Annual Banquet – LESVOS: European Spring Migration Magic – Gina Beebe Nichol

The Greek Island of Lesvos is renowned for its ancient history, incomparable natural beauty and tradition of hospitality. Celebrated as the Princess of the Northwest Aegean Sea, this stunning island has become known by birders as one of the best locations in Europe to witness spring migration. In late April and early May, a continual stream of migrating birds pass over the island as they move from their wintering grounds in Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe.  Keen birders return year after year to experience the migration magic of Lesvos and search out the island’s special birds, including Krüper’s Nuthatch, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Rüppell’s Warbler, Scopoli’s Shearwater, Isabelline Wheatear, Masked and Red-backed Shrike and more.  This program will reveal the avian delights of Lesvos with vivid photographs of its birds against the backdrop of charming fishing villages, sea coasts, salt pans, sparkling rivers and lakes, and the slopes of Mount Olympus.  Founder of Sunrise Birding, Gina Nichol’s varied interests and love of the natural world have taken her to all seven continents. She’s led bird watching tours from Alaska to Antarctica to China to Kenya and countless countries in between. This tour of Lesvos from our seats in Connecticut is bound to be an exciting adventure for us all!