Birding tour in Athens: Nov 3rd 2022

By early November, fall migration is usually over: most summer species has departed and a few winter birds have started to arrive. It was a great opportunity today to search for some species breeding species and possible vagrant surprises.

Ferruginous Ducks breed succesfully
at Schinias National Park

Since our pick up point was at Pallini Metro Station, we started at the closest wetland of the east region of Attica, the coastal lagoon of Artemis. Redshanks, Snipe and a flock of Teal were observed, together with Dunlins, the first Grey Wagtails of this winter. At a nearby building, the first Black Redstart, a nice male bird perching on the roof.

Black Redstarts are often seen on rood tops

Our next location for this birding tour around Athens was the small but always worth checkin estuary of Rafina stream, next to the port of the city. This is a great spot to see and photograph Kingfishers, Water Rails, Moorhens, Little Egrets and Little Grebes.  

Water Rail at Rafina Stream

Our main destination was Schinias National Park, the most important birding area around Athens. As soon as we arrived, we saw a beautiful Common Buzzrd perching on a rusted wire. We headed towards the Olympic Rowing Center, were we enjoyed very close views of Ferruginous Ducks. A Red-backed Shrike was a surprise, since these birds usually have already departed for Africa.

Common Buzzard at Schinias National Park

Red-backed Shrike still present in November
 at Schinias National Park

We decided to take a look at the gorge of Rapendosa, at Mt Pendeli, known worldwide for the high quality marble production. We heard Rock Nuthatches, but unfortunately we could not spot one of them. However, the highlight of the day was soaring over our eyes: a striking Long-legged Buzzard. The bird was flying for a few minutes and gave as some photo opportunities when it sat on the rocky hill on the gorge. 

Long-legged Buzzard at Mt Pendeli, Athens

The bird list for the day:

Mallard

Teal

Ferruginous Duck

Little Grebe

Feral Pigeon

Collared Dove

Water Rail 

Moorhen 

Coot

Grey Plover

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Redshank

Black-headed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Common Buzzard

Long-legged Buzzard

Common Kingfisher

Common Kestrel

Red-backed Shrike

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Magpie

Hooded Crow

Woodlark

Skylark

Crested Lark

Zitting Cisticola

Chiffchaff

Cetti's Warbler

Sardinian Warbler

Western Rock Nuthatch

European Starling

European Robin

European Stonechat

Black Redstart

Dunnock

House Sparrow

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Common Chaffinch

European Goldfinch

European Serin

Spyros Skareas
Bird Guide and Certified Tour Leader
Athens, GREECE

All sightings available at my eBird profile