Trip report Sat 5th 2015: Rufous Bush Robin & Broad-billed Sandpiper

A great day of autumn birding on Saturday 5th 2015. An overall of 65 species of birds were recorded, the highlights being Rufous Bush Chat (first time recorded at Spata fields) as well as Broad-billed Sandpiper at Schinias National Park.
We visited various location, starting from Kesariani Monasteri at Hymettus Mt. A couple of Firecrests was very active, as well as the nesting Tawny Owl.  Coal Tits and Cirl Buntings were all around. Later on, we moved up the summit of Mt.Hymettus, were we saw many migrating Willow Warblers, breeding Chukar, and Sardinian Warblers.
We drove towards Spata fields, were we saw Rufous Bush Chat just for a few seconds, even though we tried hard to see it again. Probably this was a migrant from the nearby nesting sites at Markopoulo fields. Tawny Pipits, Black-headed Wagtails, Red-back and Woodchat Shrikes, Hoopoe were some of the other sightings.
Our next stop was Loutsa Lagoon, were we had good views of Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, as well as Black-winged Stilts.

Schinias National Park

Our final destination was Schinias National Park. After a short walk in the rowing center, we headed towards the heart of the marshes. Lots of waders, like Marsh Sandpipers, Greenshank, Ruff, more than 20 Wood Sandpipers and somewhere in the middle, a stunning Broad-billed Sandpiper. This species is not easy to find every year, the best season being mid September in wetlands like Schinias, Loutsa Lagoon and Oropos estuary.

Broad-billed Sandpiper at Schinias National Park