1^st July.  Despite my faltering recovery the griffon vultures still hang about with one coming so close to examine the goods it seemed it was going to come in through the window. Two more circled in the distance ready to pass on the latest news. A short toed eagle drifted along the nearby ridge in search of a snake or lizard for lunch while I had to endure yet another helping of boiled chicken - it seemed that was all I was ever given to eat.

Editors Note: Paul's first entry for the month relates to observation from the window of his hospital room in Chania General Hospital. I should really have 'blue penciled' it but it seemed such a true reflection of his total dedication that I refrained. I have also returned his walking stick.... Welcome back PS!

7^th July.  At Neo Chorio.  Back home at last and recuperating, celebrating with a short toed eagle.

8^th July.  At Nembros.  A hoopoe.  

9^th July. At Neo Chorio. A short toed eagle calling, a distinctive shrill call.    

10^th July.  At Neo Chorio.  A pair of short toed eagles and a pair of buzzards chased each other and later a single short toed eagle circled. My right hand man spent ages going through all the bird books trying to sort out an eagle she saw that in my enfeebled condition I was too slow to see properly. Her growing expertise enabled her to narrow it down to either steppe, greater or lesser spotted eagle, no mean feat for one who claims no real skill at identifying birds. I was most impressed and suggested it was probably a first year lesser spotted eagle based on nothing more than probability.  

11^th July.  At Neo Chorio.  Short toed eagles were present still.

13^th July.  At Neo Chorio.  Short toed eagles were present still.

17^th July.  At Tavronitis.   A fan tailed warbler was flying and singing.
                  At Neo Chorio.  A raven slid by.  

18^th July.  At Tavronitis.  A hobby perched in a bed of giant reed.

20^th July.  At Neo Chorio. An eleonoras falcon; a cuckoo and a hoopoe.  

21^st July.  The National Road.  Continued to take its toll with yet another barn owl run over.
                  At Neo Chorio.  5 eleonoras falcons fed at dusk.  

22^nd July.  At Neo Chorio.  Just a single eleonoras falcon. 

26^th July.  At Neo Chorio. A flock of 4 linnets; 3 swifts; and 7 pallid swifts swooped low over our terrace so clear identification was possible.  

28^th July.  At Neo Chorio. A short toed eagle; an eleonoras falcon;and
                  At Tavronitis.  Just out to sea was an early flock of 30+ garganey.

30^th July.  At Neo Chorio. A golden oriole tried to hide in one of our olive trees, but a bird that colour could never succeed in doing that in an olive tree!  

31^st July.  At Tavronitis. 2 collared pratincoles flew along the shoreline.