Migration Summary - Spring 2015

• This was our earliest ever visit to Cape Tenaro and in terms of both the number and diversity of migrants proved to be one of the most enjoyable, with several good arrivals and only a couple of slow days. So an even earlier visit could well be worthwhile in another year.
• The variety of migrants was in large part due to our visit coinciding with both the departure of winter visitors (Song Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart) and the arrival of summer migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. In addition the variety of summer migrants was excellent with several species we had thought we might miss (as their migration peaks in late April or early May) such as Wood Warbler and Garden Warbler putting in an appearance.
• The passage of Subalpine Warblers (aka Raspberry Ripple - an 'in' joke) was particularly strong throughout our stay, with notably more birds than a slightly later visit in 2013. The other conspicuous migrant was Hoopoe with good numbers on all days but one and even more to be seen along the roadsides north of the headland.
• Other early spring migrants were also present in good numbers by Cape Tenaro standards inluding Wryneck, Willow Warber, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. There was also a good movement of Red-rumped Swallow during our first week.
• Raptor passage was excellent by Cape Tenaro standards and the peak day totals for Marsh Harrier (44), Kestrel (16) and Lesser Kestrel (6) were the highest we have ever recorded.
• The south-easterly gale that coincided with our arrival produced an unprecedented arrival of Isabelline Wheatear, we recorded at least 12 individuals on the headland, another 7 near Gerolimenas and 3 in the Evrota delta. This compares to just two sightings of single birds on the headland in the last 15 years (and a further 3 birds seeen near Gerolimenas in the same period).
• We added 5 species to the Cape Tenaro list during our stay. Great White Egret and Hen Harrier were both expected and arguably overdue. Oystercatcher and Golden Plover while not highly anticipated but were clearly contenders for a place on the list though the latter is rare in the Pelopennese (Birds of Greece). Richard's Pipit is a rarity in Greece and so the 3 birds we saw are exceptional.
• The other Greek rarity recorded was Northern Gannet with two individuals seen on different days. This species may well be under recorded in Greece (see Birds of Greece) although Cape Tenaro as the southernmost point on the greek mainland provides an ideal location for spotting such stray seabirds.

A Raspberry Ripple - Cape Tenaro April 2015

 

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Raptor Migration at Cape Tenaro - Spring 2015

Small number so raptors arrive at Cape Tenaro most days in spring; this was the case again this year however the weather conditions meant that we also had a more substantive arrival of Marsh Harriers on two days in March (44 on 27th and 25 on 29th). There was also a marked influx of Kestrels on one day (16 on 31st March) as well as small numbers moving through on most days during our stay. 


Raptor Migration at Cape Tenaro
26 March to 6 April 2015

Species	Number
Marsh Harrier	84
Hen Harrier	2
Montagu's Harrier	1
Pallid Harrier	3
Harrier Sp.	3
Sparrowhawk	1
Steppe Buzzard	2
Osprey	1
Lesser Kestrel	10
Kestrel	55
Total	162

Note: The table has sought to exclude birds that had apparently stayed off passage for one or more days, so any individual is only counted once.

In addition the resident raptors - Short-toed Eagle, Common Buzzard and Kestrel have also been excluded.

This year's observations serve to reinforce the importance of Cape Tenaro and the Mani peninsula as a whole as a landfall for migrant birds of prey. The estimate I made in an earlier post (11 April 2013) of 500 to 1000 raptors arriving each spring may well be too conservative. 

Bird news for 13th April

A short post with details of some observations from the Cape Tenaro headland on 13th April. Spyros Skareas (http://www.greekbirding.blogspot.com/) made a short visit to the area around Koginoghia and pipit plateau and saw a good selection of migrants including: Short-toed lark, Wryneck, Subalpine Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Cretzshmar's Bunting, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher and Turtle Dove.

Wryneck - Cape Tenaro 13th April 2015

 

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Filling in the Gaps ...........

I've now filled in the missing bits of the daily summaries and added a few more photos from this year's visit to Cape Tenaro. Later this week I'll post a table with species totals for the raptor passage (about 150 birds) and provide a summary and commentary on this year's observations.

'Windy Gap' at Pailiros - Cape Tenaro Headland

 

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Our Spring Season ends ......

We have now left Cape Tenaro for this year, it was a really excellent and exciting visit with several spectacular falls (migrant arrivals). Spring migration was well under way by the time we arrived (26th March) so an even earlier visit would surely be worthwhile in a future year. Over the next week or so I will update some of this year's earlier posts with additional photos and more details of the birds we saw (I was too busy birding to post full daily updates on several days !!); I'll also post a summary of our observations and of the raptor passage.

While our own season has now ended the team at the bird observatory on Antikythira, to the south-east of Cape Tenaro, are now up and running. If you want to follow their work for the rest of this spring migration season see here: http://blogs.ornithologiki.gr/osa/

Antikythira as seen from Cape Tenaro - 4th April 2015

 

 

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Nightingales, Woodchats and Bee-eaters

Yesterday (6th April) was our last day on the headland this year however we had time for a good look around before heading back towards Athens for a flight home. A combination of strong southerly winds, overcast conditions and heavy showers overnight and through the morning saw a further fall with a good selection of grounded migrants on show.

Birds had largely found their way to sheltered locations with very few migrants to be found in the more exposed locations. There was a further shift in the composition of the grounded migrants reflecting the advancing spring and the dominance of Subalpine Warblers in arrivals over the last 11 days is now clearly on the wane. Nightingales are now the dominant species with 43 logged, other totals for the day were: 8 Wryneck, 15 Woodchat Shrike, 35 Subalpine Warbler, 28 Blackcap, 5 Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 13 Black-eared Wheatear, 10 Tawny Pipit, 10 Tree Pipit, 71 Spanish Sparrow. Yesterday's Collared Flycatchers had mostly moved on and only 2 were seen, there were also fewer Hoopoe (7), Pied Flycatcher (5), Willow Warbler (3) and Chiffchaff (2).

Nightingale at Paliros

The star birds of the day were a flock of 22 Bee-eater that came in off the sea from the south-east at Koureli resting briefly on the power lines there and were then seen less than an hour later at Porto Kaghio.

Bee-eaters arriving at Koureli

Raptor migration was limited to a single Kestrel.

The other bird of note was a single Richard's Pipit on 'pipit plateau' this may be one of the birds first seen on 31st March however it is conceivably a new arrival as none were located yesterday despite an extensive search.

Today's (6th April) Richard Pipit photo

 

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A Collared Fly day ....... and a lot more besides

Yesterday (5th April) saw a really good mixed arrival, birds were not that obvious early on so many may well have arrived during the course of the day. This is supported by the appearance of a Northern Wheatear on the rocks in front of the lighthouse mid-morning and the arrival of 3 Hoopoe over a half hour period an hour or so later.
Day totals for the headland recording area were: 4 Quail, 22 Hoopoe, 8 Wryneck, 6 Turtle Dove, 2 Woodchat Shrike, 80 Subalpine Warbler, 21 Collared Flycatcher (the majority at Porto Kaghio and Marmari), 11 Pied Flycatcher, 23 Willow Warbler, 6 Wood Warbler, another early Garden Warbler, 35 Blackcap, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Savi's Warbler, 9 Redstart, 21 Northern Wheatear,16 Nightingale, 5 Robin, a single Song Thrush, 9 Tree Pipit, 1 Red-throated Pipit and 4 Tawny Pipit.
The first of this year's moving 'balls' of Spanish Sparrows were observed heading north and 167 individual birds had been seen by the end of the afternoon.
A really excellent watch at the lighthouse saw single Grey Heron come in off the sea, a Purple Heron that landed very briefly before continuing up the east side, 2 Great White Egret did a fly past of the lighthouse and then headed off east, a flock of 35 Glossy Ibis flew east and the second Gannet of the spring, an immature, went west. There was also a fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull briefly associating with a group of local Yellow-legged Gulls; while a single very distant pale bellied / breasted skua (on a roughly north-westerly heading up the west side) was almost certainly an Arctic Skua but was frustratingly simply too far out to be rated as anything other than 'highly probable'.

Immature Gannet passing Cape Tenaro 5th April 2015

Glossy Ibis flying East at Cape Tenaro 5th April 2015

Raptor passage consisted of the first Montagu's Harrier of the spring, a single Marsh Harrier, an unidentified 'ringtail' Harrier and 5 Kestrel.
Elsewhere a Woodlark was found north of Kokinoghia and the first 3 Cuckoo of the spring were seen and heard between Kokinoghia and Porto Kaghio. There are also 2 Isabelline Wheatear still present and the male Rock Thrush continues to show well above the road between Beehive Pass and Kokinoghia. A Hooded Crow at Paliros in the early afternoon was only the third record in 16 years of spring observations.

A Grey Heron arrives at Cape Tenaro

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Migration trickles ...... no large numbers but plenty of variety

Today (4th April) was similar to yesterday, a further reduction in migrant numbers, a good variety of species and a few species showing evidence of movement.

Species that had apparently arrived overnight were 8 Hoopoe, 38 Blackcap, 3 Savi's Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 10 Nightingale, 5 Tawny Pipit, 2 Collared Flycathcher (both different to yesterday's bird) and a single Pied Flycatcher. In addition the first Wood Warbler of the year was feeding on the roadside above the Point car park.

Wood Warbler at Kokinoghia

Raptor migration was limited to 2 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Kestrel, a ringtail Harrier and and another Steppe Buzzard.

The Rock Thrush was present for its fourth day and one of the Richard's Pipits was still present on pipit plateau you can just about make out the long hind in the following photo.

Richard's Pipit, Cape Tenaro 4th April 2015

A Tawny Pipit at Beehive Pass for comparison

The Collared Flycatcher in the olive groves above Kokinoghia perfomed particularly well.

Collared Flycatcher in olive groves at Kokinoghia

The only other bird of note was an adult Audouin's Gull in Vathi Bay.

 

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Bird migration slows .... but a good day for mammals

With clear conditions and light winds overnight the 3rd April proved to be our quietest day this year for bird migration. The numbers of almost all migrants had reduced however this involed both yesterday's birds departing and some new ones arriving as evidenced by a scattering of 7 Subalpine Warblers on the path out to the lighthouse (none yesterday), an increase in Chiffchaff numbers from 2 to 10 and a conspicuous male Collared Flycather in the gardens at Poto Kaghio.

The male Rock Thrush first seen on the 1st April was relocated, and eventually was seen by all present.

Male Rock Thrush on the slopes above the road to Kokinoghia

The third Richard's Pipit of the year was heard and seen early on just north of Beehive Pass while the two previous birds (also last seen on 1st) were relocated on pipit plateau.

Richard's Pipit on 'pipit plateau' Cape Tenaro 3rd April 2015

Raptor migration was limited to 4 Kestrel and more surprisingly a Steppe Buzzard that flew north over Koureli at 13.30.

The highlight of the day however was away from Cape Tenaro as, with bird migration providing slim pickings, an excursion was made in to the mountains north of the headland where we heard and then saw two Golden Jackal.

Golden Jackal in the mountains of the Mani

 

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Wrynecks and Quail

Today (2nd April) saw much improved weather with light winds early on and then a moderate easterly breeze from late morning. It was soon apparent that there had been a moderate arrival of migrants and a number of species showed an increase in numbers. Totals for selected species were: 9 Quail, 14 Wryneck, 1 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 18 Willow Warbler, 28 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, 55 Subalpine Warbler, 2 Savi's Warbler, 18 Nightingale, 3 Black Redstart (including one at the lighthouse) and 5 Ortolan Bunting.

There were 3 firsts for the year today: a Turtle Dove flying north high up on the east side of the mountain, a Red-throated Pipit flying north low down on the mountain and a Garden Warbler feeding along the roadside below Beehive Pass.

Raptor passage was restricted to single Marsh and Hen Harriers and 8 Kestrel.

There are still 5 Isabelline Wheatear present including a single bird at Mianes.

Black Redstart at the Lighthouse

Wryneck at Paliros

Ortolan Bunting at Koureli

Away from the headland:

Green Sandpiper feeding in a roadside pool near Gerolimenas

 

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Blackcaps and Willow Warblers

Strong westerly winds (force 7 at times) made the birding hard work yesterday (1st April); despite the wind it was apparent that there were far fewer migrants present and some areas of the headland were almost bird free. It was therefore a little surprising to find that a few species had made it across the Mediterranean and showed an increase in numbers, the most conspicuous of these were 45 Blackcap and 15 Willow Warbler.

Raptor passage was limited to 2 Marsh Harrier, 6 Kestrel and a single Leser Kestrel.

The Richard's Pipit was still present and been joined by a second bird on pipit plateau.

Richard's Pipit at Cape Tenaro

A few other migrants are worth a mention, there were 48 Subalpine Warblers (reflecting the ongoing passage of this species), there are still 4 Isabelline Wheatear and a single male Rock Thrush below beehive pass was the first of the year.

Ophrys orchid between Paliros and Koureli

Ophrys orchid between Paliros and Koureli

Isabelline Wheatear at 'Swallow Hollow' Cape Tenaro 1st April 2015

 

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A Fall and Raptor Passage too

Today (31st March) saw a really varied mix of migration with a fall, some northward passage, raptor arrivals and as well as a couple of species passing offshore.

The dominant species was Subalpine Warbler with 143 recorded, there was also 7 Hoopoe, 16 Wryneck, 36 Blackcap, 6 Robin, 11 Song Thrush, 32 Nightingale, 13 Black-eared Wheatear and 5 Spanish Sparrow.

At the lighthouse an adult Gannet flew west just before midday followed soon after by a flock of 40 Oystercatcher heading east. In addition 2 Stone-curlew were seen coming in from the sea.

Northern Gannet flying west past Cape Tenaro lighthouse - 31st March 2015

There was a steady movement of raptors all morning with almost half of the birds counted seen coming in off the sea at the lighthouse, totals for the day were: 9 Marsh Harrier, 16 Kestrel and 6 Lesser Kestrel (the latter includes 3 birds present above Kokinoghia for their third day).

The bird of the day was a Richard's Pipit heard at the lighthouse and then relocated on 'pipit plateau', where it briefly gave good views and was heard giving its distinctive 'schreeep' call several times.

Richard's Pipit on pipit plateau

First arrivals for the year were a Common Sandpiper in Porto Sternes, an Orphean Warbler at Koureli and a Savi's Warbler singing below Beehive Pass.

Other birds of note included 5 Hawfinch at Koureli (and 4 of these later at Paliros) and the continuing presence of at least 9 Isabelline Wheatear (the majority on pipit plateau).

Hawfinch at Paliros - 31st March 2015

Weather: there had been some rain overnight and it was still heavily overcast at first light. Clearing from 08.00 with clear blue skies from 10.00 for the rest of the day. Wind west or west-south-west all day.

 

 

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A few new arrivals....

Monday 30th March has seen a few new arrivals with the first Bee-eater of the year heard flying north over Koginoghia and 2 Cretzschmar's Buntings on a road above Marmari.

An Osprey flying north just inland from the lighthouse was one of only 5 raptors seen today, the others being 2 Marsh Harriers flying north and 2 of yesterday's Lesser Kestrels still present on wires above Kokinoghia.

There were still at least 5 Isabelline Wheatears present and the European Golden Plover was present for its fourth day in the 'swallow hollow' close to the lighthouse path.

European Golden Plover

While the numbers of most migrants had declined a few, notably 12 Wryneck and 10 Hoopoe, had increased; given the windy conditions this probably represented a small arrival. Totals for selected other species were: 3 Quail, 2 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 19 Blackcap, 74 Subalpine Warbler and 20 Nightingale.

The only other bird of note was a Crag Martin feeding with other hirundines along the slopes of the mountain.

Isabelline Wheatear near Gerolimenas (the birds on the headland have eluded the camera)

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Harriers, a Plover and Hirundines

The 29th March saw another day of good raptor passage with a steady movement of Marsh Harriers all morning from when we first arrived (a little late) at the headland just after 08.00, with the last birds seen just before 13.30. This total includes several birds seen coming in off the sea at the lighthouse late morning. The final total was 25. There were also 4 Lesser Kestrel and 2 Kestrel. Late on a solitary ringtail Hen Harrier was seen feeding over the mountain.

A Marsh Harrier on the 'Narrows'

Lesser Kestrel at Kokinoghia

Other events of note was the presence of a European Golden Plover on 'pipit plateau', this presumably the same bird that was seen but not heard two days ago. A more thorough search of 'pipit plateau' today yielded no less than 10 Isabelline Wheatear (with additional singles at Koureli and Beehive Pass), this is an impressive total given we have only seen two birds in earlier years (2003 and 2010).

Day totals for other species were: 10 Common Swift, 9 Hoopoe, 8 Wryneck, 200 Swallow, 53 House Martin, 48 Red-rumped Swalllow (a new record count), 12 Whitethroat, 102 Subalpine Warbler, 4 Great Reed Warbler, 30 Nightingale, 7 Black Redstart, 7 Redstart and 18 Northern Wheatear.

Yesterday's Collared Flycatcher was again present in the bushes at Windy Gap (at Paliros) and had been joined by the first Pied Flycatcher (a male) of the spring.

A flock of 30+ terns flew east past the lighthouse but were very distant and eluded specific identification.

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Subalpine Warblers and Black Redstarts

There was another good arrival yesterday (Saturday 28th March). Once again Subalpine Warblers were the dominant species with 149 logged, there was also a good showing of 10 Black Redstart, with half of these on and around the buildings at Paliros. Notable counts for other species were: 15 Wryneck, 13 Chiffchaff, 32 Blackcap, 23 Nightingale and the first Collared Flycatcher of the season (a male at Paliros).

Tree Pipit at Marmari - 28th March 2015

Raptor passage was more limited with singles of Marsh Harrier and Lesser Kestrel and 5 Kestrel.

Oddities included no less than 7 Isabelline Wheatear (all on 'pipit plateau'), presumably a product of Thursday's south-easterly gale, 2 Hooded Crow (rarer than Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on the headland in Spring !!) and 3 Crag Martin (our first headland record since 2003).

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Harriers and Subalpine Warblers

Yesterday (Friday 27th) saw a really good arrival as well as a decent raptor passage. Strong east or south-east winds had been blowing across the eastern Mediterranean and had left a covering of Saharan dust on vehicles overnight, generally a promising sign for a migrant arrival.

Small birds were present from early on and there was a really good variety present, the dominant species was Subalpine Warbler with 93. There were also 19 Hoopoe, 8 Wryneck, 30 Short-toed Lark, 2 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 22 Blackcap, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Great Reed Warbler, 8 Robin, 22 Nightingale, 6 Black Redstart, 9 Common Redstart, 3 Isabelline Wheatear, 34 Northern Wheatear, 17 Song Thrush, 230 flava Wagtail, 7 Tawny Pipit and 11 Tree Pipit. Finally 2 Purple Heron were flushed from a garden at Koureli.

Northern Wheatear at Cape Tenaro

Raptors had clearly also arrived overnight and started to move as the weather improved, with perched birds seen taking to the wing from the ridge south-west of Kokinoghia. The most abundant species was Marsh Harrier with 44 heading north however there were also 3 very smart adult Pallid Harriers, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk and 9 Kestrel.

Following the gale there was also a strong movement of shearwaters, presumably heading back east having been displaced westwards By the do bad weather. A 15 minute sample count revealed 72 Scopoli's and 39 Yelkouan Shearwaters heading east.

Weather: calm to start and overcast, rain showers early morning then gradually clearing, wind freshening to South-westerly force 5 to 6 later.

 

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Wet and Windy

Following our arrival in Greece there had been heavy overnight rain; heavy showers and occasional heavy downpours continued throughout the next day (Thursday 26th). En route to Cape Tenaro we spent the morning of the 26th birdwatching in the Evrota delta, a reasonable selection of birds were seen including Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron and Little Egret. The highlight however was one small area of fields with both bare ground and a clover crop this contained at least 800 flava Wagtails as well as 2 Northern Wheatears, a single Black-eared Wheatear, 3 Isabelline Wheatears and an early Whinchat (a stunning male).

The end of the afternoon was spent on the Cape Tenaro headland, in contrast to the delta this was blasted by strong easterly winds. In the more sheltered areas at Marmari we saw 18 Song Thrush, 14 Subalpine Warblers and 9 Chiffchaffs.

 

 

Raptor Migration in 2014

A rather belated summary of raptor migration from our 12 days of observations in 2014 (26 April to 7 May inclusive);

Species	Number Seen
Honey-buzzard	1
Marsh Harrier	7
Montagu’s Harrier	3
Lesser Kestrel	4
Kestrel	18
Hobby	3
Eleonora’s Falcon	1
Falcon Sp	2
Total	39