Tailormade Holidays in Greece

Contained within the natural barriers of the Kerkini Mountains to the north and the Mavrovouni Mountains to the south, Lake Kerkini is undoubtedly one of the finest wetlands in all of Europe. Two of the lake’s most distinguished residents are the endangered Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant, both of which breed here in good numbers and thrive on the lake’s abundant supply of fish. As ‘stars of the show’ the former always demand particular attention whether soaring on thermals high overhead or excitedly chasing shoals of fish through the water. The busy heronry in a flooded forest on the edge of the lake provides sanctuary for a wealth of waterbirds, including Night, Purple and Squacco Herons, Spoonbill and numerous cormorants and egrets.

As well as the lake’s abundant birdlife, the flora is magnificent, reptiles abound and the endangered Hermann’s Tortoise is relatively common on the surrounding dry rocky hills, which are also home to both Beech Marten and the elusive Wildcat.

The spring months are a glorious time to visit Lake Kerkini as colourful Bee-eaters swoop acrobatically in pursuit of insects and Golden Orioles utter their fluty calls from stands of trees. A wide variety of warblers, including Subalpine, Olivaceous and Olive-tree – the latter something of a speciality of northern Greece – should also be in song, although their more skulking nature may make them somewhat harder to observe! Each November up to 50 Lesser White-fronted Geese pause to feed and rest at the lake for a few weeks before completing their epic journey from the Siberian taiga to their Mediterranean wintering grounds. An estimated 40,000 other wildfowl also winter on Kerkini including Common and Red-crested Pochards, Ferruginous Duck, Smew, Goosander and the rare White-headed Duck. Up to a thousand Greater Flamingos winter here too along with the occasional Common Crane or Spoonbill.

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 Cinereous Vultures remaining in the Balkans and one of Greece’s most important populations of Griffon Vultures and Egyptian Vultures. Other species to look out for include Short-toed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk and Booted Eagle, and in the autumn both White and Black Storks pass overhead too.

Other inhabitants of the forest to look out for include Short-toed Treecreeper, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. The nearby hills and river valleys are also home to Black-headed Bunting, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Nightingale, Red-rumped Swallow, Golden Oriole and the beautiful Masked Shrike. Depending on the timing of your visit, there should also be plenty of butterflies on the wing and the occasional reptile such as Hermann’s Tortoise.

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, but especially in the spring and autumn when a wide variety of waders, terns and other migrants can be found around the edge of the saline Drana and Paloukia Lagoons, amongst them Marsh, Broad-billed, Wood and Curlew Sandpipers, Collared Pratincole, Spotted Redshank, 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, Spoonbill, Bittern, Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey, all three species of marsh tern (Black, White-winged and Whiskered) and Penduline Tit. Marsh Harriers are common, whilst the fringing tamarisk scrub can hold an interesting variety of migrant passerines and there’s always the chance of a lizard or snake such as Blotched Snake or Glass Snake (a legless lizard).

The nearby Loutros Hill is not only a good place for butterflies and reptiles, but also Hoopoe, Blue Rock Thrush, Tawny Pipit and Black-eared Wheatear, plus passing raptors and migrant passerines such as Honey Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, European Bee-eater, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Ortolan Bunting and various shrikes and flycatchers. Eagle Owls also breed on the cliffs around the edge of the hill and an evening excursion in search of one of these magnificent owls can be arranged for those who wish.

Lesbos is the third largest of the Greek islands and lies in the Aegean Sea just a few kilometres from the coast of Turkey. Despite its proximity to Turkey, however, Lesbos is still quintessentially Greek in character and many villages still follow a slow-paced way of life that has hardly changed for centuries. The island’s rugged mountainous interior is dotted with scrubby bushes, whilst at higher elevations there are pine forests filling the air with scent. The coastline is also a delight, with long stretches of both shingle and sandy beaches, secluded coves and a shimmering blue sea. All these natural attributes would be reason enough to spend a holiday here, but for birdwatchers the island has gained a reputation for being one of the very best places in Europe to experience the exciting phenomenon of migration. Especially during the spring the island acts as a ‘migrant trap’ and it is possible to see an impressive variety of warblers, chats, flycatchers, shrikes and many others as they pass through to rest on their way further north, plus the chance of something rarer if suitable conditions prevail. Regardless of the vagaries of migration, the island's breeding birds are also of great interest, with attention particularly focused on the rare Cinereous Buntings and resident Krüper’s Nuthatch which are difficult to find elsewhere in Europe.

Lepidopterists will delight in the plethora of butterflies to be found throughout the island and sunny days bring clouds of butterflies into the air, a profusion of species which includes the beautiful Scarce Swallowtail and an interesting suite of fritillaries. Other insects abound on the island and at night the buzzing of countless crickets and cicadas give a pleasantly tropical feel to the balmy evenings. Other, more strident amphibian voices may also be heard coming from ditches and pools as Marsh Frogs noisily proclaim their presence.

The Pindos Mountains are known locally as the ‘Backbone of Greece’ and are a continuation of the Dinaric Alps which run across the Greek mainland from the north-west to the south-east. Famous for their high peaks and alpine lakes, the Pindos offer a landscape far removed from the usual images conjured when thinking of the region.

These dramatic mountains are home to two of Europe’s largest predators, Wolves and European Brown Bears. These charismatic mammals share the forests, meadows and lakes with Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Brown Hare, Wildcat and Otter. Golden Eagles soar overhead, whilst in the forests live Sombre Tit and Black Woodpecker and on the higher peaks even Wallcreeper is occasionally seen. Those interested in amphibians may also like to search out the Alpine Newts which live in the high mountain lakes, or ‘Dragon Lakes’ as they are locally known.

Prespa National Park lies in the north-western corner of Greece at its tri-border with Albania and North Macedonia and includes parts of Mikri (small) and Megali (large) Prespa Lakes. The reserve protects one of Europe's most important wetland habitats, which provides a refuge for a wonderful profusion of birds and other wildlife. Over 1,700 species of plant have been recorded here, along with over 270 species of bird. The area also supports 11 species of amphibian, 22 species of reptile and more than 60 species of mammal, including 26 bats! The combination of this rich natural history and the area's fascinating cultural heritage combine to create an irresistibly charming holiday destination.

The island of Kythnos is not well-known by international tourists, yet it is a favourite holiday escape for Greeks from the mainland. Drawing its domestic appeal not only from having thus far escaped the sprawl of international tourism now commonplace on many other Greek islands, Kythnos is also blessed with rugged hills dotted with colourful flowers, a caried birdlife, turquoise seas and sandy beaches, thermal baths and a coastline punctured with numerous caves. 

Due to the island's lengthy period of isolation from mainland Europe and its wonderful suite of habitats, Kythnos is home to a variety of endemic species. The 'xerolithies' - old dry stone walls - offer shelter to many reptiles and wildflowers, including bee-orchids and fritillaries. Coastal caves are home to the world's rarest seal, the Mediterranean Monk Seal, while the rocky cliffs offer nesting ledges for Eleonora's Falcons during breeding season. 

Karpathos is the second largest island of the Dodecanese and is located at the south-eastern tip of the Aegean, between Crete and Rhodes. Karpathos is essentially the backbone of a mountain that rises gently in the south and ends with high, steep slopes in the north. The impressive island is edged with steep cliffs and sandy beaches and clothed in a mix of forest and Mediterranean maquis which support an inexhaustible wealth of endemic fauna and flora, including the endemic Karpathos Salamander and Karpathian Frog.

This striking landscape also acts as a stepping stone for the migrating birds of prey that cross the Mediterranean on their way to mainland Europe to breed. Raptors to be seen include Bonelli’s Eagle, Eleonora’s Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Lanner Falcon and Lesser Kestrel. Last but not least, the island brims with endemic and rare plant species, and is considered an important orchid site.