Lesvos

Dates: 25th April - 2nd May 2027

This exciting new spring tour to the north-eastern Aegean Sea is an excellent opportunity to catch up with a whole host of birds, butterflies and plants on the island of Lesvos. We concentrate on finding the avian delights that this island has to offer although there's plenty of time to admire other flora and fauna on this relaxed paced trip.

Lesvos lies just 7 miles to the west of Turkey and is home to a number of eatern birds that reach the western most limit of their range here. Kruper's Nuthacth, Western Rock Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting are just some of the specialities to de found here whilst the island also attracts an excellent variety of migrant species with regulars including White-winged Black Tern, Little Crake, Red-footed Falcon, Collared Pratincole, Masked Shrike, Olive-tree Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Red-brested Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher and a whole host of herons and waders. Scarcer species that occur regularly include Levant Sparrowhawk, Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant amongst many others. You can expect to see an excellent total of around 150 - 160 species during the week.

The key to the islands rich birdlife is not only its position but also the largely unspoilt and rich variety of habitats. Dry uplands, coastal wetlands, wooded hillsides and lowland agricultural areas all support different birds (and other wildlife); and provide safe, temporary stop-off points for passing migrants. This mix of biomes also supports a rich flora with over 1400 higher plants recorded including over 90 species of orchid. In addition 50 species of butterfly can be found making a trip to this wonderful island a must for every nature enthusiast at this time of year.

Short list of key species: Greater Flamingo, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Ruddy Shelduck, Eleonora's Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Honey Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Levant Sparrowhawk, Little Crake, Spotted Crake, Spur-winged Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, Great Snipe, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Black Stork, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Scops Owl, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Bee-eater, Roller, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-throated Pipit, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Ruppell's Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Sombre Tit, Kruper's Nutatch, Western Rock Nuthatch, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Black-headed Bunting, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzchmar's Bunting, Rock Sparrow.

We'll be staying in a hotel in Skala Kalloni which allows easy access to many other sites but also sits on the doorstep to various lagoons and saltpans that are excellent for wetland birds.

Dates: 25th April - 2nd May 2027

Cost: £1,450 two sharing (not including flights) or £1,650 single occupancy.

Price includes 7 nights accommodation, all meals and transport throughout the tour.

Accommodation: We'll be staying at Kalloni Bay Hotel for the 7 nights.

Group size: 7 (maximum)

Booking: Please email: steveduffield70@gmail.com

Where to meet: Meet at Mytilene airport in the early afternoon of the 25th April