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Description
Faneromeni Beach is one of the popular birdingplaces on the island of Lesvos during, especially, spring migration. The area consists of a coastal area with agricultural fields, orchards and small rivers with high reedbeds. The valley is lush green and full of bushes, trees and meadows while the surrounding area is barren, rocky and dry; a perfect stop-over for migrating birds. The beach contains typical shrubs which are often used by Tepeli toygar as lookout posts. Çalı Bülbülü can also be found here and forages between the shrubs and the fields adjacent to the beach. The river mouth is excellent for many bird species, like waders, herons, pipits and storks. The surrounding reedbeds are perfect for Küçük balaban and Büyük kamışçın. In the river itself, many species of wader, like Küçük kumkuşu, can be seen. The river mouth is also a perfect location for Sarıbağlı kuyruksallayan.
From the beach, you'll have a perfect vantage point over sea, where many gulls and large flocks of shearwater can be seen. Flocks of 100+ Yelkovan can be spotted from here with often a few Boz Yelkovan (diomedea) between them. Flocks of Gümüş martı can be found on the beach and Ada Martısı has often been found here too.
The fields adjacent to the beach consist of open agricultural fields with many fences, power lines and scattered trees. Directly near the beach a house is located with higher trees. Groups of Ala sığırcık are often found in this area. The fields are always worth a check for migrants of all kinds, especially in the early morning. Many pipits and wagtails, like Sarý kuyruksallayan and Kızılgerdanlı incirkuşu, can be seen here. Buntings use the power lines as vantage point, like Karabaşlı kirazkuşu and Tarla kirazkuşu. The bushes are often used by many species of shrike, like Karaalınlı örümekkuşu, Kızıl Başlı Örümcekkuşu and Maskeli örümcekkuşu. Some barbed wire next to the road, especially in the vicinity of bushes, can be full of speared beetles and other prey species of these shrikes. Above the fields, harriers, like Gökçe delice and Bozkır delicesi, hunt for prey. Mahmuzlu Kızkuşu is often spotted on these fields.
Even further inland, the agricultural fields are replaced by fig and olive orchards. These orchards are used by many migrants, like flycatchers and warblers. Sarıasma is often heard from within these orchards. Passing larger migrants, like storks and raptors can easily be seen from these areas. Large flocks of Ala doğan can be present on the power lines. Küçük kerkenez hunts in and around these orchards and fields and return with prey to their nests (mainly) on the island of Megalonisi. If you're lucky, you'll find a passing Yaz atmacasý.
The area surrounding the river, which eventually flows into the sea on Faneromeni Beach, is good for many species of migrants and local reedbirds. The road goes through the river and is a very good spot to observe drinking birds, like flocks of Söğüt serçesi and many other songbirds. When the water is relatively low, this spot is perfect for observing other waterbirds, like waders and herons. Just north of this crossing, the landscape is pretty rocky. Here, flocks of Kaya güvercini can be found.
Details
Access
The area is easy accessable, especially by foot. Most of the track is tarmac and easy to walk on. The best way to walk around is to drive towards the restaurant on the beach, park your car there and walk around counter clockwise. Therefore, you'll need to cross the river mouth, so keep in mind you'll need the right equipment to cross, but most of the times the crossing is just a meter of water in width. You'll have to climb some rocks to continue your track, but this is fairly easy to do, even with telescope and camera.