The Greek island of Lesbos (also known as Lesvos) is a popular birding destination in the spring when many birds are migrating to Europe from Africa and rest on the island during their passage across the Mediterranean. The first 2 weeks of May are particularly favoured by birders, with this time also marking the start of the tourist season with restaurants and hotels opening.
Key to the places on the above map. 1. The airport at Mytilini; 2. Our hotel near Molyvos; 3. Skala Kalloni; 4. Skala Sikamineas; 5. Achladeri Forest; 6. Antissa; 7. the Napi Valley; 8. Sigri
This was our first visit to Lesbos, which we made through a 7-day Thomas Cook holiday package that included the flights and a hotel in the northern part of the island. We flew out on 6 May from London Gatwick to Mytilini on the southwestern side of the island where we picked up our Avis rental car. Lesbos is a small island and it took us only 90 minutes to get to the Molyvos Castle Apartments just outside the town of Molyvos in the north of the island (2 on the map). The apartment building was located at the top of a steep side road and there was an impressive view across the Aegian Sea.
Before our trip we’d read a number of reports on where the best places to go birding were located and this helped us to plan our week. We found the report by Ray Wilson particularly valuable and we would recommend this to anyone thinking of visiting the island.
During our six days of birding we visited a number of different areas on the island and reports on each of these can be accessed via the following links.
Lesbos is an excellent place to visit during the spring migration, where it’s possible to see many birds that are very rarely seen in western Europe. We’re thoroughly recommend it to birding looking for a easily accessible birding destination in the Mediterranean.