1.1.2009 A&M and C&S December 2008 reports posted

27.12.2008 On frontpage Sheep and snow in the Crete Mountains from an original painting by Balsam Wood see also Roys UK Diary, December.

15.12.2008  New bird photos Waxwing (see Roys UK December diary for story)

15.12.2008 All bird species now have back click to facilitate navigation of checklist, remember you can press control (Ctrl) and f keys to start a search/find box. New photos of Water Pipit, Linnet, Cattle Egret and Marsh Harrier

13.12.2008 email from Alan : Pelican is still at Georgioupolis, and black-necked grebes have arrived at Kournas Lake - about 120 so far.

12.12.2008: New photos: Red-breasted Merganser, Moustached Warbler, Shoveler, Tufted Duck.

11.12.2008: New species photo: Νεροκελάδα - Anthus spinoletta - Water Pipit

5.12.2008: Finished India in world wildlife section, although more photos may be added at some stage.

4.12.2008: Interesting email from Alan as follows:
Hi Roy,
Having popped into Aghia on my own last Tuesday to find the bluethroat, Margaret and I were there again this morning enroute to Omalos.  It would be difficult to repeat Colin's pics of the bluethroat, but I will be including a couple of mine on December's report, it was there both Tuesday and today - more wary today though.

The latest pelican news is that there were two on the path today at Aghia. I advised Colin, who went there later today, and between us we will try to establish whether these are additional, or from Souda or Georgioupolis.

Whilst there today I saw a moustached warbler close to the pump station - difficult to photograph, but as you don't have it on your id checklist, I have attached one of my two pics for you.

Nice to see a single lapwing flying around the lake today too.

Weather was warm again, but very low cloud on the mountains, so we headed for Sougia and picnicked on the beach, where we saw our first shag (2), initially on the rough sea, then one flying offshore.

We decided to return via Omalos despite the low cloud, and as you can see from the attachments, had a glimpse of a single hawfinch on Omalos plateau.  The picture is through the windscreen at distance, and poor as a result, but again, as you don't have one on the website, I thought you could use this until someone improves on it.  I've spoken to Colin this evening, and he's determined to find it himself - the moustached warbler too!

Let me know if you use these pics for the id checklist.  If so, I will just record the sightings on my next report and refer to the checklist, as I don't feel either are good enough for my report - but they are at least a record for Crete.

Nice to hear from Raye recently - we wish you both well.

All the best Alan.

Rather frustrating for those of us stuck in a freezing uk, moustached and hawfinch photos onsite and fast approaching 3000 photos Roy

Just posted Great November reports from A&M and C&S.
Cat Snake and Bluethroat photos see relavant species page

Test website see links page

An important petition concerning Crete and its wildlife, please see:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Save-the-Cretan-landscape

All best Roy

Resident Photographers/ A&M Reports, etc.
Alan and Margaret Hargrave live in Western Crete.

Resident Photographer/Reports
Nikos Samaritakis

Members of Crete Western Wildlife Watch: have provided reports and photographs.

Crete Western Wildlife Watch is open to anyone with an ethical interest in the wildlife of Crete. Membership is free.