CRETE BIRD REPORT 1999

Transcription

1 CETE BID EPOT 1999 compiled by Denis Townsend edited by: Stephanie Coghlan.

2 CETE BID EPOT 1999 Introduction to Crete Bird eport 1999 Thank you to all those birdwatchers who have contributed reports of their sightings, which are helping to provide an overall picture of the birds of Crete. This year we have received records mainly from the visitor's season of April to October. Sadly in May we received news that John Henshall who has been resident on the island since the early 1990's had died of a heart attack. He had worked for many years promoting conservation in Crete and he will be sorely missed. His contributions included helping to establish the Griffon Vulture Colony Observatory in the Selinari Pass, and promoting bird protection at the Aposelemis river, and Creta Sun lagoon. Then in December 2000 Denis Townsend, who since 1992 has compiled the Crete eports, contracted pleurisy and pneumonia. Unfortunately it was too much for his heart and he died on December 30th. This report is dedicated to these two steadfast workers for Crete. Weather: The winter was mild and dry. Early April was unsettled with rain in the first week. Then the Spring and Summer were hot and dry. Bramiana reservoir was low in the Spring and almost dry by October. Water supply continues to give cause for concern. A new reservoir is being built in the Amari valley. Names and Spelling: We have used the Marco Polo Kreta Die General Karte. 1:150,000 map for the place names and spelling. Illustrations Many thanks to Ken Baldridge who has again provided illustrations for this report. Bird List follows the order in "The Birds of Greece" Handrinos/Akriotis Status: rare, scarce, common, locally common, introduced. -resident, passage migrant, AV accidental vagrant, V - vagrant, SV summer visitor, WV - winter visitor. CETE BID EPOT 1999 LITTLE GEBE Tachybaptis ruficollis Up to 20 Agia eservoir during March, smaller numbers at Georgioupoli Lake, Lake Kournas and Agia eservoir in May. August record at Lake Kourna at Bramiana eservoir 2.10 is the only Autumn record. BLACK-NECKED GEBE Podiceps nigricollis WV 3 Bramiana eservoir 9.10 COY'S SHEAWATE Calonectris diomedea SV Small numbers past Frangocastello Up to 30 Gerani and 28 Elounda off Platanes MEDITEANEAN SHEAWATE Puffinus yelkouan 2 off Dia Island Max. of 52 off Elounda A single Platanes Page 1

3 CETE BID EPOT 1999 COMOANT Phalacrocorax carbo WV Singles Amoudi 1.4. and Elounda SHAG Phalacrocorax aristoletis rare 3 off Gerani and Spiliakos river mouth PELICAN sp. introduced V Three juveniles flew north from Sisi Harbour LITTLE BITTEN Ixobrychus minutus Mainly singles at Limnes Pool Creta Sun lagoons, Aposelemis river and Elounda in April. 2 Kato Zakros and Prevelli Singles at Agia eservoir and at Elounda NIGHT HEON Nycticorax nycticorax ecorded in small numbers in April at Thrapsano Pool, Bramiana eservoir, and Kato Zakros with a maximum of 15 at Plakias Thrapsano Pool and a single Georgioupoli Lake SQUACCO HEON Ardeola ralliodes Small numbers in April, Agia eservoir, Kastelli Kissamou, Agia eservoir. Max. 5 on at Thrapsano, Limnes, Bramiana eservoir, and Elounda, Present in May at Kato Zakros, Georgioupoli Lake, Thrapsano Pool and Elounda. August record at Lake Kourna Autumn: 15 at Kamissiana A single at Bramiana eservoir LITTLE EGET Egretta garzetta Widespread from April to mid May at 15 sites. Max: 17 at Plakias 8.4. and large flocks off Elounda in last week in April. August record at Souda Bay Cemetery Autumn: 21 Malia Beach Bramiana eservoir GEAT WHITE EGET Egretta alba rare A single Elounda GEY HEON Ardea cinerea Small numbers from mid April to mid May at 12 sites, Max: 10 off Prevelli Autumn: Singles at Elounda Georgioupoli Lake Kamisiana and 9 at Bramiana eservoir Page 2

4 CETE BID EPOT 1999 PUPLE HEON Ardea purpurea First record 1 Frangocastello Plakias then singles at Aposelemis iver, Thrapsano Pool, Bramiana eservoir, Elounda and Agia eservoir. until Agia eservoir Autumn: 12 near Kamisiana BLACK STOK Ciconia nigra rare Two near apaniana ( SC & Snail's Pace) 1 flying north over Lake Kourna ( JS) WHITE STOK Ciconia ciconia rare 6 flying east over Gerani ( JH) Flock of 50+ over Pachia Ammos across the bay from Agios Nikolaos ( M &B) GLOSSY IBIS Phegadis falcinellus First record a single at Agia eservoir in from the sea at Elounda and 4 there Thrapsano pool and a single and Georgioupoli Autumn: 1 Makrigialos GEATE FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus ruber rare An immature bird present at Elounda all year and Xerokampos GEYLAG GOOSE Anser anser rare WV 5 at Bramiana eservoir WIGEON Anas penelope WV 20 Bramiana eservoir 2.10 TEAL Anas crecca WV 4 Agia eservoir Bramiana eservoir MALLAD Anas platyrhynchos A few in March with up to 10 at Agia eservoir to and a female there with 5 young Summer record at Agia eservoir on Good numbers at Bramiana eservoir in October. PINTAIL Anas acuta WV 1 Bramiana eservoir 2.10 ( M&.B) Page 3

5 CETE BID EPOT 1999 GAGANEY Anas querquedula A flock over the sea at Plakias Bramiana eservoir and Up to 4 Elounda and 1.5. A single near Kamisiana and at Georgioupoli POCHAD Aythya ferina WV A single male at Agia eservoir at Bramiana eservoir 2.10 FEUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca rare WV Two Bramiana eservoir are the only ones recorded. HONEY BUZZAD Pernis apivorus Five over Elounda (DS) 2 over Fassa Valley 30.4.(SZ) 2 near Vai 5.5(EL) 1 Prevelli Palm Beach 25.5.(GO) BLACK KITE Milvus milvus rare/scarce WV A single at Elounda and 2 at Andraki 5.7. Kato Zakros 11.5 and BEADED VULTUE / LAMMEGEIE Gypaetus barbatus ecorded from Frati, Omalos, Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Stamia, and Miriokefala 1 adult on Gingilos Col seen from the Tourist Pavilion. 1 adult seen breaking bones below Kalergi efuge on Canyon rim both on GIFFON VULTUE Gyps fulvus Common in the mountains and gorges. Highest counts: 27 near Ideo Andro Omalos and near Sitia SHOT-TOED EAGLE Circaetus gallicus poss WV One Sfakion mountains Two Imbros arrived Elounda staying until 1.5. One carrying a snake near Amari Valley A single Agia eservoir MASH HAIE Circus aeruginosos rare WV Spring passage mid April to mid May recorded at 7 sites with up to 13 at Elounda during this period. HEN HAIE Circus cyaneus rare WV 2 Geropotamos bridge and Elevpidion monument Singles Polyrhinia and Kourtaliotiko Gorge A male near Vai 5.5. PALLID HAIE Circus macrourus rare in April Males at Afrata and Gouvernatou 9.4. and ringtails probably of this species at Lakki and Ag Irini near Prevelli Bridge 1.4.(A&JS) MONTAGU'S HAIE Circus pygalgus scarce in April A male Kedros 8.4. Singles Deliana and Malathiros Gorge Agia eservoir Thrapsano Pool and Elounda GOSHAWK Accipter gentilis WV A single at Almyros 29.4.(DS). Page 4

6 CETE BID EPOT 1999 SPAOWHAWK Accipter nisus Singles Kourtaliotiko Gorge Elounda Valley Kato Zakros Kato Metohi and Georgioupoli Lake and Lassithi in May. 1 Koufonisi Island BUZZAD Buteo buteo common Common and widespread. Possible migrants in mid April with sightings per day (SC & SP). LONG-LEGGED BUZZAD Buteo rufinus rare Two Elounda 22.4.(DS) 2 Khordaki appeared to be displaying (JS). One near Prevelli near Drimiskos oad 1.4. and 3.4. (A&JS) OUGH-LEGGED BUZZAD Buteo lagopus rare V One recorded twice at Almyros wetland near Heraklion in Jan (MD). GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos ecorded at 15 sites including Omalos plateau BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus pennatus WV ecorded Plakias, Agios Pavdos, Prevelli, Samaria Gorge and Elounda mainly in April. BONELLI'S EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus One north of Prasses 5.4. and Prevelli Bridge in Imbros Gorge from road above Chora Sfakion A single Megalafia in May. 2 north of Lake Kourna Omalos One soaring over Perivolakia Gorge OSPEY Pandion haliaetus rare WV rare 1 flying up stream at Agia Galini ecorded daily at Elounda from to 1.5. (DS) LESSE KESTEL Falco naumanni? WV? 2 Malia and two singles and 1.5. Elounda (DS). A pair Akrotiri 9.5.(NH). KESTEL Falco tinnunculus Common and widespread. ED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus ecorded Elounda on 6 days to 4.5. Two there Kato Zakros Georgioupoli Lake HOBBY Falco subbuteo scarce A single Prevelli and Elounda from to One Lake Kourna in May. Small numbers Plaka, Skinias, Istro and Georgioupoli Lake Autumn record: One Malia ELEANOA'S FALCON Falco eleonorae ecorded from 7.4. with a single at ethymnon and one Gouvernatou 9.4. SV Page 5

7 CETE BID EPOT 1999 Common from May with a maximum of 24 at Vizori and 16 at Droxia Chania harbour LANNE Falco biarmicus scarce/rare A pair on Mount Oxa were driven off by a peregrine (JS). PEEGINE Falco peregrinus Present at 15 sites. CHUKA Plectoris chukar ecords from Samaria Gorge, Prevelli, Imbros, Kato Zakros, Karoti, Miriokefala, Elounda and Neapolis. QUAIL Coturnix coturnix First Phaestos 9.4. Mesa Lassithaki A few at Elounda April. Calling at Elounda and Andrakos in July. WATE AIL allus aquaticus WV One Agia reservoir SPOTTED CAKE Porzana porzana rare A single at Agia eservoir LITTLE CAKE Porzana parva scarce WV Up to 6 at Agia eservoir during April. 2 Almyros marsh and one there BAILLON'S CAKE Porzana pusilla rare A single Agia eservoir 7.4. and MOOHEN Gallinula chloropus Present throughout the year. Maximum: 20 at Agia eservoir in April. COOT Fulica atra In Spring present on several waters. ecorded at Agia eservoir in August. Autumn: 200 Bramiana eservoir rising to 800 on 9.10 BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Small numbers in April at Agia eservoir, Thrapsano Pool, Limnes Pool, and Elounda. with a maximum of 10 at Frangocastello 10.4 A single at Thrapsano Pool and Autumn: 1 Kamisiana STONE CULEW Burhinus oedicnemus SV April records: One Frangocastello Singles at Gerani Beach and Plakias Beach Elounda Breeding record from Heraklion airport runway. Page 6

8 CETE BID EPOT 1999 LITTLE INGED PLOVE Charadrius dubius rare WV breeding SV First record 3.4. Numerous in April, many west of Gerani Tavronitis. Smaller numbers in May. August record at Souda Bay Cemetery INGED PLOVE Charadrius hiaticula Singles Elounda Almyros 8.5. Xerokambos Malia Elounda 8.7. KENTISH PLOVE Charadrius alexandrius rare WV rare One Elounda 22. to 25.4.(DS). KNOT Calidris canutus V One in summer plumage 23. to at Elounda Saltpans (DS). SANDELING Calidris alba 3 Almyros beach possibly the same birds at Elounda next day (DS). 1 Agia eservoir (JH). LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta WV First then small numbers at 7 sites in April. Increase in May with 8 at Almyros 8.5. and up to 75 Xerokambos 12.5.(GO) and 10 Elounda TEMMINCK'S STINT Calidris temmincki scarce A single Elounda (DS). CULEW SANDPIPE Calidris ferruginea Singles at Tersanas 6.4. and near Kapsa Monastery DUNLIN Calidris alpina WV One Elounda and UFF Philomachus pugnax Small numbers in April at Aposelemis iver, Agia eservoir, Thrapsano, Bramiana eservoir and Elounda. 5 Thrapsano SNIPE Gallinago gallinago WV Singles Agia eservoir 16.4., Mylo Ford and Limnes WHIMBEL Numenius phaeopus rare One Elounda 4.2. (MD) CULEW Numenius arquata WV rare 2 Aposelemis iver and 2 Gouves SPOTTED EDSHANK Tringa erythropus rare 1 at Geropotamos, below Ag. Triada EDSHANK Tringa totanus WV 2 Elounda and a single Agia reservoir Page 7

9 CETE BID EPOT 1999 MASH SANDPIPE Tringa stagnatilis Singles Platanes river and Geropotamos Bridge Spiliakos iver 7.4. and Elounda GEENSHANK Tringa nebularia Singles Tavronitis iver and Aposelemis iver in early April. 1-4 Agia eservoir, Thrapsano Pool, Bramiana eservoir, Gouves and Elounda by the end of the month. A few at Kamisiana GEEN SANDPIPE Tringa ochropus WV Singles Tavronitis iver and Agia eservoir by Bramiana eservoir A single at Xerokambos at Elounda and 1 at Kournas Lake WOOD SANDPIPE Tringa glareola One Gouves Small numbers during rest of the month at Agia eservoir and Aposelemis iver 1-3 Kato Zakros, Agia eservoir, Thrapsano Pool, Agia eservoir and Souda Bay in May. Maximum: 20 Agia eservoir A single Elounda 2.7. COMMON SANDPIPE Actitis hypoleucos WV First a single at Petres Bridge 3.4. then small numbers at most river mouths, beaches and wet areas during April. August record at Chania TUNSTONE Arenaria interpres rare WV rare One Elounda 4.5. (DS). MEDITEANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus One flew west off-shore Plakias Elounda WV LITTLE GULL Larus minutus WV 2 immatures at Elounda (DS). Singles Petres and Platanes river mouths in April. BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus WV Winter visitor with a late record of 2 at Agia eservoir on April 11th, one sub adult and a first winter. AUDOUIN'S GULL Larus audouini WV ecorded daily at Elounda in mid-april to early May. A single Agios Nikolaos there YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus cachinnans michahelis common Common and widespread. GULL-BILLED TEN Sterna nilotica 6 Elounda there 2.5. and 1 there SANDWICH TEN Sterna sandvicensis 2 Frangocastello Chania harbour April. Page 8

10 CETE BID EPOT 1999 COMMON TEN Sterna hirundo 2 Elounda Chania Harbour in April. WHISKEED TEN Chlidonias hybridus 2 Agia eservoir Elounda Souda Bay 11 and WHITE-WINGED BLACK TEN Chlidonias leucopterus Two Elounda A single Agia eservoir 11. and OCK DOVE Columba livia Small flocks in gorges like Falasarna, Kotsiphos, Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Several south of Sitia. STOCK DOVE Columba oenas A single Kastelli also recorded at Kritsa and Agios Nikolaos. WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus Thinly spread throughout the island including Samaria Gorge COLLAED DOVE Streptopelia decaocta Fairly common in built up areas. TUTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Two Kotsiphos Gorge Bramiana eservoir Numerous migrants Kato Zakros then recorded at 19 sites up to August record at Douliana CUCKOO Cuculus canorus ecorded from Polyrhinia, Hohlakies Gorge, north of Zakros and Aradaina on Venizelou cemetery Prasses 23.4 and Lassithi BAN OWL Tyto alba ecorded from Spili in April and 1 at Plaka was killed by a car at Viran Episkopi SCOPS OWL Otus scops SV Present at Kato Zakros, Hromonasteri, Megala Chorafia Water Tower and Georgioupoli in April and May. August record at Vamos NIGHTJA Caprimulgus europaeus SV One heard at Tersanas (JH) and at Vamos 16.8.(CS). SWIFT Apus apus SV First 1.4. then common until late September. Passage was noted with several hundred in Chania PALLID SWIFT Apus pallidus SV 2 Elounda 30.4.(DS) and Agios Nikalaos 8.5.(EL) 3 Amnisos A single Lake Kournas ( GO) Page 9

11 CETE BID EPOT 1999 ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba SV First heard 1.4. then common until end of September. KINGFISHE Alcedo atthis WV A single at Agia in April. August records at Makrigialos 1.8, 2 at Koutsouras Lake Kourna and one on stream above Mithi Autumn: Common from late September with up to 5 around Makrigialos harbour. BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATE Merops supercilliosus rare V 2 Kato Zakros (GO) BEE-EATE Merops apiaster SV Earliest record was several over Plakias 7.4. Passage was noted over Elounda on 4 days from with a maximum: 59 on Tersanas Pool Up to 7 at Kato Zakros Sises Kolimbari and 4 to the north over the sea at Agia Galini Autumn: A flock of up to 10 Kamisiana in September. 3 near Stavrohori HOOPOE Upops epops SV First 1 Spiliakos 7.4. then 1-2 at several sites in April One Elounda seen carrying food (DS). A nest with young near Elounda possibly first breeding record for Crete (GO). One Ha gorge WYNECK Jynx torquilla SV One Omalos plateau and Droxia CALANDA LAK Melancorypha calandra rare WV One Prevelli 9.4. (A&JS). Two Elounda and 3.5. A single Plaka and 2 there 2.5. and 1 Elounda 3.5. (DS). SHOT-TOED LAK Calandrella brachydactyla breeding SV?? 1st 25 near Mt Kedros 8.4. Flocks recorded Gerani 7.4. to and 70 Aposelemis iver Limani and 1 Kalo Metochi CESTED LAK Galerida cristata common Common and widespread WOODLAK Lullula arborea Common, reported from over 30 sites. SKYLAK Alauda arvensis WV A winter visitor with a late record of a single at Petres bridge 4.4. SAND MATIN iparia riparia SV Main passage from 7.4. to early May. Smaller numbers than previous years. August records and 3 recorded CAG MATIN Ptyonoprogne rupestris SV? Fairly common especially in gorges. Page 10

12 CETE BID EPOT 1999 SWALLOW Hirundo rustica SV Spring passage: Common from 1.4. August record at Vamos. Main Autumn passage in September to early October with 300 over Makrigialos Many flew east over White river near Makrigialos ED-UMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica rare SV First record Tavronitis iver then recorded at many sites, more numerous than previous years. Some passage at Elounda with 69 on and 16 there Fassa Valley Autumn passage was in late September to early October. Good numbers at Kalamavka HOUSE MATIN Delichon urbica SV declining? First record 7.4. Few at Agia eservoir in early April increasing in May but the only breeding record was around the Lassithi villages. 25 Sises Agia eservoir arrived Prevelli beach Autumn: many Lithnes and Zakros ICHAD'S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae A single at Malia Marsh 9.1.(MD). V TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris scarce SV Small flocks Frangocastello and Prevelli in mid April. 1 Gerani there and a single Aposelemis river and Omalos Omalos 19.5 with one carrying food and one singing at Mirokefala Amari August record at Georgioupoli Lake TEE PIPIT Anthus trivialis emarkable numbers wintering on the Lassithi Plateau.(MD) 10 near Gerani 8.4. Small flocks Moni Prevelli Singles Plakias and Aposelemis iver Several Souda Bay cemetery in May. MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis 2 Gerani 10.4., a single there and 4 present Autumn record: 3 Paleokastro WV ED-THOATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus rare WV 2 Aposelemis iver 9.4. Small numbers 1-2 Gerani 9.4. and Gious Plateau above Spili Page 11

13 CETE BID EPOT 1999 YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava First at Frangocastello 3.4. with small flocks and Good passage through Elounda April to early May with 100+ some days. Mainly feldegg and flava at least 1 flavissima. A few beema, 2 cinereocapilla and a possible dombrowskii. Autumn: Small flocks in Kamisiana WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba WV Widespread mainly along the coast in April, with fewer in May. A family with 3 young at Petres river mouth August: ecorded at Phalasarna Autumn: Common at Makrigialos with small numbers in early October. WEN Troglodytes troglodytes ecorded in many locations especially in the mountains. 14 in song along a 2 kilometre stretch at Miriokefala 28.5.(GO). ALPINE ACCENTO Prunella collaris 10 incredibly tame at Poris beyond the Kallergi refuge EUOPEAN OBIN Erithacus rubecula WV A common winter visitor, usually departs by the end of March. A late record was one at Thronos Acropolis. NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos SV Heard singing at Afrata 7.4. Singles at Aposelemis river and Falasarna Agia eservoir from mid April to mid May. 2 south of Prasses BLACK EDSTAT Phoenicurus ochruros WV A common winter visitor usually departing by late March. EDSTAT Phoenicurus phoenicurus A winter record 1 Skinias eservoir, Messara (MD) Single females Afrata 7.4. and Aposelemis river Males Frangocastello above Frati and Moni Prevelli Kato Zakros WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra SV ecorded Prasses and Aptera Gerani Small numbers elsewhere in April. 1 Elounda 9.5. August record. 1 Moni Prevelli STONECHAT Saxicola torquata WV Common and widespread breeding resident with many nests by April. Possible passage birds of other races. ecorded from Vamos ISABELLINE WHEATEA Oenanthe isabelline One Falasarna Elounda and Plaka Page 12

14 CETE BID EPOT 1999 WHEATEA Oenanthe oenanthe SV Passage birds from along coast, then common in rocky mountainous areas. 12 in a 2 kilometre walk above Miriokefala. August: Kourtaliotiko Gorge Autumn: Good numbers along coastal strip Kalo Nero to Goudouras and Makrigialos to Sitia BLACK-EAED WHEATEA Oenanthe hispanica SV ecorded in April at Afrata, Gouvernatou and Frangocastello. A single at Elounda 7.5. and small numbers at Omalos, Spili and Lassithi in May. One Lassithi August: Moni Prevelli BLUE-OCK THUSH Monticola saxatilis Widespread in gorges sometimes along the coast. BLACKBID Turdus merula common Common and widespread. SONG THUSH Winter visitor WV MISTLE THUSH WV Winter visitor. CETTI'S WABLE Cettia cetti common Common and widespread FAN-TAILED WABLE Cisticola juncidis locally common ecorded from the Gerani, Georgioupoli lake and Andrakos areas with singing males in April. MOUSTACHED WABLE Acrocephalus melanopogon WV 1 Amoudi Agia eservoir Mylo Ford and 1 Thrapsano SEDGE WABLE Acrocephalus schoenobaenus First record 6.4. numerous at Agia eservoir in early April. 1 near Georgioupoli Lake 7.4. Thrapsano pool and Tersanas 9.5. EED WABLE Acrocephalus scirpaceus A single Almyros 8.5., 1 Lake Kournas 10.5., 3 Geropotamos river and 1 Agia eservoir GEAT EED WABLE Acrocephalus arundinaceus Singles Agia eservoir 7.4., Limnes Pool and Georgioupoli Lake singing Agia eservoir Autumn: A single Kato Zakros OLIVACEOUS WABLE Hippolais pallida SV 5 pairs located Elounda. Widespread in riparian vegetation and olive groves. Autumn: 3 Kapsa Monastery and several Kato Zakros August: ecorded at Georgioupoli Lake Page 13

15 CETE BID EPOT 1999 OLIVE-TEE WABLE Hippolais olivetoreum SV One singing near Elounda on 23 and 29.4.(DS) and male at Agios Nikolaos 8.5. (EL). 1 in song Plemaniana (GO). ICTEINE WABLE Hippolais icterina A single Elounda (DS). SUBALPINE WABLE Sylvia cantillans SV Singles at Prevelli 9.4., Afrata 7.4. and Gouvenatou 9.4. and Elounda (DS). SADINIAN WABLE Sylvia melanocephala WV Common and widespread breeding bird. UPPELL'S WABLE Sylvia ruppelli SV A male Gerani in April. A pair at the entrance to Kotsiphos Gorge A pair on territory at Elounda and a male at another site in April. A single at Vai 5.5. OPHEAN WABLE Sylvia hortensis SV One near Prevelli and Spinalonga A pair Plakias 27.4.(DS). 2 Elounda 3.and 9.7.(JDL-D) WHITETHOAT Sylvia communis A single Gerani beach 15. and BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla WV Singing at Afrata, Hromonasteri, Mili and Plemeniana in May. WOOD WABLE Phylloscopus sibilatrix Singles Agia eservoir 8.4., Agia Triada 9.4. Spiliakos iver 14.4., Agia eservoir and Moni Prevelli Monastery CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybitta One Sfakia 6.4. and Elounda Amari Valley WV Page 14

16 CETE BID EPOT 1999 WILLOW WABLE Phylloscopus trochilos A single Aposelemis river Spiliakos river 7.4. and 1 Agia eservoir Elounda 9.7. (JDL). 2 Agios Nikolaos and Elounda GOLDCEST egulus regulus WV rare One Elounda 8.7. (JDL-D). SPOTTED FLYCATCHE Muscicapa striata SV? Fewer records than previous years. First at Agia eservoir 8.4. then near Ag. Ioannis. In May 1 Agios Nikolaos 2.5. and several Kalos Lakkos 7.5. and near Souda and Megala Chorafia in early May. Several records in August from Georgioupoli at 14.8, and several at Kamisiana near Chania in August and 2 at Vidianis COLLAED FLYCATCHE Ficedula albicollis A male at Polyrhinia on Moni Prevelli monastery and 1 Thrapsano pool Moni Prevelli 9.5. PIED FLYCATCHE Ficedula hypoleuca Singles Moni Prevelli 12.4., Polyrhinia and Moni Prevelli 9.5. BEADED TIT Panurus biarmicus 1 Almyros marsh at Agios Nikolaos 14.1.(MD). BLUE TIT Parus caeruleus Generally common. GEAT TIT Parus major Widespread and common rare V COAL TIT Parus ater rare ecorded at Lake Kournas SHOT-TOED TEECEEPE Certhia brachydactyla rare One in Samaria Gorge GOLDEN OIOLE Oriolus oriolus Singles Delicana and Armeni and Kritsa 3.5. Tzermiadon 4.5. Kato Zakros Xerokambos and Elafonisos Omalos and 2 Aradiana Autumn: One heard at White iver at Makrigialos ED-BACKED SHIKE Lanius collurio autumn Spring: A male Plaka 27.4.(DS). Autumn: First Autumn record at Vamos. 1-4 Makrigialos, Sitia, Lassithi and Kato Zakros A single Malia LESSE GEY SHIKE Lanius minor rare A rare Autumn passage migrant. One at Fones (CS) and a possible at Lentas 28.8.(TG). Page 15

17 CETE BID EPOT 1999 WOODCHAT SHIKE Lanius senator First 5.4. then small numbers in April. Widespread by May. Autumn: A pair near Chania MASKED SHIKE Lanius nubicus rare A male at Elounda (DS). JAY Garrulus glandarius A single Platanes river 3.4. and 8 Omalos and Mathes Valley ALPINE CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax graculus Singles Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Omalos ED-BILLED CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 25 above Kallergi refuge Small numbers up to 10 recorded on Omalos plateau, Lassithi plateau, Anogia and Kato Metohi. JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common in upland areas. breeding colonies at Morisini Viaduct, 80+ Agia Irini Aqueduct and 20+ above Kalamavka. HOODED COW Corvus corone Common and widespread. AVEN Corvus corax Common and widespread. The race C.c. laurencei occur in Crete. STALING Sturnus vulgaris WV Winter visitor. Arrival noted with a flock of 20 at Makrigialos HOUSE SPAOW Passer domesticus The race P. hispaniolus italica the Italian Sparrow is common throughout the island. Birds of the nominate race P. domesticus. Georgioupoli Lake and another at Marathos SPANISH SPAOW Passer hispaniolensis Single Vai 5.5. and Georgioupoli Lake. Up to 60 Gerani also recorded at Frangocastello 10.4 and Aposelemis river TEE SPAOW Passer montanus WV Gerani Beach near Mesa Lassithaki also recorded at Souda Bay Cemetery in May. August record in Kourtaliotiko Gorge CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Common and widespread. SEIN Serinus serinus WV Locally common, mainly in the west. ecords from Gerani, Fres, Fournes, Prassies, Drapanias, Angouseliana, Kato Metohi, Omalos and Kalivis. Page 16

18 CETE BID EPOT 1999 GEENFINCH Carduelis chloris WV Common and widespread. GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Common and widespread. LINNET Carduelis cannabina WV Common, mainly small flocks in all upland areas. CIL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus Occurs mainly above 300 metres but sometimes lower. ecorded from Afrata, Platanes river, Kritsa, Lassithi, Gouvenatou, Thrapsano Pool and Kali Sikea. OTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana SV 3 Evelpidion Monument Singles at Falasarna and Plakias Also recorded from Hametoulo, Sitanea, Meskla, Kato Prevelli and Miriokefala in May. CON BUNTING Miliaria calandra?? Fairly common recorded at many sites. MAMMALS BEECH MATEN Martes fiona EASTEN HEDGEHOG Erinaceus concolor SHIP AT attus rattus WEASEL Mustela nivalis BADGE Meles meles AMPHIBIANS GEEN TOAD Bufo viridis COMMON TEE FOG Hyla arborea MASH FOG ana ridibunda EPTILES STIPE NECKED TEAPIN Mauremys caspica BALKAN GEEN LIZAD Lacerta trilineata EHAD'S WALL LIZAD Podarcis erhardii MOOISH GECKO Tarentola mauritanica BUTTEFLIES Order follows The Butterflies of Greece Pamperis 1997 SCACE SWALLOWTAIL Iphiclides podalirius SWALLOWTAIL Papilio machaon EASTEN FESTOON Cretan form Zerynthia cretica LAGE WHITE Pieris brassicae SMALL WHITE Pieris rapae BATH WHITE Pontia daplidice CLOUDED YELLOW Colias crocea Page 17

19 CETE BID EPOT 1999 CLEOPATA Gonepteryx cleopatra SMALL COPPE Lycaena phlaeas LONG-TAILED BLUE Lampides boeticus LITTLE BLUE Cupido minimus HOLLY BLUE Celastrina argiolus COMMON BLUE Polyommatus icarus ED ADMIAL Vanessa atalanta PAINTED LADY Cynthia cardui SOUTHEN COMMA Polygonia egea SOUTHEN SPECKLED WOOD Pararge aegeria WALL BOWN Lasiommata megera CONTIBUTOS TO THE EPOT Michalis Dretakis esident Alan & Judith Straw 'Honeyguide' 'The Travelling Naturalist' Gill Arbuthnot & Tom Dougall 'Snail's Pace' Dave Smith Omega Travel Ecotour. Stamatis Zogaris and Vassiliki Vlami Eerik Leibak Norman Hallas John Hillmer John Spooner Barry Stanley Georges Olioso James D Lough Terry Gifford Jan Samson Chris Seaton Frank & Mary Manfield Mike & ita Burstow Stuart & Julie Edwards Corrections to 1998 Crete Bird eport Page 3 Squacco Heron add Agia reservoir to April/May. Page 6 Montagu's Harrier 9.4. not at Stavros Page 7 Booted Eagle 8.4. not at Agia Triada Page 9 Oystercatcher should read ' 2 Souda Bay 6.4. to 8.4. A single there 9.& Page 12 Greenshank add Tersanas to April/May. Page 15 Swift First Agia not Tersanas 5.4. Page 17 Tawny Pipit - add 5 Agia Triada 4.4. and up to 3, Tersanas Omalos plateau Page 26 Ortolan Bunting 1 Agia Triada Page 29 ob Wilson not change to Apologies to anyone else whose records we have omitted or mangled in this or any other previous reports. Page 18