Trip Report of our Nov 2-5th private birding trip to Nothern Greece.
Our guests: a couple of two british birders that love bird photography too
Our setting: autumn colours of Northern Greece
Our target: enjoy birding and wildlife in this undiscovered part of Greece
Great White Pelicans at Lake Kerkini
Day 1 — Kalochori Lagoon & Gallikos Delta: Coastal Wetlands and Wader Spectacles
Our trip began just outside Thessaloniki, at the salt-marshes, lagoons and estuaries of Kalochori Lagoon and the Gallikos Delta (part of the larger Axios Delta National Park). This area is ecologically rich — the Delta supports nearly 299 bird species and is famed for its flamingos, pelicans, waders, ducks, cormorants and marsh-birds.
On arrival the lagoon was alive: hundreds of waders, various ducks, flocks of greater flamingos while Pygmy Cormorants and Dalmatian Pelicans fishing or resting.
Among the smaller waders, we were thrilled to spot 3 Temminck's Stints — their delicate, light-footed presence among the tide of shorebirds was a lovely highlight.
After a delicious lunch on site, we headed to Lake Kerkini, to a family owned guesthouse, were we spend 3 nights overall.
Marsh Harrier
Crested Lark
Temminck's Stint
Day 2 & 3 — Introducing Lake Kerkini: Inland Wetland Paradise
After having a warm tasty breakfast we took a boat tour on its tranquil waters: a perfect setup for bird photography and close-distance observations.
Lake Kerkini is magical, all year long
Highlights from Lake Kerkini
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Large flocks of Great White Pelicans, Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant floating together or flying overhead. Kerkini is known for stable pelican and cormorant populations thriving thanks to abundant fish and nesting habitats.
We had great views of several raptors, such as White-tailed Eagles, Great Spotted Eagles, Marsh Harriers, Merlins, Common Kestrels
We saw some species birds like Common Cranes, Whiskered Tern, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Blue Rock Thrush, Great Grey Shrike.
We had a brief night view of a Golden Jackal next to our village !
Eurasian Spoonbills
Dalmatian (left) and Great White Pelicans (right)
Syrian Woodpecker
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Little Owl on a pile of tires!
Great Grey Shrike
Greater Flamingos
Here is the trip report, as posted in eBird https://ebird.org/tripreport/429205
Overall we saw 94 species of birds.
