 LESVOS
Eastern Mediterranean specialities and migrants
Wednesday 22 April - Wednesday 29 April 2009
Price: £1345 Single Supplement: £125 pp
Deposit: £300 pp
 
Lesvos is a classic destination, one of those 'must do' places reaching a wonderful peak when we visit during spring
migration. We find the speciality birds including Kruper’s Nuthatch,
Cretzschmar’s Bunting and Cinereous Bunting, show you summer visitors
newly arrived such as Subalpine, Orphean and Ruppell’s Warbler,
and enjoy the wonderful migration all around this beautiful island. Expect
130+ species including many of the most sought-after birds of Europe.
Red-footed Falcon, Black and White Stork, Scops Owl, Glossy Ibis, Rock
Nuthatch, Masked Shrike, Little Crake, Red-rumped Swallow, Black-necked
Grebe, Hoopoe, Shorttoed Lark, Olivaceous Warbler, Squacco and Night Heron,
Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Gull-billed, Whiskered, Black, White-winged
Black and Caspian Tern, Bee-eater and Redfooted Falcon, and around twenty
wader species including Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover,
Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and both Wood
and Green Sandpiper. We return to the saltpans, rivers and rough fields
frequently as one set of migrants replaces another. Montagu’s Harrier,
Purple Heron and Ruddy Shelduck, Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift and Little
Owl, there is great variety in every habitat.
Dry upland areas hold Isabelline and Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Sparrow,
Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, and Blue Rock Thrush. In olive groves and
woodlands Kruper’s Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper and Sombre Tit
are found, and at the coast Cory’s and Balearic Shearwater. Rarities
may include Sub-collared Flycatcher, Spur-winged Plover and River Warbler,
and delights of migration are always around. Imagine seven Golden Oriole
in one tree, or Longlegged Buzzard circling a few yards above our heads,
anything can happen! Later in the week Olive-tree Warbler, Eleonora’s
Falcon, Rufous Bush-robin and Black-headed Bunting may begin to arrive,
the whole experience is a whirlwind of new birds and brilliant views with
easy access to most sites and very little walking.
With Heatherlea in
Lesvos you won't be birding dawn till dusk, and we also take time to enjoy
the food in local tavernas, but our eye is definitely on the birding ball.
We have good sites for all the key species, and also work the migration
hotspots. We share info with any other birders we meet, and have a relaxed
attitude and a big bird list.
Some days we use local tavernas where you can expect a selection from
sardines, calamari, chicken, Greek salad (featuring feta, tomatoes, local
greens and olive oil), lots of local beans, bread, wine and water –
a real experience!
This holiday has become one of our most popular Overseas Adventures, with some guests returning to Lesvos with Heatherlea several times - come and see why!
 
Price includes return scheduled flight from London – Lesvos via Athens, airport taxes, ground transportation, accommodation and all meals, incidental tips, and the services of an experienced Heatherlea leader, joined by another from our main guiding team with more than 7 clients. Max 14 clients.
Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual
holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and
elements beyond our control (eg weather).
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