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Greece, additional sites and maps,

Additions to Dave Gosney; Finding birds in Greece (1994)

Information from the Hellenic Ornithological website; http://www.ornithologiki.gr/en/sppe/enper.htm which has information on a lot of sites in Greece

Central & Western Macedonia - Florina
(1) Lake Mikri, Prespa and Lake, Megali Prespa

40o 45' N, 21o 06' E - 30,000 ha

Lake Mikri Prespa is a Ramsar site (8,000 ha), Special Protection Area and Specially Protected Mediterranean Area. Both lakes form a National Park (19,470 ha).

It is about two lakes of a mountain drain basin that are split by a narrow land strip and are surrounded by mountains. Greece is sharing Lake Mikri Prespa with Albania and Lake Megali Prespa with Albania and F.Y.R.O.M. Lake Mikri Prespa has several extended shallow zones with reedbeds and aquatic vegetation, wet meadows, pastures and agricultural land. The main human activities are agriculture, fishery and hunting. In 1985 the Greek Government launched a development pilot program that was financed by the European Union and was aimed to develop agriculture, aquaculture and to extend the road network. The result was a serious ecological damage that was caused by the cutting of the remaining riverine forest, the clearing with dredging machines of the canals that were rich in aquatic vegetation and the creation of a fish pond in a vital feeding site for herons. This fishpond was never put into service.
It is the only place in Europe (except for the Danube Delta and the former U.S.S.R.) that both White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus and Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus breed. In 1984 their populations were, respectively, 116 and 165 pairs and these numbers are rather stable for the last 10 years. The numbers of herons (Ardeidae) were fluctuating (some species showed a decline) and include the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (50 pairs), the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (50-100 pairs), the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (fewer than 100 pairs), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (fewer than 10 pairs) and the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (3 pairs). Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus does not breed any more.
Other breeding species are the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (600 pairs), the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (100-150 pairs), the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (2 pairs, at former times the maximum number was 200 pairs), the Grey Goose Anser anser (maximum 170 pairs, the main breeding site in Greece), the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (10 pairs), the Goosander Mergus merganser and the Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator (small population, the southernmost area in Europe and the only one in Greece), the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, the Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (2 pairs), the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (2 pairs), the Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia (one of the few areas in Greece), the Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca, the Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus, the Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, the Medium Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, and the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor. At winter, thousands of ducks are recorded, despite the freezing of the lakes.

Central & Western Macedonia - Pieria, Larisa
(2) Mt Olympus

40o 05' N, 22o 20' E - 39,000 ha

Part of it is Biospheric Reserve, National Park and Special Protection Area, covering 4,000 ha in the eastern side of the mountain, comprising the core of the National Park.

The tallest mountain of Greece with high peaks and cliffs, as well as forested slopes. The main human activities are forestry, agriculture, cattle raising, hunting and recreation. There are scattered settlements. Lower altitude woodland is not protected and its exploitation is intense. There are also some plans for new roads and for the creation of ski/tourist centers which could threaten the area. It has many rare and endemic plants and many rare reptiles.
Important area for birds of prey. Species that certainly or possibly breed are the Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, the Lammergeir Gypaetus barbatus, the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, the Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (7 birds have been observed), the Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (3-4 pairs), the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (5+ pairs), the Lanner Falco biarmicus and the Peregrine Falco peregrinus. There are also observations of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (maximum 35 at winter) and the Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae. Other breeding species are the White Stork Ciconia ciconia, the Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca, the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, Tengmal's Owl Aegolius funereus, the Roller Coracias garrulus, the Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus, the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, the Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, the White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos and the Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus.

Central & Western Macedonia - Pieria
(3) Alyki Kitrous Lagoon

40o 22' N, 22o 40' E - 1,500 ha

Hunting is prohibited. It is included in the wetland complex of Axios, Loudias and Aliakmon Delta and the Alyki Kitrous Lagoon and has the same conservation status (total 26,500 ha)

A coastal lagoon with islets and extended saltflats, surrounded by a dune zone and scrub. Part of the lagoon is used as a salt pan. The main human activities are cattle raising and salt taking. It is seriously threatened by the illegal building of summer residencies and by the construction of a new road.
The biggest gull colony in Greece with Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus (3,000 - 7,000 birds, the biggest colony in Europe, apart from the U.S.S.R.) and Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei (23 pairs in 1985, the only colony in Greece). Other breeding species are the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (5 pairs), the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (10-50 pairs), the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (10-15 pairs), the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (100 pairs), the Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (30-35 pairs), the Common Tern Sterna hirundo (30-60 pairs), the Little Tern Sterna albifrons (80+ pairs), the Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, the Calandra Lark Melanocrypha calandra, the Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes and the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor. During migration, there is a remarkable diversity of species like the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (100+), the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, and the Kaspian Tern Sterna caspia. Winter visitors include the Great White Egret Egretta alba (20), the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, the Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and the Peregrine Falco peregrinus.

Central & Western Macedonia - Thessaloniki, Imathia, Pieria
(4) Axios, Loudias and the Aliakmon Delta

40o 30' N, 22o 43' E - 26,500 ha

Part of the area is Ramsar site, Special Protection Area and Specially Protected Mediterranean Area (11,000 ha, the borders are not clearly defined yet). Another 4,000 ha are closed for hunting with a few limitations on industrial and fishing activities.
River Delta with brackish lagoons, saltflats and extended mudflats. After irrigation works, large parts of the area were turned into pastures and cultivated land. There are many dams in Axios River, used for the restraining of floods. There are also some rice fields. The main human activities are agriculture, fishery and hunting. The area is crossed by the Thessaloniki - Athens National Road, north of which are many towns and villages. Hunting pressure is heavy and the changes of water flow in the higher course of the rivers (e.g. the construction of multiple hydroelectric and irrigation dams on Aliakmon River) have negatively affected the supply of freshwater and carried material to the delta. There are also intensification trends in agriculture and fishery.
There are some significant heron, wader and tern colonies in the area, such as the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (100+ pairs), the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (300 pairs), the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (100+ pairs), the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (250+ pairs), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (2 pairs), the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (20 pairs), the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (60 pairs), the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (40 pairs), the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (100 pairs), the Redshank Tringa totanus (100+ pairs), the Common Tern Sterna hirundo (200+ pairs), the Little Tern Sterna albifrons (300+ pairs) and the Calandra Lark Melanocrypha calandra. Great numbers of waders (20,000 - 50,000) are observed during migration. The most characteristic are the Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (6,000), the Ruff Philomachus pugnax (3,000), the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (4,000) and the Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (4,000). The Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris (third most important area in Greece) and the Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus are also observed. The number of wintering birds is much reduced (in former times, it was known to be up to 142,000 birds). Among these we can still find the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (20+), the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and the Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga.

Central & Western Macedonia - Thessaloniki
(8) Rendina Straits

40o 40' N, 23o 40' E - 5,000 ha

Specially Protected Mediterranean Area.
Rendina Straits include steep cliffs and precipices, surrounded by tall, dense and exceptionally diverse maquis. The main human activities are forestry and hunting. A central road is crossing the area, part of which is threatened from deforestation.
Important area for birds of prey such as the Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (3+ pairs), the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (1 pair), the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus, the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo and possibly the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. Other breeding species are the Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, the Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum, and perhaps the Black Stork Ciconia nigra.

Eastern Macedonia, Thrace - Xanthi, Kavala
(9a) Nestos Delta and coastal lagoons

40o 56' - 40o 58' N, 24 o 30' - 24o 59' E - 13,000 ha

Part of it is a Ramsar site (10,593 ha, not clearly defined borders yet), Special Protection Area (10,000 ha) and Specially Protected Mediterranean Area. Industrial development is prohibited. In two separate zones, hunting is prohibited (9,500 ha). Commercial fishery is controlled.
A large delta, turned almost completely to agricultural land, with a series of brackish coastal lagoons (Goubournou or Agiasmatos, Vasovas, Erateinou, Keramotis, Kokalas, Maganon, Monastirakioy and Haideftou) that are separated from sea with narrow sand bars. Only small patches remain from the once vast riverine forest. The same goes for other important habitats. The lagoons, saltflats, sand dunes and scrub are small and isolated. There is also a rocky islet, Thasopoula. The main human activities are agriculture, fishery and tourism, while there is a new airfield and a US military radio station by the lagoons. The intensification of agriculture, the constructions of new hydroelectric dams on the upper flow of the river, overgrazing and hunting have affected negatively the area. Due to extended irrigation works, the delta has lost much of its importance for birds.
Breeding species include the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (15+ pairs), the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (100+ pairs), the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, the White Stork Ciconia ciconia, the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina, the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (30 pairs), the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (30+ pairs), the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola, the Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus, the Little Tern Sterna albifrons (100 pairs), the Roller Coracias garrulus, the Calandra Lark Melanocrypha calandra (10+ pairs), the Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor (10+ pairs), and the Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus (10+ pairs). Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii is nesting on Thasopoula. A remarkable number of species can be seen during migration. Wintering species include the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (2,000), the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (100), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (150+), the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and the Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga.

(9b) Nestos Straits

Special Protection Area, Specially Protected Mediterranean Area and Aesthetic Forest (2,380 ha). Hunting is prohibited.
North of Skopos, around Komnina and Stavroupolis.

A deep ravine of Nestos River with high steep cliffs, wooded slopes, riverine forest and maquis. Human activities are focused on cattle raising, and the area is crossed by a railway track. Hunting limitations are not enforced.
Among breeding species there are Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea, Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus, Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus, Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus, Levant Sparrowhawks Accipiter brevipes, Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina, Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos, Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus, Peregrine Falco peregrinus, Eagle Owls Bubo bubo, Kingfishers Alcedo atthis, Olive-tree Warblers Hippolais olivetorum, and, on occasions, Black Storks Ciconia nigra and Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus. At winter, the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus can be observed.

Eastern Macedonia - Serres
(10a) Lake Kerkini

Part of it is a Ramsar site, a Special Protection Area and a Specially Protected Mediterranean Area (9,000 ha, the borders are not clearly defined yet). Hunting is prohibited, and there are some limitations on coppicing, irrigation works, sewage disposal, commercial fishery and building.
This lake is a freshwater reservoir, used for irrigation and flood control and it was formed from the waters of Strymonas River. Initially, it was a marshy lake in which the dam was built in the '50s. There are still some marshes, north of the lake, with extensive floating vegetation. The lake is surrounded by cultivated land, several poplar (Populus sp.) plantations and hills covered by deciduous woodland. The main human activities are agriculture, forestry, fishery and hunting (locally) while there are many towns and villages near the lake. In 1982, the water level went 4-8 meters higher. This had a detrimental effect on the shallow marshes and the populations of the birds that nested there (these populations are now starting to recover). Due to the continuing precipitation of mud in the lake, there should be a cleaning with dredge and a further expansion of the lake's depth.
One of the most important wetlands in Greece for breeding waterbirds. Breeding species include the Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (240+ pairs), the Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus (120+ pairs), the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (140 pairs), the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (50 pairs), the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (30 pairs), the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (100 pairs), the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (85 pairs), the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (170 pairs), the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (156 pairs), the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (35 pairs), the White Stork Ciconia ciconia (200 pairs), the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (40 pairs), the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (30 pairs), the Grey Goose Anser anser (20+ pairs), the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (20 pairs), the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (60 pairs), the Common Tern Sterna hirundo (20 pairs), the Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus and the Black Tern Chlidonias niger (50 pairs). In the nearby woodland there are many breeding raptors such as the Black Kite Milvus migrans, the Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina and the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus. During migration, large numbers of Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus, White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus (100+), Squacco Herons Ardeola ralloides (1,500), Little Egrets Egretta garzetta (3,500), Black Storks Ciconia nigra (maximum observed number is 30), Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta (2,900), Ruffs Philomachus pugnax (5,000+) and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa (8,000) can be observed.
The number of wintering waterbirds (in January Mid-winter counts) is important. Wintering species include the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (2,400), the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (3,000), the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (600), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (1,100), the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (300+), the Grey Goose Anser anser (200+), the Teal Anas crecca (maximum 40,000), the Mallard Anas platythynchos (maximum 31,000). Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus (26 in January 1988) and Cranes Grus grus also visit the area from time to time.

Central & Western Macedonia - Serres
(10b) Mt Krousia or Mavrovouni

(Lake Kerkini)

Wooded hills between the valley of Strymonas and Lake Kerkini (the marshes below the foothills are an important feeding site for the birds of prey). The highest altitudes are wooded with beech (Fagus. sp) and oaks (Quercus sp.) and the lowest with bushes. It is seriously threatened by coppicing and hunting.
Breeding species include the Black Stork Ciconia nigra, the Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, the Black Kite Milvus migrans, the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (10+ pairs), the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (4 pairs), the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (1 pair), the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus, the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, the Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, the Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum and the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor. There are also observations of the Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca.

Thrace - Rhodope, Xanthi
(11) Porto Lagos, Lake Vistonis and coastal lagoons

40o 59' - 41o 05' N, 25o 00' - 25o 11' E 13,000 ha

Ramsar site (9,800 ha, not clearly defined borders yet), Special Protection Area (10,000 ha) and Specially Protected Mediterranean Area. Hunting is partly prohibited (6,000 ha) and the herons colony of Porto Lagos is protected. Building and commercial fishery are controlled by special measures.

A complex of coastal brackish and freshwater lakes. The biggest is the brackish Lake Vistonis, surrounded by reedbeds (Phragmites sp.), with zones of tamarisks (Tamarix sp.), saltflats, riverine forests, small freshwater lakes and wet meadows. The following lagoons are included: Lagos, Lafri, Lafrouda, Ksirolimni or Fanariou, Arogi or Karatza, Mesi or Alyki, Ptelea, Elos and Limni. Vistonis is threatened by pollution (coming from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources) while the marshes, wet meadows and riverine forests are threatened by irrigation programs. Lake Ismaris is connected with this area.
Breeding species include the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, the Squacco Heron Ardeola raloides (5 pairs), the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (330 pairs), the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (120 pairs), the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (20 pairs), the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (100 pairs), the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (45 pairs), the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (50 pairs), the Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus, the Common Tern Sterna hirundo (400 pairs), the Little Tern Sterna albifrons (10 pairs), the Roller Coracias garrulus, the Calandra Lark Melanocrypha calandra and the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor.

During migration, we can see the White Pelecan Pelecanus onocrotalus (100), the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (400) and the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris (the second most important area in Greece). The Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber can be seen all year round (maximum observation is 2,000 individuals). At winter, there are large concentrations of waterbirds such as the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (4,500 in 1984), the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (4,000 in 1986), the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (150), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (250), the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (1,000), the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (50), the Grey Goose Anser anser (3,000+), the Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, the Teal Anas crecca (11,500), the Pintail Anas acuta (3,600), the Shoveler Duck Anas clypeata (1,700), the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (maximum 405 individuals in January of 1986), the Pochard Aythya ferina (4,100), the Coot Fulica atra (30,500) and the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (1,500).

40o 52'B, 26o 00' E - 10,000 ha

Ramsar wetland (not clearly defined borders), Special Protection Area and Specially Protected Mediterranean Area. There are limitations on hunting and agriculture (1,600 ha).

It is Evros River delta in Grecoturkish borders that includes the coastal lakes of Skepi and Nymphon and the lagoons of Paloukia, Drana and Laki. There is a diversity of habitats, such as sandy islets in the sea, sand dunes, halophytic marshes, brackish lagoons and saltflats, scattered areas with freshwater surrounded by swamps and reedbeds, the river itself (which borders with a strip of riverine woodland) and tamarisk bushes (Tamarix sp.), meadows and seasonal marshes. The land use includes grazing, agriculture, commercial fishery and hunting. The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature has built a biological station. The current problems are focused on the uncontrolled and illegal hunting (which greatly affects the use of the delta by wild birds), overgrazing and drainage. The riverine forest along the Greek side of Evros has been clear-cut and almost all the meadows (which were important feeding sites for the wintering geese) are negatively affected by the non-orthological use of water. The drop of water level permitted the grazing of the most important habitats for birds, leading to the degradation of the vegetation. New roads facilitate the access to the delta and are leading to an increase of the already intense hunting pressure. On May 1987, farmers, due to increased saltiness of the surrounding agricultural land, drained Drana Lagoon, one of the most important habitats of the delta. The importance of the delta for birds was greatly reduced. It's almost certain that the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, the Great White Egret Egretta alba, the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and the White-tailed Eagle Haliaaeetus albicilla do not longer nest here. The numbers of the wintering waterbirds are also much reduced.
The breeding species include the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (it is reduced to about 15 pairs from 100 that existed formerly), the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (20+ pairs), the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (15 pairs), the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (1-5 pairs), the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (20 pairs), the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (10 pairs), the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (5-120 pairs), the Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (20 pairs), the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (200 pairs), the Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus (c. 50 pairs), the Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus (6 pairs), the Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus (0 - 1,000 pairs, this colony was destroyed after the drainage of Drana Lagoon), the Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (50-100 pairs), the Common Tern Sterna hirundo (400 pairs) and the Little Tern Sterna albifrons (80-450 pairs). The delta is also a very rich feeding area for some birds of prey that nest in the hills, north of the delta. The Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber appears regularly since 1983 but has not bred yet. Few of the waders are breeding successfully. Passage migrants include the White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (maximum count is 1,200), the White Stork Ciconia ciconia (maximum count is 7,500), the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (1,000), the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (300), the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (maximus count is 35,000), the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (50-150) and the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris (10-250, regularly observed in spring). The Evros' Delta is the most important site for the migration of Slender-billed Curlew in Greece and, possibly, in Europe. The area is one of the most important wetlands for waterbirds that winter in Greece. Although their numbers show great fluctuations, there seems to be a long-termed decrease from the 70s. In January Mid-winter counts (1982-1986), internationally important numbers are reported for the Wigeon Anas penelope (15,000), the Gadwall Anas strepera (1,000), the Teal Anas crecca (35,000), the Pintail Anas acuta (36,000), the Mute Swan Cygnus olor (2,105), the Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (1,220) and the Coot Fulica atra (25,000). Other species that winter are the Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (500), the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (10), the Great White Egret Egretta alba (60), the Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (0 - 1,800), the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (30), the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (50), the Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (10) and the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (1,200).

Thrace - Rhodope
(13) Lake Ismaris or Mitrikou

It is a natural freshwater lake (Lake Ismaris or Mitrikoy is the only freshwater lake with extensive swamps in the lake group of Porto Lagos) which is formed right before the estuary of Filiouris River. The lake is surrounded by reedbeds and is covered by floating vegetation at summer, while along the river there are remains of willow forests (Salix sp.). There are also saltflats and cultivations. The main human activities are agriculture, cattle-raising, fishery and hunting. In the recent years, there have been some adverse ecological changes from the overdrawing of freshwater and the following salting, from the remains of pesticides and fertilizers, and from the use of chemicals for the destruction of the floating vegetation that inhibits fishing. As a result, the populations of herons (Ardeiidae), Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, marsh terns (Chlidonias) and other species have been reduced markedly.
Breeding species include the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (20 pairs), the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (10 pairs), the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (0-6 pairs), the Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (10-20 pairs), the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, the Gadwall Anas strepera, the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (60 pairs), the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (20 pairs), the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (possibly 5 pairs), the Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (once 100 pairs), the Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus (2-5 pairs) and the Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (once 150 pairs). The numbers of wintering geese show great fluctuations, depending on the weather conditions and the hunting disturbance (once 1,200 White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons and 3,000 Grey Geese Anser anser), while there are still observations of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (70 on January of 1984). Other wintering species are the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (400), the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (20-100), the Teal Anas crecca (12,000) and the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (30).

Thrace - Evros
(14) Evros' Mountains

Special Protection Area (Dadia - Soufli Forest: 7,200 ha) where hunting and coppicing are prohibited. There is a proposal for a Biogenetic Park of 118,000 ha which will also include the Evros' Delta.

The area includes the mountains north of Alexandroupolis along with Avanta Gorge. There are extensive - mainly deciduous - forest tracts, as well as pines (Pinus sp.), oaks (Quercus sp.) and maquis, along with riverine forests along the streams. The lower, more eroded hills have rocky outcrops and gorges, while near the villages there are cultivations. Since 1988, there has been a feeding station for the birds of prey in the Protected Area of Dadia Forest. In the greater part of the area grazing is permitted. The extensive exploitation of the natural forests and hunting are also very serious problems.
It is one of the most important areas for birds of prey in Europe. 24 species breed here, including the Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus (12-20 pairs), the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (1-3 pairs with more individuals observed in winter), the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (26-35), the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (5 pairs), the Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (15 pairs), the Buzzard Buteo buteo (75-100 pairs), the Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (36-42 pairs), the Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (35-45 pairs), the Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (10-20 pairs), the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (15 pairs), the Lesser-spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (23 pairs), the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (12 pairs), the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (20+ pairs), the Peregrine Falco peregrinus (3 pairs) and the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo (6-10 pairs). Other breeding species are the Black Stork Ciconia nigra (12 pairs), the Roller Coracias garrulus, the Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, the Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum, the Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata and the Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus.

Numbers and letters explained below:

........

From Dave Gosney "Finding birds in Greece"

1. Lake Mikri Prespa
2. Mount Olympus
3. Kitros (Alyki) Salt Pans
4. Aliakmon Delta
5. Axios Delta
6. Angelohori Salt Pans
7. Lake Koronia
8. Asprovalta and the Strymon Delta
9. Nestos Delta
10. Lake Kerkini and "Serres Marsh"
11. Porto Lagos
12. Evros Delta
13. Lake Mitrikou
14. Avas Gorge & valley
15. Forest of Dadia

IBA's on the Hellenic Ornithological website

http://www.ornithologiki.gr/en/sppe/enper.htm

A - Messolonghi and Aitolikon Lagoons, Acheloos and Evinos Delta
B - Mt. Foloi
C - Stymfalia Lake
D - Mt. Parnassos (southern & eastern part)
E - Mt. Oiti
F - Dystos Lake
G - Mt. Parnitha
H - Antichasia Mts. and Meteora
I - Mt. Kato Olympos, Tempi, Mt. Ossa, Pineios Delta
J - Mt. Mavrovouni
K - Mt. Pilion
L - Kira Panagia, Gioura, Piperi & Skantzoura islands
M - Mt. Grammos
N - Mt. Tymphi and Mt. Smolikas
O - Valia Calda or Pindos National Park
P - Kalama Gorge (Straits)
Q - Kalamas Delta
R - Mt. Athos
S - Mt. Voras (Kaimaktsalan and Pinovo)
T - Lake Agra
U - Lake Kastoria
V - Central Rhodope valley & Nestos valley
W - Mt. Pangaion

Trip report site-index:

Agios Andreas (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:52:7N+24:16:16E
Small village in the hills 16 km. west of Kavalla, midway between Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulis.

Amfissa (Central Greece, Greece) 38:31:34N+22:22:37E
Town 15 km. west of Delphi.

Amfissa - Delphi road (Central Greece, Greece) 38:29:4N+22:25:7E
Stretch of road 15 km. long, west of Delphi.

Arogi Lake (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:56:31N+25:11:9E
Unnamed shallow lake very close to the beach, appx. 9 km. southeast of Porto Lagos, east of the "Flamingo Lake" mentioned in Gosney 1994.

Asprovalda (Central Macedonia, Greece) 40:43:5N+23:42:26E
Town 80 km. east of Thessaloniki, at the shore of Gulf of Strimonikos.

Athens - Lamia road (Central Greece, Greece) 38:27:15N+23:11:28E
Stretch of road 205 km. long, north from Athens.

Dadia Forest (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 41:7:48N+26:12:45E
Large protected forest with a vulture feeding station, 65 km. northeast of Alexandropoulis.

Delphi (Central Greece, Greece) 38:28:43N+22:29:49E
Famous archeological site 150 km. west of Athens.

Evros Delta (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:50:31N+26:6:50E
Large delta/cultivated fields 20 km. east of Alexandropoulis. Position indicates the area where Isabelline Wheatear was found.

Ferai (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:54:44N+26:10:34E
Small town on the Alexandropoulis - Dadia road, 30 km. east of Alexandropoulis.

Galipsos - Kavala road (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:52:43N+24:10:56E
Stretch of road 45 km. long, in the eastern part of the county.

Grammatiko (Attiki, Greece) 38:12:55N+23:56:27E
Small town 40 km. northeast of Athens, close to Marathon.

Ismarida Lake (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:59:8N+25:18:34E
Large, reed-bordered lake, 25 km. east of Porto Lagos, reached from Pagouria village. Formerly called Lake Mitrikou.

Kariani (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:44:50N+23:58:48E
Small village 125 km. east of Thessaloniki, close to the Aegean Sea.

Kirra (Central Greece, Greece) 38:25:54N+22:26:52E
Small town 13 km. southwest of Delphi, at the coast.

Loutros (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:52:56N+26:3:7E
Small town 15 km. northeast of Alexandropoulis.

Loutsa (Artemis) (Attiki, Greece) 37:58:10N+24:0:36E
Beach town immediately east of Athens.

Marathon (Attiki, Greece) 38:9:29N+23:57:30E
Well known town 40 km. northeast of Athens.

Methoni (Central Macedonia, Greece) 40:26:27N+22:35:10E
Small town 50 km. southwest of Thessaloniki, close to the Thermaikos Gulf.

Monastiraki (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:53:36N+26:9:32E
Small village 27 km. east of Alexandropoulis.

Mount Olympus N.P. (Central Macedonia, Greece) 40:4:31N+22:23:32E
Famous mountain in east-central Greece, with peak of 2.917 m. A 10 km. path is walkable from the Prionia carpark west of Litokhoron, up to Skala and Skolio peaks.

Mount Parnassos N.P. (Central Greece, Greece) 38:32:32N+22:31:45E
National park and ski-resort, immediately northeast of Delphi.

Mount Parnitha N.P. (Attiki, Greece) 38:14:43N+23:41:10E
National park 20 km. north of Athens, reached from the town of Avlona at the northern side of the mountain.

Nestos Delta (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:52:37N+24:41:53E
West of the mouth of Nestos River, midway between Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulis.

Nestos Gorge (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 41:11:0N+24:42:6E
Valley where the Nestos River runs, 25 km. northwest of Xanthi.

Porto Lagos (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 41:0:49N+25:8:9E
Small town and port 90 km. west of Alexandroupolis, on the south shore of Lake Vistonis. Includes the area from the saltworks in the west to the byzantine church in the east.

Porto Lagos - Alexandropoulis (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 40:57:43N+25:36:21E
Stretch of road 90 km. long, west of Alexandropoulis.

Stavropolis - Khrisopouli road (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece) 41:5:22N+24:39:39E
Stretch of road 30 km. long, west of the Nestos River, south of the Rhodope Mountains.

Thessaloniki - Rendina road (Central Macedonia, Greece) 40:39:27N+23:17:56E
Stretch of road 70 km. long, east of Thessaloniki, past lakes Koronia and Volvi.

Vassiloudi (Central Macedonia, Greece) 40:38:42N+23:11:5E
Small village 40 km. east of Thessaloniki, close to the southeast part of Lake Koronia.

Copyright:

Tommy Pedersen 2001 stingray@online.no

Index:

Introduction
Full birdlist
Checklist for Greece
Birds seen at the main sites

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