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Rate birdingplace Axios Delta
Description
Thanks to the considerable alternation in its ecological conditions – ranging from agricultural crops and fields to salty ground, marshes and dunes – the Axios Delta is an ideal biotope for many species of wild animals and birds. Almost 300 kinds of birds take refuge here, like Stone-curlew, Greater Flamingo, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Avocet, Glossy Ibis and Collared Pratincole.
The route you see on the map is possible to drive with all kind of cars. We had a lot of nice observations along this route. The path begins at in the north for 6 km before you arrive on the sea. After that you have the sea on the right side and to the left the lagoon. Birds are everywhere.
Details
Access
You can drive to the area from the village of Chalastra on the Thessaloniki Athene highway. But note that Chalastra only has an exit when you arrive from the north, coming from the south there is no exit at Chalastra. So when you arrive from the south click on a P in the map for directions. The route can be done by car, but also by bike or on foot.
Terrain and Habitat
River , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Agriculture , Sea , ReedbedsConditions
Flat , Dusty , Wet , No shadowCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
The Axios Delta is of worldwide ornithological importance, as considerable populations of rare birds stop, nest or overwinter here. These species include Dalmatian Pelican, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Collared Pratincole, Mediterranean Gull, Pygmy Cormorant and Kentish Plover. Given its location on one of the main migratory routes in Europe, thousands of water birds stop in this wetland during the migration season in order to feed, while important numbers of waterbirds at a European level gather here during the winter. A total of 299 species of birds have been documented in this area – that is, 66% of all bird species observed to present in Greece, and of these 106 nest here.
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ACCESS : You don't consider accessing the Axios delta site coming from the south. Please note that coming from the south, you cannot take, on the Thessaloniki Athene highway, the Chalastra exit because in this direction THERE IS NOT an exit at Chalastra. You have to take the exit before Chalastra, at Malgara. Than you have to go to Chalastra, to go on through Chalastra and finally to join the access described. In this direction (coming from south), the access to the Axios delta is much more long and complicate (better to have à GPS !)
Terek Sandpiper - Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus. Seen, thanks to Manos, the 25th September 2023 at the Axios delta site, along the way which begins from the church Agios Nikolaos and which goes east, in the little marshes on the left handside.
Thank you Risser for this valuable additional info. We added it to the text.
Unfortunately, this area is completely littered and the observation tower is massively damaged and neglected. An absolute disappointment for nature lovers to see something like this. This seems to be normal for this country, as in many other wetlands things are not much better; There is a lot of rubbish everywhere in nature. A shame!
I visited the place in early November. The area is huge. The road was passable by ordinary passenger car and very dusty (it had not rained for a long time). There are many birds, although far away and very skittish. Even stopping a slowly moving car causes them to flee. In the vicinity of the observation tower (renovated), observations are more pleasant. Telescope - very useful. in relation to the route drawn on the map, you can make a loop by driving east from the tower towards the fishing port - a controversial tourist place, but an interesting place - there you can turn onto one of the roads and return to the area of the starting point. Despite interesting observations, this place is depressing. Lots of garbage, sad stray dogs, filthy pens with emaciated and neglected cows. Here and there, there were corpses of these animals in various stages of decomposition.