Spata fields

Birding at Spata fields, Athens

Red-footed Falcon at Spata fields, Athens

S(caps)pata fields can be easily considered a hidden gem for birdwatching, just beside Athens International Airport. During spring and autumn migration, this vast area of mixed vegetation is ideal for a surprisingly productive birding tour.

Many eurasian highlight species breed or simply stop by for a fiew days, such as Great Spotted Cuckoo, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Kestrels, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Isabelline Wheatear, Short-toed Lark, Black-headed Buntings, Rollers, Woodchat Shrikes

Habitat

Wine orchards, olive groves, fig trees and mashes (depending on year's precipitation)

All year breeding species

Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola

Spring and summer

Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier,  Red-footed Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Collared Pratincole, Turtle Dove,  Red-throated Pipit, Red-throated Pipit,  Great Spotted Cuckoo, Short-toed Lark, Black-headed Wagtail, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Roller, Woodchat Shrike, Black-headed Bunting

Autumn

Bee-eater, Tawny Pipit, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Spotted Flycather, Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Subalpine Warbler, Garden Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike

Winter

Sky Lark, Hen Harrier, Brambling, Reed Bunting