Little Owl Athene noctua
58
mon Buzzards and Sparrowhawks lurk on the protruding branches. Driving further closer to the delta, you will notice the vegetation becoming sparser, giving way to saltflats. In winter, there are good chances to see the Great Spotted Eagle, the Whitetailed Eagle and - if you are lucky - the Short-eared Owl, this being one of the few places in Greece that it has been recorded. No matter what vehicle you are driving, it will be really hard for it from here on, since there are wicked puddles everywhere! So when you see the livestock pens (beware of the shepherd dogs!), you can only continue on foot. The typical wetland mosquitoes will be all over you, but even so the place is amazing!
During migration, the route towards the delta and the riverine forest can be very productive. The most notable is the Great Snipe, but you will also see Syrian Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Pied Flycatchers, Collared Flycatchers, even the Semi-collared Flycatcher. Gulls and terns breed on the islets of the delta, most significant being the Slender-billed Gull, the Mediterranean Gull and the Gull-billed Tern. On the vast expanses close to water, look for Stone Curlews and Collared Pratincoles. River Loudias is the next stop. It’s more like a large canal rather than a river, its surrounding area resembling the rest. It is located to the northeast of Aliakmonas and very close to it. From point 6, follow