Volunteering at Antikythira

The north wind might have been slightly too strong today making our nets a little bit ineffective. Still though, we got some nice birds (around 60).Eastern Olivaceous Warblers (Hippolais pallida, Ωχροστριτσίδα), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus, Συκοφάγος), Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos, Αηδόνι), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Φοινίκουρος), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica, Σταυλοχελίδονο), Sand Martin (Riparia riparia, […]

The slight north wind which was present today brought a lot of birds to our nets (around 100). Even a Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus, Καλαμόκιρκος) fell in but unfortunately it managed to untangle itself and fly away before we could get it. The Icterine Warblers (Hippolais icterina, Κιτρινοστριτσίδα) and the Eastern Olivaceous Warblers (Hippolais pallida, […]

The north wind brought us a lot of birds today (over 130) which made us happy, especially after a slow day like yesterday. The most abundant species for today was the Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Δασοφυλλοσκόπος). After the fist ringed Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata, Σταχτομυγοχάφτης) yesterday, it seems that quite a few of them arrived today. […]

The first Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata, Σταχτομυγοχάφτης) for the season was trapped. Except from that early morning treat we had, it was a slow day (around 60 birds trapped), due to the west winds with clouds and mist.Other species ringed today were:Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus, Συκοφάγος), Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia, Τσιχλαηδόνι), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus […]

 The first Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais pallida, Ωχροστριτσίδα) for the season was trapped today! It seems that the peak of migration is not too far away. Apart from that, the numbers of Common Whitethroats (Sylvia communis, Θαμνοτσιροβάκος) seen and ringed today were exceptionally high for Antikythira. Lastly the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Κοκκοθραύστης) trapped yesterday decided […]

Nothing new for today… The strangest capture was a Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Κοκκοθραύστης) which you can see at the photo. We thought that all of them should have passed up to now but it appears that some birds prolonged their sun vacation in the south. Still quite a few European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur, Τρυγόνι) and Woodchat […]

The first Sand Martin (Riparia riparia, Οχθοχελίδονο)  and the first European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster, Μελισσοφάγος) were trapped today. Bee-eaters have been here for a couple of days but this Sand Martin was the first we observed. More of both species will be trapped in bigger numbers in the close future ( if everything goes according […]

Since yesterday European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur, Τρυγόνι) have started to get abundant thought out the hole island. Today quite few of them fall into our mist nest and we had the joy to have a close look. Yesterday because of rain and strong winds we did not operate the nets for more than a […]

The first Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina, Κιτρινοστριτσίδα) of the season was trapped today. Latter one there will much more of them! Apart from that we also had an  Savi’s Warbler (Locustella luscinioides, Καλαμοτριλιστής). It was a windy day and without too many birds. Other species trapped today were:Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus, Θαμνοφυλλοσκόπος), Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita, […]

A big new wave of  newly arrived Garden Warblers (Sylvia borin, Κηποτσιροβάκος) and  Nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos,  Αηδόνι) were present today. Garden Warblers (Sylvia borin, Κηποτσιροβάκος) were almost half of today’s trap. Today we also observed the first big flock of  European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster, Μελισσοφάγος) on the island. In due time they will end up […]