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Crete in Spring 2000 + 2002,
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Birds amid the ruins: |
Crete holds a unique appeal. Its landscape is rugged and tough, alive with wildflowers. Its people are fiercely independent, warm and friendly. Along its seashores, over its mountains and plains are intriguing remnants of a complex history. The food is good; there is retsina and raki. And, it turns out, some pretty good birding in the spring.
In Crete, birds fly amid layers of civilization that are evident everywhere to the inquiring eye: at prehistoric Lato, we saw our first blue rock thrush; at the flooded Minoan ruin in Kato Zakros, Ruppel's and Cetti's warblers; larks, pipits and harriers across the plain at the Venetian castle, Frangokastello; red-rumped swallows at the Turkish bridge near Plakias and lammergeiers soaring over Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
In the spring of 2000, we flew to
Iraklion, the capital city of Crete, found ourselves a spot to stay for a couple
of nights while we recovered from jet lag, brushed up on our Greek and rented
a car (no need to arrange this ahead - there are lots of outfits competing for
your business). We had the car for 2 weeks to get to some of the out of the
way places; after that, we stayed put or used the bus for our final 10 days.
We travelled in a very relaxed way, visiting sites, hiking, birding and just
taking it easy. At a less leisurely pace, one could still bird the whole island
and see key historical sites in 2 weeks.
Our rough itinerary was planned with the help of the
internet, particularly 2 excellent reports from French birder,
Our basic route from Iraklion took us east to Elounda and Sitia, down the east coast to Kato Zakros, along the south coast to Myrtos and Plakias and then across to Yeoryiopolis on the northwest coast where we ditched the car and stayed for a nearly a week. From there we travelled by bus to Paleohora in the southwest corner, but we encountered unseasonable downpours so heavy that we headed back up to Hania, our departure point.
The first leg of the trip allowed us to visit a number of historical sites ranging from Mallia, an excellent Minoan site, to Ayios Yeoryios Selinari, site of a beautiful Byzantine church, to Elounda where the salt pans set up by the Venetians attract migrating birds and Lato where we spent an hour and a half wandering alone among the tumbled ruins of the ancient fortified settlement. All the while we were becoming more familiar with the common birds like the Italian sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, corn bunting, blackbird, crested lark, great tit and the ubiquitous Sardinian warbler. And we were beginning to see new birds: griffon vultures and crag martins at A. Y. Selinari; stonechat and woodchat shrike; greater flamingo, grey heron and a lone little egret among the few waders and shorebirds at Elounda (we were too early for a major influx). At the 7th century BC mountain stronghold of Lato, a blue rock thrush gleamed and shimmered in the early afternoon sun. We stayed in the little harbour town of Sitia for a night, visited their archeological museum and later saw collared doves in town, little ringed plovers on the beach and, along a stream at the east end of town, bittern, glossy ibis, a lovely squacco heron and, after persistent tracking, the first reed warbler. Most European warblers are secretive and have drab plumage so identification is a real challenge. Only the Sylvia warblers are bright and easily seen.
On our way down the east coast, we stopped at Palaikastro, a small seaside archeological site that has evidence of Neolithic building but has now been mostly backfilled for protection. It was a good place for a picnic lunch with a few little stints playing in the standing water behind the beach. Kato Zakros was our destination for the day, a wonderful spot at the base of a long gorge with only the flooded ruins of a Minoan harbour, 2 or 3 little "rent rooms" and a taverna at the shore. For the next two days we hiked the gorge, scouted the valley, peered over the fences at the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace and enjoyed tomates yemistes and raki. Peregrine falcons, wild rock doves nesting along the walls of the gorge, wheatears, wagtails, and warblers - Cetti's, Ruppel's and whitethroat. If you like out of the way spots, this is the place.
In our little Fiat we poked our way across the dirt road
to Xerocambos stopping for a long walk along the beach where we saw black-winged
stilts, greenshanks and Kentish plovers. It's a steep climb up the switchbacks
to Ziros but there are short-toed larks, whinchats and ortolan. And then a
couple of hours drive to Ierapetra and, nearby, glistening in the sun, the hundreds
of huge plastic greenhouses that provide Europe with fresh tomatoes and other
produce throughout the winter - and on to Myrtos, a good resting spot. We went
for long walks, enjoyed the waterfront restaurants here and in Ierapetra, and
visited Gortys, a site layered with Greek/
It's not too far on to Plakias where
we planned a longer stay because of the excellent hiking and walking trails,
the good restaurants and grocery stores geared to hikers. Over four genial
days here we visited the Byzantine monastery at Moni Preveli, hiked down the
precipitous trail to the amazing micro-environment of
From Plakias we drove to Yeoryiopolis
where we settled in at a nice apartment for the best part of a week. Again
we were attracted by the walking and hiking opportunities and our internet guide,
After returning our car, we walked and hiked, seeing a kingfisher from the bridge in Yeoryiopolis; willow, sedge and fan-tailed warblers behind the beach; meadow pipits from our balcony; wood pigeons in the olive groves; a sparrow hawk hunting over the fields; a snipe and two Temminck's stints in a slough by a back road. And at night we could hear the distinctive call of the Scops owl.
Before being drenched in Paleohora, we had a half day of hiking and birding that yielded lots of sightings and 3 new birds: sand martin, little bittern and booted eagle. We escaped the deluge on a leaky bus to Hania where we spent a couple of days enjoying the ambience of the cafes and restaurants of the Venetian harbour. A shag had flown off as we arrived as if to signal that the birding and the holiday were over.
Travel notes: If you are thinking of a birding trip
to Greece in the spring, you may think of Lesbos, which is a popular spring
birding island but it doesn't have the multiple attractions of Crete. Crete
is very safe, inexpensive, easy to get around and it has a marvelous layered
history - we haven't even mentioned its amazing exploits in WW II. Visit the
Geoff and Sylvia Post,
Sightings
Little Grebe
4/ 6/2000 4 Crete: Bramiana
Dam
I was able to get a good close look from down near the stream entry. Very small
with a little chesnut on its cheeks. Generally brownish. Also called dabchick.
Eared Grebe
4/ 6/2000 2 Crete: Bramiana
Dam
Also called black-necked grebe. Typical long grebe neck, black with light ear-tufts.
European Shag
Just as we were arriving at the harbour looking for the Meltemi and Chris's
friends, a shag took oof and flew away. It was our last new bird for this
trip.
Green-winged Teal
Female. This is such a common teal in Europe that they don't bother with the
green winged and just call it "teal". Mind you, it was the only
one I saw here.
Mallard
Surprised to see these but I guess they're everywhere. This is considered a
separate sub-species, however - Anas platyrynchos platyrhynchos. The N. A.
is just A. p.
Garganey
4/ 6/2000 2 Crete: Bramiana
Dam
We were able to get a little closer to these ducks . The shape, colouring
and distinctive white eye stripe.
Ferruginous Pochard
4/ 6/2000 2 Crete: Bramiana
Dam
Referred to as F. duck. Took a long time to identify at quite a distance above
the water. A scope would have been very useful here. The sunlight was just
right on a few occasions and we were able to see the definite ferruginous colouring.
Greater Flamingo
On the salt pans.
Little Egret
At the salt pans.
Gray Heron
4/ 1/2000 1 Crete: Elounda
All alone on the salt pans.
Squacco Heron
4/ 2/2000 1 Crete: Sitia
On a lovely evening walk along the little stream east of town. Very pretty
bird.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
4/ 8/2000 20 Crete: Plakias
As we sat on our balcony at Big Blue having our morning coffee in the sun, a
flight of night herons headed east along the water front. In the evening we
saw them again as we walked on the waterfront in town, heading west. There's
a roost out there somewhere.
Great Bittern
4/ 2/2000 1 Crete: Sitia
Another late evening wader that was at the stream at the east end of town.
Glossy Ibis
4/ 2/2000 1 Crete: Sitia
Scared it up and it flew around and over the stream at the east edge of town.
Lammergeier
4/ 8/2000 2 Crete: Plakias Kourtiliatiko
Spectacular. We thought we would take a quick look on our way back to town
from
Eurasian Griffon
This was our first sighting of Griffon Vultures and there were lots of them
soaring and roosting up in the cliffs, we did also see them on other occasions
most notably at Kourtiliatiko Gorge.
Western Marsh-Harrier
Patrolling then perching overlooking the flat farm fields between the castle
and the mountains. Female - white underparts, pale head.
Montagu's Harrier
Male, smaller than marsh h., and with gray mantle and breast but streaked
belly.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
An accipiter in Europe, a falcon at home. Distinctive shape is key.
Common Buzzard
This is the most common raptor on the island.
Long-legged Buzzard
4/ 8/2000 2 Crete: Plakias - Old Mill
Just a quick glimpse in the late evening sun up by the old mill but its white
wing patch was very much in evidence -pale rump, unmarked tail, brownish to
rufous - adult. A good one. Only one other seen and not for sure.
Eurasian Kestrel
4/ 2/2000 6 Crete: Gournia
Gournia was full of goldfinches then we saw the first of several kestrels on
the island.
Peregrine Falcon
4/ 3/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
Soaring near the bottom of the farangi. Seen again the next day soaring and
roosting. A scope would have been helpful.
Chukar
Heard only but who could miss. It says "Chukar, chukar!" Right near
the entrance to Samaria Gorge as we were leaving.
Little Crake
As i was checking into a little marshy section behind the beach west of the
castle, there he was, out of the grass right at my feet. 3 seen later at Agia
reservoir.
Common Moorhen
Many seen swimming at this beautiful spot.
Eurasian Coot
4/ 3/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
Hiding in the grasses of the creek - close to the road.
Common Snipe
Seen along the shore in the evening. Another on the next day in a wet field
across the road. Could be the same bird. Only other on was seen in Paleohora.
Common Greenshank
4/ 5/2000 1 Crete: Xerocambos
Just one in the shallow water behind the beach.
Green Sandpiper
4/ 1/2000 1 Crete: Elounda
The distinctive white rump contrasting with a dark back helped me zero in on
this one.
Wood Sandpiper
4/ 6/2000 1 Crete: Bramiana Dam
Seen along the stream. Distinguished from the green s. by its yellow legs.
Common Sandpiper
On the saltpans.
Little Stint
4/ 3/2000 6 Crete: Palaikastro
It took quite a while to figure this one out. Similar to sanderling but grayish
with a distinct rufous tinge to tips of primaries. Flies when approached -
sanderling runs. This was a nice spot - a few shorebirds and then common landbirds
as we explored the little ruin. Alone.
Temminck's Stint
On a walk to Kavros and back on the far side of the road. In a wet field with
some other shore birds and a Squacco heron. Took some time to figure out that
it was not a little stint but it had pale legs and white outer tail feathers
and a fairly short bill. Temminck's!
Black-winged Stilt
4/ 5/2000 2 Crete: Xerocambos
Across the shallow water behind the beach. Elegant.
Little Ringed Plover
4/ 2/2000 2 Crete: Sitia
Pretty exciting to see 2 of these little guys on the beach in the afternoon.
Snowy Plover
4/ 5/2000 1 Crete: Xerocambos
This was a real find by Syl who noticed a different one among the little ringed
plovers and stints. Just one but a neat one. Referred to as a Kentish plover
but it is the same bird as our snowy plover.
Yellow-legged Gull
This was the first of many, many of these gulls that we saw anywhere near water.
The only gulls we saw in Crete.
Rock Dove
This was the urban variety but we saw the real thing in Kato Zakros and Kourtiliatiko
Gorge.
Common Wood Pigeon
On a hike up to Kalamitsi, NW of G. in a well forested area. Bold white markings
on wings.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
4/ 2/2000 1 Crete: Sitia
They were around towns here. We saw more in Rethymnon but that was it. They
seem to have adapted to town life.
European Scops-Owl
Heard only and again in Paleohora in the rain but it has a very distinctive
call: a monotonous "piu, piu piu piu...."
Alpine Swift
4/ 4/2000 6 Crete: Kato Zakros
Saw several on our hike through the farangi.
Common Swift
Seen in the evening from our tiny balcony overlooking the harbour as we sipped
ouzo. They were, however, not that common elsewhere on the island.
Common Kingfisher
What a treat to be greeted by this beautiful bird on our first evening in Georgiopolis.
As I was standing on the bridge, it flew downstream under me and lit on the
rail of a boat nearby where I watched it for several minutes.
European Bee-eater
4/ 5/2000 1 Crete: Mirtos
Although seen at a distance in the evening light on a walk up the dry river
bed, it was unmistakable. Saw only a couple of new birds in the Mirtos area
but it was a good place - lots of birds seen.
Eurasian Hoopoe
4/ 6/2000 1 Crete: Bramiana Dam
Seen on walk up the dry river bed. At a distance but completely distinctive.
Eurasian Jay
Seen while walking along the eastern edge of the plateau. A big,striking looking
bird.
Common Raven
4/ 1/2000 1 Crete: Lato
Lato was a magic place high up in the mountains close to the sea. We did not
see a lot of birds but it was our first raven.
Woodchat Shrike
A very striking bird, widespread but not common.
Blue Rock-Thrush
4/ 1/2000 1 Crete: Lato
Lato was a perfect setting for our first ever look at this beautiful deep blue
bird. A magic place - all to ourselves.
Eurasian Blackbird
Common nearly everywhere.
European Pied Flycatcher
Seen while walking along the western edge of the plateau.
Common Nightingale
4/ 9/2000 1 Crete: Plakias - Souda & W.
I went back to the Souda area in the evening and there was quite a bit of activity.
But this was the highlight, my first sight of the famous nightingale. But I
did not hear it sing! Where is Keats when I need him? Plain thrush-like with
a rufous tail which it cocked regularly. Actually in the European robin family.
Whinchat
4/ 5/2000 1 Crete: Ziros area
Widespread but not common. Seen only one other time at Georgiopolis.
Stonechat
First seen here but seen regularly after.
Northern Wheatear
4/ 1/2000 1 Crete: Elounda
Our first wheatear of the trip. We saw several later in a variety of locations
but they were not common.
Black-eared Wheatear
The blackthroated form. Not common but seen in several different places.
Eurasian Crag-Martin
Also sen at Kourtiliatiko and Omolos.
Barn Swallow
4/ 4/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
Common and widspread.
Red-rumped Swallow
Red rump is readily seen and is diagnostic difference from barn swallow.
Common House-Martin
4/ 5/2000 11 Crete: Mirtos
Many around town as we sat out on our balcony in the evening. White underparts
and white rump.
Cetti's Warbler
4/ 4/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
This is one of the sectretive ones that only give you a quick look. Tail cocked.
Dark rufous brown.
Grasshopper Warbler
90% Although I had a pretty good look, these locustellas are hard - streaked
head and back and streaked throat make it a pretty sure thing.
Sedge Warbler
Eurasian Reed-Warbler
4/ 2/2000 1 Crete: Sitia
The first of these little guys, non-descript and hard to identify. I knew it
was there only from the movement of the reeds, then up he hopped, long enough
to get a fix in the evening light. A good one!
Great Reed-Warbler
Good look at this large warbler. Fairly conspicuous pale eye stripe. Round tail
of all the reed warblers.
Olivaceous Warbler
4/ 8/2000 1 Crete: Plakias - Old Mill
In the olive grove, appropriately enough, on the way up to the old mill in the
evening.
Willow Warbler
A very common warbler throughout Europe but the only one I saw on this trip.
Tiny greenish bird with yellow eye stripe and pale yellow underparts.
Wood Warbler
Good looks - yellow breast, white underparts, strong yellow eye stripe - quite
greenish and a good size.
Blackcap
4/ 6/2000 1 Crete: Bramiana Dam
The only one seen on the trip. Crown distinctly black.
Greater Whitethroat
4/ 3/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
Kato Zakros is a great spot - this is just one of the warblers that I was able
to identify - enough time and opportunity to do so with these less secretive
ones.
Rueppell's Warbler
4/ 4/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
This is a good one. The only one seen on the trip. The sylvia warblers are
easier to identify because their markings are more distinctive and they tend
to sit out where you can get a glimpse of them for a few seconds .Lots of time
to see the distinctive white moustache stripe and black throat.
Sardinian Warbler
First seen here but proved to be the most common warbler seen.
Subalpine Warbler
4/ 9/2000 2 Crete: Plakias - Souda & W.
A good one! A male and a female seen in a small coniferous tree by the road
fairly close to the small, new shepherd's church. Male hasconcpicuous white
moustache stripe and and rufous throat & breast.
Great Tit
On the island. This was the common tit of Crete.
Blue Tit
4/ 8/2000 1 Crete: Plakias - Kourtiliatiko
Not at all common as expected. Great tit was the common one.
Lesser Short-toed Lark
4/ 5/2000 1 Crete: Ziros area
A flock seen at the top of the mountains above Xerocambos on our way to Ziros.
Crested Lark
This was the lark most commonly seen on the island.
Wood Lark
This may have been the first sighting. If not it was seen several times later
for sure.
House Sparrow
The Italian model was everywhere.
Spanish Sparrow
Seen only here and perhaps one other time. Sparrows are Italian in Crete.
White Wagtail
First sighting on Crete but seen regularly near water.
Yellow Wagtail
4/ 6/2000 12 Crete: Bramiana Dam
M. f. flav and M. f. feldegg in a mixed flock in the low fiels near the lake.
Tree Pipit
4/ 9/2000 1 Crete: Plakias - Souda & W.
As we walked back from the little church about 3 km along the track west from
Souda - up in a goat meadow.
Meadow Pipit
As I sat having coffee on our balcony, they were moving about in the field.
Pipits but meadow! with their flesh coloured legs.
Common Chaffinch
Singing its heart out. The was the song that I recognized most frequently.
It was widespread and common.
European Greenfinch
Although they were seen in a variety of places on the island and are considered
common, they were not seen frequently.
European Goldfinch
This pretty bird was seen in most locations where there was suitable habitat.
Eurasian Linnet
Seen on both sides of the plateau and several more seen near Paleohora.
Cirl Bunting
Just as we were leaving beautiful Omalos (we loved this place), we stopped so
I could have one last look along the eastern edge. It produced the Cirl -
only sighting on the trip.
Ortolan Bunting
Seen just on the outskirts of Ziros from the stopped car window.
Corn Bunting
4/ 3/2000 1 Crete: Kato Zakros
Although this bird is described as common, I did not see many of them
Greece: Crete, April 14 -
This second birding report for Crete is a supplement to the much more complete 2000 report. I am making only a quick record of each species seen, with brief notes. Only where the species is a lifer or important sighting do I record the date. Itinerary: Apr 15-16, Hania; Apr17-21, Kissamou (Apr17,Diktina; Apr 18, Falassarna; Apr 19, Polirhinia; Apr 20, Rodopos; Apr 21, Topolia/Enya Hora/Milia);Apr 22, Omalos; Apr 23, Agia Marina (Agia);Apr 24-28, Paleohora; Apr 29-May 2, Sougia (Apr 29, Lissos; Apr 30, Agia Irini/Panagia; May 2, Paleohora/Lissos); May 3, Iraklio (Sfakia); May 3, Lasithi/Agios Georgios Selinari; May 4-6, Iraklio.
Little Grebe
12 - Agia
Mallard
4 - Agia
Northern Pintail
m & f Agia, m Paleohora
Northern Shoveler
2 - m & f Agia, Apr 23
Little Egret
1 -
Gray Heron
1 - Paleohora; 10 - flying off beach at Sougia
Purple Heron
2 - Sougia; May 1; 1 - Sougia, May 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Flying flock of 25 at Sougia; 1 - rocks, Paleohora
Glossy Ibis
3 - Agia, Apr 23
Lammergeier
1 - Omalos, Apr 22
Eurasian Griffon
Fairly common: 1 - Polirhinia; 2 - Diktina; 6 - Agios Georgos Selinari;
2 - Lasithi
Western Marsh-Harrier
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Common Buzzard
Confusing. Every time I thought I had a new raptor, just another buzzard!
1 - Diktina; 2 - Falassarna; 2 - Polirhinia; 1 - Kissamou; 4 - Paleohora
etc
Bonelli's Eagle
2 - Falassarna; Apr 18
Eurasian Kestrel
2 - Diktina; 1 attacking buzz - Topolia
Red-footed Falcon
14 - Both male & female hunting insects on a field just off beach at Kissamou,
Apr 22. TRIP HIGHLIGHT!
Eleonora's Falcon
1 - Falassarna, Apr 18; ?3 Kissamou, Apr 20
Eurasian Hobby
1 - Falassarna, Apr 18; 1 - Lasithi, May 4
Peregrine Falcon
1 - Diktina, Apr 17
Little Crake
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Common Moorhen
Several - Agia
Eurasian Coot
Several - Agia
Spotted Redshank
1 - Omalos, Apr 22; 1 - Agia, Apr 23
Common Redshank
1 - lame, Agia, Apr 23
Common Greenshank
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Green Sandpiper
6 - Agia; 6 - Omalos; 1 - Paleohora
Wood Sandpiper
2 - Agia; 1 - Omalos
Common Sandpiper
Fairly common & widespread
Little Stint
1 - Agia; 1 - Sfakia
Curlew Sandpiper
1 - Paleohora, May 1
Eurasian Thick-knee (Stone Curlew)
Distinctive flying close over the beach - Sougia, May 2
Black-winged Stilt
1 - Agia
Little Ringed Plover
2 - Agia
Yellow-legged Gull
Common, even far inland
Whiskered Tern
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Rock Dove
Common; some wild birds, breeding in rocky gorges.
European Turtle-Dove
1 - Paleohora; 2 - Diktina; 2 - Paleohora/Sougia trail
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Common in towns.
Common Cuckoo
1 - Kissamou, Apr 20; 1 - Sfakia, May 3
Alpine Swift
Fairly common in Kissamou & Paleohora
Common Swift
Pretty common everywhere
Pallid Swift
6 - Paleohora, Apr 26
Common Kingfisher
1 - Kissamou, Apr 18
Eurasian Hoopoe
1 -Paleohora, Apr 27
Red-billed Chough
2 - Lasithi, May 4
Carrion Crow
Hooded crow very common
Common Raven
Though not common, seen in a variety of highland, rocky places: Diktina, Falassarna,
Topolia, Lasithi, etc
Eurasian Golden-Oriole
2 - Enya Hora, Apr 22; 1 - Agia; 1 - Sougia
Woodchat Shrike
1 - Paleohora; 2 - Lissos/Sougia trail plateau
Blue Rock-Thrush
1 - Falassarna; 1 - Kissamou; 1 - Paleohora; 1 - Sougia
Eurasian Blackbird
Fairly common & widespread
Spotted Flycatcher
4 - Diktina; 2 - Omalos; 8 - Paleohora
European Pied Flycatcher
Fairly common & widespread
Collared Flycatcher
2 - m & f near Panagia church back up the valley from Sougia, Apr 30
Whinchat
4 - Diktina; 4 - Omalos; 4 - Paleohora
Stonechat
2 - Diktina; 2 - Kissamou; 6 - Omalos; 2 - Lasithi
Northern Wheatear
2 - Omalos
Black-eared Wheatear
1 - Diktina; 2 - Paleohora, 2 - Black-throated, Paleohora
Winter Wren
1 - Omalos, Apr 22
Bank Swallow (Sand Martin)
6 - Paleo; 4 - Lissos
Eurasian Crag-Martin
6 - Topolia, Apr 21
Barn Swallow
Common at Agia & a few other spots
Red-rumped Swallow
4 - Agia, Apr 23
Common House-Martin
Common at Agia & a few other spots
Zitting Cisticola
1 - Polirhinia, Apr 21
Cetti's Warbler
1 - Paleohora, Apr 23
Moustached Warbler
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Sedge Warbler
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Eurasian Reed-Warbler
1 - Agia, Apr 23
Olive-tree Warbler
1 - Falassarna, Apr 18
Icterine Warbler
1 - Paleo, Apr 27; 1 - Agia Irini, Apr 30
2 - Paleohora Apr 25, 1 - Lissos, May 2
Greater Whitethroat
2 - Omalos, Apr 22
Ruppell's Warbler
1 - Paleohora/Sougia trail, May 2. Neat!
Sardinian Warbler
Most common warbler
Great Tit
Fairly common
Blue Tit
1 - Polirhinia
Crested Lark
Fairly common at Kissamou & Diktina
Wood Lark
1 - Lasithi
House Sparrow
"Italian" sparrows very common everywhere
Spanish Sparrow
1 - Sougia
White Wagtail
1 - empty swimming pool west of harbour in Hania
Yellow Wagtail
6 - Both feldegg & flava
Tawny Pipit
6 - Omalos
Red-throated Pipit
6 - m & f Omalos Apr 22; 2 - Agia, Apr 23
Common Chaffinch
Common everywhere
European Greenfinch
Common everywhere
European Goldfinch
Common everywhere
Eurasian Linnet
10 - Omalos, Apr 22
Cirl Bunting
4 - m & f Omalos, Apr 22
Ortolan Bunting
1 - Polirhinia, Apr 19
Corn Bunting
1 - Falassarna; 4 - Lasithi
Interesting sidelight: saw a group of 5 Helmeted Guinea-fowl wandering near
the archeological site at Falassarna. Not obviously domesticated but they must
be; the only remaining native population is in Morocco.
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