IMG
© Dragan Simic

Prespa Lakes

40.81216 , 21.08743

Macedonia,Albania,Greece

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 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.

Delete exact location

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 changed by Dragan Simic : 40.8122/21.0874 (2023-05-07 11:20:46 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 40.8303/21.0263 (2020-11-15 15:12:07 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Prespa Lakes" (2020-11-15 15:12:07 )

Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-12 14:08:42
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.
Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-12 14:06:52
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.
Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-07 11:22:00
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.
Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-07 11:20:46
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.

  • 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)

Graylag Goose (Anser anser)
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria)
Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)
Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:35:27)

Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:35:06)

Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:34:14)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:34:02)

Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:33:32)

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:33:22)

Graylag Goose (Anser anser) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:33:10)

Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:32:46)

Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:32:32)

Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:32:09)

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) was added by Dragan Simic (2023-05-07 11:31:54)

  • Timing and strategy

Do obtain the high quality topographic maps (scale 1:25,000) and a walking guide produced by the Society for the Protection of Prespa Lakes (highly recommendable and available online or at their HQ in the village of Laimos, during working hours; go left at the square with a small park, then right after the bridge).

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 Dragan Simic on 2023-05-07 11:27
Do obtain the high quality topographic maps (scale 1:25,000) and a walking guide produced by the Society for the Protection of Prespa Lakes (highly recommendable and available online or at their HQ in the village of Laimos, during working hours; go left at the square with a small park, then right after the bridge).
  • How to get there

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

Not available yet

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.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

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)

Not available yet

There is a National Park Information Centre in the village of Agios Germanos. Several villagers have hotels (in Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy, etc.) and it is possible to rent rooms in others (Psarades). A few local taverns offer mostly lake carp and catfish, as well as fasolada (bean soup). There is a supermarket behind a petrol station in Laimos, but you may want to stock up in advance because there are very few shops in the villages

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 Dragan Simic on 2023-05-07 11:30
As mentioned above, the best topographic maps of the area, accompanied by a walking guide describing 14 nature tours in full detail, can be obtained at the Society for the Protection of Prespa (or order it online) Also, there There is a National Park Information Centre in the village of Agios Germanos. Several Germanos. Several villagers have hotels (in Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy, etc.) and it is possible to rent rooms in others (Psarades). A few local taverns offer mostly lake carp and catfish, as well as fasolada (bean soup). There is a supermarket behind a petrol station in Laimos, but you may want to stock up in advance because there are very few shops in the villages
Edited by Dragan Simic on 2023-05-07 11:29
As mentioned above, the best topographic maps of the area, accompanied by a walking guide describing 14 nature tours in full detail, can be obtained at the Society for the Protection of Prespa (or order it online) Also, there is a National Park Information Centre in the village of Agios Germanos. Several villagers have hotels (in Agios Germanos, Laimos, Platy, etc.) and it is possible to rent rooms in others (Psarades). A few local taverns offer mostly lake carp and catfish, as well as fasolada (bean soup). There is a supermarket behind a petrol station in Laimos, but you may want to stock up in advance because there are very few shops in the villages

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
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

Gallery

Reports

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Species:
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Prespa Lakes - Orniverse