Extremadura, Spain, May 2008 - Part 3

Two Red-rumped Swallow rest for a while. No -these birds are not in a museum, nor are they stuffed !



A Little Bittern - the red bill-base indicates breeding plumage.



Squacco Heron


A male Subalpine Warbler.

Lesvos Part 6 of 7, 16th May, 2006

A pre-breakfast trip to Kallonis inland pool. Two Squacco Heron bathed in early morning sunlight.



Another of the heron tribe - a Little Bittern in flight.



This Great Reed Warbler fed openly on the far side of the pool.



A pair of White Stork at the nest in a village just north of Skalla Kallonis, complete with House Sparrow lodgers.



Whilst driving the tracks across to the East River we saw our only Lesser-grey Shrike of the trip.



Bees the size of your fists ! Err... well almost !



A mean-looking Hooded Crow in the East River.



Whilst following a track west of Napi we came across this old stone bridge.



Although heard regularly, Cirl Bunting was rarely seen. This individual was the closest one came to the camera, in an olive grove not far beyond the old stone bridge.



Back at the Kallonis inland pool a European Bee-Eater flew overhead.



An Olivaceous Warbler near the pool.



Newly arrived the day before - part of a flock of Rose-coloured Starling feeding in fields behind the salt pans.



Still a good few Greater Flamingo on the salt pans.

Lesvos Part 2 of 7, 12th May, 2006

West River

A pre-breakfast visit to the West River produced Crested Lark and Black Stork but the Sun was still below the horizon, so photography was difficult.





East River

Although I'd visited Lesvos before, I needed to familiarise myself with the area once more, so a quick dash over to the East River ensued. I favoured the back roads, where scuffy, scrubby areas often produce suprises such as the River Warbler I'd seen on my last visit. Not this time though - just 'ordinary' stuff like another Crested Lark (or two) !



The Sun was just about up and light improved. I found out later in the day that I was unnecessarily still shooting on ISO400 !
I practiced stalking techniques on a Black-headed Bunting.



Skalla Kallonis to Sigri

It was difficult to drive without stopping - there was so much to see, so many interesting bits of habitat to explore ! If we were ever to get to our destination a strict, disciplined approach must be adhered to - well, almost ! This guy needed rescuing for a start...



What about a passing Short-toed Eagle ? Are we just going to continue driving ?



This Lizard-type thing was worth a look.



Sigri to Eresos Road

The word was, near an 'oasis' along this track, a pair of White-throated Robin were nesting. However, the display of the male had tailed off, and the pair were now secretive. We tried to locate them, along with a few other birders, but to no avail. The oasis was, however, an excellent hot-spot with many interesting birds. This confiding Little Bittern posed right by the roadside; you can see reflections of light from the water on its belly.