Mt Hymettus

Birdwatching at Mt Hymettus, Athens

Rueppell's Warblers breed in the slopes of Mt Hymettus

H(caps)ymettus Mt  is the closest birdwatching destination from Athens city center, just 15 min drive from Syntagma Square. 

The site consist of mixed forest area, at the base of the mountain, while a more rocky terrain with typical mediterranean vegetation is present in the higher altitutes. Breathtaking views of the city of Athens are enjoyed from almost every site.

All year resident species

Chukar, Little Owl, Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Firecrest, Sombre Tit (rare), Long-tailed Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Cirl Bunting

Spring and Summer visitors 

Short-toed (Snake) Eagle, Eleonora’s Falcon (not breeding), Nightjar, Hoopoe, Alpine/Pallid Swift (not breeding), Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Ruppell’s Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler (rare)

Passage migrants

Quail, Honey Buzzard, Wryneck, Cuckoo, Icterine Warbler, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Golden Oriole

Winter

Woodlark, Crossbill, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting