December 2024 Meeting

Tue, December 3, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Blue Spruce County Park Lodge
Speaker: Kraig Cawley

Description

With more than 70 species of orchids, Lesvos (also known as Lebos) is relaxed in pace and breathtakingly filled with natural beauty. It is also one of the largest islands in Greece and sits just four miles from the coast of Turkey. Among European birders and increasingly, American birders as well, it is known as one of the best spots to take in spring migration. We will cover its wide range of habitats from reed fringed pools, mountain tops, bays, brackish flood puddles from spring rains and floods, forests, and more. Whether enjoying Island specialties such as Kruper's Nuthatch or eastern migrants like Pied Avocet each day for a week brought a great many treasures. There were also a wide variety of unusual species overhead such as Red-footed Falcon and Short-toed Snake-Eagle. For our 40th anniversary trip to Greece – and half of the couple dedicated to birding (and the other half a happy tag-along lover of the outdoors), we spent a week based in Athens enjoying history and a week on this gem of an island. The program of course will focus on the keen birding interests I came to know during my first visit to a Todd Club meeting last year.