Herons flying over Kerkini Lake, Macedonia, Greece
Ερωδιοί πετώντας πάνω από τη λίμνη Κερκίνη, Μακεδονία, Ελλάς
Lake Kerkini offers some of the most accessible, and best, opportunities for both birding and bird photography in Europe.
As the year unfolds January and February can be cold, and, wildfowl
numbers reach their peak with over 20 000 Pochard often with a handful
of Red-cresteds. Spotted and White-tailed Eagles are frequently seen,
Great White Egrets are everywhere. Dalmatian Pelicans are looking their
very best and Cranes are increasingly arriving to spend the winter here,
with 28 in February '13.
Migration begins in early March, with the arrival of pioneering
Garganey and Osprey. White Storks arrive towards the end of the month.
Migration gathers steam through April into early May, when every bush
seems to hold warblers. Glossy Ibis are regular and there can be over a
thousand of each species of pelican.
The early summer sees the drowned forest alive with herons and
egrets. Golden Orioles sing in the poplars and Bee-eaters and Rollers
sit on the wires. Great Spotted Cuckoo bred in 2010.
Returning wader migration begins as early as late June, continuing into October, although
by then numbers are small. The autumn sees the water level at its
lowest, exposing acres of mud, particularly at Mandraki and along the
eastern embankment. This is attractive to waders but they are often some
considerable distance away. Collared Pratincole pass through in good
numbers in early autumn. Pelican numbers build again as Dalmatians
arrive to spend the winter and Whites stop off on passage.
October typically sees the Lesser-spotted Eagles replaced by
Spotteds. The remaining months bring the ducks back, together with
Lesser White-fronted Geese, which spend time here before moving on
south-east to the Evros delta.
In the winter of 2007 - 2008 the total number of birds on the lake was counted at just over 41000.
There is also great birding to be had in the nearby hills, with
Long-legged Buzzard, Rock Nuthatch, Calandra Lark, Subalpine and
Olive-tree Warblers. Nearby woods hold Black, White-backed,
Middle-spotted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers and the mountains to the east
have Capercaillie, Nutcracker, Rock Thrush, Wryneck, Semi-collared
Flycatcher and Barred Warbler.
