Go Slow in Corfu

During this single-centre holiday, based within a stone’s throw of Gouvia Beach on Corfu’s east coast, we will visit a range of sites across the island in search of a host of special birds and other wildlife. At the Lefkimmi Salt Pans, Airport Lagoon and Korission Lagoon we will enjoy flocks of Greater Flamingoes, plus Black-Winged Stilt, Stone-curlew, Kentish Plover and Rosy Starling. Dalmatian Pelican and Olive-tree Warbler are possible too. The Ropa Valley, in central Corfu, may hold Woodchat, Red-backed Shrike and Lesser Grey Shrike and is also favoured by hunting raptors such as Montagu’s Harrier and Red-footed Falcon. We also hope to find the near-endemic Epirus Water Frog here. On another day, we will head into the mountains and explore the slopes of Mount Pantokrator which, at 906 metres, is the highest point on the island. Here, under clear blue skies and with southern Albania visible in the distance, we will look for Western Rock Nuthatch, Blue and Common Rock Thrushes, along with Eastern Orphean Warbler and Ortolan Bunting. This ‘Go Slow’ holiday will be conducted at a relaxed pace and a day of leisure with options to stay at the beach or visit the Old City of Corfu will be given.

We will end the holiday with a boat trip across the Straits of Corfu to neighboring Albania, where we will enjoy the wildlife and archaeology of Butrint National Park. Golden Oriole, Wryneck and Bee-eater are all likely here and we will search for the rare Marginated Tortoise too. In addition, in the old ruins are almost always present the European Pond Terrapin and the Balkan Terrapin, together with the Epirus Water Frog and Balkan’s Frog. Furthermore, the boat trip from Corfu to Saranda and back will enable us to see Scopoli’s Shearwater as well. This will be a fitting finale to our slow-paced, but wildlife-rich, week, but those wishing to prolong their holiday are welcome to combine our ‘Albania in Autumn’ or ‘Albania in Spring’ holidays (ALB01 and ALB03) with Corfu which dovetails seamlessly afterwards.