GR136
Tokmakia islets, Lesvos 26° 25’ 39.177” E, 39° 17’ 30.810” N Area: 83 km 2 Region: Voreio Aigaio • Prefecture: Lesvos
A1, C1 Seaward Extension
Site Description The marine IBA is located in the Bays of Makris Gialos and Lagada on the northeastern coast of Lesvos island, adjacent to the Mytilini Strait. Its boundary includes the marine area surrounding the islets of Kydonas, Prasologos, Monopetra and the Tokmakia islet group consisting of 10 islets (Panagia, Barbalias, Mavri Plakouda, Aspronisos, Tsoukalas, Aspri Plakouda and smaller islets). The marine area contains a 0.5 n.m. marine extension
from Cape Feros in the north, to Mistegna Bay in the south. Waters in the area are shallow, rarely exceeding the depth of 50 m. The islets in the IBA are mainly low-lying, covered with scarce shrub vegetation, smooth coasts and small beaches, with the exception of Aspronisos and Aspri Plakouda islets which are characterised by steeper coastline. They provide necessary nesting, resting and roosting sites for seabirds.
Ornithological Importance The IBA has been designated for its importance for the Audouin’s Gull which holds here a mediumsized breeding population (28-31 pairs). Colony sites interchange between two uninhabited islets in different years. Birds breeding in the IBA species
related IBA
Larus audouinii
GR136
are considered to belong to the same breeding population which also uses islets in neighbouring IBAs i.e. GR134 and GR135. Their foraging and resting areas are restricted to adjacent coastal marine waters.
year
season
min
max
unit
accuracy
criteria
1997-2012
B
28
31
P
good
A1, C1
Other Species of Interest Mediterranean Shags (>20 pairs) breed, forage and roost in the area. Their foraging areas overlap with those of the Audouin’s Gull. Cory’s and Yelkouan 114
Shearwaters regularly forage in the Mytilini Strait. More than 1,000 pairs of Yellow-legged Gulls breed on the islets in this area.