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BIRDWATCHING
NEWS - Page 3
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Spring Migration at Agios Fokas
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21.04.95 |
07.04.99 |
15.04.00 |
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N 0-1 cloudless |
N1-3 cloudless |
N 0-1 cloudless |
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Long-legged buzzard
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1 |
|
|
|
Marsh harrier |
1 |
2 |
1 |
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Montagu’ harriers |
2 |
|
2 |
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Hen harrier |
|
2 |
|
|
Hobby |
1 |
|
3 |
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Eleanora’s falcon |
1 |
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|
|
Red-footed falcon |
|
1 |
|
|
Common kestrel |
2 |
|
2 |
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Sparowhawk |
|
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
8 |
6 |
8 |
Spring Migration at Faneromeni
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16/4/95 |
3/4/99 |
4/4/99 |
21/4/00 |
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SSE 3-4 rain |
SE 1-3 thundery showers
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SE 1-2 overcast, showers
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SE 1-3 Light misty rain
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Marsh harrier |
3 |
55+ |
19 |
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Hen harrier |
|
3 |
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Montagu’s harrier |
3 |
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2 |
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Osprey |
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1 |
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Spotted eagle |
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1 |
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Booted eagle |
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1 |
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Peregrine |
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1 |
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Hobby |
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1 |
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Eleanora’s falcon |
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1 |
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Lanner |
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1 |
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Red-footed falcon |
1 |
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4 |
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Lesser kestrel |
10 |
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TOTAL |
17 |
60 |
11 |
11 |
On each occasion
the watch was about 2 hours duration. The numbers observed
in spring have usually been small with only one occasion at
Faneromeni when numbers comparable with the figures for
autumn 2002 were seen. Physical conditions at Agios Fokas
can partly explain this. The sea crossing is not very long
and birds, particularly falcons, arrive high and are
difficult to pick out. From observations made this autumn it
would be better to watch from the hills behind the cape (
Profitis Ilias ) rather than from the cliffs. Movement off
the sea was only seen with light northerly winds and clear
conditions.
In contrast
movement was only observed at Faneromeni with southerly winds
and rain. One possible reason is that birds are departing and
will therefore normally be high and in fine conditions the
birds are too high to be seen.
Marsh harriers were
the dominant species seen with other harrier species and
falcons also passing. Broad winged species, except lesser
spotted eagles mostly migrate in May when I was not on the
Island so the lack of observations is hardly surprising.
This autumn ( 2002
) I spent a week in Lesvos. The first 4 days were very hot
with very light northerly winds. There was no sign of raptor
migration and indeed, apart from residents, virtually no birds
of prey on the Island. Unsettled weather with southerly winds
on the following three days produced the movement shown in the
table.
Autumn Migration 2002
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Faneromeni 23/9/2002 |
Agios Focas
24/9/2002 |
Agios Focas
25/9/2002 |
TOTAL |
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SW 5-6 sunny
periods |
SW 6-7 sunny periods |
SE 0-1 light rain am, thunderstorm at
noon, then clear |
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Marsh harrier |
53 |
22 |
62 |
137 |
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Honey buzzard |
3 |
- |
6 |
9 |
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Lesser sp. eagle |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
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Osprey |
1 |
4 |
- |
5 |
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Sparrowhawk |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
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Eleanora’s falcon |
7 |
6 |
15 |
28 |
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Hobby |
5 |
8 |
5 |
18 |
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Lesser Kestrel |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
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TOTAL |
71 |
41 |
91 |
201 |
As in spring the
main species was marsh harrier with falcons also much in
evidence. The number of migrating falcons was probably
underestimated. Hobbies in particular are difficult to see and
most were first picked up when they attacked other species.
Since this happened frequently it is reasonable to assume that
many were missed. Of broad-winged species there were 9 honey
buzzards, 1 lesser spotted eagle and a couple of sparrow
hawks. However the observations were not made at the best
time. Common buzzards would normally be looked for in October.
The peak of honey buzzard movement should be in late August
and early September so further and extended observations are
needed before the extent of autumn migration through Lesvos
can be determined.
Conclusions
There is clearly
substantial bird of prey migration through Lesvos. In spring
birds arrive at Agios Fokas from Chios and depart in the
north-west, east of Faneromeni. In autumn the flow is
reversed. Where the birds go on departing from Faneromeni, and
where they come from when arriving there is unknown but there
is some evidence that in autumn some at least make an extended
sea crossing from the Chalkidiki.
The observations
suggest that harriers, particularly marsh harriers, and
falcons are the main species involved. But they were made too
early in spring and both too late and too early in autumn to
determine the extent to which the route is utilised by
broad-winged hawks. Observations in May, early September and
October are needed to fill out the picture.
At Agios Fokas
movement as expected occurred with head winds. At Faneromeni
in spring the main movements were observed with following
winds and rain. These conditions are probably needed to put
the birds within observational distance.
JKBowers/ NOVEMBER 2002
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So, ring the changes and let’s see you in Vatera for this year’s bird watching!
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