This was a specialist tour, visiting three sites in Northern Greece bordering the Turkish and Bulgarian borders. We travelled extensively visiting landscapes not normally associated with Greece in most peoples minds: forests, mountains, marshes and lakes, full of exciting birds like Vultures, Pelicans, flamingos and many others. The food was amazing, people friendly and helpful and not much traffic on the roads. I am inspired to travel to Greece again next year and will certainly use the same company (indeed, I have already booked!).
N.M. Kent, Sept 19
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Greece in Autumn
Tour Code: GRC12An 8-day birdwatching holiday to northern Greece's Nestos Delta and Lake Kerkini, timed to coincide with the southward migration of numerous waders, warblers and raptors.
£2,195 (Inc flights)
£1,895
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Summary
The coastal wetlands, extensive forests and reed-fringed inland lakes of north-eastern Greece act as a magnet for migrating birds in both spring and autumn. The region lies on an important ‘migration flyway’ between Europe and Africa and its easterly position — tucked between Bulgaria and Turkey — attracts an exciting range of migrant and breeding species with a decidedly eastern flavour. Waders such as Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers share the mudflats with more familiar Redshanks and Grey Plovers. A passing sparrowhawk is more likely to be a Levant than a Northern Sparrowhawk, and a shrike atop a bush could well be Lesser Grey or Masked. On this varied tour we will go in search of these and other species whilst exploring northern Greece’s key wildlife destinations: Nestos Delta and Lake Kerkini. Although birds are the primary focus of this holiday, we will also enjoy the butterflies, reptiles and other wildlife we encounter along the way.
- Varied picturesque landscapes of north-eastern Greece
- Migrating waders in Nestos Delta
- Dalmatian & White Pelicans at Lake Kerkini
- A variety of butterflies, reptiles & other wildlife
- Led by expert Naturetrek naturalist & local guide
Grading
Grade A/B. Easy to moderate walks only.
The coastal wetlands, extensive forests and reed-fringed inland lakes of northeastern Greece act as a magnet for migrating birds in both the spring and autumn. The region lies on an important ‘migration flyway’ between Europe and Africa and its easterly position — tucked between Bulgaria and Turkey — attracts an exciting range of migrant and breeding species with a decidedly eastern flavour. Waders such as Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers share the mudflats with more familiar Redshanks and Grey Plovers. A passing sparrowhawk is more likely to be a Levant than a Northern Sparrowhawk, and a shrike atop a bush could well be Lesser Grey or Masked. On this tour we will go in search of these and other species whilst exploring three of northern Greece’s key wildlife sites: the Dadia Forest, the Evros Delta and Lake Kerkini. Although birds will be the primary focus of this tour we will also enjoy the butterflies, reptiles and other wildlife we find along the way … our local guide, for example, is particularly keen on snakes!
Our holiday begins with a direct Easyjet flight to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, which sits on the northern side of the three fingered Halkidiki Peninsula. From here we take the coastal highway east to the pine forests and hills of the Dadia Forest National Park for a 2-night stay in a wonderfully positioned lodge at the edge of the woodland. The Dadia Forest is one of Europe’s prime sites for raptors with up to 20 species breeding, 17 species wintering and others passing through in the spring and autumn. It holds the only population of Black Vultures remaining in the Balkans and one of Greece’s most important populations of Griffon Vultures. During our time here we will visit a hide which overlooks a vulture feeding station. From here it is possible to see three of Europe’s four vulture species (Griffon, Black and Egyptian), plus White-tailed Eagle and Black Kite. Other species to look out for overhead include Short-toed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle and both White and Black Storks.
From Dadia it is only a short drive south to the Evros Delta, our base for the next two nights. The Evros Delta National Park protects one of southern Europe’s most important wetlands. The Evros River, the longest in the Balkans, slows and fans out as it meets the Aegean Sea, forming a mosaic of brackish and freshwater lagoons, reed-fringed marshes, riverine forest and seasonally flooded wetlands that cover, in total, over 180 square kilometres. This is a wonderful area for birds throughout the year and, during our time here, we will look for a variety of wading birds around the saline Drana and Paloukia Lagoons, amongst them Marsh, Broad-billed and Curlew Sandpipers, Little and Temminck’s Stints, Black-winged Stilt and the localised Spur-winged Plover. In the north-western corner of the delta lie the Antheia Marshes, a delightful complex of shallow freshwater lagoons edged with reeds and tamarisk. This area usually holds water throughout the year and is a magnet for a wide variety of species including Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey, all three species of marsh tern (Black, White-winged and Whiskered) and Penduline Tit. The nearby Loutros Hill is also worth a visit and is not only a good place for butterflies and reptiles, but also Blue Rock Thrush, the occasional Eagle Owl, passing raptors and migrant passerines such as Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, plus various shrikes and flycatchers.
We end our tour with three nights at one of the finest wetland sites in Europe, the wonderful Lake Kerkini. Set against a backdrop of high forested hills, the lake — actually an artificial reservoir originally dammed in 1932 — is a designated Ramsar site and home to a multitude of breeding, wintering and passage species. We will have two full days to explore the lake and its surroundings, both from land and from the water. Large numbers of White Pelicans arrive in September to join the resident Dalmatian Pelicans. Night Herons, Squacco Herons, White Storks, Greater Flamingoes and Pygmy Cormorants are common around the lakeshore, whilst on land we will look for Western Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Middle Spotted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers and perhaps a lingering Masked Shrike. Various raptors, including Booted Eagle and Honey Buzzard, soar overhead and at a lower level Bee-eaters and Hoopoes add a splash of colour. There is also a wide variety of butterflies, amphibians and reptiles to enjoy, including the occasional Hermann’s Tortoise which, from time to time, need rescuing from the roadside!
After a thorough exploration of Lake Kerkini and the surrounding hills we must make the one-and-a-half-hour drive back to Thessaloniki Airport where we will catch our return flight back home.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in comfortable hotels with private facilities throughout.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
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Dates & Prices
2024
2025
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