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I returned home yesterday after a week on Lesvos with the gang 🇬🇷 Some brilliant birding and arguably even better scenery. A collective 188 species recorded throughout the week and around 25 lifers personally. Bring on the next one!

My 'bird of the week' from the Lesvos trip has to be Little Bittern. This was my first time seeing them anywhere, and I was caught well off guard by just how little they are! Most rivers had multiple birds lurking in the reedy edges, but occasionally they'd step into the open

Another bird which shocked me with its (lack of) size was Scops Owl. We visited one of the best known sites on Lesvos a few times to catch a glimpse of these brilliant little birds roosting in large Eucalyptus trees

Cretzchmar's Bunting was a species I was looking forward to seeing on Lesvos, and they certainly lived up to expectation. Watching these beside the picturesque roads up to Ipsilou Monastery was a special experience

We did well for shrikes throughout the week on Lesvos, with varying numbers of the main species. The stunning Masked Shrike was surely the best looking, though! A new bird for me

The rolling calls of European Bee-Eaters seemed to fill the skies of Lesvos wherever we went. At various sites, we were treated to some truly exceptional views

Town parks in Lesvos are a little bit different to the UK! This family of Long-eared Owls were roosting in a busy area without a care in the world

Seeing Black-headed Buntings lining the track and river edges around Lesvos was a brilliant sight and an equally good sound

Marsh terns came and went throughout our week on Lesvos. Flocks of Whiskered and White-winged Black were great to watch over the meadows, but having a tight flock spiralling over our heads as we swam in the sea was particularly special

Most mornings were quite still on Lesvos before afternoon winds gained strength, but our final morning was absolutely still. The route from Skala Kallonis to the salt pans rewarded us with a group of Glossy Ibis and some of the 'usual' waders in some magnificent dawn light

The river mouths around Lesvos were alive with birds. On the final evening we had a memorable encounter with this brilliant Little Crake

American Golden Plover still RSPB Frampton Marsh 🌍 this evening. Smart looking bird and a somewhat overdue lifer for me RareBirdAlertUK

Temminck's Stint still present by the car park at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, today having been found yesterday by Chris Atkin. Great little waders! RareBirdAlertUK

A minimum of 7 Red-veined Darters at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, Lincs yesterday

This stunning Glossy Ibis spent the day on Sea View washlands, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, having been found by Chris Atkin this morning. What a treat! RareBirdAlertUK

A singing Savi's Warbler at Rimac came as a very nice surprise this morning. The third record for the NNR but first in 49 years. Also, my 300th bird species in Lincolnshire (until imminent lumpings!) RareBirdAlertUK

Collared Pratincole at a breezy RSPB Frampton Marsh 🌍 this afternoon RareBirdAlertUK

One week in and the Savi's Warbler is still present at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. A heard only fly-over Bee-eater on Tuesday afternoon made it an even better week for patch birding! RareBirdAlertUK

This very unseasonal Whooper Swan has been lingering at Rimac recently. It appears healthy, so must now be eagerly awaiting the return of its mates in a few months! RareBirdAlertUK