Birding tour around Athens: Oct 28th 2022

Winter is just around the corner, but the weather is still excellent for a full day birding tour around Athens. A Tawny Owl was definately the highlight of the day!

We started our trip from Mt Parnitha. After the first steap turns, we stopped at an area with Oak trees. Robins and Blackbirds were heard from everywhere. Firecrests were very active, as well as Cirl Buntings Coal Tits and Great Tits.

Suddenly we heard a familiar sound: a Tawny Owl calling! It took us more than half an hour to find it. A striking Tawny Owl, sitting fearless on a Cephalonian Fir tree. What a sighting!

A fearless Tawny Owl at Mt Parnitha, Athens

We couldn't get enough watching the bird, perching and turning the head almost 360degrees. We managed to record a videos with a mobile phone, with the use of the spotting scope: It might not be a highest quality wildlife video footage, however it really captures the moments

Impressive Tawny Owl twisting its head almost 360degrees

We headed towards Mpafi Refuge, a nice place to rest for hikers (and birders!). After a morning cup of coffee, we continued our birding adventure. Firecrests and Coal Tits were around the trees of the refuge! Great Tits and Robins everywhere.

Singing Cirl Bunting

A cute Coal Tit

Great Tit on a fir tree

Grey Plover at Oropos Lagoon

Robin at Mt Parnitha

Cretan Chamois at Mt Parnitha

After a great morning, we headed north to Oropos Lagoon. The Flamingos are now more than 20 birds, while more Great White Egrets are arriving. Kentish Plovers were very active, while Redshanks and Grey Plovers gave us a lot of photographic opportunities. A single Bar-tailed Godwit was still there, as well as Slender-billed Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls, and 2 Spoonbills

Redshank beside the sea, at Oropos Lagoon

Kentish Plover running at the seashore, at Oropos Lagoon

Sunrise from Mt Parnitha,
with Mt Pendeli in the backround

Overall we saw 45 species, here is the full bird list

Green-winged Teal
Greater Flamingo
Rock Pigeon
Collared Dove
Grey Plover
Kentish Plover
Ringed Plover
Bar-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Curlew Sandpiper
Dunlin
Little Stint
Greenshank
Redshank
Slender-billed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Black-headed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Sandwich Tern
Great Cormorant
Grey Heron
Great White Egret
Little Egret
Spoonbill
Common Buzzard
Tawny Owl
Kingfisher
Eurasian Kestrel
Eurasian Jay
Magpie
Hooded Crow
Raven
Coat Tit
Great Tit
Crested Lark
Chiffchaff
Firecrest
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Stonechat
House Sparrow
Water Pipit
Chaffinch
Cirl Bunting