Mt Parnitha

Honey Buzzard flying over Mt Parnitha, in a sunny summer sky

P(caps)arnitha Mt is sited in the north west park of Athens and holds the highest peak in Attica region, reaching 1.413m.

Established as a national park in 1961, is covered with pine and fir forest, while the eastern part is less shaded, and mediterranean makhia vegetation prevails. More than 1.000 plants form a unique habitat, so close to Athens city center.

The protected population of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), one of the most impressive mammals of Europe, is thriving in Mt Parnintha, considered be the most robust in the country

Red Deers (Cervus elaphus) are often seen in close range
at Mt Parnitha

Habitat

Conifer and mixed woodland, scrub and makhia vegetation

All year breeding species

Little Owl, Crag Martin, Woodlark, Blue Rock Thrush, Firecrest, Sombre Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Crossbill (rare), Cirl Bunting

Spring and autumn

Short-toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Eleonora’s Falcon (not breeding), Nightjar, Hoopoe, Alpine/Pallid Swift, Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Cretzschmar’s Bunting

Winter

Ring Ouzel, Brambling, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting