Pbirdarc1204

MY BIRDWATCHING HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER 2004

	6^thDec. At Sirili. A black kite circled for some time. We then moved on to Agia reservoir where we saw a kingfisher; 300+ coot; 150+ moorhen; 250+ pochard; 25 little grebe; 7 shoveler; 6 ferruginous duck; 29 teal; 17 black necked grebe; 8 mallard; 1 marsh harrier; 3 white wagtails; and 250+ yellow legged gulls. We then drove up to the Omalos plateau where we found only a blue tit; a juvenile golden eagle; 3 jays; and 50+ crag martins. Not a chough to be seen!
	7^thDec. At Neo Chorio. A female goshawk; and a male sparrowhawk.
	10^thDec. At Voukolies. 2 swallows reminded us that some winter on the island. At Kolymbari. An eleonoras falcon reminded us that they too winter here in small numbers.
	13^thDec. At Kamisiana. A whinchat - so they too must winter here. At Tavronitis. 20+ meadow pipits; 2 short toed larks; 2 tree pipits; 2 white wagtails; and another whinchat.
	20^thDec. At Maleme. We found 3 tree pipits; and, At Neo Chorio. A scops owl was calling at night, the first for some time.
	23^rdDec. At Nembros. A cettis warbler was in full song to remind us of how early the breeding season starts here. At Neo Chorio. At 9p.m. a flock of bee-eaters flew by, calling loudly as they always do.
	27^thDec. At Kamisiana. We saw a merlin; and 2 serins.
	28^thDec. At Neo Chorio. 3 swallows.
	30^thDec. At Neo Chorio. 8 swallows.
	31^stDec. At Rapaniana. There were 50 meadow pipits; and At Tavronitis. There was a male whinchat and a moustached warbler.

And a few final words for December..... A quiet month. We did not get out much as the weather was poor. The outstanding record was the bee-eaters on the 23^rd. Exceptional for two reasons: their migration ends in October; and we have never heard them at night before. As far as we know they always roost overnight and fly by day. Indeed this is often their downfall as when going to roost they are exceptionally noisy and attract the local hunters like bees to honey pots. Perhaps this flock had been disturbed and had to fly at night, but even so to be here in December has to be truly remarkable.

Another exceptional record came from a friend who found what is believed to be a pallas reed bunting at Agia reservoir. He got some very good photographs which the experts are scrutinizing. I cannot help as this is a species I have never seen. If accepted this would be the first for Greece so fingers crossed!

The other good news is that the bearded vulture nest now has a chick that is doing well.

Until next month, good watching. Paul Smith.