Until now (May 19th) 5 new species were added to Schinias National's Park species list
Black-throated Diver, Isabelline Shrike, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Lesser Whitethroat, and last week's Osprey. The areas' bird list is now 222 species, being probably the most significant wetland for Atttica.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Schinias National Park new species
Athens 3rd Bird race (part II: the bird list)
Highlights of the day:
Yelkuan Shearwater, Ferruginous Duck, Short-toed Eagle, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Penduline Tit, Rueppell’s Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Rock Nuthatch, Cretzschmar’s Bunting
This year’s Athens Bird-athon trip was combined with the 3rd Athens Bird race. Our team, called “Bee-eaters” managed to arrive 2nd in the overall ranking, having recorded 91 bird species around Athens region! The team consisted of Spyros Skareas (guide and driver) and brothers Elbert & Jose from Holland.
We started at 06:30 from Rafina, where we easily had House Sparrow, Blackbird, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Western Yellow-legged Gull, Sardinian Warbler, Magpie. As the sun started to rise, we could see a Little Egret at Rafina’s Stream, and 2 Barn Swallows flying over the little bridge.
We headed off Schinias National Park, and we were there at 08:00. The marshes were full of Coot, Cetti’s Warblers, and Crested Larks. A flying Bittern was a highlight of the area, very early in the day. We had more that 50 species in that area (stated here in the order seen in the field): Peregrine Falcon, Sedge Warbler, Hooded Crow, Woodchat Shrike, Stonechat, Corn Bunting, Mallard, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Water Rail, Goldfinch, Hoopoe (we saw 7 individuals eating together!), Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Whinchat, Greenfinch, Purple Heron, Black-headed Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Turtle Dove, Little Stint, Great Reed Warbler, Short-toed Eagle, Ruff, Lesser Whitethroat (first record for Schinias National Park), Garganey, Common Kestrel, Nightingale (heard).
A little later, we headed off the cliffs around the marshes, to get some small passerines. Truly, we had Cretzschmar’ s Bunting, Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow.
Back again in the marshes, we saw a Little Owl on the roof of an old house and later on some more interesting species like Green Sandpiper, Ferruginous Duck, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull (first record for Schinias National Park), Red-rumped Swallow, Subalpine Warbler, Penduline Tit (with its beautiful nest).
We continued to Agios Petros, over Nea Makri, hoping to get some rarities, but we only got Woodlark and House Martins. So we decided to go South, to Rafina’s Port again, hoping to see some interesting gulls. We saw Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull, together with Little Ringed Plover.
Another stop was Loutsa Lagoon, a small pond beside the sea. There we had Grey Heron (surprisingly rare during this day), Reed Warbler (heard). The next stop was Loutros Spata, just behind Athens International Airport. The area has dried out fast this year, but it was just enough to get Tawny Pipit, Common Swift and Black-eared Wheatear.
It was around 16:00 were we started walking around Imittos Mt. Close to the top, we had residents Blue Rock Thrushes, and summer visitors Rueppell’s Warblers. Other species recorder were Chaffinch, Serin, Rock Nuthatch, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Chukar, Cirl Bunting, Common Buzzard, Blackcap, Jay, Coal Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Sombre Tit, Orphean Warbler.
It was only 17:00 when we arrived at Oropos estuary, about half an hour ride from Imittos Mt, towards North of Athens. We had great views of Kentish Plovers, Gull-billed Tern, Common Sandpiper, Red-thorated Pipit, Slender-billed Gull, Grey Plover, Dunlin, and more than 100 Yelkuan Shearwaters flying over the sea!
Our last stop was Tritsis Park in Athens. Fortunately, we got Cuckoo, Squacco Heron and Rose-ringed Parakeet and managed to arrive on time for the end of the race.
What a day and what a bird list, just around Athens!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Red footed Falcons around Athens
Hoopoes are looking for food around the wine fields
A typical perch of a Little Owl is the roof of old buildings and churches
Monday, May 05, 2008
Athens 2008 Bird race (part I)
3rd Athens Bird Race had a great success. Our team, consisting of myself and 2 birders from Holland (Elbert & Henk Groenewoud) reached the 2nd place in the overall ranking, with 91 species seen around Athens, from 6am till 8pm. This was the first time a team of non-greek birders took part in the race, and thus we encourage birders from all over the world to come and enjoy this great competition.
Nick Probonas' team was the champion for the 3rd consecutive year, having won all three competiotions. 3rd team was Chris Vlachos team, with only one species difference from ours!
Here are some pics and soon I will send the full species list of our team in the race
Orhpean Warbler @ Imittos Mt (Photo by Henk Groenewoud)
Sombre Tit @ Imittos Mt (Photo by Henk Groenewoud)
Monday, April 07, 2008
A short spring day in Imittos Mt.
Spring migrants have arrived in Athens! Rueppell's Warbler, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Black-eared Wheater, together with Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush were April 1rst sightings. Also, 3 Long-legged Buzzards were soaring (first time I see so many in Imittos Mt)
Rueppell's Warbler
Cretzschmar's Bunting
Marginated Tortoise
Wild Orchids around Athens
The pics were taken from Imittos Mt, some from Kareas Monastery and some from the cemetery of Kesariani. Special thanks to Nikos from Flora of Attica for helping me out identifying the species!
Barlia robertiana
Ophrys ferrum equinum
Ophrys sicula (I apologize for not focusing!)
O. italica
O. cornuta (oestrifera)
O. tenthredinifera
O. attica
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Spring arrivals in Athens
Spring migration is continuing, despite of rainy and windy Athens weather. Yesterday, on a short bird trip at Imittos Mt, we saw Cretzschmar's Bunting, Rueppell's Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch (heard), together with 3 Long-legged Buzzards (soaring over Kareas Monastery) and Chukar.
Bird pics from the trip will be added soon, together with beautiful orchid pics!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Rarities in Cyprus
Cyprus is located in the eastern south corner of the Mediterranean sea. A week of birding can be full of surprises as the country provides shelter for birds during their migration to Europe or Asia. Birdlife Cyprus publishes their annual and monthly lists in this page. Last year, a first Bateleur Eagle was seen for the first time in Europe!
The following pics are from this year's migration highlights, kindly provided by Stavros Christodoulides an avid cypriot birder.
Chestnut-rumped Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna) at Cape Greco.
Photo by Stavros Christodoulides
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) at Akrotiri Peninsula. Photo by Stavros Christodoulides
Palla's Gull (Larus ichthyaetus) at Larnaca Sewage Works. Photo by Stavros Christodoulides
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Isabelline Shrike in Schinias!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Athens 3rd Bird Race on April 12th 2008

Athens 3rd Bird Race was announced yesterday. The whole event will take place exclusively in the Prefecture of Attiki, on Saturday April 12th 2008. Participations are open for anybody who wants to enjoy this unique birding experience. Teams from other countries are also welcome! For details about the specific rules of the event, please contact Spyros Skareas or Nick Probonas.
PS: Somebody should finally beat the 2 times consequtive winners!!!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Ancient Corinth (Prefecture of Corinth)
The Acropolis of Corinth or Akrokorinthos in Greek is a dominant land feature of the plain of Corinth. At the top of this rock (which is almost 600 m. high), there are remains of a fortress and various buildings that age from the Antiquity. Apart from its archaeological value, this site is also very interesting for its birds. Blue Rock Thrushes, Rock Nuthatches (like this in the photo), Linnets, Sombre Tits, and many more birds are nesting inside the archaeological site and in the slopes of the hill.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Quiz answer - Hen Harrier
This is the next pic from the quiz series. Well, yes, this is a male Hen Harrier at Schinias National Park, as most of you guessed!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Hawfinch
First time I had seen in Veria in 2006 with the harsh winter.
Since then him I observe constantly the wintry months in a lot of points of city.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Bird Quiz is back!
Mute Swans at Schinias National Park
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Snowin in Athens
Snow reached the beach!
6 Mute Swans visited Schinias National Park this winter
Serins were looking for food in the snow
Aren't they wondefull?
A curious Penduline Tit played with the camera
Wings spread for this March Harrier
Highlight of the day: Spotted Eagle!
A beautifull day in February, with snow melting from yesterday's! Yes, it snows sometimes in Athens too... The weather was perfect for birdwatching and here is the bird list:
Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Spotted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Sardinian Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Great Tit, Penduline Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting
Saturday, February 02, 2008
David and Goliath
Sunday, January 27, 2008
He's Back!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Schinias National ParkMidwinter Counts 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Midwinter 2008 (cont.)
Moustached Warbler
Mute Swans enjoying a cold winter morning
Black Redstart: "I'd rather be perching on roofs, but I am thursty now!"
The complete bird list for midwinter counting 2008, for Schinias National Park
ARCTIC LOON (1), Mute Swan (5), Shelduck (6), Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Marh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Snipe, Redshank, Little Stint, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Hooded Crow, Magpie, Great Tit, Penduline Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Wren, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Stonechat, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting
Midwinter counting 2008 @ Schinias National Park
Midwinter counting at Schinias National Park. A nice sunny day, lots of participants, more than different bird species, 5 species of raptors, a rarity (Artic Loon). Should I ask for more?
Water is not at the highest level yet
Water reflexion
Learning the secrets of nature
Getting excited with the Arctic Loon, at the beach of Schinias National PArk
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Schinias wetlands (Attica)
Friday, January 04, 2008
Winter around Athens
Happy new year to everybody!
During the last week of 2007, I had some time to visit a few small wetlands around Athens. I realized that the number of ducks remains quite low, almost close to last year's numbers.
A short half-day trip to Schinias National Park ended up with the following highlights:
Mallard (70), Pintail (6), Shoveler (20), Marsh Harrier (4, +1 male), Common Buzzard, Snipe, Common Sandpiper.
During my previous visit in that wetland , on December 20th, I also saw a Rock Bunting!
During the next days, I will posts some pics from these trips.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Rosefinch in Athens
Common Rosefinches are common visitors in Athens. This Asian species has been reported several times in Athens city, mostly around Lycabettus Mt. A recent record, together with this nice pic of the birds, was reported at Papagou municipality, very close to Imittos Mt. Special thanks to Charis Kourouzidis!!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Lycabetus Hill (Athens)

Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Winter birdwatching morning around Athens - 11 Nov 2007
Birdwatching during a nice sunny morning around Athens, resulted in a total of 45 species. Locations visited were Imittos Mt, Vravrona estuary and Loutsa.
Highlights of the day were 2 Long-legged Buzzards at Vravrona estuary.
The complete bird list:
Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Moorhen, Water Rail, Mallard, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Common Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, Eurasian Jay, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Hawfinch, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Sociable Lapwing @ Kerkini Lake
A very important observation was announced yesterday, waiting to be approved by the Hellenic Rarities Commitee: A Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) was seen at Kerkini Lake, North Greece. This is the 5th record of this asian species in Greece! The sighting was recorded by N.Probonas, C. Vlachos, A. Gaitanakis, O.Tsimoulis, K.Raptis.
Other highlights of th day were
Lesser Fronted Goose (12), Greylag Goose (12), White fronted Goose (52), Spoonbill (8), Ferruginous Duck (48), Spotted Eagle (4), White tailed Eagle (2), Black Stork (1), White Stork (1), White Pelican (2), Red-crested Pochard (4).
Special thanks to Nikos Probonas for announcing the data.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Mt Hymmetus (Attica)
Best pic of the month @ Vravrona Wetland (Attica)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Winter is just round the corner
A nice cloudy day at Schinias National Park (Athens). Some winter arrivals, not so much water in the lakes yet and the Spotted Eagle hasn't arrived yet.
A brief bird list for 28th October 2007, at Schinias National Park
Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Collared Dove, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Starling, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Rare species for Greece
Pectoral Sandpiper (Photo by Chris Vlachos).jpg)
Pectoral Sandpiper (Photo by Chris Vlachos)
Two rarities have been added up this month. A Pectoral Sandpiper, seen at Gallikos River (North Greece) and a White-breasted Kingfisher, seen close to Chania (Island of Crete).
They have both been reported to the Hellenic Rarities Committee and they are waiting for approval.
Special thanks to Chris Vlachos for the nice pics provided.















