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North Coast track near Efthalou

Lesvos  >  Greece

The North Coast track near Efthalou gives some great views over the sea and contains many small valleys, great for migrants and local breeding species.

Added* by Bas Engels
Most recent update 16 January 2023

Description

The road between Efthalou and Skala Sikaminias is a rough dirt road which leads through small valleys and next to steep cliffs while having a great view over the sea strait between Lesvos and Turkey. The valleys are great during migration: many birds, especially during autumn migration, tend to rest in these valleys and bushes can be packed with songbirds, like Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler and Ortolan Bunting. Other migrants, like Golden Oriole and large flocks of European Bee-eater, are very common. Local breeding species can be found here too, like Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler and Sombre Tit. Many shrikes and buntings, like Cretzschmar's Bunting and Woodchat Shrike, can be seen on the more drier areas. Chukar can be seen and heard too.

The shores are great for gulls, like large flocks of resting Yellow-legged Gull. Within these flocks, mostly indiviual, Audouin's Gull can be found.

The road is also great for observing crossing daytime migrants, like raptors, coming from Turkey. Offshore, flocks of Yelkouan Shearwater and small numbers of Scopoli's Shearwater can be seen. If you're lucky, Bottlenosed Dolpins show up.

Details

Access

The road is easy accessable from both sides: or Efthalou or Skala Sikaminias. It's a dirt road with some steep parts, so a 4x4 is recommended.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Plain , Grassland , Mountain , Valley , Sea , Beach

Conditions

Hilly , Rocky , Mountainous , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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