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Thessaloniki Area

West of Thessaloniki

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. Kalohori often turns up good waders and Wilson’s Phalarope and Pectoral Sandpiper were surprise visitors in 2007 and, in 2010, 7 Terek and 3 Broad-billed Sandpipers were there together. A few km south is a large, purpose-built observation tower provides an excellent view across marshland. Nearby are the Alikes Kitrous saltworks and lagoon which hold passage waders and plenty of winter duck.

East of Thessaloniki

Angelohori Lagoon

This area of saltpans and lagoon, can hold good numbers of passage waders. this was the case during a visit in September ’10 with more than 400 particularly around the western and southern shores. Most numerous were Kentish Plover, with Black-tailed Godwit, good numbers of Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint and several Marsh and Common Sandpipers, Avocet and 7 Stone Curlew. Plenty of Mediterranean Gull were accompanied by a few Slender-billed and Sandwich, Little and Common Terns, with 300 Flamingo and a dozen Spoonbill.

It seems that entry by car has been curtailed but it is still possible to walk along the track between the pans and the sea.

 

Epanomi Lagoon

Further south lies Epanomi Lagoon which, although having deteriorated somewhat in recent years, can also hold passage waders.

 

Thanks to the Axios - Loudias - Aliakmonos Management Authority for their data

Axios/Aliakmon area October 2013

Warm, sunny weather continued through October but the approach of winter was betrayed by the arrival of 4 Spotted Eagles and a Hen Harrier, together with growing numbers of wildfowl, including over 600 Teal. Marsh Harrier numbers reached 33, as did those of Buzzard, Great White Egrets rose to 77 and there were over a thousand Flamingos. Forty Ruff and 2 Stone Curlew lingered as Curlew numbers reached 126.

Axios/Aliakmon area September 2013

As the formerly wet areas dry the birds become more concentrated - at Kalohori, along the east bank of the Axios and at Alikes Kitrous. Numbers include a record 1803 Flamingos at the latter, as part of a site total of 2565, 59 Great White Egrets, 14 Purple Herons and 228 Dalmatian Pelicans. Raptors include 2 White-tails and 2 Short-toed Eagles, 3 Ospreys and 17 Marsh Harriers. Wader numbers fell through the month, with peaks of 73 Avocet,107 Curlew and 6 Spur-winged Plovers.

Axios/Aliakmon area August 2013

Despite the baking summer heat, there were still plenty of birds to be found. Herons and egrets were well represented with 28 Night Heron, 40 Squacco and 18 Purple, 12 Great White Egrets, 224 Little and 14 Cattle. Over 1300 Flamingo, 55 Glossy Ibis, 28 Spoonbill were on site and a hundred White Pelicans stopped over on their way to the Bosporus. Waders included 153 Stilts, 28 Stone Curlew, 13 Spur-wings. 21 Ruff and 65 Kentish Plovers.

Axios/Aliakmon area July 2013

The traditionally quieter time of midsummer nonetheless produced some good numbers of birds, including 60 Dalmatian Pelicans, 23 Purple Herons, 81 Glossy Ibis, 89 Spoonbills, 118 Flamingos, 9 Stone Curlews, 19 Collared Pratincoles, 178 Ruff and last, but not least, 7 Spur-winged Plovers.

Axios/Aliakmon area June 2013

June is typically a quiet month with numbers of many species down on May totals. Highlights include 30 Dalmatian and 9 White Pelicans, 16 Purple Heron, 55 Glossy Ibis, 64 Spoonbill, 26 Collared Pratincole and 247 Black-winged Stilt. A single Long-legged Buzzard was the raptor highlight and Flamingo numbers dropped to 5.

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