National Park of East Macedonia - Thrace

Magazine

SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 NATIONAL PARK OF EAST MACEDONIA - THRACE

1. The Management Body of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - Ismarida in the British 7. European Bird Birdfair 2014 Festival 2014

2. Management Body of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - Ismarida in the bicycle 8. Voluntary Cleaning race in the framework of of Timari beach the Kalliroi Festival 2014

9. The National Park of 3. Shot Dalmatian Pelican East Macedonia - Thrace in Agiasma lagoon in Philoxenia 2014

4. WAVE running race by the sea at the National 10. Educational Park of Eastern Macedonia Seminar on the Lesser - Thrace White Fronted Goose

11. The National Park of 5. Voluntary Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, Cleaning of among the first ones in Maggana beach Greece to present its species

6. “Quality and Co-operation Marking of the National 12. Bird ringing of the Park of Eastern Macedonia - National Park of Eastern Thrace” Workshop Macedonia - Thrace 2014 1 The Management Body race, children had the chance to play and get information on the precious natural habitat of the National Park of Eastern Mac- of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - edonia-Thrace by the staff of the Management Body and save Ismarida in the British Birdfair energy for the day of the race. Organisers, volunteers and WAVE runners left with the best 2014 impressions, enjoyed the beauty of the National Park of East- ern Macedonia-Thrace, spread the message “We run for clean The Management Body of Nestos beaches” and set their new appointment for next year. Delta - Vistonida - Ismarida successfully participated in the Inter- The route crossed through areas with dense poplar vegeta- Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, hunting is prohibited in A zones national British Birdfair 2014, one tion and ended at the natural section of the riparian forest at (Nature Protection Areas). of the largest bird-watching fairs in the Visitors’ Centre of the Kavala Forest Agency. At the finish The M.B., recognising that the protection and preservation 5 Voluntary Cleaning of the world, from 15 to 17 August, point, there was a briefing on the significance and uniqueness of protected areas is the responsibility of everyone and par- aiming in the promotion of the Na- of the region, the flora and fauna species of the National Park ticularly of those benefiting from the values and benefits cre- Maggana beach tional Park of Eastern Macedonia of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace that are under scientific moni- ated by them, invited, via a Press Release, all citizens to con- - Thrace and the surrounding area. toring, such as the common pheasant, the jackal, the otter, the tribute in the efforts of the Authority and other competent This year, the fair had more than wild cat. Furthermore there was a briefing on the significance co-operating agencies for preventing similar incidents in the 200,000 visitors, who came from of protecting the Great Forest and of the action of volunteers, future, by giving the information required to the authorities. around the world to get informa- by the scientific staff of the Management Body (M.B.). Rain tion on wildlife and learn about new canceled the scheduled games and technological advances regarding voluntary cleaning as well as the ar- bird-watching. For 25 years now, tistic activities by Mr Kotzapanagio- 4 WAVE running race by the the Bird-watching fair captures the tis (painter), but this did not seem to entire spectrum of products related have any effect on the joy and cheer sea at the National Park of to bird-watching, while at the same of all participants. The event ended Eastern Macedonia - Thrace time it takes action for the protection of birds in danger. The with the wish of all participants for contribution of the fair in the conservation of endangered bird more similar joint activities that will In the framework of the International Coastal Clean-up Day, populations is not limited to public awareness alone. It is char- promote both the ecological impor- on Saturday, 20 September 2014, the beach of Maggana was acteristic that during last year’s fair £ 270,000 [365,586.84 tance and particularity of the area as well as alternative meth- cleaned by volunteers, from the rubbish “forgotten” by visitors €] were raised, which were donated to Birdlife International. ods for recreation of residents and visitors of the National Part during the summer. The activity was implemented with the co- of Eastern Macedonia- Thrace. operation of the Management Body of Nestos Delta - Visto- nida - Ismarida and the Visto- nida Centre of Environmental 2 The Management Body Education, supported by the 3 Shot Dalmatian Pelican in Municipality of Topiros, the of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - WAVE running volunteers and Ismarida in the bicycle race in Agiasma lagoon The first running race by the beach of Avdira-Keramoti was suc- volunteers of the National cessfully held on Sunday, 14 September 2014, with the sup- Park of Eastern Macedonia the framework of the Kalliroi On Wednesday morning, 16 September 2014, during a port of the Management Body of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - Is- - Thrace. Maggana Beach, scheduled joint patrol of Management Body of Nestos Delta - marida. 76 athletes participated in the first WAVE running race which was selected for clean- Festival 2014 Vistonida - Ismarida supervisors with a forester of the Kavala and left their footprint on the sand, in recognition of the unique ing, is a part of the shore sec- Forest Agency at the Nestos Delta, a dead Dalmatian Pelican natural environment of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia tion of the National Park of (Pelecanus crispus) was found near Agiasma lagoon. - Thrace. Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, Immediately, Kavala Forest Agency was notified, and the The 28 km race started with the briefing of athletes at the ar- which in the summer attracts dead bird was initially transferred to a private veterinary chaeological site of Avdira, while the first to cross the finish large numbers of swimmers. centre for radiation and then to the Veterinary Laboratory line was Nikos Sideridis from Kav- Participants collected and re- of Kavala, for determining the cause of its death. Results ala, and the second was Dimitris moved from the beach mainly showed that the Dalmatian pelican was shot by a riffle and Foukas from Crhisoupoli. the following: plastic bags, bottles, styrofoam, soda cans, ciga- died as consequence of its injuries. Kavala Forest Agency, as At the same time, apart from the rette buds, glasses and many, many papers. Quite a few of the the investigating instrument of jurisdiction, made all required 28km race, shorter races were above were sent to recycling, with he help of the municipality investigations and actions for finding and punishing the cal- also held, such as the 10km race of Topiros, which we kindly thank for its valuable assistance. lous offenders. with Christos Arabatzis winning Furthermore, we would also like to thank, the volunteers of the The bicycle race held on Sunday, 7 September 2014, at Nestos The incident happened just on the third day from the opening first place, and the 3km race for National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, WAVE running vol- river in the framework of the Kalliroi Festival events for the 4th of the hunting season for aquatic birds and waders, in a par- children, which gave their own unteers and generally everyone participating in this activity, as successive year by the Cultural Association of Chrisochori, was ticularly sensitive area (Agiasma lagoon), where in accord- tone in the event and made at- they gave us once again the opportunity to send yet another a great success. ance with the Regulator framework of the National Park of tendants smile. A day before the message for the value of voluntarism. 6 “Quality and Co-operation port station of Keramoti on ma- rine environment. Then, super- Marking of the National Park of vising guides of the M.A., gave Eastern Macedonia - Thrace” information to pupils on the Na- tional Park of Eastern Macedo- Workshop nia -Thrace and specifically on sand dunes ecosystems and the On Wednesday, 24 Sep- lagoons of the area. tember 2014, the “Qual- Then, pupils with their teachers ity and Co-operation Mark- and all attendants proceeded ing of the National Park of «Environment and Sustainable Development (EPPERAA). The to the clean-up of the beach, Park of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace was also a great success. Eastern Macedonia - Thra- European Bird Festival, is the greatest event in Europe, held separating recyclable material The event was held with the participation of the Cosmetics De- ce” workshop was held at annually with the participation of approximately 40 countries in differently coloured bags and partment of Vocational Training Centre “DELTA” and estheti- the Vistonida - Ismarida and is coordinated by the international federation of BirdLife In- recording the type of rubbish cians created body painting works on hands, inspired by flora Info-Centre, on the oc- ternational for more than 20 years and the Greek Ornithology they found, in the HELMEPA species of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, casion of the initiation of Society, which coordinates the events held across Greece. forms. such as swans, mallards, the rare species of white-headed awarding Quality and Co- The theme of this year’s festival, was migrating birds and their The clean-up was completed ducks, shelducks and reptile species. operation Marking of the habitats, with the intention of spreading the message of the im- with the collection of many rub- National Park of Eastern portance of protecting ar- bish bags by the vehicle of the Macedonia - Thrace. eas where migrating birds Municipality of Nestos, for re- Producers and entrepreneurs from the three main sectors rel- nest and breed and areas cycling. evant to Quality and Co-operation Marking of the National Park where they stop for food of Eastern Macedonia attended the workshop: crop products, and rest, as well as their livestock and tourism services (Accommodation and Catering migrating routes. Units). Our country, as well as the The specific program of the M.B. National Park of Eastern aspires to contribute in the use Macedonia - Thrace is a of comparative advantages of passage point for migrat- the area through the promotion ing birds, both in autumn of specified production sectors and in spring. The Primary 10 Educational Seminar on the with the objective of achieving School of Genissea partici- Lesser White Fronted Goose an overall positive outcome. The pated in this year’s event of the M.B., with 35 pupils of the 5th objective is the use of the unique and 6th grade. Children had the chance to learn about bird mi- 9 The National Park of Eastern On Wednesday, 4 December identity, and of the cultural and gration watching a relevant presentation and playing environ- 2014, at the Vistonida - Ismarida natural heritage of the area. It will also serve as a lever for local mental games with music and motion, a program concerning Macedonia-Thrace in Philoxenia Info-Centre, the educational sem- financial growth of the area, it will facilitate synergy of the pri- the “Musical Art Application in Environmental Education”, per- 2014 inar of identifying Lesser White mary sector, manufacturing and services, it will create a strong formed by teacher Mrs Maria Venetia Apostolopoulou. Finally, Fronted Goose and the exercise business network, for promoting locally produced goods and for they were guided to the wetland and did bird-watching with tel- The participation of the Man- of hunting in the National Park of promoting tourism. escopes. agement Body of Nestos Eastern Macedonia-Thrace was Products bearing the Quality Marking, acquire a competitive Delta - Vistonida - Ismarida held. advantage, as their simple label of name and origin is now ac- in the 30th International The seminar was held in the companies by the definition of the production area, which in Tourism Fair - Philoxenia in framework of the Program LIFE+ this case is a protected area pursuant to European and national 8 Voluntary Cleaning of Timari Thessaloniki left the best im- “Preservation of the Fennoscan- Law, with rich biodiversity and the intense characteristic of hu- pressions; the fair was held dia population of Lesser White mans and natural habitat co-existence. beach on 13-16 November 2014, Fronted Goose in significant win- in the framework of the pro- tering and station areas along the European migrating route” The voluntary clean-up of Timari beach of the Municipality of gram “Awareness of the lo- implemented in the 2011-2016 period by the Ministry of En- Nestos of the R.U. of Kavala was successfully held on Friday, 10 cal and general population” vironment, Energy and Climate Change in cooperation with the 7 European Bird Festival 2014 October 2014, organised by the 5th Primary School of Chri- through the act “Protection and Preservation of Biodiversity Greek Ornithology Society. soupoli, in the framework of the “International Coastal Clean-up of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace”, funded by The seminar analysed the acts of the Program LIFE+ for Lesser On 6 October 2014, the Management Body of Nestos Delta - Campaign 2014” held annually by HELMEPA, from 20 Septem- the Operational Programme «Environment and Sustainable De- White Fronted Goose, made references to aquatic bird identi- Vistonida - Ismarida, held an event in the framework of the cele- ber to 20 October. velopment» (EPPERAA) for the promotion of the National Park fication matters and underlined the particularity of hunting in bration of the “European Bird Festival 2014”, at the Vistonida- The event was held in co-operation with the Municipality of of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, in cooperation with the Eastern Greek wetlands. The event was attended by foresters of the lo- Ismarida Info-Centre, in the framework of the act “Biodiversity Nestos, the Central Port Authority of Kavala and the Man- Macedonia - Thrace Region. cal forest agencies, M.A. guards and gamekeepers. Protection and Preservation of the National Park of Eastern agement Body of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - Ismarida. The parallel BODYPAINTING event, held by the M.A. on Satur- The seminar concluded with the visit of all attendants to Visto- Macedonia-Thrace”, sponsored by the Operational Programme At first, pupils were briefed by the Chief Petty Officer of the day, 16 November, on the topic of biodiversity of the National nida Lake for practising aquatic bird spotting. 11 The National Park of Eastern 1 2 Bird ringing of the National Macedonia - Thrace, among the Park of Eastern Macedonia - first ones in Greece to present Thrace for 2014 its species The wetlands of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, the Nestos Delta, the Lakes Vistonida and Is- marida, and the lagoons of the broader area are famous for their rich biodiversity: 264 bird species have been recorded, 141 of which nest in the area, such as swans, ferruginous ducks, shelducks, pied avocets, blacked wing The results of the Programs on Scientific Monitoring of species stilts, Eurasian stone-curlew, Mediterranean gulls and collared and habitat types of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia - pratincoles. Thrace were presented in the press conference and the meeting In the framework of the act included in the Operational Pro- held by the Management Body of Nestos Delta - Vistonida - Is- gramme «Environment and Sustainable Development» (EP- marida on Friday, 5 December 2014. In the meeting, the Re- PERAA) with the title “Program of Bird fauna Monitoring in the gional Secretary of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace Mr. G. Pavlidis, National Park of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace (2012-2015)”, who was particularly interested in the promotion of the natural which includes the recording and assessment of the preserva- wealth of the Region, was repre- tion condition of 217 bird species in total, of which 173 are sented by the Deputy Regional protected while it has been noticed that many more aquatic Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Michael bird species net in the National Park of Eastern Macedonia - Amoiridis. Thrace that those known till now, such as the Bearded Reedling, The Scientific Monitoring Programs Little Bittern, Eurasian stone-curlew etc. that were presented from the sci- In 2014 two bird ringing missions for waders and passerines entific leaders of the teams were have been made to the National Park of Eastern Macedonia- the following: on land habitats, ma- Thrace. The first was made in the period from April to May rine type habitats, mammals, bird 2014, at Porto Lagos and at Mandras beach with use of special fauna, reptiles and amphibians, fish nets for catching the birds. In total, 132 aquatic birds and wad- fauna and invertebrate fauna. Fur- ers of 33 different species were ringed, among which a spotted thermore, the initial results of the flycatcher, a whinchat and many little terns. project studying the effect of the The second mission was made from 11 to 20 December 2014 increase of cormorants population and was aiming at ringing mainly waders; for this reason the on the fish fauna of the lagoons of “walkintraps” method was used for the first time in Greece, in the National Park of Eastern Mac- cooperation with Greek and Polish ringers. In the same mission edonia - Thrace, which is also fund- passerines caught with special nets were also ringed. In total, ed by the Operational Programme in the Porto Lagos area and the Lafri lagoon, 285 birds of 20 «Environment and Sustainable De- different species were ringed, among which various species of White-Headed Duck velopment» (EPPERAA). sandpipers, black-headed gulls, a slender-billed gull and a com- The speakers of the event were: Dr Manos Koutrakis, M.A. Pres- mon buzzard. The White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala), is one of the It is found in relatively shallow, eutrophic lakes with rich vegeta- ident Elena Hatzicharalabous, Biologist PhD, Head of Livelihood rarest birds in Europe. In Greece, the species appears almost tion, which explains the maximum recording of 2.213 birds in of the National centre of Habitats and Wetlands, Emeritus Prof. exclusively in Vistonida Lake and occasionally in the Lakes Ker- of the species in Vistonida Lake in winter 1999-2000. Theodoros Georgiadis, Biology Department of the University of kini, Volvi, and Ismarida, as well as in the Evros Delta. Accord- The main threat of the species internationally, is their hybridi- Patras, Dr. Sotirios Orfanidis, Researcher, Fisheries Research ing to the Red Book of Endangered Species of Greece, it is a sation with the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) which reached Institute (ELGO - DIMITRA), Prof. Dionisios Giouliatos, Depart- endangered species, with 2-10% of its international population Europe in 1930, as well as the drying of over 50% of its breed- ment of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, found in our country. ing areas. In our country it is mainly threatened by pollution Maria Panagiotopoulou, Forester - Onrithologist, Dimitrios It is a relatively small duck, with large head, with the character- and the degradation of wetlands, its random entrapment in fish- Bousbouras, Biologist, Environmentalist, Prof. Leonardos Io- istic blue beak, brown feathers and body, stiff-tailed and males ing nets and illegal hunting. annis, Department of Biological Applications & Technology of have white heads with a black line on the crown. the University of Ioannina and Dr. Dimitrios Avtzis, Researcher Entomologist. INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE LAKES VISTONIDA - ISMARIDA PORTO LAGOS - REGIONAL DISTRICT OF XANTHI GREECE (Management Body’s seat) Tel.: +30 25410 96646, fax: +30 25410 96924 e-mail: [email protected]

INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE NESTOS DELTA KERAMOTI - REGIONAL DISTRICT OF KAVALA GREECE (behind the High School) Tel.: +30 25910 51831, fax: +30 25910 51884 e-mail: [email protected]

The Information Centres are open for the public: Monday-Friday 9:30 to 15:30 (during weekends and holidays visits are arranged by appointment)

www.epamath.gr

www.facebook.com/fdnestos

We protect and promote our natural wealth. We participate actively through volunteering activities of the Management Agency of the Nestos Delta of the lakes Vistonida - Ismarida and contribute to maintaining the ecological value of the Na- tional Park of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace. Together we can!

“We take action, we live the result” Silene conica