Ian Young

Bonsai, Birds and the odd Beer

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Probably the most obliging raptor ever, Red Footed Falcon in County Louth yesterday. She would fly right up to the closest post of her own volition.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

I’ve a childhood memory of Yellowhammer on the farm where I grew up. It’s a sight that has been absent for a very long time, until today! I knew they had been in neighbouring fields over the last few years but today I had 5 singing males in one field boundary alone!!

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Not a lifer but nice to pick up. Rufous-Tailed Scrub Robin.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Sombre Tit, we seen a good few of these on some of the trails, often family groups.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

An encounter with a Beech Martin while trying to find a Krüpers Nuthatch. Special moment.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Scops Owl, Little Owl and even a Barn Owl over Scala Kallonis on the way back from the Tavern made it 3 owls this trip.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Plenty of waders, Wood Sand being the most numerous. We did get onto the Broad-billed Sand that was seen over two days I think on Aylkes Wetlands. Distant phone Scope in a heat haze attached.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Eastern Black-eared wheatear where a common site on Lesvos, almost becoming ignored. Northern and Isabelline also seen. In the video you can hear Cretzmars bunting singing one rock over lol

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

My top target was Ruppells Warbler and it proved to be a tricky one to tie down. Heard singing at a few spots along one road but distant. We eventually had reasonable bin views of one calling. Record shots only but was very happy and a great experience.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

A few of the Warblers we picked up.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Spur-winged Lapwing on the Tsiknias River.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Little Bittern Metochi Lake

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Little Crake at Metochi Lake.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Shrikes everywhere and yet my photos were all fairly distant. Red backed in abundance, Masked my favourite, closely followed by Woodchat and then very few Lesser grey

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Purple Heron, one of the most camera shy birds with a 6th sense of when a long lens it pointed their direction.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

@miskelly_billy Jaysus lol I was still half asleep writing that 🤣🙈

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Why I wrote Corys is beyond me 🙈it is of course Scapoli ‘s shearwater. It’s been a long week 🤣

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Some great Tern action over the first few days at the wetlands. Whiskered, white winged black and common, little and Gull-billed all seen last week.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Loads of Yellow Wagtails around, Feldegg mostly. The lads got a citrine wag when I was laid up with my usual trip bad neck pain. I’ll never hear the end of it.

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Cinereous Bunting, initially hard to connect with until be had them on three different sites in one day. Again one of my favourite birds of the trip.