Although the birding round Lake Kerkini could also be excellent, it’s inevitably the lake itself that’s the centre of curiosity. It’s a reservoir, not a pure lake, and was shaped by damming the Striminos river, which flows into Greece from neighboring Bulgaria (sadly bringing with it enormous quantities of plastic garbage, creating issues for the Nationwide Park.) The primary dam was in-built 1932, however the latest work, increase the embankments, passed off in 1982.
Kerkini at daybreak. This {photograph} was taken at Mandraki, on the northern finish of the lake, in early Might, when water ranges are excessive
The lake reaches its peak peak in late Might and early June, relying on the snow soften, however even then the extent will fluctuate extensively relying on the circulate of the Striminos. In the course of the summer time the lake water is used for irrigation on farmland beneath the dam. At its peak within the early summer time, the lake covers 72 sq. kilometres, lowering to 54sqkm within the autumn and winter, when intensive mud flats are uncovered, attracting large flocks of Better Flamingoes, wildfowl and waders.
This {photograph} of a Spoonbill at its nest within the flooded forest was taken 9 years in the past. Few appropriate nesting timber nonetheless survive at the moment
After I visited Kerkini final month, the water was excessive as excessive as I’ve ever seen it, although the variety of geese and geese was low, as is common. There have been just a few Mallard, and the odd Ferruginous Duck, together with Greylag Geese and Mute Swans. The Greylags are attention-grabbing, as they’re of the japanese race, rubrirostris, with distinctive pink legs and beaks, in contrast to the orange of our birds at dwelling in Britain.
Japanese Greylag Geese have pink payments and legs
There might not be many geese, however there are enormous numbers of different birds that swim. Kerkini is shallow and is enormously productive, producing sufficient fish to feed a summer time inhabitants of many 1000’s of Nice Cormorants, together with a whole bunch of Nice White and Dalmatian Pelicans, plus quite a few different fish-eating birds. The pelicans are the true stars of the lake, with the Dalmatian Pelicans attracting chicken photographers from throughout Europe. The highest month for images is in February, when the pelicans’ beak pouches are a splendidly wealthy shade of orange. This means peak breeding situation, however by Might their pouches are again to pale yellow once more. Each species of pelicans breed on the lake, with the Dalmatians the extra quite a few. Intriguingly, the latter have been badly affected by chicken flu, an sickness that didn’t have an effect on the Nice Whites.
For western birdwatchers, Pygmy Cormorants are a significant attraction, for these diminutive cormorants are a Balkan particular, and Kerkini is among the finest locations to see them. Although vastly outnumbered by their bigger cousins, they’re simple to see, and equally simple to recognise resulting from their small measurement.
Pygmy cormorant, a Balkan particular
Such an abundance of fish attracts herons, and at Kerkini you’ll be able to see the total complement of European breeding species: Gray Heron, Purple Heron, Evening Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret and Nice White Egrets all breed. The latter is a comparatively new colonist, and has lately been joined by Cattle Egret, although the latter stays scarce.
Spoonbills: birds are actually breeding away from the lake resulting from lack of appropriate nest websites
Squacco Herons are widespread breeding birds
Not simply lively at night time: a Evening Heron
Cormorants now battle to seek out nest websites. The tree festooned with nests (high) is unlikely to final greater than one other season
Sadly, within the 16 years that I’ve been visiting Kerkini, I’ve seen a drastic discount within the measurement of the previous drowned forest which till lately supported enormous numbers of nesting cormorants, herons, egrets and Spoonbills. The timber can’t deal with the large seasonal modifications within the water stage, and there’s no regeneration, both, so what was till lately a thriving chicken metropolis is now in terminal decline. Lots of the herons and egrets, together with the Spoonbills, have already deserted the drowned forest, and now nest in woods inside commuting distance of the lake.
Black Tern: a standard passage migrant in spring, however now a scarce breeding chicken
The fluctuations within the water stage are usually not good for the water lilies, so the large beds of lilies that when existed have declined, so the lake is not as engaging because it as soon as was for nesting marsh terns. Take a ship journey on Kerkini in Might and it is best to see Black and probably Whiskered Terns, however few now breed. The massive inhabitants of Nice Crested Grebes additionally struggles to nest efficiently because of the fluctuating water ranges, whereas this yr, for the primary time, I did not see any Black-necked Grebes, as soon as an everyday breeding chicken.
Fluctuating water ranges adversely have an effect on the nesting success of the big inhabitants of Nice Crested Grebes that makes an attempt to breed on the lake
White Pelicans now breed at Kerkini in small however rising numbers. The flock (beneath) is commuting again to Lake Prespa after a fishing expedition at Kerkini
By Might Dalmatian Pelicans not have the distinctive orange beak pouches that they develop in early spring, and which the photographers so take pleasure in
That’s the unhealthy information, however the excellent news is that the lake stays astonishingly fertile, and is greater than able to supporting such enormous numbers of fish-eating birds. Such is its productiveness that White Pelicans, nesting on Lake Prespa over 150 kilometres away, will fly all the way down to Kerkini to fish.
A mass feeding frenzy. Pelicans and Cormorants jostle collectively for one of the best fishing
The feeding frenzy is over. The birds are actually beginning to disperse
A mass fishing is a sight to not be missed. It typically begins when the Cormorants discover shoals of fish near the floor. 1000’s extra are rapidly attracted, flying low in lengthy, waving black traces throughout the lake. They pack on to the water, diving regularly. Right here they’re invariably joined by each Dalmatian and White Pelicans, whereas if the mass fishing takes place close to the shore, it should appeal to crowds of herons and egrets, too. It’s a spectacular sight and sound as 1000’s of birds take pleasure in a mass feeding frenzy. Then, fairly instantly, the fishing stops (have the fish shoals dived to deeper water?), and the good crowds of birds disperse. These mass fishings happen day by day, however the lake is massive, so one wants slightly luck to watch such a spectacle.
Anybody all in favour of visiting Kerkini should purchase a duplicate of Birdwatching in Northern Greece, by Steve Mills, and obtainable from www.birdwing.eu. Now in its third version, it’s a fantastically illustrated and complete information to the birds of Northern Greece, and the place to seek out them. It offers complete protection of Lake Kerkini.
