GR169
Symi island and surrounding islets 27° 48’ 26.835” E, 36° 33’ 22.125” N Area: 76 km 2 Region: Notio Aigaio • Prefecture: Dodekanisa
A1, B2, C1, C6 Seaward Extension
Site Description The island of Symi in the southern Dodecanese is located in the vicinity of mainland Turkey, between Datça and Bozburun Peninsulas. The marine IBA includes coastal areas of west, south and eastern Symi, extending from Cape Saros (Toli) in the northwest until Cape Manous in the east. The area contains a 0.5 n.m. marine extension surrounding 10 islets which form two groups, locally known as Diavates in the southwest and Sesklia in the southeast. This coastal part of Symi is characterised by low and medium rocky cliffs covered by sparse phrygana, some slopes with scree reaching up to the sea, and
small pebbled beaches. Most islets are rocky, forming crevices and small cliffs, ideal for nesting gulls and the Mediterranean Shag. Despite of its proximity to the mainland (<4 n.m.), the depth of the separating waters exceeds 200 m. The seabed falls abruptly around the entire island, reaching a depth of 400 m in the south and west. Shallow waters among the small islet groups in the southeast and southwest provide suitable foraging grounds for most seabird species, as well as all three dolphin species (Striped, Common Bottle-nosed and Short-beaked Common Dolphin) and the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
Ornithological Importance The site holds the most important Audouin’s Gull breeding population in the southern Dodecanese and the third largest nationally after those in the Northern Dodecanese (GR160) and Fournoi (GR144). In the past (1998-9) the colony had reached over 70 breeding pairs, but has declined since then to half the size within a decade, following the trend of most other colonies in Greece. The reasons for this decline are not well understood and require further species
related IBA
Larus audouinii
GR169
study. Foraging ranges extend more than 10 n.m. from the breeding colony, with birds feeding in the shallow waters around Diavates, in the Strait of Seskli, the southern bays of Symi and within the Gulf of Panormitis. Ringing of fledglings has taken place here during 1999 and 2012. A fledgling ringed in the area has been reported breeding 12 years later on a Turkish islet, 14 n.m. from its natal islet. Some individuals overwinter in the area.
year
season
min
max
unit
accuracy
1997-2012
B
32
73
P
good
criteria A1, B2, C1, C6
Other Species of Interest Cory’s and Yelkouan Shearwaters are also observed in the area foraging in small-sized flocks, primarily in waters towards Rhodes and Turkey. No breeding colonies of either species have been located yet in the area, although fishermen have mentioned hearing their calls on certain islets at 148
night. A small population of Mediterranean Shag also breeds in the area, while few nesting sites have been identified. The species mainly forages in the Gulf of Agios Vasileios and near Sesklio islet. The Yellow-legged Gull population is relatively small (100-110 pairs), nesting on most islets of the area.