Spring hike with bird watching

(We work with local guides)

22/4 – 28/4, 2017

Sat 22/4

You arrive at the Mytillini airport on Lesvos and gets picked up in a minibus for transport and check-in at the hotel Imerti Boutique Hotel in Skala Kalloni Lesvos We have a short walk-through in preparation for the week and the evening is free.

Sun 23/4 - Tues 25/4

We will start with a good breakfast at the hotel and then be picked up at 8:00-8:30 pm for transportation to the venue for the day, the bird in question. We stop at 1-2 pm at a nice tavern for lunch and collects the energy for the afternoon. We have a lot to see, so we expect to be in goal with hikes until 7.30 pm and then we go back to the hotel. Time scheduling will be flexible and we reserve the right to make changes on the advice of our expert guides to help you get the most out of days. We provide water, and lunch includes all three days. However, we recommend that you buy something extra when the days can be long. 

Then we use English-speaking Guides, experts in the field, here's a presentation from Eleni Galinou of areas and birds during these 3 days.

Lesvos has been a famous birdwatching destination for the last two decades. Located at the borders of two continents has a great diversity in bird species of both European and Asian origin that simply takes off during the migrating season (especially spring). On the third largest island of Greece extensive areas of very different habitats are found (olive groves, pine forest, garrigue, maquis) while another very important aspect to add to the islands bird richness is the fact that a great number of wetlands are found here. The island’s bird list is 333 species long, so far. 

DAY 1- Kalloni Gulf wetlands and pine forest  

Lesvos is the only area in Europe to find the Kruper’s Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi). A very tame species can give great opportunity to watch while nesting. Other forest species to find: Short-toed creeper (Certhia brachydactyla), (Aegithalus caudatus) etc. 

The Kalloni Gulf is surrounded by different types of coastal wetlands (salt and fresh water marshes, river mouths, lagoons, two salt-pans) making it an ideal place to search for migrating and breeding waterbirds. We will be able to see Black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) nesting, small flocks of migrating egrets- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus)- and Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) and Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) at their breeding grounds together with a variety of waders (Tringa spp. etc). Also possible are Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) and Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea).  

The Lisvori olive grove area would give good sightings of: Masked shrike (Lanius nubicus), Olive-tree warbler (Hippolais olivetorum), Sub-alpine warbler (Sylvia cantillans), Middle- spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus medius) etc. 

DAY 2- Kalloni Gulf Wetlands/ Central Island  

More wetland species such as: Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Little Tern (S. albifrons), and terns of the Chlidonias family, Little stint (Calidris minuta), Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea),  Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus, Ch. dubius), migrating herons – also possible Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)- and possibly migrating Spotted and Little Crake (Porzana porzana, P. parva). 

The central island area we will cover will give the opportunity to observe: Masked and Woodchat Shrike (Lanius nubicus, L. senator), Sombre Tit (Parus lugubris), Tree Nuthatch (Sitta europea), Eastern Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Ruppell’s and Sub-alpine Warbler (Sylvia ruepelli, S. cantillans), Olive-tree warbler (Hippolais olivetorum), Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala), Middle- spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus medius), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Scops owl (Otus scops), etc. 

DAY 3- Western Lesvos  

Lesvos is one of the few islands to find the Cinereous bunting (Emberiza cineracea) and the one that holds the larger population of the species in Europe. Searching for this we will be able to see a variety of species occupying the extensive garrigue areas of the western island with scattered and thin oak forest: Cretczschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia), Isabeline and Black-eared Whetear (Oenanthe isabellina, O. hispanica), Eastern Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius). Also Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis), Little Owl (Athene noctua) etc. 

Raptor species to see while moving around the island: Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus), Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), but also Eleonora’s Falcon (F. eleonorae), Red-footed Falcon (F. vespertinus), Lesser Kestler (Falco naummani), Montague’s Harrier (Circus pygargus). 

Useful link: www.lesvosbirdnews.org

Your bird guides 

Eleni Galinou lives in Agia Paraskevi, in the center of Lesvos Island just next to the Kalloni Gulf wetlands. She is an Environmentalist (PhD) and has worked on several surveys for birds on Lesvos and other Aegean islands.Being a fanatic birdwatcher she has combined her profession with pleasure while guiding birders’ groups around the islands and performing educational activities for all ages about the nature of Lesvos.She is a member of the Lesvos Rarities Committee for Birds (www.lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com) and the Hellenic Ringing Center (www.hbrc.gr). 

Eleftherios (Lefteris) Kakalis lives in Mytilene, the largest town on the island of Lesvos.He studied Forestry and Natural Environment, has finished his Master degree studies on environmental management and has worked on several projects regarding bird monitoring, conservation and protection on Lesvos, Aegean islands and the mainland of Greece. Being fascinated in working on the vast avian diversity of the Mediterranean, he enjoys sharing experiences about birding with others. He is a member of BirdLife Greece (www.ornithologiki.gr) and the Hellenic Ringing Center (www.hbrc.gr).     

Wen 26/4

This day is free. We check out and drive to Mytillini for new check in at Mytillana Village Hotel. We offer free of charge for those who wish information calls and stories of the homeless dogs on the island and adoption opportunities.Various voluntary works, refugee crisis on Lesvos and the situation has been and is. Possibility of visiting a Olive press museum and a visit to the Ouzo museum in Plomari is available.

Thu 27/4

We eat breakfast and mass 9:30 a.m. outside the hotel for a short trip to the Mytillini Centre. We start our walk at the statue of liberty in the harbor and this walk is 3 km so it will maybe take 2 hours. About half of the time is devoted to the Castle of Mytilene (which is one of the Mediterranean's largest) and the other half to the city where you get to see some historical sites from about 500 b.c., to the more modern southern port. The substrate is the streets of asphalt and cobblestone, so regular sneakers works very well.

Time will be provided for lunch on your own and look a bit in the shops before we gather at 2.30 pm to travel a few kilometres to Olive woodhouse. (available on Tripadvisor) We will get to see the amazing craftsmanship produced while having the possibility to buy a nice gift with home. When we are ready we head back to the hotel at 7 pm we are back in place outside your hotel to take you to the Greek restaurant TIGANAKIA in Mytillini. We would like to invite you to a farewell dinner, and for those who wish to see since the opportunity for transportation back to the hotel.

Fri 28/4

Transfer to the airport after check-out for the flight home, we expect various departures.

This is included in the trip price:

• Hotel incl. breakfast in a double room (single room supplement).

• Packed lunches on walks

• All transportation to and from activities and tours

• All hikes

• Transfers to and from the airport

• Farewell dinner, excluding beverages

This does not include:

• Flight t. or to Mytillini at Lesvos

• Other Dinners

• Extra entre on voluntary activities

• Lunches on Saturdays and city tour

• Beverage at the farewell dinner.

The PRICE for the trip, excluding flight : 800 Euro

Other information

Voluntary activities
Klasificering of the various difficulty levels on hikes
Booking and payment