"Our" pelican is still with us.
2nd. Our first trip of the New Year - today being the only
good weather forecast for the next week! Aradena was our target,
although once in the area, we concentrated on the mountainsides and
coastline. The only worthwhile pics were of crag martin and common
buzzard seen over the coast at Livaniana. Visually, however, some
of the best griffon sightings we have had for many a month were near
this isolated village.
Also seen on this trip were c35 chough, presumably red-billed, but
very high up. A quick glimpse of hen harrier, good views of
sparrowhawk and kestrel, and lots of ravens around. Closer to the
ground were sizeable flocks of chaffinches, greenfinches,
goldfinches and linnets, plus a small flock of crested larks. More
blue rock thrushes today, than ever seen before in one day. Just as
we were climbing the serpentine road back up to Imbros late
afternnoon, our best sighting of the day - two bonellis' eagles
swirling high above the gorge. They looked magnificent with the
late afternoon sun still on them, but too distant for worthwhile
photos.
4th. The weather was mixed, but we took a picnic lunch out
and headed for the Potamoi Dam. What a surprise - the three
weeks since we were last there has seen an amazing 3 - 4 metres rise
in water level. To give some idea I have attached a photo of the
little church soon to be submerged in the expanding lake. We were
able to find disused roads leading down to the water's edge, and
were pleased to see a pair of shoveller, three little stints, a
common sandpiper, a possible wood sandpiper (only a glimpse), along
with several coots. As the water level rises it will spread out
towards the Antonis Gorge producing a large secondary stretch of
water. A new road is being constructed in the direction of this
gorge with spectacular views, suggesting the Cretan government may
have some grandiose ideas on the future for this area - perhaps a
National Park - but who knows?
Photo above by and © A&M
A report from Grandson Alex of dark morph booted eagle at Filaki
helping itself to a "large piece of meat" on the ground. Wish I had
been there for a photo!
6th. A wet and miserable day weatherwise, so again we
decided to find better conditions elsewhere. After a 230 km drive,
with wipers on virtually the whole time, our only sighting worthy of
mention was of two golden eagles at Topolia Gorge. These were
excellent sightings with the rockface as backdrop to the viewing.
Both appeared to be at sub-adult stage, and both flew away from us,
so the idea of photos was quickly dismissed.
9th. A call from our daughter, Alison, of more booted eagle
activity outside her apartment, resulted in my getting the following
pic. I had seen it land on the balcony, and it just allowed me
time to drive the one minute from our house to get a closer shot.
Then it was off again!
Photo above by and © A&M - The Booted Eagle
22nd. Now back from my UK trip, we again headed for the
Potamoi Dam, only to find the church has now totally disappeared
under the water. A warm, but very windy day, resulted in few
sightings, although a pair of garganey were seen twice, at the dam
and at the reservoir behind Arkadi monastery. Plenty of griffons
and common buzzard, but the small birds were not liking the windy
weather. A picture attached of some bermuda buttercups' swansong - a
final resistance to the rising water levels at the dam.
Photo above by and © A&M - Church just showing
Photo above by and © A&M
24th. A visit to Aghia found the reservoir at the highest
level we've seen, with water gushing through the weir on the far
right-hand side. Best sightings were a single cattle egret, and
small flocks of teal making short flights across the lake. Pics of
both attached. Also seen were shoveller, garganey, wigeon, tufted
duck, pochard, ferruginous duck, mallard, coot, moorhen, a single
adult mute swan, little grebe, kingfisher, white wagtail, female
marsh harrier, a pair of booted eagles, and many chiffchaff. Then,
just as we were leaving, and while I was having one last scan across
the water, a hobby came into view and flew high across the lake
heading for the wooded hills to the north of the reservoir. This
was the first proper sighting of this bird on Crete for me - I
managed a quick photo, but it's too distant to attach here.
Photo above by and © A&M - The Cattle Egret
Photo above by and © A&M - Teal
26th. With my car being serviced in Rethymno, we took
Margaret's car too, and then headed eastwards for Gerapotamus river
mouth for a look around. For such a beautiful sunny day, we were
surprised to find the sea quite rough, with it breaking dramatically
against the rocks - see pic attached. Birds were scarce at
this well known site - a single little egret, three common buzzards,
and then five hooded crows mobbing a female marsh harrier. Only coots,
goldfinches, stonechats, cetti's warbler and a robin were seen at
ground level around the reed beds. While we were having a coffee
back at the car, an interesting little beetle landed on the door
window. Haven't been able to identify it, so have attached my pic,
as someone may know what it is? It is tiny, maybe 4-5 mm long, and
seems similar species to schizotus pectinicornus. (Have since looked
at your insect section, Roy, and believe this is same as your
)
Photo above by and © A&M
Photo above by and © A&M - unidentified
RoyB005?
During a walk around the river and quayside at Georgioupolis in the
afternoon, a cormorant arrived (see pic) and had a very productive
time catching fish. Meanwhile, the white pelican is being fed by
local fishermen, and rarely takes flight. Its plumage is becoming
whiter, and the bird looks both healthy and attractive now.
Photo above by and © A&M - The Cormorant
28th. A little house-cleaning for friends (by the other
half) enabled me to have a quick look at the meadows below Kefalas (Ombrosgialos
road). At last, anenomes are showing, but not as profuse as at this
time last year. Most are the more common purple/mauve colour, so a
photo of the pretty pink one is attached.
Photo above by and © A&M - Anemone
29th. A drive to the high Nida Plateau. just below
the SE side of Psiloritis. We hoped for glorious snowscapes (and
birds), but were somewhat disappointed. The snow has been melting
since New Year, and although on the highest peaks, is nothing like
the usual covering for late January. More disappointing was to see
the entire area completely devoid of birds - we had reasonably
expected to see choughs, alpine choughs, alpine accentors and
raptors; but not a sausage! We turned back and picnicked in the car
a little lower down (4c), and were "thrilled" to see four wood
pigeons! - these are few and far between in our Crete travels, but
would not oblige for a photo call. The weather turned wet and the
skies darkened with thunder and lightning, so at least we had a
dramatic drive home.
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