Description
Selinari is a monastery on the island of Crete that is beautifully built into the southern mountainside of the Selinari Gorge. It is very easy to reach by bus from Malia or Agios Nikolaos, and of course by car. From the bus stop or the bistro, you can observe all of the species mentioned directly in and above the rock massifs on both sides of the road. The colony of Белоголовый сип comprises an estimated 10 pairs. The birds are said to be fed by the monks. The really special feature is the breeding of the Шахин, which I discovered there for the first time in 2024 for Greece and thus for Europe outside the Canary Islands. The Шахин is sympatric there with the Сапсан (subspecies brookei).
Other birds you can observe in the area are Чеглок Элеоноры, Курганник, Клушица, Синий каменный дрозд, Чёрный аист and Сизый голубь.
Details
Access
Selinari is located 40 km east of Heraklion and 8 km east of Malia. Bus line Malia - Agios Nikolaos or by car take national road (E75). Observation is possible directly from the bus stop or the parking lot. Press P on the map for directions.

