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Perasma Reservoir

Lesvos  >  Greece

A large reservoir which attracts many species of gulls, waders and migrants.

Added* by Bas Engels
Most recent update 12 February 2020

Description

The Perasma Reservoir is a large water body in the northern part of Lesvos. It contains water all year long and attracts many species of birds, like gulls, waders, pipits and migrants. The water itself is used as resting area for large numbers of gulls, being mainly Yellow-legged Gull. If you're lucky, Audouin's Gull can be found here too. Ruddy Shelduck breeds around the reservoir and many other ducks can be seen on the water, like Garganey and Mallard. On several places in the reservoir, water vegetation, such as water lily, is present. Often, Eurasian Coot and herons, like Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron can be found near and on them. Waders are often seen feeding around the reservoir, like Common Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper, but also scarcer species, like Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. In summer, large flocks of swallows, martins and swifts gather in the evening above the lake to drink. Within these large flocks of mainly Common Swift, small numbers of Alpine Swift and sometimes Pallid Swift can be found.

The area north of the reservoir, down the tarmac road, consists of reedbeds and small forested areas in the west and rocky scrublands in the east. In the reedbeds, common species of reedbirds can be found, like Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Reed Warbler. Scarcer species, like Great Reed Warbler and River Warbler, can also be present in this area. A small river flows through the area towards the coast, coming from the reservoir. The trees just next to the river are often used as roosting and hunting area for herons, like Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron and Little Bittern. The rocky scrublands on the other side of the tarmac road are used by many species of breeding birds, like Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Western Rock Nuthatch and Black-headed Bunting. The power lines next to the road and in the reedbed area are often used as resting area for migrants, like Red-footed Falcon and European Bee-eater. Great Spotted Cuckoo is also known to breed in the area.

Towards the southern side of the reservoir, the landscape changes into a semi forested area with many bushes and scrubs. Here, species like Sombre Tit, Eastern Orphean Warbler and European Turtle Dove can be found. Middle Spotted Woodpecker is also freqeuntly heard and seen in the smaller trees surrounding the meadows. The meadows themselves are used by Yellow-legged Gull as foraging area and near the edges small numbers of Eurasian Hoopoe can be seen. The area is also used as breeding ground for Eurasian Nightjar, which can be heard at night from the road. Also Eurasian Scops Owl are frequently heard.

Raptors pass overhead; from local species, like Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard, to migrating species, like Lesser Spotted Eagle and harriers.

Details

Access

The area is easy accessable on foot, by bike and by car due to the tarmac roads that leads throught the area. Somewhere halfway, the tarmac switches to an unpaved road. The best way to enjoy the area is on foot. You can park your car down the tarmac road north of the reservoir (see P on the map. You can walk up the tarmac road, enjoying the rocky area on the left and the reedbeds on the right, until you reach the reservoir. You can scan the area from here with your telescope for waders and other birds. From here, you can follow the tarmac road further south until it changes to an unpaved road. The landscape changes to a more forested area. You can keep following the track until you reach a semi open, dusty area from where the road goes (a bit steep) downwards towards the Kavaki area. You can continue the road towards Kavaki or head back to your car.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Forest , Wetland , Grassland , Valley , Lake , Reedbeds , Agriculture

Conditions

Hilly , Rocky , Sandy , Dry

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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