The Prespa Lakes NP in Greece stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. Yet, in 2022 the bird flu killed more than 60% of the breeding pelicans at Lesser Prespa Lake, causing the greatest ecological disaster on record for Greek wildlife.
One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes. Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at the larger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in the villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
The Prespa Lakes NP in Greece stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. Yet, in 2022 the bird flu killed more than 60% of the breeding pelicans at Lesser Prespa Lake, causing the greatest ecological disaster on record for Greek wildlife.
One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes. Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at bigger and the larger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
The Prespa Lakes NP in Greece stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. Yet, in 2022 the bird flu killed more than 60% of the breeding pelicans at Lesser Prespa Lake, causing the greatest ecological disaster on record for Greek wildlife. One
One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes.
Other lakes. Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at bigger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
The Prespa Lakes NP in Greece stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. One Yet, in 2022 the bird flu killed more than 60% of the breeding pelicans at Lesser Prespa Lake, causing the greatest ecological disaster on record for Greek wildlife. One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes.
Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at bigger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
The Prespa Lakes NP in Greece stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes.
Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at bigger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
The Prespa Lakes NP stretches from 850 m a.s.l. – the altitude of the lakes to over 2,300 m high mountain peaks. The park consists of two lakes, the smaller Mikri Prespa which is rather shallow, less than 10 m and edged in reedbeds with a breeding colony of both Dalmatian (1300+ pairs) and White Pelicans (350+ pairs) – the largest colony of Dalmatians anywhere in the world (about 10% of their global population) and one of very few places where both species breed; and the larger and deeper (50+ m) Megali Prespa with its cold waters and abundant fish. One of the best areas to bird is the causeway between the two lakes.
Other species of interest include the southernmost breeding population of Greylag Goose in Europe, Goosander (at bigger and deeper Megali Prespa), Hazel Grouse (at Mt. Triklario/Sfika, SE of the lake), Golden Eagle, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-headed Bunting, etc. The local bird list is impressive at more than 270 species. Look for accommodation in villages of Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy and Psarades.
