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Birdwatching trip report - Greece, GreecePeriod: 8.4.2006-8.4.2006Author(s): Spyros Skareas Key sites visited: (ATHENS) Schinias National Park, Oropos Estuary
A great day for birding, in the peak of Spring migration. More Trip Reports from bird tours in Greece, at www.greecebirdtours.gr We visited two sites around Athens: Schinias National Park and Oropos marshes. We started with to Schinias National Park, were birding is always a blast. A total of 56 species were observed, in two hours (!) the highlights being Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Black-winged Stilt, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-eared Wheatear, Whoodchat Shrike, Penduline Tit. We started from the area west of the Olympic Rowing Center, were a significant amount of water remains until early spring and provides shelter for Herons. There we saw 2 Squacco Herons, a few Little Egrets, Glossy Ibises, Teal and Garganey. Continuing to the center of the National Park, a Ferruginous Duck flew over our heads, followed by a Marsh Harrier. Later on, a Long-legged Buzzard appeared too. After many consecutive records of 3 to 8 Ferruginous Ducks all year long, for the last 3 years, they are now believed to nest in the area. In this time of the year, the majority of birds gather around the shallow waters around the cultivated fields of Kato Souli area. More than 50 Black-winged Stilts, Greenshanks, Ruffs, Black-tailed Godwits, Marsh Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers were recorder, together with flying Common Buzzards and Kestrels, Swallows, Sand Martins, House Martins. Listening to singing Cetti’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, was also quite amusing. A couple of Penduline Tits were recorded between the reed, as well as a Woodchat Shrike perching on a wire. The complete bird list is the following:
We continued with Oropos marshes, were and birds have started to invade this compact estuary. Despite the wind, 46 species were recorded. Highlights of he day: Mute Swans, Shelduck, Pintail, Black-winged Stilt, Snipe, Kentish Plover, Whimbrel, Slender-billed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Gull-billed Tern , Red-rumped Swallow, Tree Pipit. The day did not seem that promising, sing there was fair enough wind. However, some good records were obtained. In the center of the estuary, Mute Swans and many Shelducks could be seen, together with Pintail, Garganey. In the sides, Grey Herons and Little Egrets, and quite a few Black-winged Stilts. Close to the seashore, Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plovers, while Red-rumped Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martin were flying in the sky. On small patch of sand close to the sea, a Whimbrel was picking food from the shallow waters, and several meters away, Sandwitch Terns and Geroglana were standing close to eashother. With the spotting scope, while enjoying the ducks, a single gull was observed swimming nearby. His characteristic front-bending silhouette made his identification easier: a beautiful Slender-billed Gull. The complete bird list is the following: Species Numbers
More Trip Reports from bird tours in Greece, at www.greecebirdtours.gr
 Long-legged Buzzard, (by Akis Gaitanakis)  Squacco Heron (by Akis Gaitanakis) |
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