This report contains records for 2013 and previous years recently considered by the Lesvos Bird Records Committee (LBRC).
The report contains records for a new species for Lesvos - Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and one new subspecies, Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus. It also contains details of only the second record of Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans.
Eight birds seen in the 2012/13 winter were tentatively identified as vulpinus from photos posted on the Lesvos Birders Facebook Group. A detailed article reviewing the assessment of all eight records appears in Lesvos Birds 2013.
Caspian Gull, Alikoudi Pool, March 2013 © Petros Tsakmakis
The report contains records for a new species for Lesvos - Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and one new subspecies, Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus. It also contains details of only the second record of Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans.
The value of supporting evidence such as photographs cannot be understated. Six of the accepted records (Steppe Buzzards, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Caspian Gull) contained in this report were identified by others from photos posted online and another (Red-crested Pochard) from a photo shown to a Committee member. In addition, we were able to ascertain that two Griffon Vultures were present in spring 2013, but only from photos posted by observers online. For some species (e.g. Moustached Warbler) photos are vital to determine identification and from 2014 only records with supporting evidence (photos or sound recordings) will be considered for some species.
RECORDS ACCEPTED AS PROVEN
The Lesvos Bird Records Committee (LBRC) has accepted the following records (not proven and pended records are at the bottom of the report).
The Lesvos Bird Records Committee (LBRC) has accepted the following records (not proven and pended records are at the bottom of the report).
Unless otherwise stated, all records refer to 2013.
nyroca
Total number of records: 23+
Where total number of records are maintained for a species, this is given up to and including the records published here.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK |nyroca
Total number of records: 23+
One record accepted:
Pair Tsiknias River 25 Apr (P & V Manning, C & L Williams).
RED-CRESTED POCHARD | (Ευρασιατικό) Φερεντίνι |
Total number of records: 1
One record accepted:
Pair Parakila Marsh 17 Apr
(photo: T Koufaki.)
This is the first confirmed
record for Lesvos, identified by resident birder Eleni Galinou from a
photograph taken by a local resident.
Red-crested Pochards, Parakila Marsh, April 2013 © Theano Koufaki
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE |
Total number of records: 6
One record accepted:
A sub-adult Mesa 13 Jan
(photo: F Psarros, E Kakalis).
This is only the sixth record
for Lesvos.
White-tailed Eagle, Mesa, January 2013 © Fotis Psarros
EGYPTIAN VULTURE |
Total number of records: 13
One record accepted:
2004 1 Ipsilou 1 May (S Bot).
GRIFFON VULTURE |
Total number of records: 18+
Three records accepted:
2
birds seen in spring at various sites throughout the west of the island (Lardia
Valley westwards) 18 Apr – 7 May (photo: S Wessmer, S P Dudley, R Purser et al)
and 14 May
(photo: M & T Sviekutis). One of these birds was also seen on 9 May (G Melchiorri, G
Massetti) but without a photo it is not possible to say which of the two birds it was.
(photo: M & T Sviekutis). One of these birds was also seen on 9 May (G Melchiorri, G
Massetti) but without a photo it is not possible to say which of the two birds it was.
1
Tsichliota Bay (Meladia Valley) 7 Sep (photo: C Zografou, O Alexandrou).
STEPPE BUZZARD |
Total number of records: 4
Four records accepted:
1 Molivos 8 Jan (photo: P
Tsakmakis, S P Dudley, S Wytema).
1 Dipi Larisos 13 Jan (photo:
P Tsakmakis, S P Dudley, S Wytema).
1 Dipi Larisos 28 Jan (photo:
P Tsakmakis, S P Dudley, S Wytema).
2012 1 nr Kedro 17 – 21 Nov (photo: P Tsakmakis, S P Dudley, S
Wytema).
These four birds are the
first confirmed records for Lesvos.
Eight birds seen in the 2012/13 winter were tentatively identified as vulpinus from photos posted on the Lesvos Birders Facebook Group. A detailed article reviewing the assessment of all eight records appears in Lesvos Birds 2013.
More records are currently
being considered by the LBRC.
Steppe Buzzard, near Kedro, November 2012 © Petros Tsakmakis
Golden Eagle |
Total number of records: 23+
One record accepted:
1998 1 between Eressos and Antissa 23 Dec (E
Lam).
EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE |
Total number of records: 14
(15)
One record accepted:
Subadult between Antissa and
Ipsilou 5 May (photo: T Binks, S P Dudley)
JACK SNIPE |
Two records accepted:
2006 2 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Oct (P Boone).
2001 3 Alykes Wetlands 1 May (H Sieben).
GREAT SNIPE |
Total number of records: 19+
Four records accepted:
1 Faneromeni 2 – 8 May
(photo: D Copewell et al).
1 Farmakies Marsh 3 May
(photo: A & P Thompson).
1 Kalami Marsh 9 – 14 May (photo: J Gronning, R Edvardsen, A & P Stromski).
1 Kalami Marsh 9 – 14 May (photo: J Gronning, R Edvardsen, A & P Stromski).
2001 1 Tsiknias River 4 May (photo: D Ferguson).
Great Snipe, Farmakies Marsh, May 2013 © Anna Thompson
Terek Sandpiper |
Total number of records: 10
One record accepted:
1 Sigri inlet 8 Aug (photo: W Heylen).
Red-necked
Phalarope |
Total number of records: 13
One record accepted:
2 Kalloni
Saltpans 28 Sep (T Swann et al).
CASPIAN GULL
Total number of records: 2
One record accepted:
2CY Alikoudi Pool 17 Mar
(photo: P Tsakmakis).
This is the second record for
Lesvos.
One other record from 2013 is
under consideration by LBRC.
STOCK DOVE |
Total number of records:
9
Two records accepted:
1 nr Kalloni Saltpans 7 Dec
(L Katerinopoulos).
2001 1 Kalloni Saltpans 25 Oct (H Buckx).
Great Grey Shrike |
Total number of records:
11+
One record accepted:
2011 1 excubitor x homeyeri integrade nr Vouvaris River mouth 3 May (photo: S P Dudley, I Ford, K Mullarney, C Townend et al) (Lesvos Birds 2011).
Great Shrike Lanius e. excubitor x L. e homeyeri, integrade, nr Vouvaris River mouth, May 11 © Steve P Dudley
This image shows the high homeyeri influence with the extensive white wing markings, white tail base and sides.
CALANDRA LARK | (Κοινή) Γαλιάντρα |
Total number of records: 13
Three records accepted:
1 Meladia Valley 26 Apr (F
Brierley, A Hill).
1 Kalloni Saltpans 2 May (B
Buckler, P & V Manning et al).
2006 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 May (P Boone).
MOUSTACHED WARBLER | Ψαθοποταμίδα | Acrocephalus melanopogon
One record:
1 Almyropotamos
River (Lisvorio) 28 Mar (J Bowers, W Kappes).
This record was
narrowly accepted reflecting the difficulty in assessing records of this
species, especially when the bird in question is both out of the expected season of occurrence and in an
unexpected location.
The Committee will now only consider any future records of this species outside the expected winter period (Nov – Feb) and away from Dipi Larisos (the only known wintering site on the island) that are supported by additional evidence (e.g. photo or sound recording). Most birders now have a field camera (DSLR, bridge/super-zoom, digiscope) or smartphone (which can be used for phonescoping and recording bird calls/song without any additional equipment) so the expectation of receiving supporting evidence must be regarded as high.
The Committee will now only consider any future records of this species outside the expected winter period (Nov – Feb) and away from Dipi Larisos (the only known wintering site on the island) that are supported by additional evidence (e.g. photo or sound recording). Most birders now have a field camera (DSLR, bridge/super-zoom, digiscope) or smartphone (which can be used for phonescoping and recording bird calls/song without any additional equipment) so the expectation of receiving supporting evidence must be regarded as high.
COMMON FIRECREST |
Total number of records: 5+
One record accepted by LBRC:
1998 1 Skala Sikaminias 27 Dec (E Lam).
TREE SPARROW
Total number of records: 7
One record accepted:
2001 4 Anaxos 23 Oct (H Buckx).
Brambling | Χειμωνόσπινος | Fringilla montifringilla
Two records accepted:
1998 4
Agiasos 21 Dec (E Lam).
1998 1
Petra 24 Dec (E Lam).
COMMON CROSSBILL |
Total number of records: 8
Two records accepted:
5 Skala Kallonis 5 Oct (R
Thorpe et al).
1998 2 Mytilini 29 Dec (E Lam).
ROCK BUNTING |
One record accepted:
1998 2 nr Agiasos 29 Apr (P Cools).
RECORDS pending and still under consideration
2013
Steppe Buzzard | Στεπογερακίνα | Buteo buteo vulpinus
– 1 Molivos 5 Jan
– 1 Dipi Larisos 18 Mar
– 1 nr Mandamados 26 Apr
– 1 Korakas Headland 29 Apr
– 1 Makara 1 May
– 1 Mt Olympos 10 Aug
– 1 nr Mithymna 11 Aug
2011
Steppe Buzzard | Στεπογερακίνα | Buteo buteo vulpinus
– 1 Petra 26 Apr.
2004
Pied
Wheatear | Παρδαλοπετρόκλης | Oenanthe pleschanka
– 1
Polichnitos 11 Apr.
2001
Pied
Wheatear | Παρδαλοπετρόκλης | Oenanthe pleschanka
– 1
Sigri 22 Oct.
RECORDS NOT
PROVEN
2013
Steppe Buzzard | Στεπογερακίνα | Buteo buteo vulpinus
– 1 Nifida 2 Jan
– considered to be a buteo buteo or buteo x vulpinus
hybrid
– 1 nr Kedro 3
Jan – considered to be a buteo x vulpinus hybrid
– 1 nr Kedro 10
Jan – considered to be a buteo buteo or buteo x vulpinus
hybrid
2012
Steppe Buzzard | Στεπογερακίνα | Buteo buteo vulpinus
– 1 Pappados 29
Nov – considered to be a buteo buteo or buteo x vulpinus
hybrid
1998
Common
Gull | Θυελλόγλαρος | Larus canus
– 2
Kalloni Saltpans 27 Dec
