a

Prespa Lakes National Park

Western Macedonia  >  Greece

The largest Kroeskoppelikaan colony in the world – more than 1300 pairs, plus more than 350 pairs of Roze Pelikaan and up to 700 pairs of Dwergaalscholver.

Geplaatst* door Dragan Simic
Meest recente update 3 oktober 2024

Beschrijving

The mountains of the Prespa Lakes National Park are more than 2300 metres high, while the lakes lie at the lowest point of the park, at 850 m a.s.l. The Mikri Prespa is shallow, less than ten metres and reeds-fringed, while the northern Megali Prespa is 55 m deep, cold and rich in fishes.

275 bird species were recorded in the national park, 160 of them breeding in it. One tenth of the global population of Kroeskoppelikaan breed here and can be observed from March to early October. In 2022, the bird flu killed more than 60% of the breeding pelicans at Lesser Prespa Lake, causing the greatest ecological disaster on record for Greek wildlife. The Roze Pelikaan arrive later, in April-May, and were mostly spared.

The “Prespa Walking Guide” further says that species found here to breed or probably breed at the very edge of their European breeding range are Grote Zaagbek (Megali Prespa – relic and isolated population), Hazelhoen (Mt. Sfika), Rode Rotslijster, Sperwergrasmus, Snor, Bosrietzanger and the Zwartkopgors.

There are 172 species of butterflies recorded within the national park, 24 species of bats, plus the Beech Marten (which I saw only as a road-kill), Otter, Wild Cat, Badger, Wild Boar, Grey Wolf and the European Brown Bear, among others.

Details

Toegang

If you are flying to Greece, it is more convenient to fly to Thessaloniki and drive two and a half hours west along the Odos Egnatia motorway, exit for Kastoria (a lovely town – if your time allows, do have a lunch by the lakeside) and continue north to Prespa Lakes. Zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign for driving directions.

Terrein en leefgebied

Bos , Wetland , Berg , Meer , Verspreide bomen en struiken , Grasland/weide

Omstandigheden

Bergachtig , Heuvelachtig , Rotsachtig

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Nee

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Lente , Zomer , Herfst

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Lente

Route

Verharde weg , Onverharde weg

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemiddeld

Toegankelijk via

Auto , Fiets , Te voet

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Nee

Extra info

To be properly explored, Prespa Lakes require at least two days or, better, three, even four days.

The most detailed description of the wider area is to be found in the Birdwatching in Northern Greece (2023) by Steve Mills.

The best topographic maps of the area, accompanied by a walking guide describing 14 nature tours in full detail, can be obtained at the Society for the Protection of Prespa, online or at their HQ in the village of Laimos (Lemos) during working hours; go left at the square with a small park, then right after the bridge.

Links

Bekijk vogelgebieden in de buurt op Birdingplaces

Kaart

Top 5 vogels

Andere vogels die je hier kunt zien

Toon meer vogels Toon minder vogels
Toon meer foto's Toon minder foto's

Reacties & Tips

Geef feedback
Beoordeel dit gebied