Bunting and Red Knot.  Still no news of the robins in recent days.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

No news today. 

We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.

I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.

It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.

Ipsilou

Rock Bunting - 1 reported
Lesser Spotted Eagle 1
Eleanora's Falcon 1

Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Red Knot - 1 adult reported
White-winged Tern 100
Whiskered Tern 20
Gull-billed Tern 7
Little Gull 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Stork 20
White Stork 6
Red-footed Falcon 1
Turnstone 2
Grey Plover 1
Common Ringed Plover 1
Ruddy Shelduck 17
Peregrine 1
Great Crested Grebe 1 offshore

Sigri & Faneromeni

GRIFFON VULTURE 1
Little Bittern 2
Bee-eater 30
Squacco Heron 1

Tsiknias River

Collared Pratincole 4
Glossy Ibis 1
Little Bittern 1
Purple Heron 1
Bee-eater 4

Meladia Valley

Eleanora's Falcon 1
Red-backed Shrike 340+
Lesser Grey Shrike 4
Rufous Bush-robin 6+
Whinchat 80+
Spotted Flycatcher 60+
Common Whitethroat 1
Lesser Whitethroat 1

Nr Petra

Roller 1

Sigri Old Sanatorium

Roller 1
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Red-backed Shrike 20+

Makara

Eleanora's Falcon 1
Alpine Swift 60

Metochi Lake

Night-heron 21
Little Bittern 3
Common Sandpiper 1

Nr Anemotia

Tree Pipit 1 (only second record this spring!)

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana

Scops Owl 
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!