Thursday, October 1, 2015

A Birding Day Skiathos Style

I’m not back in the local routine just yet, so here are some new pictures from Skiathos 2015. 

Skiathos is not the sort of place where we map out the day ahead; it’s more “jump in the Jimny” to see where it takes you. 

Apart from a number of minor roads in pretty poor condition and countless unmade tracks there’s one “major” road which heads across the island in an east/west direction. So we found ourselves heading through Skiathos Town, past the airport en route to Xanemos Beach, the first coffee stop of the day. 

Skiathos

Right next to the airport is the lake of Aghios Georgios where herons can sometimes be found. In our case this was Grey Heron, Little Egret and Great White Egret. A bonus was at least 4 Common Kingfishers, a species we would also see later in the week at Strofilia Lake, Koukounaries. As Skiathos is entirely dry during the summer months I could only think the Kingfishers were migrants here to take advantage of the abundant fish in the clear blue waters of this the Aegean Sea. 

Aghios Giordios Lake
 
Great White Egret

Little Egret

Skiathos

The roadside is a plane-spotters delight as a series of aircraft arrive and leave throughout most days during the summer months. The island reverts to quiet mode from October to May when many islanders return to the Greek mainland. 

Skiathos Airport

We took a leisurely drive alongside the airport runway abutted by small holdings and agricultural land, much of it devoted to growing fruit and vegetables. The Red-backed Shrike seems commonplace, even abundant on Skiathos in September with between 20 and 30 individuals seen in a typical day of laid back birding. I suspect that many are migrant birds whereby they are invariably found in garden and smallholding situations with often two or more sat along a single perimeter fences or line of vegetation. 

 Red-backed Shrike

Whinchats were equally abundant along the roadside, indeed almost everywhere we visited throughout our two week stay. The Whinchats are migrant birds only, Skiathos a stop-off on their journey from Northern Europe to Africa. We stopped at a tomato farm to find good numbers of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and unseen but ever chattering Sardinian Warblers. 

Whinchat

The beach café was deserted, we the first to arrive. I spotted 6 Eleonora’s Falcons playing over the headland to the right but first we had a date with a reviving drink out of the already blistering heat. In Spain it’s difficult to get a bad cup of coffee. In Skiathos it is the direct opposite - hence the fizzy but thankfully ice-cold lemonade. 

Xanemos Beach

Look Out!

Coffee Time - Skiathos

The first planes of the morning began to arrive, speeding in and landing what seemed like just yards behind the café. Yet others motored slowly along the runway, turned the circle and then paused before a mighty blast of jet engines sent them hurtling back down the runway and out over Skiathos Town. In the café the roof and walls shook but luckily the tables were fastened to the floor. Meanwhile the muddy coffee turned darker still following the addition of a dose of sand, grit and unspent jet fuel. 

Beach Landing

Take Off - Skiathos

The effect of the first few planes upon the playful Eleonoras seemed quite dramatic. I climbed the hill to get a closer look at the falcons and disturbed a Blue Rock Thrush from I knew not where. The falcons had gone to be replaced by a single Kestrel and several Hooded Crows. It’s just a mile or two from here up the coast to Kastro where the Eleonora’s Falcons have their major, and in September, still active breeding colony. We would see them later in the week. 

Eleonora's Falcon

Blue Rock thrush

We drove back through Skiathos Town, Suzuki City as some call it. 

Suzuki City

It was lunch time at the Bourtzi and then back to the ranch for a swim and a soak in the sun. But not before we’d stopped to watch a Yellow-legged Gull finishing off an octopus and a European Shag fishing for lunch. 

The Bourtzi- Skiathos

European Shag
Yellow-legged Gull

It’s a hard life being a birder in Skiathos. Log in soon for back to normal birding or more from Skiathos.

Linking today to Eileen's Saturday Blog.



15 comments:

Linda said...

What a treat today, Phil! I love seeing all the different birds in your photos, they are all so beautiful and captivating. I also love seeing your travel pics and the airplane! Awesome! :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The European shag looks a lot like our cormorant! Your trip sounds wonderful ....thanks for sharing the sights and birds.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It would be a real treat to see an Eleonora's Falcon; a lifer for many a birder I suspect. I have a great book called "Eleonara's Falcon, Adaptations to Prey and Habitat in a Social Raptor"by Hartmut Walter. If you are not familiar with it it might be worth a read since you are likely to see this species again.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Lovely seeing a bit more of the island and the birds you saw.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Whew, I am tired, wee hours of the morning here, feeling guilt ridden as no desktop to more easily maneuver my blogging skills, it has been at the Geek Squad for a week now, and so this small laptop will have to do.
It appears that you saw many wonderful, marvelous birds, enjoyed many beautiful scenes, probably had some great meals, walked on the beach, swam, soaked up the sun and survived those low flying planes! Sounds just like what you all would desire, a beautiful journey shared.
Have a great weekend~

Rajesh said...

Landing of the plane next to the birds with lake is interesting. Beautiful.

Lea said...

Wonderful!
Have a great week-end!
Lea

carol l mckenna said...

What a place ~ always thought I might like to see Greece ~ Beautiful island and gorgeous photography ~ You must have love all these 'feathered friends' to photograph!

Happy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol

Snap said...

Your Skiathos trip sounds/looks wonderful. Always fun to visit and see something I've not seen before (airplanes on the beach ... Ha!). Eleonora's falcon and the blue rock thrush really caught my eye. Love shots, all. Happy weekend!

Anni said...

I haven't been online much, didn't realize you were on vacation. Welcome home. Loved taking the tour with you Phil. Your birds...always of such great interest to me, of course. That shrike is very handsome.

And, to just hop in the vehicle and take off for the day....that's the best kind of time had by all in my opinion.

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful photos! What a great trip!

TexWisGirl said...

lovely birds, but those planes are a bit close! :)

Andrea said...

Wow, what a great escapade for so many things. That is so inspiring for a lovely photowalk. Great shots you got there.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Skaithos looks great, Phil. I'd love to visit there. Someday, maybe!
~

eileeninmd said...

Hello Phil, what an awesome trip! I enjoy seeing the island scenery and the birds! Great post and photos! I am sorry yo visit so late, thank you for linking up ! Have a happy day and weekend .

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