Athens Bird Tour: Colorful target species during June 9th 2023 day trip
On June 9th we organized a full day bird trip for a couple of birders from New Hamshire, and an evolutionary biologist J.D. Curlis (IG: @zardy-party) from the University of Michigan. John has already visited Greece last autumn (read here the relevant Trip Report), so now he had a new target species list that created a challenge for us. We tried to combined different habitats, during a very warm day of June, especially the west and north parts of Athens.
A target species for most birders, the iconic Rueppell's Warbler
was seen at our visit at Hymettus Mt ridge
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Stone bridge at Asopos River
Since our morning meeting was at Katehaki Metro Station, we started birding at Kesariani Aesthetic forest of Hymettus Mt, just 5 min drive from the metro station. The first birds we saw were Eurasian Jays, Blackbirds, Chaffinches and a beautiful Common Kestrel perching on a tall Cypress tree. We also enjoyed the playfull Great Tits, together with breeding Firecrests, which were lifers for the visiting birders. Another birds of interest was the Cirl Bunting, that we managed to see later on.
Eurasian Jay around Kesariani Monastery
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Firecrest, a tiny playful bird
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Then we moved towards the summit of Hymettus Mt, and had excellent views of Rueppell's Warblers. This species breeds in the western slopes of the mountain and is active until the temperature get really high. John took a lot of great pictures of the bird on different Kermes Oaks.
Subalpine Warbler
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Male Cirl Bunting at Mt Hymettus
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Singing Rueppell's Warbler at My Hymettus
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Then we headed west towards Tritsis Metropolitan Park. This is indeed an big (for the standards of Athens) urban park, with various micro-habitats, so it atrracts several species of birds during the summer. Rose-ringed Parakeets and Alexandrine Parakeets are breeding there, always fun to watch.
But the most increadible sighting was over the two big lakes of the parks. Hundreds of Alpine Swifts, together with a few Common Swifts and Barn Swallows were sweeping the air, screaming and making dives over the water level, in order to catch flying insects. They were so loud and noisy, and so numerous, trully an unforgettable spectacle.
Alpine Swifts (Photo: JD Curlis)
Alexandine Parakeet have stablished colonies
at Tritsis Metropolitan Park (Photo: JD Curlis)
On the small islet of one lake we saw two Black-crowned Night Herons and nearby an unexpected Squaco Heron, a beautiful bird of creamy colour. Moorhens, Mallards, Cetti's Warblers were also recorded. The highlight species of the park was definately the Hoopoe. We chased a couple of birds, playing hide and seak among the olive trees and pine trees. That was another big lifer for our visitors and a target species to photograph for John, who spent some time getting wondeful shots with his DSLR camera.
Night Herons (Photo: JD Curlis)
A well hidden Squacco Heron (Photo: JD Curlis)
As the first couple of birders had to leave for sightseeing tour of Acropolis and other historical sights of Athens, we continued our trip with John. After having an increadibly tasty greek gyros street food, we headed east, arriving at Erythres village after 45 min easy drive. We began our birding experience by admiring the immense White Stork's nest in the main church of the village. We saw one parent and 3 chicks, but later on, we saw a total of 3 adults and 3 young birds. This is the highest number of birds ever recorded in this popular nest! We even saw the adult birds cluttering loud, performing a romantic couple dance. We could stay there for the whole day, enjoying these unique birds.
A pair of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) (Photo: JD Curlis)
White Storks with young birds in the nest
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Spanish Sparrow nest (Photo: JD Curlis)
Barn Swallow nest building (Photo: JD Curlis)
Panoramic view of Erythres Plains
Under the balconies of the nearby buidlings we found a lot of nest from House Martins and Barn Swallows. A few Red-rumped Swallows were flying too, but couldn't find their nests. So after hundreds of White Stork and hirundines pictures, we drove through Erythres plains. Black-headed Buntings were singing from every single vineyards, along with Corn Buntings and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers. Common Whitethroats and Subalpine Warblers were very active too.
Little Owl on wire (Photo: JD Curlis)
Black-headed Bunting in the vineyards (Photo: JD Curlis)
Lesser Grey Shrike carrying food to the nest
(Photo: JD Curlis)
The old quarry was full f Easten Black-eared Wheatears and resident noisy Western Rock Nuthatches. A Peregrine Falcon flew over the quarry, a first record for us in the area. Other raptors included Short-toed Snake Eagles, Common Buzzards, Common Kestrels.
Western Rock Nuthatch at the quarry (Photo: JD Curlis)
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca)
(Photo: JD Curlis)
Our destination was the stone bridge of Asopos river, a few kilometers west from Erythres. This is the best area for Dragonflies around Athens, with several species in big numbers, including Demoiselle Blue, a stunning insect. Males have metallic blue colour, while females are green.
That was the best location to photograph Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and a striking female Black-headed Bunting that was posing well. Common Nightingales were very loud, but unfortunately we couldn't see any, all being well hidden in the willow trees and riparian vegetation.
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida) (Photo: JD Curlis)
Black-headed Bunting, female (Photo: JD Curlis)
Clover-fields
Birder's selfie: Low quality, but lots of happiness
Mallard
Common Swift
Alpine Swift
White Stork
Squacco Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Moorhen
Yellow-legged Gull
Short-toed Eagle
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Common Buzzard
Alexandrine Parakeet
Ring-necked Parakeet
Hoopoe
Bee-eater
Eurasian Jay
Lesser Grey Shrike
Little Owl
Magpie
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Sardinian Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
Rueppell's Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Firecrest
Cetti's Warbler
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Red-rumped Swallow
Western Rock Nuthatch
Nightingale
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
Goldfinch
Linnet
Black-headed Bunting
Corn Bunting
Cirl Bunting
Spyros Skareas
Bird Guide and Certified Tour Leader
Athens, GREECE
All sightings available at my eBird profile
