Lesbos

Tour Code: GRC05

An 8-day birdwatching holiday to the beautiful Greek island regarded as one of the best places in Europe to observe spring migrants.

8 days from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,595
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Renowned for the volume and diversity of its bird migration, the lovely Aegean island of Lesbos is an ideal destination for our 8-day spring birdwatching tours. From a comfortable hotel base in Skala Kallonis, we set out each day to visit different parts of this small island, enjoying the ever-changing selection of migrant birds which pause to rest and feed before continuing their journeys. In addition to these long-distance travellers, the avifauna of Lesbos is also notable for a fine range of breeding birds which includes Krüper's Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting. Whatever the vagaries of migration may bring, tour members are assured a superb birdwatching holiday on an archetypal Greek island. 

  • Mediterranean migration hotspot
  • Impressive variety of resident birds including Kruper's Nuthatch
  • Saltpans supporting flocks of Greater Flamingoes
  • Breeding Cinereous and Cretzschmar's Buntings
  • Colourful flora and butterflies
  • Single hotel base in the traditional village of Skala Kallonis
  • Guided by expert ornithologists

Grading

Gentle birding walks.

The green and fertile island of Lesbos lies in the Aegean Sea just a few kilometres from the coast of Turkey. Third largest of the Greek islands, it has a rugged mountainous interior which travellers can access by means of narrow twisting roads passing through villages where the traditional way of life is virtually unchanged. A magnificent coastline has thus far largely escaped the ravages of mass tourism, although the island has always been popular with Greek holidaymakers and artists. A major source of revenue is the production of high quality olive oil and one of the most conspicuous aspects of the island vegetation is the abundance of Olive Trees which seem to adorn every hillside and valley. Fishing is still an important industry but, as with other fisheries in Europe, catches have been much reduced in recent years. Another local industry is the distilling of Ouzo and the product can be sampled at the numerous tavernas which are such a feature of Greek island life. With so many natural attributes Lesbos is a perfect holiday destination; however, for birdwatchers there is further incentive, for the island is not only perfectly situated as a stopover for migrant birds heading north from Africa, but also boasts an impressive list of breeding species. There are few better places in Europe to observe the ebb and flow of spring migration and certainly none more pleasant.

We are based for seven nights at a small family-run hotel in the village of Skala Kallonis at the head of a large shallow inlet from the sea. The village is renowned for its Sardine fishery and there are a number of excellent restaurants along the waterside to sample this local speciality. The sheltered waters of the bay and uncrowded beaches provide diversions for anyone wishing to relax in the Aegean sun but Skala Kallonis is also close to some of the best birdwatching sites on Lesbos and a perfect base for our activities.

A variety of pools, marshes and saltpans in the vicinity of Skala Kallonis provide some of the biggest concentrations of birds on the island and will warrant daily inspection to witness the ever-changing populations of passage migrants, in particular herons, waders and marsh terns. Venturing further afield we will arrange our programme to ensure a leisurely exploration of the prime birding areas elsewhere on the island. A full day will be spent in each of the main regions, allowing plenty of time to thoroughly investigate the range of habitats and to enjoy unhurried lunches at convenient tavernas. In the course of our travels we will be seeing rural corners of the island where donkeys replace motor vehicles and herds of goats browse in pastoral scenes, which seem a world away from the windsurfing and paragliding activities of the tourist resorts.

The local Krüper’s Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting are two of the rarer breeding birds that we will be hoping to find, but many other delights await us including Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Bee-eater, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrikes, Rock Nuthatch, Rüppell’s and Olive-Tree Warblers to name but a few. Whether crossing rock-strewn hillsides where Black-eared Wheatears and Cretzschmar’s Buntings abound, or watching waders probing alongside egrets and herons on a muddy pool, we are never far from birds on Lesbos, and in late April and early May each morning brings a fresh selection of new arrivals. Some, like Black-winged Stilts, Collared Pratincoles and Red-footed Falcons, may linger for days where there is a good supply of food; others, driven by the compulsion to move north to breeding grounds, only settle for a few moments before continuing their journey. Such wanderers can turn up almost anywhere and enhance the sense of anticipation at every birdwatching stop. The regular migrants form a long and impressive list but added to this are vagrants, many of Central Asian origin, which have occurred in recent years including Lanner Falcon, Spur-winged Plover, Great Snipe, Citrine Wagtail and White-throated Robin.

Birdwatching in Lesbos during the spring migration season is an unforgettable experience, but there will be many other memories to take away as a reminder of our stay on the island. Hot sunny days ending with the chorus of cicadas and crickets, fireflies flashing in the darkness, lizards scuttling from underfoot, and a profusion of wild flowers and butterflies including among the latter the impressive Scarce Swallowtail. Add to this heady mixture the warm hospitality of our island hosts and you have all the components of a superlative holiday.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Mytilini; transfer to Skala Kallonis
Day 2/7
Daily programme of birdwatching excursions from Skala Kallonis
Day 8
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: A pleasant family-run tourist hotel at Skala Kallonis, all rooms with private facilities.
  • Food:

    All food included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 27th Apr – Sun 4th May FULL £1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Mike Crewe
Mike Crewe

Tour Leader: Mike Crewe

Born and raised in Oxford, Mike has lived most of his life in East Anglia, with a short stint in West Sussex and a spell in the USA. He has been a birdwatcher ‘since birth’ (so he says!) and initially took up a career in horticulture, which kick-started an interest in plants. Over time, Mike has evolved into an all-round naturalist with interests in all branches of natural history, working a short time for the British Trust for Ornithology and as an environmental consultant before taking up wildlife tour guiding in 1996. Indeed, he first led walks for local wildlife trusts and bird groups as long ago as 1982 and has continued as a professional guide since the late 1990s, except for six years in the USA, where he worked as Program Director for the famous Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey.

Now settled back on the Norfolk coast, he lives with his wife, who is also a professional birdwatching guide. He has served as a committee member on the Suffolk Birds Records Committee, edited various natural history newsletters and bird reports and recently authored two identification guides on the flora of Breckland. Most recently, he has taken on a role as Assistant Editor for British Birds magazine and serves as the Norfolk tutor for the national ‘Identiplant’ training scheme. Somehow, he also manages to find time to maintain two identification websites on the flora of East Anglia and the wildlife of Cape May County, New Jersey!

Sun 4th May – Sun 11th May SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£225
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Mike Crewe
Mike Crewe

Tour Leader: Mike Crewe

Born and raised in Oxford, Mike has lived most of his life in East Anglia, with a short stint in West Sussex and a spell in the USA. He has been a birdwatcher ‘since birth’ (so he says!) and initially took up a career in horticulture, which kick-started an interest in plants. Over time, Mike has evolved into an all-round naturalist with interests in all branches of natural history, working a short time for the British Trust for Ornithology and as an environmental consultant before taking up wildlife tour guiding in 1996. Indeed, he first led walks for local wildlife trusts and bird groups as long ago as 1982 and has continued as a professional guide since the late 1990s, except for six years in the USA, where he worked as Program Director for the famous Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey.

Now settled back on the Norfolk coast, he lives with his wife, who is also a professional birdwatching guide. He has served as a committee member on the Suffolk Birds Records Committee, edited various natural history newsletters and bird reports and recently authored two identification guides on the flora of Breckland. Most recently, he has taken on a role as Assistant Editor for British Birds magazine and serves as the Norfolk tutor for the national ‘Identiplant’ training scheme. Somehow, he also manages to find time to maintain two identification websites on the flora of East Anglia and the wildlife of Cape May County, New Jersey!

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




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Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!