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LESVOS
....the Island of Sappho
....the tenth muse
Butterflies - Insects
PAUL
WETTON LESVOS
TRIP
1st –15th
of May 2003
This is an abridged version of Paul’s “ LESVOS REVISITED
“report, referring to Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians,
Butterflies & other Insects.
You can read the entire report at:
www.sarah.priestley.care4free.net/vatera.html
Sarah and I visited the beautiful island of Lesvos
for the second time from 1 May to 15 May 2003. We stayed
at the Madonna Apartments,
www.vatera-lesvos.co.uk (courtesy of the owner,
Dimitra Balkizas), at the resort of Vatera,
which is situated on the southern coast of the island. The
flight was separately booked via Ilkeston Co-op Travel
with Airtours (My travel) at a cost of around £190. From
our previous visit to Lesvos we knew that car hire would
be essential and thus we booked a small car (Opel Corsa)
with Alpha Car Rental through Dimitra. The rate was
reasonable at 235 Euro per week.
Most birders seem to prefer to stay at Skala Kalloni,
which we found is extremely busy at this time of year. The
small resort of Vatera was much more peaceful and for
those non-birders that may venture out with you, the beach
at Vatera is considered to be one of the best in Europe. I
will rely on the information passed on by others,
including my better half Sarah who spent some time on the
beach, since I am not a beach person.
Vatera itself sprawls along the beach with several
tavernas, a couple of bars, and a few hotels along with
some well-appointed self-catering apartments overlooking
the sea.
We found Vatera to be an excellent base for our second
visit to the island as close by are some excellent birding
habitats, brilliant flower walks for those interested in
botany or just walking not to mention butterflies,
insects, mammals etc. The other interesting birding sites
to be found on the island are all within easy reach of
Vatera including the Kalloni area which is approximately
45 min drive away from Vatera.
Mammals, Reptiles & Amphibians
Persian Squirrels were common in the olive groves around the Salty River (Almyropotamos) & at the Faneromeni. Beach Martins were uncommon
with a single sighting along the road close to Kato Stavros. Hedgehogs
were seen as a roadside casualty. Foxes were regularly seen whilst
travelling at night, crossing the roads. Large Whip Snale were the
commonest snakes with several sightings one a little too close for comfort,
although the snake soon turned tail on noticing us. Grass Snake was
found swimming in the East River. Green lizards were common
especially above Agiasos. Snake-eyed lizards were identified
amongst the commoner striped young of Green Lizards. Agama Lizards were
found on many rocky outcrops. Both Stripped-necked Terrapin and the less
common European Pond Terrapin were found around Salty River
(Almyropotamos) and at Kalloni inland lake. Spur-thighed tortoise were
found in the woods above Agiasos, sheltering from the heat under vegetation at
both the sheep fields and at a small lake towards the goat pit of Upper East River. A couple of Common
Tree Frogs were found in the small bushes alongside Kalloni inland lake. Edible
Frogs were seen and heard in chorus mainly at Salty River
(Almyropotamos) and Kalloni inland lake.
Butterflies and other Insects
I didn’t spend enough time looking at the Insects, which
were in abundance due to the massive floral displays, but
the few that I looked at are listed below:
Other than butterflies the most notable insects were the
excellent Hornets, Large Violet Carpenter Bees and
some interesting looking millipedes. However, an
interesting sight was a couple of dung beetles in the Napi
valley rolling a sphere of dung between them. The
identified
butterflies
were:Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, Eastern Festoon,
Large White, Eastern Dappled White, Orange Tip, Clouded
Yellow, Holly Blue, Nettle-tree Butterfly, Red Admiral,
Peacock, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Large Wall Brown,
Small Heath and Small Copper.
Dragonflies and Damselflies began to appear in good
numbers during our second week and included:
Hairy Dragonfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Lesser Emperor
Dragonfly, Broad-bodied
Chaser, Scarce Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Red-veined
Darter, Scarlet
Darter, Scarce Emerald Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly,
Azure Damselfly and Sympecma fusca a small brown
damselfly.
Headland of Agios Fokas
To reach the headland continue left after crossing the
Salty River following the
signs to the ancient temple of Dionysos which is situated
on the headland. On the way you will pass an army outpost.
Do not use your binoculars or camera in this area as you
may be asked to leave the area.
Park at the end of the road and follow the track past the
picturesque harbour and fish taverna up onto the headland.
Walk along an obvious path through the fields to the
headland where it is possible to sit and sea watch. The
seaward side of the headland holds many flowers and
associated butterflies and close to shore Yellow-legged
Gulls, possible
Caspian Gull and Shag may be seen. I watched the sea for
only an hour and counted four Cory's Shearwaters and sixty
eight Yelkouan Shearwaters. Other birds noted around the
headland were Orphean Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike and Cirl
Bunting along with the ever present Black-headed Buntings
and Crested Larks.
Mikri Limni
Mikri Limni can be found situated close to the Agiasos road from Vatera just
prior to the Junction with the main road to Achladeri and Kalloni. Take a right
turn along a forested track almost opposite the Achladeri road. After driving
for about half a mile there is a small track off to the right where it is
possible to park. On parking walk the rest of this track to reach the reed and
sage filled lake. From here it is possible to walk around the whole of the lake.
I walked clockwise starting along a little used track through the pines towards
the main road returning along the opposite side along the track we drove down,
intermittently walking down to the lakeside to check out the birds and
dragonflies.
 My
main reason for visiting the lake was to check out the
dragonflies. I found the small brown damselfly Sympecma
fusca and Scarce Emerald Damselfly. Dragonflies that
were evident were Hairy Dragonfly, Emperor Dragonfly,
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly and Red-veined Darter.
At the end of the track where the car was parked is a
grassy glade in the woods which attracted several
Butterfly species including Large Wall Brown, Holly Blue,
Small Heath and Green Hairstreak.
In summary the Varera area is a total unexplored paradise,
which can delight the most demanding of naturalists. From
as early as 20th of March right through the
middle of June and again in the September / October period
the options for naturalist pursuits are multiple.
For enquiries and direct bookings of accommodation,
car hire, or organised packages (guided & self guided) email HIBISCUS
Travel & Tourism Services at:
hibiscustravel@yahoo.co.uk
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