The spring migration has already started: several bird species are passing through the Mediterranean region as moving between Africa (wintering area) towards Europe (breeding area). Until today 28 different species have been recorded on Lesvos but the hirundine passage is more than impressive these last days.
On Mar 24 early morning hundreds of birds were gathered in a small area just outside Charamida. Charamida marsh is a very important staging place for them both in spring and autumn migration. Therefore, 180 Barn swallows, 300 House Martins, 100 Sand Martins, and 100 Red-rumped Swallows were counted. Many of them on the asphalt of the road as they were trying to warm up in the morning sun (solid objects gain heat quicker than the surrounding air).
The following day hundreds of hirundines were foraging by the Kalloni Pans temporal ponds as the evening was approaching. Tens of them were seen all over the island as the weather conditions were really harsh for them to continue their journey north, with very low temperatures and north winds prevailing and hundreds at every wetland!
There are 5 different species of hirundines in Greece and all of them were recorded on Lesvos the last 5 days: Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica), House Martin (Delichon urbicum), Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), and Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). The latter is only recorded as a passage migrant for Lesvos while all the other four species breed on the island.
