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As the third largest of the Greek islands, Lesbos (also called Lesvos) is popular for a number of things: olive oil, sardines, wildflowers and its fascinating mythology. But its greatest renown comes as one of the best bird watching sites in Europe. Dedicated birding holidays in Lesbos introduce participants to an island absolutely teeming with migrant and resident breeding species, against a backdrop of diverse geography and habitats. For those heading off on bird holidays in Lesbos, respected avian expert Richard Brooks has written a book called "Birding in Lesvos", which makes a very useful reference source to take along. But even if you don’t want to read the entire book, Brooks' tips to some of the most popular and wildlife rich sites and the species you'll see can be very helpful. Kallonis East River Anywhere along the East River will reward with a bounty of sightings across a huge range of migratory and resident species. Any time from mid to late April affords sightings of Great Reed Warblers, Olivaceous, Hoopoes and Short-toed Larks. A little later sees the arrival of the Black-headed Buntings. Kallonis Inland Lake and Potamia Valley Depending on the time of year you'll see different species in this region. In spring you'll see an abundance of Whiskered and White-winged Black Tern, Night, Purple and Squacco Heron, Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper, Cetti's and Olivaceous Warbler, Little Bittern, Little and Spotted Crake and Alpine Swift – to name just a few. If you choose to take bird holidays in Lesbos in autumn it's the turn of the Sand and Crag Martin, White, Yellow and Gray Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow, Whinchat, Wryneck, Alpine Swift, Greenshank, Kingfisher and Spotted Flycatcher. Parakila Marsh In early spring the marshlands play host to Shoveler, Little Bittern and Night and Squacco Heron, while a little later come Wood Sandpiper, Olivaceous Warbler, Masked Shrike, Avocet, Little Stint, Little Grebe, Black-White Stilt, Little Ringed and Kentish Plover. Devil's Bridge In spring, the area south of Parakila comes alive with the breeding calls of Red-rumped Swallow, Black-eared Wheatear, Short-toed Eagle, Rock Nuthatch, Long-legged Buzzard and Cretzschmar's and Cinereous Bunting. Kallonis Two Pool This is a very popular site with birders in spring, who come to see large numbers of Glossy Ibis, Little Ringed and Kentish Plover, Gray and Black-headed Wagtail, Garganey, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper, Little and Temminck's Stint, Citrine Wagtail, Olivaceous Warbler and Short-toed Lark. Kallonis West River In spring along the West River you may see Avocet, Great White and Little Egret, Greenshank, Terns, Gulls, White and Black Stork, Black-winged Stilt, Gray Heron, Wood and Curlew Sandpiper, Curlew and Gray Plover and Kentish and Ringed Plover. Great Crested and Black-necked Grebein often frequent the bay area, while in the scrubby parts, Wheatears, Wagtails, Corn and Black-headed Bunting can usually be seen. Potamia River Around the Potamia River in spring you'll encounter abundant numbers of Night and Gray Heron, Little Grebe, Squacco, Black and White Stork, Little Bittern, Stone Curlew, Cetti's Warbler, Little Crake, Bee-eater and hirundines. Dedicated Birding Holidays in Lesbos The best way to ensure you get the opportunity for sightings of as many species as possible is to book a professional bird tour to Lesbos. Led by expert naturalist guides, you'll explore the island's diverse wildlife habitat - from rocky high altitudes, to wetlands and saltpans - and encounter the best of its prolific avifauna. Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer with a special interest in bird watching. As a passionate lover of birds, Marissa chooses the expert-led bird holidays in Lesbos organised by Naturetrek, which have brought her unforgettable sightings of a wide range of wildlife in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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