Description
South of the Kerkini Village, the tarmac more or less follows the lake shore. In the shallows of the Korifoudi, Αργυροπελεκάνος and Λαγγόνα are feeding, Ποταμογλάρονο resting, Λευκός Πελαργός and Μαύρος Πελαργός foraging, while above all of them, Τσίφτης , Γερακαετός , Κραυγαετός and Φιδαετός soar. Bushes are alive with (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψευταηδόνι , Μαυροφτέρι , Ωχροστριτσίδα , Ασπροκωλίνα , Βλαχοτσίχλονο and Υφάντρα . The Kroussia Mountain foothills offer Σιρλοτσίχλονο , Κλειδωνάς , Παρδαλοκεφαλάς and Σταχτοκεφαλάς .
From late summer to early winter, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Φοινικόπτερο become numerous. In winter, the place is bursting with numerous (Ευρωπαϊκή) Νεροκελάδα , (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι , with occasional Σταχτιά Νανοσκαλίδρα among them.
Details
Access
Explore by car or bicycle. Park wherever you like, but at the side – each straight section of the road inspires the locals to press the accelerator as if they were racing! Explore by walking, or further driving. For driving directions, zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Lake , Mud flatsConditions
Flat , Hilly , Wet , High water possibleCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migration , Spring , WinterRoute
Paved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Car , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Lake Kerkini is one of the youngest national parks of Greece, protected only in 2006 and inhabited by 11 amphibian, 27 reptilian, 44 mammal and 320 bird species. The best birding season here is spring, from mid-April to mid-June.
My accommodation of choice is the Limneo Lodge in Chrysochorafa Village, a small guesthouse with only 11 rooms (see the links below).
The most detailed description of the wider area is to be found in the Birdwatching in Northern Greece (2023) by Steve Mills. A shorter version is available in Finding Birds in Northern Greece (2015) by Dave Gosney.
Links
- Korifoudi marsh & Kerkinitis river mouth eBird list
- Lake Kerkini National Park authorities
- Accommodation around the lake
- Travel Guide to birdwatching sites in Greece (Lake Kerkini chapter starts at pg. 48)
- Limneo Lodge in Chrysochorafa Village
- Birding in Greece – Travel Guide to birdwatching sites in Greece (2014, pdf download) by Vlachos, Trigou & Stavrakas


