Bruce is a South African birder who came to Greece with his family, during a Mediterranean cruise. He had half a day to spend birding so he contacted us because he wanted to get the most of the Athenian birdlife.
Bruce's 'wish list' was quite long as he has not birded in Europe a lot. It included very common birds (like the Goldfinch) and rare and endangered, like the Ferruginous Duck. Since time was an issue (pick up from the port of Piraeus that lies 15 km south of dowtown Athens could not be earlier than 08.00 and drop off should be no later than 15.30) the best sites to choose were Schinias National Park and Mt Hymettus.
We first headed for Schinias National Park, to look for waterfowl, herons, waders and passerines. A walk in the Olympic rowing was very productive: Ferruginous Ducks, Garganeys, Kingfishers plus two Pygmy Corormants, a rare visitor to Athens!
Penduline Tits, Red-rumped Swallows and lots of Crested Larks were also seen in the reeds, up the sky and on the ground, respectively. We left the rowing center and drove through the (now almost dry) marshland of the Park. A Bee-eater was among the most interesting sights, while Marsh Harriers were all around.
Time was not our friend and we had to start our trip back to the port, making a stop at the Aesthetic Forest of Kaisariani on Mt Hymettus. We looked for resident and migrant wood dwellers, like Blackcaps, Coal Tits, Cirl Buntings, Redstarts, Jays etc.
We ended up finding some 42 species. Not bad at all for such a short actual time of birding!
Bruce's 'wish list' was quite long as he has not birded in Europe a lot. It included very common birds (like the Goldfinch) and rare and endangered, like the Ferruginous Duck. Since time was an issue (pick up from the port of Piraeus that lies 15 km south of dowtown Athens could not be earlier than 08.00 and drop off should be no later than 15.30) the best sites to choose were Schinias National Park and Mt Hymettus.
We first headed for Schinias National Park, to look for waterfowl, herons, waders and passerines. A walk in the Olympic rowing was very productive: Ferruginous Ducks, Garganeys, Kingfishers plus two Pygmy Corormants, a rare visitor to Athens!
 |
| Ferruginous Duck |
 |
| Pygmy Cormorant |
Penduline Tits, Red-rumped Swallows and lots of Crested Larks were also seen in the reeds, up the sky and on the ground, respectively. We left the rowing center and drove through the (now almost dry) marshland of the Park. A Bee-eater was among the most interesting sights, while Marsh Harriers were all around.
 |
| Bee-eater |
 |
| Penduline Tit (1st win.) |
Time was not our friend and we had to start our trip back to the port, making a stop at the Aesthetic Forest of Kaisariani on Mt Hymettus. We looked for resident and migrant wood dwellers, like Blackcaps, Coal Tits, Cirl Buntings, Redstarts, Jays etc.
 |
| Coal Tit |
 |
| Bruce looking for Blackcaps |
We ended up finding some 42 species. Not bad at all for such a short actual time of birding!
TRIP CHECKLIST
Mute Swan
Mallard
Garganey
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Pygmy Cormorant
Grey Heron
Marsh Harrier
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Water Rail
Coot
Green Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Collared Dove
Bee-eater
Kingfisher
Crested Lark
Barn Swallow
Red-rumped Swallow
Robin
Common Redstart
Whinchat
Stonechat
Blackbird
Cetti's Warbler
Blackcap
Willow Warbler
Spotted Flycatcher
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Penduline Tit
Jay
Magpie
Hooded Crow
House Sparrow
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Cirl Bunting
