Description
Due to the irrigation, the current Kalamas Delta is pushed further north. Drive by the “tower hill” (check the cow herds for volavka rusohlavá), cross the Kestrini River and search the northern bank to the left (the southern bank is mostly dried out and converted into citrus orchards).
ledňáček říční are hunting (on this bank alone I recorded six of them). Quite a few vodouš rudonohý, numerous Chocholouš obecný (by cattle corrals), bramborníček hnědý (in reedbeds), pelikán kadeřavý (in the Xeradi Lagoon). In September the roadside bushes are alive with migrating lejsek šedý and flocks of budníček větší.
Details
Access
Driving north along the Ionian seacoast through the city of Igoumenitsa, there is a place where the main artery takes you right, further away from the sea – follow it for 150 metres and then turn left just before a small sports stadium. The rest of the road follows the sea.
Zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign for driving directions.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Beach , Mud flats , Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , River , Sea , ReedbedsConditions
Flat , Dry , Open landscape , DustyCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
Winter , SpringBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migration , WinterRoute
Paved road , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Car , FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
To be properly explored, the Kalamas area requires one full day. The nearest resorts are at the island of Corfu (Igoumenitsa is the ferry port for the island) or in the town of Parga, further south.
A detailed description of the area is to be found in the Birdwatching in Northern Greece (2023) by Steve Mills.
Links
- eBird list of the old delta of the Kalamas River
- Only for Dogs and Birders – Kalamas Delta, Greece
- Birding in Greece – Travel Guide to birdwatching sites in Greece (2014, pdf download) by Vlachos, Trigou & Stavrakas