First migrant waders for this spring!
A mild weather morning and a 4-hour of birding yielded the following:
Kalami Marsh (west end of Messa wetland):
7 Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)
2 Shelducks (Tadorna tadorna), 2 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 2 Teals (Anas crecca)
1 Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)!!- 1st records for this spring
1 Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)- it has been long before a record of one around the Kalloni Gulf!
Also: 2 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus), 1 Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Corn Buntings (Emberiza calandra), Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis)
Messa wetland (lagoon and salt marshes)
29 Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)
3 Black Storks (Ciconia nigra)
3 Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea), 2 Great White Egrets (Ardea alba), and 5 Little White Egrets (Egretta garzetta)
2 Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea), 12 Shelducks (T. tadorna), 5 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 4 Little Grebes (Tachybaptus ruficolis).
1 more Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Also, Goldfinches, Crested Larks, Meadow Pipits (6), Stonechats and by the edge of the pine forest at the east end of the wetland,
Long-tailed Tits (2), Great Tits (3), Blue Tits (2), Chawfinches (7), Blackbirds (2)
On the way back a flock of 110+ Great Cormorants landed in the lagoon's mouth and in e few minutes all herons, storks, and egrets gathered together for communal fishing!
Kalloni Salt Pans:
In the southern parts of the Pans, the first flocks of Black-tailed Godwits (22) and Ruffs (45) were observed. Also 5 Barn Swallows made a quick pass and 1 Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus).
The pool opposite the pans entrance is well flooded but it hasn't rained for several weeks now.
