Regardless that the birding round Lake Kerkini could also be remarkable, it’s inevitably the lake itself that’s the centre of hobby. It’s a reservoir, now not a herbal lake, and used to be shaped by means of damming the Striminos river, which flows into Greece from neighboring Bulgaria (sadly bringing with it large quantities of plastic garbage, growing issues for the Nationwide Park.) The primary dam used to be inbuilt 1932, however the latest paintings, increase the embankments, came about in 1982.
Kerkini at crack of dawn. This {photograph} used to be taken at Mandraki, on the northern finish of the lake, in early Would possibly, when water ranges are top
The lake reaches its height top in past due Would possibly and early June, relying at the snow soften, however even then the extent will vary broadly relying at the glide of the Striminos. Right through the summer time the lake water is used for irrigation on farmland under the dam. At its height within the early summer time, the lake covers 72 sq. kilometres, lowering to 54sqkm within the autumn and wintry weather, when in depth dust apartments are uncovered, attracting giant flocks of Higher Flamingoes, wildfowl and waders.
This {photograph} of a Spoonbill at its nest within the flooded woodland used to be taken 9 years in the past. Few appropriate nesting timber nonetheless live to tell the tale these days
Once I visited Kerkini final month, the water used to be top as top as I’ve ever observed it, although the selection of geese and ducks used to be low, as is standard. There have been a couple of Mallard, and the bizarre Ferruginous Duck, in conjunction with Greylag Ducks and Mute Swans. The Greylags are attention-grabbing, as they’re of the jap race, rubrirostris, with unique red legs and beaks, not like the orange of our birds at house in Britain.
Jap Greylag Ducks have red expenses and legs
There might not be many geese, however there are large numbers of different birds that swim. Kerkini is shallow and is tremendously productive, generating sufficient fish to feed a summer time inhabitants of many 1000’s of Nice Cormorants, in conjunction with loads of Nice White and Dalmatian Pelicans, plus a large number of different fish-eating birds. The pelicans are the true stars of the lake, with the Dalmatian Pelicans attracting hen photographers from in every single place Europe. The highest month for pictures is in February, when the pelicans’ beak pouches are a perfectly wealthy colour of orange. This means height breeding situation, however by means of Would possibly their pouches are again to light yellow once more. Each species of pelicans breed at the lake, with the Dalmatians the extra a large number of. Intriguingly, the latter had been badly suffering from hen flu, an sickness that didn’t have an effect on the Nice Whites.
For western birdwatchers, Pygmy Cormorants are a big appeal, for those diminutive cormorants are a Balkan particular, and Kerkini is among the perfect puts to look them. Regardless that very much outnumbered by means of their higher cousins, they’re simple to look, and similarly simple to recognise because of their small measurement.
Pygmy cormorant, a Balkan particular
Such an abundance of fish draws herons, and at Kerkini you’ll be able to see the overall supplement of Ecu breeding species: Gray Heron, Crimson Heron, Night time Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret and Nice White Egrets all breed. The latter is a reasonably new colonist, and has lately been joined by means of Farm animals Egret, although the latter stays scarce.
Spoonbills: birds at the moment are breeding clear of the lake because of lack of appropriate nest websites
Squacco Herons are not unusual breeding birds
No longer simply energetic at evening: a Night time Heron
Cormorants now battle to search out nest websites. The tree festooned with nests (most sensible) is not going to last longer than any other season
Unfortunately, within the 16 years that I’ve been visiting Kerkini, I’ve observed a drastic relief within the measurement of the outdated drowned woodland which till lately supported large numbers of nesting cormorants, herons, egrets and Spoonbills. The timber can’t take care of the large seasonal adjustments within the water degree, and there’s no regeneration, both, so what used to be till lately a thriving hen town is now in terminal decline. Lots of the herons and egrets, in conjunction with the Spoonbills, have already deserted the drowned woodland, and now nest in woods inside of commuting distance of the lake.
Black Tern: a not unusual passage migrant in spring, however now a scarce breeding hen
The fluctuations within the water degree don’t seem to be just right for the water lilies, so the large beds of lilies that after existed have declined, so the lake is not as sexy because it as soon as used to be for nesting marsh terns. Take a ship go back and forth on Kerkini in Would possibly and also you must see Black and most likely Whiskered Terns, however few now breed. The massive inhabitants of Nice Crested Grebes additionally struggles to nest effectively because of the fluctuating water ranges, whilst this yr, for the primary time, I failed to look any Black-necked Grebes, as soon as a normal breeding hen.
Fluctuating water ranges adversely have an effect on the nesting luck of the huge inhabitants of Nice Crested Grebes that makes an attempt to reproduce at the lake
White Pelicans now breed at Kerkini in small however rising numbers. The flock (under) is commuting again to Lake Prespa after a fishing expedition at Kerkini
Through Would possibly Dalmatian Pelicans not have the unique orange beak pouches that they increase in early spring, and which the photographers so revel in
That’s the dangerous information, however the excellent news is that the lake stays astonishingly fertile, and is greater than able to supporting such large numbers of fish-eating birds. Such is its productiveness that White Pelicans, nesting on Lake Prespa over 150 kilometres away, will fly right down to Kerkini to fish.
A mass feeding frenzy. Pelicans and Cormorants jostle in combination for the most productive fishing
The feeding frenzy is over. The birds at the moment are beginning to disperse
A mass fishing is a sight to not be overlooked. It most often begins when the Cormorants to find shoals of fish with reference to the skin. 1000’s extra are temporarily attracted, flying low in lengthy, waving black strains around the lake. They pack directly to the water, diving regularly. Right here they’re invariably joined by means of each Dalmatian and White Pelicans, whilst if the mass fishing takes position close to the shore, it is going to draw in crowds of herons and egrets, too. This is a impressive sight and sound as 1000’s of birds delight in a mass feeding frenzy. Then, somewhat , the fishing stops (have the fish shoals dived to deeper water?), and the nice crowds of birds disperse. Those mass fishings happen day-to-day, however the lake is big, so one wishes somewhat success to watch any such spectacle.
Any individual taken with visiting Kerkini must purchase a replica of Birdwatching in Northern Greece, by means of Steve Turbines, and to be had from www.birdwing.ecu. Now in its 3rd version, it’s a superbly illustrated and complete information to the birds of Northern Greece, and the place to search out them. It offers complete protection of Lake Kerkini.