Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring

Naturetrek Tour Report 4 - 11 May 2019

Report by Philip Thompson

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring

Tour participants: Philip Thompson & Maria Panagiotopoulou (Leaders) with 11 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Saturday 4th May

After a very early start for the group we landed in to Thessaloniki on time and took advantage of the formalities of acquiring the tour minibuses to grab a light lunch at the airport before heading out to Lake Kerkini. Arriving at the dam wall at Lithotopus we spotted a small group of Glossy Ibis mixed among Great Egret, Grey Heron and Pygmy Cormorant bringing about a short stop. Our journey was then soon completed and we arrived in Hrisohorafa in mid-afternoon.

The group had time to relax a little after check-in before we then headed out the short distance to the Pumping Station for some introductory birding. It was raining gently which was a minor irritant but it did slowly ease as our time here progressed. The reed-lined dykes held several Great Reed Warblers that were singing loudly and eventually spotted. Stars of the show were three Little Bitterns that gave excellent close and prolonged views. Calling from the poplar plantations nearby were several Golden Orioles that only provided fleeting flight views. After picking up some distant views of Dalmatian Pelicans, Eurasian Spoonbill and Pygmy Cormorant alongside a number of smaller birds among the hedges and reeds we called it a day and headed back to freshen up before having dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Day 2 Sunday 5th May

Today we returned to the Pumping Station where we then drove up on to the Eastern Embankment of the lake to begin a slow tour around, having forgotten that there was a section of collapsed road still needing repair from last year! This meant turning round and returning to then join the embankment at Limnochori where we resumed our trip. We mixed our observations between the lakeshore on one side and the reed-lined dykes and agricultural lands to the other. During our journey we stopped on a number of occasions to walk short sections and scan the general areas, resulting in a rich and varied selection of birds seen. Early sightings included several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers, Golden Oriole, Penduline Tit, European Bee-eater, Red-backed Shrike and both Syrian and Grey-headed Woodpeckers on the inland areas with numerous Squacco Herons, Little Egrets and Great Crested Grebes along the lake.

Stopping at a muddy section alongside the Water Buffalo sheds we spotted a Coypu feeding in the dyke followed by another brazen Little Bittern that came out from cover to feed in the open. Viewing across the lake we could see the huge numbers of Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans and Great Cormorants that use the lake. On an area of shallow water with exposed mud and vegetation a good number of Wood Sandpiper were feeding followed by the spotting of an unexpected Spur-winged Lapwing, clearly at the vanguard of the westward expansion of this species.

After a pleasant morning of diverse birding with plentiful interesting plants we reached our lunch spot - a shady picnic site. Once we had completed our meal we headed on to the village of Vironia from where we headed up into the mountains to the disused quarry. Here we could enjoy a spectacular view down towards the lake as well as a number of interesting birds found here, that typically included Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike and Cirl Bunting.

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Our next stop was a visit to the abandoned carp ponds alongside the Strimonas River to the east. This year water levels were particularly low, with very few damp areas present, enough only to attract a number of smart Black- headed Wagtails and Little Ringed Plovers. However, several interesting plants were found in this area making the visit worthwhile.

Our final stop of the day was alongside the bridge crossing the Strimonas River that this year was running rather low, as the snowmelt in the Rhodope Mountains upstream in Bulgaria was very late. Our aim was to watch the small colony of Sand Martins that nest in the low banks of an alluvial island within the rivers flow.

Day 3 Monday 6th May

Having encountered a problem with one of the minibus doors requiring the changing of this vehicle we made a change in the usual itinerary of the trip and drove back to the coast to visit the Axios Delta National Park. We went first to a couple of large saline pans where there was a fantastic array of birds present. Whilst we birded the faulty vehicle was swapped over, resulting in no loss of time on the tour. The main highlights were the waders and marsh terns present that mainly comprised Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stints, Ruff and Spotted Redshank with smaller numbers of White-winged, Black and Whiskered Terns feeding over the water. Several other individuals of various waders were also present joined by Common Shelduck and a mix of gulls, prominent amongst which were the elegant Slender-billed Gulls.

After a short café break we drove on around this huge reserve by a round-about route to run alongside the Loudias River down to the mouth where we stopped at a small Chapel on the shore to have our lunch. Driving slowly from here we picked up a number of Spur-winged Lapwing, Collared Pratincole and a varied mix of waders. A single Tawny Pipit strolled on the trackside ahead of the vehicles. After a couple of stops and short walks we drove on and then turned back inland following a large drainage channel with tall reeds along it’s edges. At an open area of water we encountered a further small flock of marsh terns and a trio of flyover Pratincoles.

Rejoining the national highway we began our journey home with a final detour to visit the town of Liti where we headed to the monastery at the top of the town. Here we disembarked and began to scan the rooftops beneath us on the lookout for some of the small colony of Lesser Kestrels that breed here. We succeeded in finding a few of both male and female. Satisfied with an excellent day we joined the main road once more and continued back to Lake Kerkini and our guesthouse.

Day 4 Tuesday 7th May

The day started with a rather overcast sky and chilly wind, causing plans for our boat trip to be put on hold and we decided on a visit to sites to the east of the lake instead. We began with a small disused quarry where the cold wind was keeping any bird activity to a minimum necessitating a move after only a short time to take a walk along a small river that reached a couple of dramatic man-made weirs beneath some imposing rock-faces. Here we spotted a couple of Blue Rock Thrushes, Alpine Swift and White-throated Dipper. As we drove back out a couple of Masked Shrikes were spotted in a dense olive grove that gave some of the group some great views (those who knelt down low enough!)

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Our next move was a drive up towards one of the large wind farms dotted on the surrounding hills. We had a couple of stops and short explorations on the way up, beginning with a roadside overlooking an attractive deep gorge. The arable fields behind held a couple of singing Calandra Larks with the hedgerows holding a few Black- headed Buntings. Several notable plants were found before we moved on to check for bats within some old WWII bunkers. We failed on the bat front but found some attractive dwarf Iris reichenbachii growing on the roof! The road led steadily upward affording some wonderful views before we stopped among the turbines to admire the beautiful rich scarlet Peonies, Paeonia peregrina, growing within the well-grazed meadow.

We headed back down to the main road where we soon stopped at a roadside shelter overlooking the high crags opposite for our picnic. During a leisurely lunch various group members explored the area producing an interesting mix of birds, plants and reptiles. A singing Eastern Orphean Warbler could not be spotted but an obliging Masked Shrike perched briefly atop a nearby pine for most of the group. A fascinating find was the unusual Worm Snake found beneath a nearby rock that looks uncannily like a worm on first sight. Other reptiles seen included Green Lizard and Glass Lizard.

Moving on after lunch we headed north towards Bulgaria and the stunning White Poplar forest near Promochonas. Here we took a walk through the tall canopy forest on the lookout for woodpeckers. Our initial progress was halted by the discovery of a trio of abandoned kittens in the undergrowth, one of which latched on to the group and followed us throughout our walk, mewing all the way! Once within the wood we succeeded in obtaining good views of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, poor flight views of Syrian Woodpecker and only hearing Grey-headed Woodpecker.

Back at the vehicle it was decided to ‘rescue’ the kittens and drive into a town to leave them near habitation where they would stand a good chance of being adopted by a kind-hearted inhabitant, since they would have surely starved left out in the woods without their mother. After a quick coffee stop and discussion with the owner regarding a suitable place to leave our adoptees we drove on to Vironia where we left them before taking a short walk through an avenue of Oriental Poplars alongside agricultural fields during which the main highlight bird wise was the rapidly departing form of a Levant Sparrowhawk.

To end our long day we then visited the local converted railway station for an excellent meal for dinner.

Day 5 Wednesday 8th May

We now switched our attentions to the western side of the lake beginning with a visit to the quarry near Himarros. The hills here are a reliable spot for soaring Lesser Spotted Eagle and they didn’t disappoint with a sighting soon after we arrived, followed by a couple more close enough to distinguish a few of the diagnostic features to point out. Once in the quarry we had another wander finding a rather upset Masked Shrike trying to see off a Woodchat Shrike from it’s territory only to eventually cede ground when the Woodchat was joined by it’s partner. Other notable sightings included a pair of Black-eared Wheatears, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Spotted Flycatcher.

We next continued to drive around the hilly western shore of the lake taking a dirt track for a walk. Another rapid fly past Levant Sparrowhawk flashed by too quickly for most, but luckily crossed over the valley and far woodlands allowing all a distant view as it sped away. Singing from the olive orchards and scrubby tracksides

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

were several Cirl and Black-headed Buntings but our main target was a singing Olive-tree Warbler that remained frustratingly hidden among the dense leafy canopy of the olives. We consoled ourselves with further overhead Lesser Spotted Eagles and the rich trackside flora.

We continued around the lake reaching Kerkini village where we stopped for lunch on the harbourside. We were able to enjoy the many Common Terns and butterflies as we ate before our next move on to Mandraki Harbour where we had a short spell of birding from the concrete breakwater before boarding the boat that was to take us out across the lake to visit the drowned forest breeding colony of cormorants and herons. Once on board we firstly headed up the mouth of the Strimonas feeding into the lake. We were able to drift close past a multitude of pelicans, cormorants, herons and waders that were unconcerned by the boats passage. Turning off the engine allowed us to drift with the current silently past the birds and back into the lake from where we headed to more open water to pick up a pair of Black-necked grebes and a mix of marsh terns. Next we slowly approached the drowned forest where we could marvel in the spectacle of many thousands of Great and Pygmy Cormorants, Squacco, Grey and Black-crowned Night Herons and Eurasian Spoonbills, all almost within touching distance! Our final highlight was to pass as close as permitted to the breeding platforms of the important Dalmatian Pelican colony, now recently joined by breeding Great White Pelicans also.

Back in Mandraki we reboarded the minibuses to head back to Kerkini where we had our evening meal in a local taverna before heading on to a nearby area of rocky crags alongside the main road. We were hoping to see the evening departure of the resident local Eagle Owl but were to be disappointed despite our patient vigil.

Day 6 Thursday 9th May

In contrast to our time spent in the vicinity of the lake, today we travelled east to climb into the mountains and visit Mt Vrontou and the simple Lailias ski area. The vegetation and scenery changed gradually as we climbed resulting in a completely different selection of birds seen. As we passed through the heavily grazed rocky open slopes a roadside Common Rock Thrush pair were seen resulting in a stop and admiration of these striking birds. We continued on up, passing through Beech forest before reaching the car park of the ski centre. The open grassy slopes within the forest provided perfect habitat for a couple of singing Tree Pipits while the nearby pines held Firecrest. A few examples of Crocus veluchensis and Scilla biflora were within the grass to be admired before we moved on to try another area with a closed up mountain refuge. Once parked we immediately picked up a few Red Crossbills calling and feeding in the adjoining pine canopies. A male Black Redstart, unusually, sang from the treetops as opposed to the building rooftop. Presented with several large tables and benches we opted for an early lunch whilst we could watch the Crossbills.

Our next walk was from a track a little lower down that led through open forest to a rocky amphitheatre beneath the summit of the mountain. Further Tree Pipits were found, plus Firecrest, Cirl and Rock Buntings and Lesser Whitethroat. At the furthest point of the walk we relaxed for a while enjoying the view before our return. A further drive down reached an area of open rocky ground where we found Stonechat and Red-backed Shrike and a fine colony of Green-winged orchid, Anacamptis morio.

For our return journey we took a different route to outbound, leading through an area of flat agricultural land, with plentiful power line perches, in the hope of finding some migrant falcons, without success.

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Day 7 Friday 10th May

Having failed to obtain any decent views of Olive-tree Warbler previously we returned to the western shores to try another track into the hills with a sheltered olive grove. Unluckily we failed even to hear a singing bird and relied on the other avian species to keep us excited. A splendid Booted Eagle made a close flyover to get things started followed by a chance encounter with an elusive Sombre Tit that was nearly overlooked as another Great Tit, before a better look revealed it’s true identity. As before on these tracks, the flora and insect life plus a Spur- thighed Tortoise provided plenty of interest.

Heading on we climbed into the northern hills and a visit to the village of Ano Poroia set among the attractive mature Oriental Plane forest. We ate our lunch at a welcoming restaurant that kindly allowed us to use their tables.

Once fed and relaxed we then took a fairly long transfer west to visit the small artificial lake at Vafiochori. Our journey was soon interrupted with the sighting of three Red-footed Falcons feeding over the road bringing us to a temporary halt! Once at the lake we were presented with a rather different mix of wildfowl to Lake Kerkini plus several familiar birds of this area. Notable ducks were the healthy numbers of Ferruginous Duck and a pair of Garganey. Other birds of the area included the first Roller of the trip and further Collared Pratincoles seen by a couple of the group, a distant Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Kestrels. Having spent some time scanning the local area we began to make our way home, stopping on the way for a quick visit to Lake Dorian. Unfortunately the wind had picked up considerably which combined with higher than expected water levels resulted in rather less than we had hoped for!

Back on the road a second Roller was spotted on roadside wires, unfortunately on a fast and dangerous stretch of road preventing a stop.

Day 8 Saturday 11th May

Our return flight time allowed for a leisurely breakfast before setting out only slightly earlier than usual to arrive safely on time back in Thessaloniki at the airport, with only the regular range of species seen during the tour being noticed during the journey. The final addition to our list were the numerous Pallid Swifts nesting in the terminal building seen before our departure.

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; H = heard only)

May Common name Scientific name 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 3 ✓ 2 2 Eastern Greylag Goose Anser anser rubrirostris 10 4 3 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 200 4 Garganey Spatula querquedula 2 5 Gadwall Mareca strepera 2 6 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 10 ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 12 8 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 20 9 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2 250 2 ✓ ✓ 10 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 3 2 11 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 3 4 1 1 1 1 12 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 2 20 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 13 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 4 14 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 12 20 15 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 3 1 2 16 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 6 ✓ 17 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 75 ✓ 3 18 Great Egret Ardea alba 4 40 5 ✓ 6 ✓ 19 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 12 50 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 20 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 6 6 1 21 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 1 22 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 3 20 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 23 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 1K ✓ 24 Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 2 250 12 ✓ ✓ ✓ 25 Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmeus 4 30 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ 26 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10 1K ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 27 European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 2 1 28 Black Kite Milvus migrans 1 2 29 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 2 ✓ 3 4 30 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina 5 31 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 1 1 32 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 1 33 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 3 5 1 2 2 34 Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes 2 1 1 35 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 4 3 1 2 5 ✓ 36 Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus 1 1 37 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3 12 4 38 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 1 2 6 ✓ 39 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 12 40 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 12 1 41 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 9 3 42 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 4 1 43 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2 5 44 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 5 45 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 4 46 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 6 47 Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus 1 5

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 48 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 20 49 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 2 20 8 50 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 20 4 51 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 2 52 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 40 53 Dunlin Calidris alpina 20 54 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 300 55 Little Stint Calidris minuta 150 56 Ruff Calidris pugnax 30 4 57 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 6 12 ✓ 58 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei 50 59 Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus 40 60 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 61 Little Tern Sternula albifrons 10 6 62 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1 6 63 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6 20 ✓ ✓ 64 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 8 2 65 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 12 15 2 66 Black Tern Chlidonias niger 3 8 4 67 Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 68 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 4 69 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 8 1 3 70 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 71 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 3 6 4 6 4 72 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops H H H 73 Barn Owl Tyto alba H 74 Little Owl Athene noctua H H 75 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 2 76 Common Swift Apus apus 2 6 3 2 ✓ ✓ 77 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus ✓ 78 European Roller Coracias garrulus 2 79 European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster 3 50 40 ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 3 2 2 2 1 81 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius 2 82 Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus 3 2 1 83 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 2 84 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 2 1 85 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 1 H 86 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 2 ✓ ✓ 1 ✓ 87 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 5 4 88 Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus 3 89 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 1 1 90 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 1 91 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 5 1 1 92 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 1 4 6 1 93 Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 2 3 94 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 4 8 4 H 2 95 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 1 1 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ 96 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 97 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ 98 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 99 Rook Corvus frugilegus 4 100 Northern Raven Corvus corax 1 1 2 101 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 1 102 Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris 1 103 Coal Tit Periparus ater ✓ 104 Great Tit Parus major 2 3 4 ✓ 105 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 1 ✓ 106 Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus 6 1 H 107 Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra 2 108 Crested Lark Galerida cristata 4 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 109 Woodlark Lullula arborea 1 1 110 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1 111 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 20 ✓ ✓ ✓ 112 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 113 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 2 114 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 115 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 1 1 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 116 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti H H H H H 117 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 8 4 3 118 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita H H 119 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 5 H 4 ✓ H H 120 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1 1 2 121 Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon 1 122 Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida 1 8 H H H 6 123 Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum 1 124 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 1 125 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1 6 126 Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris H 127 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 2 6 ✓ 128 Eastern Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans 2 2 H 129 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 4 130 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 131 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus 1 132 Common Blackbird Turdus merula 4 1 ✓ ✓ 133 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 H 134 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 6 135 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 2 H 1 136 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos 4 10 H ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 137 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 2 138 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 4 1 139 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 6 140 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica 2 2 2 141 Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 2 142 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 2 2 143 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 1 1 144 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 145 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 146 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 4 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 147 Western (Black-headed) Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg 4 1 2 4 2 148 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 149 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1 1

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 150 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1 151 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 4 152 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ ✓ ✓ 153 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 1 ✓ ✓ 154 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 155 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 2 ✓ 156 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 30 157 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 4 3 2 6 158 Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala 2 1 4 ✓ 159 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 4 3 4 3 ✓ ✓ 160 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 2

Mammals

Eastern Hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor Brown Hare, Lepus europaeus Beech Martin, Martes foina Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus

Amphibians & Reptiles

Greek Marsh Frog, Rana balcanica Tree Frog, Hyla arborea Spur-thighed Tortoise, Tustudo graeca European Pond Terrapin, Emys orbiculris Balkan Terrapin, Mauremys rivulata Balkan Green Lizard , Lacerta trilineata Common Green Lizard, Lacerta viridis Aesculapian Snake, Elaphe longissima Grass Snake, Natrix natrix

Butterflies

Eastern Festoon, Zerynthia cerisyi Scarce Swallowtail, Iphiclides podalirius Black-veined White, Aporia crataegi Large White, Pieris brassicae Southern Small White, Artogeia mannii Green-veined White, Artogeia napi Eastern Bath White, Pontia edusa Eastern Dappled White, Euchloe ausonia Orange Tip, Anthocharis cardamines Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Berger's Clouded Yellow, Colias alfacariensis Wood White, Leptidea sinapsis Eastern Wood White, Leptidea duponcheli Green Haistreak, Callophrys rubi Eastern Baton Blue, Pseudophilotes vicrama Iolas Blue, Iolana iolas Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus Brown Argus, Arica agrestis Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus Southern White Admiral, Limenitis reducta Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Lesser Spotted Fritillary, Melitaea trivia Queen of Spain Fritillary, Issoria lathonia Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus Wall Brown, Lasiommata megera Mallow Skipper, Carcharodus alceae

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Beautiful Demoiselle, Calopteryx virgo ssp. festiva Common Bluetail, Ishnura elegans Azure Bluet, Coenagrion puella Blue Featherleg, Platycnemis pennipes Lesser Emperor, Anax parthenope Broad Scarlet, Crocothemis erythraea Blue Chaser, Libellula fulva Black-tailed Skimmer, Orthetrum cancellatum Southern Darter, Sympetrum meridionale

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Plants Scientific Name Common Name

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Equisetum telmateia Great Horsetail

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium onopteris Irish Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium ceterach Rustyback

Hypolepidaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Dryopteridaceae Buckler Fern Family Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern Polystichum setiferum Soft Shield Fern

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium vulgare agg Common Polypody

Salviniaceae Salvinia natans Floating Fern

Woodsiaceae Lady Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder Fern

PINOPSIDA CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Juniperus communis Common Juniper Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus Prickly Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family Abies x borisii-regis Pinus halepensis subsp. brutia Turkish Pine Pinus nigra Black Pine Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine

MAGNOLIOPSIDA FLOWERING PLANTS

Magnoliidae

Aceraceae Maple Family Acer campestre Field Maple Acer hyrcanum Balkan Maple Acer monspessulanum Montpelier Maple Acer platanoides Norway Maple

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Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Anarcardiaceae Sumach Family Cotinus coggyria Smoke-tree Pistacia terebinthus Turpentine Tree

Apiaceae Carrot Family Anthriscus caucalis Bur Chervil Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Chaerophyllum temulum Rough Chervil Conium maculatum Hemlock Daucus carota subsp. maximus a Wild Carrot Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Ferula communis Giant Fennel Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Myrrhoides nodosa - Oenanthe aquatica Fine-leaved Water Dropwort Orlaya grandiflora Orlaya Tordylium officinale Torilis arvensis subsp. heterophylla a Spreading Hedge Parsley Torilis nodosa Knotted Hedge Parsley

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly

Aralaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy

Aristolochiaceae Birthwort Family Aristolochia clematitis Common Birthwort

Asclepiadacae Milkweed Family Cionura erecta Cynanchum acutum Stranglewort Periploca graeca Silk-vine

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea clypeolata a Milfoil Achillea crithmifolia a Milfoil Anthemis arvensis Corn Chamomile Anthemis cotula Stinking Mayweed Artemisia campestris Field Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Bellis perennis Daisy Family Carduus candicans Carduus nutans subsp. leiophyllus Carduus pycnocephalus Plymouth Thistle Carthamus lanatus Saffron Thistle Centaurea benedicta Blessed Thistle Centaurea calcitrapa Red Star Thistle Centaurea graeca Centaurea pindicola Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile Chrondrilla juncea Chrondrilla Cichorum intybus Chicory

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Cirsium appendiculatum - Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Cirsium creticum - Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Cota(Anthemis) tinctoria subsp. australis Yellow Chamomile Crepis conyzifolia - Crupina vulgaris False Saw-wort Dittrichia viscosa Stink Aster Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed Hedypnois cretica Hedypnois Lactuca tuberosa Matricaria recutita Scented Mayweed Mycelis muralis Wall Lettuce Onopordum illyricum Illyrian Scotch Thistle Rhagadiolus stellatus Star Hawkbit Senecio nemorensis a Ragwort Senecio vernalis Spring Groudsel Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Sonchus asper Pickly Sowthistle Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Tephroseris integrifolia Tragopogon dubius a Goats-beard Tragopogon porrifolius Salsify Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Xanthium strumarium Rough Cocklebur

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Alder Carpinus betulus Hornbeam Carpinus orientalis Oriental Hornbeam Corylus avellana Hazel Ostrya carpinifolia Hop Hornbeam

Boraginaceae Borage Family Anchusa arvensis Small Bugloss Anchusa officinalis Alkanet Buglossoides purpurocaerulea Purple Gromwell Cynoglossum creticum Blue Hound's-tomgue Echium arenarium Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not Myosotis sicula - Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Onosma heterophylla Golden Drops Pulmonaria mollis a Lungwort Symphytum bulbosum Bulbous Comfrey Symphytum ottomanum a Comfrey

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Aurinia saxatile Basket of Gold Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Cardamine bulbifera Coral-root Bitter-cress

12 © Naturetrek June 19

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Cardamine graeca - Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress Erysimum cuspidatum a Treacle Mustard Erysimum diffusum a Treacle Mustard Erysimum drenowski a Treacle Mustard Hesperis sylvestris - Isatis tinctoria Woad Lepidium ruderale Narrow-leaved Pepperwort Raphanus raphinastrum Wild Raddish Rorippa amphibia Great Yellow-cress Sinapis arvensis Charlock Sisymbrium irio London Rocket Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium orientale Eastern Rocket

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula glomerata Clustered Bellflower Campanula lingulata Campanula ramosissima - Campanula sparsa - Campanula spathulata - Legousia speculum-veneris Large Venus's Looking-glass

Cannabaceae Hop Family Humulus lupulus Hop

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Sambucus ebulus Dwarf Elder Sambucus nigra Elderberry

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Agrostemma githago Corncockle Cerastium brachypetalum Grey Mouse-ear Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Dianthus cruentus - Petrorhagia obcordata - Petrorhagia prolifera Proliferous Pink Silene conica Sand Catchfly Sliene italica Italian Catchfly Silene latifolia White Campion Silene subconica

Celastracae Spindle Family Euonymous europaeus Spindle Tree

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Cistus creticus - Fumana thymifolia Thyme-leaved Fumana

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Convolvulus cantabrica

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sanguinea Dogwood

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Knautia ambigua - Knautia arvensis Field Scabious Knautia macedonica -

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias Cypress Spurge Eurphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Euphorbia myrsinites Broad-leaved Glaucous Spurge

Fabaceae Pea Family Amorpha fruticosa Desert False Indigo Astragalus onobrychis Sainfoin Milk-vetch Astragalus ponticus Calicotome villosa Hairy Thorny Broom Colutea arborescens Bladder Senna Cytisus hirsutus Hairy Broom Cytisus triflorus Dorycnium hirsutum Hippocrepis emerus False Senna Lathyrus aphaca Yellow Vetchling Lathyrus laxiflous - Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Medicago lupulina Black Medick Medicago minima Bur Medick Medicago polymorpha Toothed Medick Melilotus indicus Small Melilot Melilotus officinalis Ribbed Melilot Onobrychis aequidentata a Sainfoin Onobrychis caput-galli Cockscomb Sainfoin Onobrychis degenii Onobrychis gracilis a Sainfoin Ornithopus compressus Compressed Bird's-foot Pisum sativum Wild Pea Robinia pseudacacia False Acacia Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Trifolium angustifolium Narrow-leaved Clover Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Trifolium fragiferum Strawberry Clover Trifolium hirtum Hairy Trefoil Trifolium nigrescens - Trifolium ochroleucon Sulphur Clover Trifolium patens - Trifolium pignantii -

14 © Naturetrek June 19

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Trifolium purpureum - Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium sebastianii - Trifolium striatum Soft Clover Trifolium subterraneum Burrowing Clover Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare Vicia melanops Vicia narbonensis Narbon Vetch Vicia tetrasperma Smooth Tare Vicia villosa Fodder vetch

Fagaceae Beech Family Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Fagus sylvatica Beech Quercus cerris Turkey Oak Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak Quercus conferta Quercus frainetto Hungarian Oak Quercus ilex Holm Oak Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus pubescens Downy Oak

Fumariaceae Fumitory Family Fumaria capreolata White Ramping Fumitory Fumaria parviflora

Geraniaceae Geranium family Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Erodium malacoides Mallow-leaved Stork's-bill Geranium columbinum Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium lucidum Shining Crane's-bill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Cranes's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Crane's-bill

Hypericaceae St. John's- Wort Family Hypericum cerastoides Hypericum montbretii Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John's-wort

Juglandaceae Walnut Family Juglans regia Walnut

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga reptans Bugle Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Lamium garganicum Large Red Dead-nettle Marrubium peregrinum Branched Horehound Micromeria juliana - Nepeta nuda Hairless Catmint Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Salvea viridis Red-topped Sage Satureja menthifolia a Savory Satureja meridionalis a Savory Stachys cretica Mediterranean Woundwort Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort Stachys plumosa - Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Teucrium capitatum - Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Germander

Lythraceae Loosestrife Family Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife Trapa natans Water Chestnut

Malvaceae Mallow family Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Menyanthaceae Bogbean family Nymphoides peltata Fringed Water-lily

Moraceae Mulberry Family Ficus carica Fig Morus alba White Mulberry Morus nigra Common Mulberry

Nymphaeaceae Water-lily Family Nymphaea alba White Water-lily

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus ornus Flowering Ash Jasminum fruticans Wild Jasmine

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Parentucellia latifolia

Paeoniaceae Peony family Paeonia peregrina

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Fumaria parviflora Fine-leaved Fumitory Hypecoum imberbe - Hypecoum pseudograndiflorum Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy Roemeria hybrida Violet Horned Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Linaria genistifolia Plantago lagopus Hare's-tail Plantain Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Platanaceae Plane Tree Family Platanus orientalis Oriental Plane

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Rumex crispus Curled Dock Rumex palustris Marsh Dock Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock

Primulaceae Primrose Family Primula veris Cowslip

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Adonis annua Pheasant's Eye Clematis flammula Fragrant Clematis Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy Nigella damascena Love-in-a-Mist Ranunculus muricatus Rough-fruited Buttercup Ranunculus pencillatus Stream Water-crowfoot Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup Ranunculus trichophyllus Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda alba Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Paliuris spina-christi Christ's Thorn

Roseaceae Rose Family Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Potentilla argentea Hoary Cinquefoil Potentilla micrantha - Potentilla recta Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Pyrus amygdaliformis Almond-leaved Pear Pyrus pyraster Wild Pear Rosa arvensis Field Rose Rosa canina Dog Rose Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Galium aparine Cleavers Sheradia arvensis Field Madder

Salicaceae Willow Family Populus alba White Poplar

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Populus nigra Black Poplar Populus tremula Aspen Salix alba White Willow Salix caprea Goat Willow

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia aestivalis - Scrophularia nodosa Figwort Verbascum orientale Verbascum sinuatum a Mullein

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Solanum elaeagnifolium - Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade

Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family Tamarix parviflora Tamarix smyrnensis

Tiliaceae Lime Tree Family Tilia tomentosa Silver Lime

Ulmaceae Elm Family Celtis australis Nettle Tree Ulmus minor Small-leaved Elm Ulmus procera English Elm

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria officinalis Large Pellitory of the Wall Urtica dioica Common Nettle Urtica pilulifera Roman Nettle

Violaceae Violet Family Viola hirta Hairy Violet Viola odorata Sweet Violet Viola parvula Viola reichenbachiana Early Dog Violet

Vitaceae Grape-vine Family Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris Grape-vine

Liliidae

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Asparagus acutifolius Prickly Asparagus Leopoldia(Muscari) comosa Tassel Hyacinth Muscari neglectum Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom Scilla bifolia Alpine Squill

Araceae Arum family Arum italicum subsp. italicum Italian Arum

Greece – Lake Kerkini in Spring Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Arum maculatum Lords and Ladies Dracunculus vulgaris Dragon Arum

Colchicaceae Colchicum autumnale Autumn Crocus

Iridaceae Iris family Crocus veluchensis Gladiolus italicus Field Gladiolus Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris reichenbachii An Iris

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis laxiflora Lax-flowered Orchid Anacamptis(Orchis) morio Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis(Orchis) papilionacea Pink Butterfly Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Himantoglossum caprinum a Lizard Orchid Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa Serapias vomeracea

Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodeline liburnica Asphodeline lutea Yellow Asphodel Asphodelus ramosus an Asphodel

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