Dalmatian Pelican

Prespa Lakes

Award - winners in the 2009 LIFE Nature Project Awards, Lake Mikri Prespa is the smaller of the two lakes tucked into the north-western corner of the country on the borders of Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. The lake holds the largest breeding colony of Dalmatian Pelicans in the world with over 1100 pairs. In addition, over 600 pairs of White Pelicans also breed. The large reedbeds are host to large numbers of heron species together with Pygmy Cormorants. Glossy Ibis, which hadn't bred here for 30 years, did so in 2005 and 2007 following management work to improve the wet meadows they use for foraging. For more details of the LIFE award see issue 4 of the Birdwing newsletter on the Downloads page.

Black Vulture, Dadia

Dadia forest and the Evros mountains

The forest has the reputation of being the best site in Europe for raptors, with 36 of Europe’s 39 species recorded. A 2006 survey found 350 raptor territories during the breeding season.

In two days in the forest in May we saw Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Golden, Lesser-spotted, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Common and Honey Buzzards, Lanner, Peregrine, Hobby and Red-footed Falcons and both Sparrowhawks. Add to that the presence of Black Kite and Kestrel with the chance of Imperial and White - tailed Eagles, Goshawk and Long-Legged Buzzard and the reputation seems justified. Imperial no longer breeds but the continued presence of two immatures suggests that this might not always be the case.

For more details of this site see the Birdwing book

Great-grey Shrike, Mandra

Porto Lagos

This area consists of a wide range of habitats, including saltpans, pools, woods, open ground, a large lake and shoreline offering a wide range of species. Dalmatian Pelicans can often be seen on Lake Vistonas, particularly in winter when White-headed Ducks can also be found. Numbers for this species tend to vary greatly from year to year, but there are usually some present and occasionally huge flocks appear, as in 1997 when 2700 were counted.

Historically this has been the second most favoured spot for Slender-billed Curlew after the Evros Delta. An Information Centre opposite West Wood has recently opened.

For more details of this site see the Birdwing book

Marsh Harrier, Ismarida

Lake Ismarida

A good day on the lake in May might produce Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Little Bittern, Squacco and Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, White-tailed Eagle, Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed, Whiskered, Black and White-winged Black Tern and Roller.

One of the few remaining Lesser Kestrel colonies in Northern Greece is to the north of the lake.

By early autumn some of the wet areas have disappeared but the birdlist can still be impressive. In September ’06 we had Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Flamingo, Great White Egret, Purple Heron, White-tailed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Whiskered, Black and White-winged Black Tern, Penduline and Bearded Tit and Lesser Grey Shrike.

For more details of this site see the Birdwing book

Squacco Heron

Nestos

The Nestos river rises in Bulgaria and flows for 234km before reaching the sea. As mentioned in the Birdwing book, strenuous efforts over several years have been made to protect and restore habitats here. There are three areas worth a visit towards the end of the river's journey:

• the gorge and surrounding hills for Griffon Vulture, Golden, Short-toed and occasional Imperial and White-tailed Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-rumped Swallow, Crag Martin, Alpine Swift
• the delta lagoons and lakes for passage marsh and Gull-billed Terns, Great White Egret, Purple and Squacco Heron, Greater Flamingo, Ferruginous Duck, and Osprey. A small population of Spur-winged Plover continues to breed but is under increasing pressure
• the riverine forest leading to the river mouth for Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Middle-spotted Woodpecker and Honey Buzzard

For more details of this site see the Birdwing book

Black-tailed Godwit

Aliakmon, Axios and Gallikos Deltas and Alikes Kitrous saltworks and lagoon

This vast area lies south-west of Thessaloniki. Now largely agricultural, it is punctuated by several rivers running between embankments to the sea. The area includes a colony of 25 pairs of Purple Heron, up to 10 pairs of Glossy Ibis, a pair of White-tailed Eagle and a large colony of Mediterranean Gulls. Wilson’s Phalarope and Pectoral Sandpiper were surprise visitors in 2007. A few km south is a large, purpose-built observation tower provides an excellent view across marshland. This held large numbers of dabbling duck, singing Moustached Warbler, a dozen Marsh Harriers and two Spotted Eagles in February ’07. A few km further south are the Alikes Kitrous saltworks and lagoon which held 250 Greater Flamingo and plenty of Wigeon in February ’08.

For more details of this site see the Birdwing book