Birding around Athens during August can be challenging, since the temptation from the nearby sandy beaches is hard to manage.
Meantime, since autumn migration in under way, there are several interesting species we observed these first two weeks of August, during our guided bird trips.
There has been an "invasion" of shrikes in eastern Attica. On the 23rd of August we recorded at least 8 Lesser Grey Shrikes, 2 Woodchat Shrikes, and dozens of Red-backed Shrikes, mostly juveniles. A great place for such encounters is Schinias National Park and nearby Ramnous fields.
at Schinias National Park
Waders continue to arrive in significant numbers, in small wetlands around the city of Athens. In Oropos Lagoon, we observed Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover (breeding), Little Stint, Greenshank, Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Wood Sandpiper. Greater Flamingos are still there to enjoy, together with lots of Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Mediterranean Gulls, Shags, Sandwich Terns.
Common Kestrel in flight,
at Oropos Lagoon
Birds of prey that migrate south: Eleonorae's Falcon at Oropos Lagoon, Short-toed Eagle at Spata fields and Avlona
A few interesting residents, as well as colorful migrants at Avlona hills: Rock Nunthatch, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Redstart, Spotted Flycatchers, Subalpine Warbler, Whitethroat, Cirl Bunting
Artemis Lagoon holds water this year, so lots of shorebirds can be observed in a birding tour at the area. Only a few Black-winged Stilts are left, more than 10 Little Stints, Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers. Definately, the hightlights of the week were the annual visitior, Broad-billed Sandpiper and the elusive but yet very active Savi's Warbler.
Red Fox inspecting Artemis Lagoon at dusk
