MY BIRDWATCHING HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY 2007

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1st Feb. Near Neo Chorio.  A lovely flock of 4 honey buzzards circled with 2 local common buzzards. Heading towards one of the peninsulas we saw a lanner falcon and then on the peninsula proper, we saw 2 further pairs of lanners, both were displaying and surprisingly close together. Also we watched a third or fourth CY bonellis eagle; 3 honey buzzards;  merlin; a steppe buzzard; a raven; and various small birds, including meadow pipits and then, feeding in bushes right beside the track, was a flock off 20+ Italian sparrows mixed in with 30+ rock sparrows.  Only our second sighting of rock sparrow and most welcome as they were in pristine plumage.  On the way back we saw an unusual gathering of crows, 330+ circling high up in the middle of the afternoon.
              Along the coast we came across the usual meadow pipits; a few linnets; a swallow - and a stoat that darted in and out of roadside vegetation!


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4th Feb. Along the Coast. Just out to sea was a single cormorant, trying to fish beyond the lively surf.

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6th Feb. At Neo Chorio. A male sparrow hawk dashed through in search of an easy meal and later, while we relaxed at a taverna by Chania harbour, we saw another cormorant fishing.
 

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8th Feb. On the Coast.  We saw a male sparrow hawk speeding along just above the ground in classic hunting mode, while over 300 starlings watched from their perch on telephone wires. A mixed flock of 20+ house martins - and at least 4 crag martins - hinted at approaching spring, as did the single swallow we saw on the way home.

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9th Feb. At Neo Chorio. A female goshawk circled in display mode.

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10th Feb. At Neo Chorio. The same goshawk was around, while a mixed flock of 25+ crag martins and 40+ house martins flew by. 
                 On the coast. There was obvious movement going on with 34 starlings; 30+ meadow pipits; 22+ red throated pipits; and a lovely flock of 37 calandra larks to supplement the more usual marsh harrier; a male kestrel; and a few stonechats.


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12th Feb. At Tavronitis. There were at least 2 tree sparrows.

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13th Feb. At Neo Chorio. Spring must be coming as he first hummingbird hawk moth of the year put in an appearance.

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14th Feb. At Sirili. Was a flock of 20+ house martins

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15th Feb. At Neo Chorio. A flock of 4 honey buzzards drifted slowly north.  An eleonoras falcon and a third year bonellis eagle ignored them as they hunted for lunch.

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18th Feb. At Neo Chorio. A mixed flock of about 6 great tits and 4 blue tits turned out to also contain a sombre tit, another rarely seen species.
                On the Coast. Were a booted eagle; 10+ red throated pipits; and about 10 meadow pipits.


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20th Feb. At Neo Chorio. 2 sombre tits foraged on our orange trees whilst, near the coast, we saw a black kite and a flock of 6 honey buzzards, followed later by a short toed eagle.
 

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21st Feb. On the Coast. Among the stonechats; whinchats; many scattered meadow pipits; and the odd white wagtail; was a singing skylark and 4 singing crested larks.
 

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23rd Feb. Along the Coast. On a run along the coast were 4 honey buzzards; a marsh harrier; some whinchats; stonechats; meadow pipits; a few crested larks; and at least 6 corn buntings.
                  At Rapaniana. Were at least 3 pairs of singing crested larks within a distance of less than 50 metres.
 

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26th FebOn the Coast. A rough legged buzzard kept my right hand man happy.  She has developed a keen eye for spotting them.
 

A few final words for February.

An interesting month with evidence that the spring is getting going. There was plenty of song as the month went on, mainly from the not often reported on greenfinches, chaffinches, blue and great tits and even the “song” of the sparrows as they all got under way with the new breeding season. The warming temperatures drew some hirundines north and as usual at this time of year, the raptors were on their way to do the same in some distant location.  

The rock sparrows were interesting as there is confusion as to whether they are residents or winter visitors. There are so few records that no-one can tell.  Certainly they are extremely easy to overlook, as at any distance they would be dismissed as yet more of those “little brown jobs” while when seen very close to they are delightfully plumaged and then unmistakable.  

Similarly, the sombre tits are under recorded and little known. This is only the second time in eight years that we have seen any.  

As yet we have not seen waders, egrets or herons. They must be coming and we look forward to their arrival. The vista of the snowy white plumage of great white and little egrets against the lovely blue sky makes spring a lovely time to be alive, something to be savoured as it something that cannot be planned or laid on to order. It is completely free and spontaneous.  Not everything has a price tag attached to it!  

Hopefully your spring, wherever you are, will also be rewarding. Get out and enjoy it while it lasts!

Until next month, good watching.  Paul Smith.

Paul's Diary highlights commenced at the end of August 2001.  The current diary is moved to the diary archive at the end of each month - if you are considering a bird watching trip to NW Crete, the previous highlights may well help you decide the best month for your visit - your link to the diary archive is below.

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