A Soggy day out walking around Ildiri 

The weather has been cold ,windy and wet for at least 3 weeks and armchair birding from the dining room window was getting a little mundane.Carol, my wife, was fed up with being house -bound making Marmalade and Jam and baking quiches ,sponges etc .

At last there was a break in the weather,so we packed the gear in the car and took off for Ildiri. After parking the car and headed for the lane.The first bird we spotted was a Grey wagtail, which is an uncommon winter-visitor here.

  Grey wagtail

As we made our way along the track Carol spotted a Cetti's warbler in some bamboo,followed by a Reed warbler,Marsh warbler,Chiffchaff and a very nice looking male Sardinian warbler all in the space of about 25 metres.

 Marsh warbler 

This was turning into an excellent stroll around one of our favourite weekly haunts.As we stopped to say "Hello" to the farmer tending his broad beans I noticed a large raptor shape heading in our direction low over the scrub and fields.A couple of minutes later I could see it was a big female Hen harrier.The ring -tail markings and white upper tail coverts standing out in the sunlight.She was one of four I had seen in different locations this winter.

 Cirl bunting 

Two miles later we were approaching the village and stopped for a chat with our friend Amigo the chap who looks after the amphitheatre .As we chatted 6 Cirl  bunting landed in an almond tree .These are in bloom early this winter and were now a blaze of pink.Further along we spotted a lovely -looking male Blue rock thrush sunning himself on an old tiled ~roof.

  A male Blue rock thrush 

 After a well deserved "Chai" we headed back to the car and a leisurely drive back home through the lanes.By this time the sun was going down over Chios and the reflection was turning pink across the sea.

                  Lets hope the rain stays away so we can get out again tomorrow