Lesvos

11th-18th May 2006

Napi Valley

There are a number of good places to stop along the road that winds down the Napi Valley between Madamados and Agia Paraskevi.

Cretzschmar's Bunting (Emberiza caesia)

One of my main target species for this trip was Cretzschmar's Bunting. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected and we got some stunning views of a gorgeous male at the first stop we made as we worked our way up the valley from Agia Paraskevi.

Cretzschmar's Bunting (Emberiza caesia)

Further up the valley there is a small dirt road which is popular with birders and can be quite busy at times. We found the first mile or so of this road to be very productive in the early mornings and late evenings.

Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer)

Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer)

Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca)

male Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca)

female Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca)

male Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)

male Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)

Woodlarks (Lullula arborea)

Balkan Green Lizards were also common here.

adult Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata)

adult Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata)

The Balkan Green Lizard gets its scientific name from the striped markings of the immatures...

immature Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata)

I had to cut the photo session with the immature in the above photo short when a convoy of 8 huge tanks came trundling past. There was barely enough room for them to get past on the narrow dirt road and they totally trashed the roadside vegetation!

Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)

This tortoise had grounded itself on a fallen branch. After taking a quick picture we moved it off the branch so it could continue on its slow journey unhindered.

Jumping Spider sp. (Salticidae)

Grasshopper sp. (Acrididae)

Bushcricket sp. (Tettigoniidae)

Aculepeira armida