Mt Parnassos

38.54146 , 22.58929

Greece

Mt Parnassos is one of the best sites to look for woodpeckers and other woodland birds along with alpine species. Extensive Greek Fir woodland, scrubby hills and a vast alpine zone are the dominant habitats of the mountain. It is a National Park and a Natura 2000 site (Special Protection Area and Special Area for Conservation). 

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Lefteris Stavrakas : 38.5415/22.5893 (2024-03-24 13:19:15 )

Site name was set by Lefteris Stavrakas as "Mt Parnassos" (2024-03-24 13:19:15 )

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:44:14
Mt Parnassos is one of the best sites to look for woodpeckers and other woodland birds along with alpine species. Target species include: Rock Partridge (resident) Golden Eagle (resident) Short-toed Eagle (summer visitor) Black Woodpecker (resident) White-backed Woodpecker (resident) Alpine Chough (resident) Horned Lark (resident) Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (summer visitor) Blue Rock Thrush (resident) Alpine Accentor (resident) Ruppell's Warbler (summer visitor) Sombre Tit (resident) Western Rock Nuthatch (resident) Snowfinch (resident) Rock Bunting (resident) Ortolan Bunting (summer visitor) Extensive Greek Fir woodland, scrubby hills and a vast alpine zone are the dominant habitats of the mountain. It is a National Park and a Natura 2000 site (Special Protection Area and Special Area for Conservation). 
Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:37:16
Mt Parnassos is one of the best sites to look for woodpeckers and other woodland birds along with alpine species. Its proximity to Athens makes even one-day tours feasible even though an overnight stay in one of the numerous hotels of the area is recommended. Target species include: Rock Partridge (resident) Golden Eagle (resident) Short-toed Eagle (summer visitor) Black Woodpecker (resident) White-backed Woodpecker (resident) Alpine Chough (resident) Horned Lark (resident) Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (summer visitor) Blue Rock Thrush (resident) Alpine Accentor (resident) Ruppell's Warbler (summer visitor) Sombre Tit (resident) Western Rock Nuthatch (resident) Snowfinch (resident) Rock Bunting (resident) Ortolan Bunting (summer visitor)
Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:26:24
Mt Parnassos is one of the best sites to look for woodpeckers and other woodland birds along with alpine species. Its proximity to Athens makes even one-day tours feasible even though an overnight stay in one of the numerous hotels of the area is recommended. Target species include: Rock Partridge (resident) Golden Eagle (resident) Short-toed Eagle (summer visitor) Black Woodpecker (resident) White-backed Woodpecker (resident) Alpine Chough (resident) Horned Lark (resident) Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (summer visitor) Blue Rock Thrush (resident) Alpine Accentor (resident) Ruppell's Warbler (summer visitor) Sombre Tit (resident) Western Rock Nuthatch (resident) Snowfinch (resident) Rock Bunting (resident) Ortolan Bunting (summer visitor)

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca)
Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos)
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
Rüppell's Warbler (Curruca ruppeli)
Western Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer)
Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius)
Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)
White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis)
Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)
Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)
Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)

Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:46:22)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:46:15)

Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:46:08)

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:41:55)

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:41:41)

Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:41:34)

Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:40:58)

Western Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:40:50)

Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:40:40)

Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:40:26)

Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:40:02)

Rüppell's Warbler (Curruca ruppeli) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:39:37)

White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:39:25)

White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:39:13)

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) was added by Lefteris Stavrakas (2024-03-24 13:38:31)

  • Timing and strategy

Spring and summer are the best months to visit Mt Parnassos, especially if you are looking for alpine species. Even in July, when heat waves in the lowlands render birding impossible, Mt Parnassos is always cooler and the woods provide great shade. A daily tour can yield many of the highlights but a two-day/one night trip is highly recommended if someone wants to explore the alpine zone and search through the extensive Greek Fir forests as well. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:30
Spring and summer are the best months to visit Mt Parnassos, especially if you are looking for alpine species. Even in July, when heat waves in the lowlands render birding impossible, Mt Parnassos is always cooler and the woods provide great shade. A daily tour can yield many of the highlights but a two-day/one night trip is highly recommended if someone wants to explore the alpine zone and search through the extensive Greek Fir forests as well. 
  • How to get there

The only way to explore the area is by car. Interurban buses connect Athens to Arachova, the area's most developed village. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:31
The only way to explore the area is by car. Interurban buses connect Athens to Arachova, the area's most developed village. 

Road are either paved or dirt roads and access is free, only during the summer some of the dirt roads may be inaccessible due to civil protection measures (when fire risk is high). 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:33
Road are either paved or dirt roads and access is free, only during the summer some of the dirt roads may be inaccessible due to civil protection measures (when fire risk is high). 
  • Other attractions

Red Squirells, Wild Boars and Roe Deer are common, Grey Wolves are also present. 

The Oracle of Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, is very close to Mt Parnassos.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:35
Red Squirells, Wild Boars and Roe Deer are common, Grey Wolves are also present.  The Oracle of Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, is very close to Mt Parnassos.

There are two ski centers, operating in the winter. The village of Arachova, in the south slopes, has plenty of hotels and restaurants. 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Lefteris Stavrakas on 2024-03-24 13:36
There are two ski centers, operating in the winter. The village of Arachova, in the south slopes, has plenty of hotels and restaurants. 

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
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Contributors

Lefteris Stavrakas

Local guides

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Mt Parnassos - Orniverse