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Nestos National Park - Lake Ismarida

Rodopi  >  Greece

A large lake with great areas of reedbed and steppe habitats around it.

Added* by Vasily Kalinichenko
Most recent update 7 junij 2024

Description

Lake Ismarida or Limni Mitrikou. The locals call it Limni Mitrikou or Mother Lake. The name Ismarida comes from Mount Ismaros due the short distance from it. It is located in the southern part of the prefecture and is of vital importance as it is protected by the international treaty Ramsar. This 2000-3000 acre lake is the biggest sweet water lake in Greece. Its deepest point is 1,5 meters.

The coastal wetland complex consists of the freshwater Lake Mitrikou, surrounded by extensive reedbeds (Phragmites), coastal lagoons and saltmarsh. The area is important for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds, and breeding species associated with reedbeds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: rdečevrata gos (0-3 wintering individuals), beloglavka (wintering), belorepec (wintering), kraljevi orel (passage), južna postovka (passage) and sredozemski galeb. The site holds 20,000 waterbirds in winter, on a regular basis (including duplinska kozarka 2,500; žvižgavka 6,000; kreheljc 3,500; mlakarica 10,000; sabljarka 2,500; rečni galeb 3,000).

The area is known for annual occuring of mala droplja in winter, breeding of laški škrjanec and rjava komatna tekica. In the village of Kalamokastro there is a large colony of južna postovka , so take your time to visit that village.

Details

Access

Lake Ismarida is located 15 km south of the village of Komotini. The provincial road Imeros-Sidirochori is the main road to get to the location. You can then follow every route you like. Click on the P in the map to get directions. Note - due to the extensive reedbeds the lake can't be seen from the road, so the observatory is a nice place to observe it.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Steppe , Lake , Beach , Mud flats , Agriculture , Sea , Reedbeds , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , No shadow , Open landscape , Dusty , High water possible

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Summer

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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