Birdwatching in Lesvos
Birding & Birdwatching in Lesvos!
Lesvos or Lesbos island is a popular destination for birdwatchers as the island attracts a wide variety of migratory birds throughout the year. Blessed with flowing bodies of water, Lesvos is proud of its many ecosystems that provide crucial shelter to species rarely seen in the rest of the continent, such as Black Storks, Ruddy Shelducks and Kruper’s Nuthatch, as well as, more than 330 species of birds which are obserded – recored on Lesvos island. So the birdwatching in Lesvos island is unique because of its variety of birdlife.
The most ideal place for birwatching in Lesvos is the wetland of Kalloni. The entire marine area encompassed by the bay together with the wetlands around its perimeter comprises an ecosystem that is particularly important for the impressively large variety of bird species that are observed here and for that reason the Bay of Kalloni is well-known as a favorite birdwatching destination. Even that the most ideal period for birdwatching in Lesvos is from March to late May and again from late September to late November, the wetland of Kalloni accommodate birds all over the year!
Unquestionably, the major spot for birdwatching throughout the year is Alyki in Agia Paraskevi, where the Municipality has erected observation posts. The importance of the place is evidenced by large numbers of birds which regularly gather here. These visitors come to Lesvos, mostly in the spring (from begining of April to late May), to observe the summer migration of birds from Africa, where they have spent the winter, to Europe, where they will arrive to reproduce in the spring and summer.
The birds on Lesvos island!
There are species that are typical of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, such as the Krüper’s Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi) and Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea). The Krüper’s Nuthatch exists only in Lesvos and nowhere else in Europe. It is rare and is mainly found in pine forests, from the sea to the highest peaks, in the area of Mount Olympos, Achladeri and Akrassi. The Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea) is rarer and you can observe it in Eresso, Olympus and Agra.
Other rare species that nest on the island are the following: Rüppell’s Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Pied Wheatear, Rufous-tailed scrub Robin, Masked Shrike, Sombre tit, Western rock Nuthatch, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Long-legged Buzzard, Levant sparrowhawk and Alectoris chukar.
Rare waterfowl nest in the Bay of Kalloni such as: Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Eurasian Stone-Curlew, Little Bittern, Kingfisher, Collared Pratincole, Western Marsh Harrier, Tern, Little Tern, etc.
The ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), which is rare in Greece, also nests in the area of Achladeri. Some other important species are the black Stork (Ciconia nigra), with a few couples on the island, and the white Stork (Ciconia ciconia), which has decreased in recent years.
At the following video presents some photos of birds in Lesvos from birders during their birdwatching vacations in Lesvos.
Bird Checklist of Lesvos (Lesbos) island
If you are interesting about the species of birds which are obserded – recored on Lesvos island, you can have a look at the bird checklist of Lesvos. This checklist includes all bird species found in Lesbos , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that Avidase collated over many years. Bird Checklists of the World is part of Avibase and Bird links to the World, which are designed and maintained by Denis Lepage, and hosted by Bird Studies Canada, which is a co-partner of Birdlife International.
photos of birdwatching in Lesvos
photos of birdwatching in Lesvos
