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Birding in Greece

Vagrant Expedition on Antikythera Island, October 2026

1 Nov 2026 · Antikythera, Attica

A Little Bunting in the grass on Antikythera
Little Bunting · © Thanasis Tsafonis

Between the 24th and the 31st of October 2026, a birding team consisting of Thanasis Tsafonis, Giorgos Kouthouridis, Aris Vouros, George Papadomanolakis and Yiannis Banakakis took a late-autumn trip to Antikythera island (southwestern Greece) in search of Siberian vagrants.

In total, the one-week expedition resulted in:

  • 1 Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), presumably of the meena subspecies.
  • 1 Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni), the 4th record for Greece, if accepted.
  • 1 Radde’s Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi), the 2nd record for Greece, if accepted.
  • 1 Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica).
  • 2 Little Buntings (Emberiza pusilla), plus a potential 3rd individual.
A Rustic Bunting perched on a pale branch
Rustic Bunting · © Thanasis Tsafonis
The Oriental Turtle Dove perched on a wire
Oriental Turtle Dove · © Thanasis Tsafonis

These sightings further highlight the importance of the island of Antikythera as a stopover for migrating species, as well as an excellent birding destination at all seasons.

Full trip report here: ebird.org/tripreport/587850