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Axios Delta

Central Makedonia  >  Greece

The Axios Delta is one of the most important ecosystems in Greece. A system of river estuaries, marshes, lagoons and salt flats that is loaded with birdlife.

Added* by Tsilianidis Saky
Most recent update 20 November 2023

Description

Thanks to the considerable alternation in its ecological conditions – ranging from agricultural crops and fields to salty ground, marshes and dunes – the Axios Delta is an ideal biotope for many species of wild animals and birds. Almost 300 kinds of birds take refuge here, like Stone-curlew, Greater Flamingo, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Avocet, Glossy Ibis and Collared Pratincole.

The route you see on the map is possible to drive with all kind of cars. We had a lot of nice observations along this route. The path begins at in the north for 6 km before you arrive on the sea. After that you have the sea on the right side and to the left the lagoon. Birds are everywhere.

Details

Access

You can drive to the area from the village of Chalastra on the Thessaloniki Athene highway. But note that Chalastra only has an exit when you arrive from the north, coming from the south there is no exit at Chalastra. So when you arrive from the south click on a P in the map for directions. The route can be done by car, but also by bike or on foot.

Terrain and Habitat

River , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Agriculture , Sea , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Dusty , Wet , No shadow

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The Axios Delta is of worldwide ornithological importance, as considerable populations of rare birds stop, nest or overwinter here. These species include Dalmatian Pelican, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Collared Pratincole, Mediterranean Gull, Pygmy Cormorant and Kentish Plover. Given its location on one of the main migratory routes in Europe, thousands of water birds stop in this wetland during the migration season in order to feed, while important numbers of waterbirds at a European level gather here during the winter. A total of 299 species of birds have been documented in this area – that is, 66% of all bird species observed to present in Greece, and of these 106 nest here.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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Comments & Tips

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