Spring in Northern Greece

The birdlife of northern Greece has a decidedly eastern flavour. Tucked between Turkey, Bulgaria and the clear blue waters of the Thracian Sea, the region lies on an important migration ‘flyway’ between Africa and Europe and attracts birds from both the east and west of the continent. In late April the forests, scrubby hillsides and wetlands will be alive with returning summer migrants, as well as other birds passing through en route to their breeding grounds further north. Familiar species such as Blackcap, Nightingale and Spotted Flycatcher vie for perches with Masked Shrike, Olive-tree Warbler and Collared Flycatcher, whilst overhead, parties of Red-footed Falcons dash past. The coastal wetlands are at their best in the early spring and a few key inland lakes, such as Lake Kerkini, act as a safe haven for large colonies of herons, pelicans, cormorants and other waterbirds.

This exciting 8-day tour complements our popular ‘Greece in Autumn’ itinerary and visits the same three contrasting areas, the coastal habitats of the Nestos Delta, the rocky terrain of Nestos Gorge and the freshwater marshes of Lake Kerkini National Park. Our holiday begins, however, with a direct flight to Thessaloniki, Greece's second city, which sits on the northern side of the three-fingered Halkidiki Peninsula. From here we take the highway east to the low-lying coastal region of the Nestos Delta where we will be based for the next four nights, splitting our time across two hotels, one near the delta and the other in the small town of Komotini located a little further to the north and within easy reach of the Nestos Gorge.

The Nestos National Park protects a wonderful mosaic of salt marshes, coastal lagoons, reedbeds, wet meadows and riparian forests, covering over 93,000 hectares. It offers refuge for an exciting variety of wildlife, with over 270 different bird species recorded annually. The region's high biodiversity has led to its designation as a Ramsar Site, IBA (Important Bird Area) and Natura 2000 reserve. In late April, northbound migration will be in full swing and, amongst many other species, we hope to see such birds as Slender-billed Gull, Marsh Sandpiper, Eurasian Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Ferruginous Duck, Glossy Ibis and the localised Spur-winged Plover here. We will make sure we also explore Lake Vistonida and Lake Ismarida which sit in the eastern fringes of the park. The lakes are edged with a mix of reedbeds and willow carr, in which Great Reed Warblers chortle and a variety of migrants shelter. Lesser Kestrel, White-tailed Eagle and Booted Eagle are often seen soaring overhead, whilst in the late afternoons, flocks of Collared Pratincole can be seen hawking for insects over the water. We will also look for the many reptiles that inhabit these wetlands, including Hermann's Tortoise, Balkan Terrapin and Blotched Snake.  

After a thorough exploration of the delta, we will follow the river north to the spectacular Nestos Gorge and spend time walking through the mixed forest and along the shrub-lined trails at the edge of this spectacular rocky cleft. Blue Rock Thrush, Honey Buzzard, Bee-eater, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Syrian Woodpecker, plus various shrikes and flycatchers are all possible. 

Finally, we move back west for three nights in a comfortable hotel close to the edge of Lake Kerkini, one of Greece’s foremost birdwatching sites. The lake, which lies at the very heart of the Lake Kerkini National Park, is one of only 10 Ramsar Sites in the country and home to a wonderful variety of breeding, wintering and passage birds. We will have two full days to explore Lake Kerkini and its surroundings which we will undertake by minibus, boat and on foot. Although the woodlands, fields, hills and fringing reedbeds around the lake hold Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Masked Shrike, Western Rock Nuthatch, Black-headed Bunting, Sombre Tit, Great Reed Warbler and Olive-tree Warbler, the main attraction of Kerkini in the spring is the huge and noisy heronry that has taken over a flooded forest in the heart of the lake. Here breed large numbers of Grey, Squacco and Black-crowned Night Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets, Pygmy and Great Cormorants and Spoonbills, alongside an impressive colony of Dalmatian and White Pelicans which cover an artificial island nearby.

Our time enjoying the birdlife of Lake Kerkini will be a fitting finale to our tour of northern Greece. From here it is only an hour and a half back to Thessaloniki from where we catch our return flight home.