Kalloni Saltpans and surrounds

News from Lesvos birder Eleni Galinou is that the rain keeps falling and surface water levels continue to improve. The rivers are flowing and seasonal pools such as those above, opposite the entrance to Kalloni Saltpans, are holding plenty of water which should, barring an early heatwave, stay into May. Its whetting my lips for when I get out their on the 17th!.

Here is the second hide to be erected overlooking the Kalloni Saltpans. As you can see by the salt mound in the left of the image, this is near the saltpans entrance looking north. The Google Earth image below shows you the position of both hides.

Eleni has also heard that there might be a hide being erected at Parakila Marsh. Question is, why? This latter site has been in decline over the years and very few birders now bother to watch it. Perhaps a hide might encourage more to stop and perhaps more might be seen. We'll see.

Here's something that UK birders aren't familiar with. A flock of migrating Grey Herons! This flock of 28 birds went straight over the saltpans to the north on 5 April along with a flock of 12 Glossy Ibis. So things certainly on the move.

Eleni also reported the following from the Kalloni Saltpans on 5 April - 10 Ruddy shelduck, 7 Black-tailed Godwit , 5-6 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Kentish Plover, 6 Black-winged Stilt, 8 Little Egret, 3 Great White Egret and 210 Avocet.

Photos © Eleni Galinou