It's here!

A
BIRDWATCHING
GUIDE
TO
LESVOS
by Steve Dudley

Now available! See it at the Birdfair 21-23 Aug.

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is a completely new site guide to the hugely popular Aegean island of Lesvos.

Lesvos offers some of the best birding in the Mediterranean basin. For four weeks each spring birders from across Europe converge on this outpost of Europe which lies just 5 miles off Turkey and Asia Minor. The birds are a blend of Mediterranean breeding species, migrants moving through to breed in eastern Europe and Asia Minor species such as Krüper’s Nuthatch (and probably the easiest place to see this species in the Western Palearctic).

The guide has been written by Steve Dudley, one of the island's most experienced bird and wildlife guides who has probably taken more groups around, and spent more time on the island than any other bird guide. Steve is also the man behind LESVOSBIRDING.COM - the only dedicated birding website to the island - which continues to provide visiting birders with up to date information including 'what's been seen today' daily summaries during the main spring birding weeks. Steve is also a founding member of the Lesvos Bird Records Committee.

Steve now shares his vast knowledge of the island with this new birding guide to Lesvos which includes -

• 272 pages
• a 47 page introduction includes details of when to go, where to stay, recommended places to eat, the birding year, etc.
• a detailed guide to over 60 of the best birding areas/sites across the island including over 45 specially commissioned maps by renowned magazine illustrator Steven Hall.
• 32 pages (over 90 images) of colour photos of sites, habitats and species
• a 39 page checklist to the birds of Lesvos - completely up to date (up to and inc. spring 2009) detailing the status of every species officially recorded on the island
• separate tick lists for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and orchids
• plus appendices detailing island place names and pronunciations, bird lists in Greek and Dutch
• cover and numerous black-and-white line illustrations by renowned bird illustrator Dave Nurney (artist for A Pocket guide to the birds of Britain and NW Europe, Nightjars of the World and Woodpeckers of the World)

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is to be published by Arlequin Press and is the first of the revamped 'birdwatching guide' series to be published since CJ Wildbird Foods acquired Arlequin Press.

Price - only £19.99!

ISBN 978-1-905268-06-1

Order your copy now from Subbuteo Books. Signed copies will be available at the Birdfair (Rutland Water, 21-23 Aug - see Lesvos Birding at the Birdfair) and by mail order after the Birdfair.

Sample pages below.

Area page for the Kalloni area

Individual site map page for the North Coast between Efthalou and Skala Sikaminias

Individual site page for Korakas Headland

Individual site page for Sideras nr Agra

Lesvos Birding holidays in 2010

The best way to see Lesvos is on a guided holiday with an experienced bird and wildlife guide. And who better than the man who has written the book - A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos!

Holidays with Steve Dudley/Lesvosbirding.com
Join me and see just why so many people rave about Lesvos - many of them returning time and time again!

If your interested in joining me on Lesvos, email me to register your interest. I've visted the island annually since 2000 and have led over 20 bird trips on the island. Find reports, photos and lists of species seen from many of my presvious trips here.

Max group size 7 participants. B&B at Hotel Pasiphae in Skala Kallonis. Lunches - all at tavernas across the island. Evening dinner at a Skala Kalloni taverna.

The delightful Hotel Pasiphae in Skala Kallonis.

What does your holiday with Lesvos Birding/Steve Dudley entail? Click here to find out!

2010 weeks
Dates and prices will be confirmed in August 2009.

I'm also available for private groups, spring and autumn, if you need someone to arrange your itinerary and guide/drive you around the island.

For previous trips see reports.

We enjoy our food on our Lesvos Birding holidays! We eat out every day for lunch and dinner using local taverans, occasionally the hotel, but always fresh, local produce including sardines, seafood, fabulous Greek salads - you won't go hungry!

Lesvos Birding at Birdfair 2009

I don't have a stand but I will be at the Birdfair (21-23 Aug) all three days. My fixed events are as follows -

Friday, 21 Aug
1100-1200 - book launch and signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

Saturday, 22 Aug
0930-0950 - Lecture - Lesvos - the jewel in the Aegean, Lecture Marquee 1
1100-1200 - book signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

Sunday, 23 Aug
1100-1200 - book signing, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, Subbuteo Books stand (Marquee 3, stands 10-13).

If you miss me and are interested in coming on one of my trips then feel free to call me on +44 (0) 7 767 787 287 (leave a message if I dont answer) to arrange a meeting at the Birdfair.

WIN! A free week at Hotel Pasiphae (B&B) in Sept 2010!! Visit the Subbuteo Books stand for details!

Lesvos in autumn - join me this September

From 17-24 September I'm leading a trip for Speyside Wildlife to Lesvos. The max group size is only six and there are still a couple of places remaining.

Autumn on the island is warm and pleasant, the birding is relaxing and it is a fabulous way of seeing the island and an introduction to Lesvos and eastern Med basin birds and birding.

Why not join me? For more info see here. For trip reports, inc. some of my previous autumn trips, see here.

White-throated Robin

Well, those of us on Lesvos during May scoured the island for one of the most sought after of Lesvos rarities, but its not been until yesterday (2 Jun) that the only 2009 record of White-throated Robin been seen at Ipsilou by a visiting German birder. See, good birds do still turn up outside the main spring weeks!

I've heard very little of what has been seen since I left the island on 15 May. Here are just a few of the more notable sightings -

21 May
Kalloni Saltpans flooded fields - Spoonbill 3, Glossy Ibis 9, Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), Whiskered Tern 2, Mallard 4 (all male), Garganey 1, Citrine Wagtail 1 (female).

Spoonbills, flooded fields by Kalloni Saltpans © Anne Humphreys

Kavaki - Rose-coloured Starling 6 nr the Ruppell's Warbler site.

If you have anything else of note since 15 May - please let me know!

It's Here!

A
BIRDWATCHING
GUIDE
TO
LESVOS
by Steve Dudley

Due August 2009. See it a the Birdfair 21-23 August!

Announcing a completely new site guide to the hugely popular Aegean island of Lesvos.

Lesvos offers some of the best birding in the Mediterranean basin. For four weeks each spring birders from across Europe converge on this outpost of Europe which lies just 5 miles off Turkey and Asia Minor. The birds are a blend of Mediterranean breeding species, migrants moving through to breed in eastern Europe and Asia Minor species such as Krüper’s Nuthatch (and probably the easiest place to see this species in the Western Palearctic).

The guide has been written by Steve Dudley, one of the island's most experienced bird and wildlife guides who has probably taken more groups around, and spent more time on the island than any other bird guide. Steve is also the man behind LESVOSBIRDING.COM - the only dedicated birding website to the island - which continues to provide visiting birders with up to date information including 'what's been seen today' daily summaries during the main spring birding weeks. Steve is also a founding member of the Lesvos Bird Records Committee.

Steve now shares his vast knowledge of the island with this new birding guide to Lesvos which includes -

• a 47 page introduction includes details of when to go, where to stay, recommended places to eat, etc


• a detailed guide to over 60 of the best birding areas/sites across the island including over 45 specially commissioned maps by renowned magazine illustrator Steven Hall.


• 32 pages (over 90 images) of colour photos of sites, habitats and species


• a 39 page checklist to the birds of Lesvos - completely up to date (up to and inc. spring 2009) detailing the status of every species officially recorded on the island


• separate tick lists for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and orchids


• plus appendices detailing island place names and pronunciations, bird lists in Greek and Dutch


• cover and numerous black-and-white line illustrations by renowned bird illustrator Dave Nurney (artist for A Pocket guide to the birds of Britain and NW Europe, Nightjars of the World and Woodpeckers of the World)

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is to be published by Arlequin Press and is the first of the revamped 'birdwatching guide' series to be published since CJ Wildbird Foods acquired Arlequin Press.

Order enquiries to Subbuteo Natural History Books.

15 May - goodbye and thanks

Well, those of us unable to leave yesterday will do so later today as I wing my way home with Aegean Airlines.

I'd just like to thank those birders who have provided info during my three week stay, in particular Bob Buckler (Wingspan Bird Tours), Terry & Sue Robinson, Ian Pitts, Dave Bradnum, Paul Manning, Precill & Neil Preston, Donald & Jennifer Rhodes, Pete & Jan Deans (and their holiday-mates Fiona & Geoff) and Ian Lewington, and all those who passed on info to me in the field or wrote things up in the Lesvos Birding log at the Hotel Pasiphae. Thanks alot everyone - news only spreads if people are willing to share.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the staff at the Hotel Pasiphae for their usual care and attention not only of me over the last three weeks, but of all the birders staying with them this season. The Pasiphae again proved to be the premier of the Skala Kallonis hotels and has an increasing birding buzz in the evenings as birders staying elsewhere come in to use the Lesvos Birding hotel and share news at the bar.


Kalloni Saltpans - Slender-billed Gull 3 in NW corner early morning.