Birding on the Island of Crete is a beautiful experience in Autumn with some truly breathtaking scenery, rugged and mostly uninhabited, the islands topography includes huge mountain ranges, gorges, lakes and fertile plateaus which play host to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Vultures, eagles and falcons are found here along with common species such as buntings, pipits, tits and larks. We knew from the outset this trip would be challenging, particularly outside the usual bird migration window, but hopeful there would be enough to keep us occupied during our two week stay, and if not we had our beach towels and swimwear.
Eleonora's falcon (dark morph)
09/10/2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199593797
After picking up our rental car this morning we were late getting out and headed East to Elounda exploring the Salt-pans and coastal scrub around Oulus (Sunken City) before driving across the causeway to Kalydon Island and walking around the mosaic near the ancient Christian basilica of Poros. From here we continued through Plaka towards Vrouhas and the Spinalonga viewpoint.
We Continued on to the village of Selles and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos before finally heading back to our base in Piskopiano.
We recorded 34 species today which included: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Willow warbler, Shag, Chiffchaff, White wagtail, Kingfisher, Wryneck, Red-backed shrike, Blue rock thrush, Sardinian warbler, Italian sparrow, Linnet, Hooded crow,
Yellow-legged gull, Raven, Spotted flycatcher, Common redstart, Stonechat, Jackdaw, Little egret, Crested lark, Whinchat, Griffon vulture, Common buzzard, Wood pigeon, Kestrel, Blackbird Blue tit and Great tit. Top to bottom: Vrouhas, Sardinian warbler, Wryneck, Whinchat, Little egret and Shag.
10-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199597998
This morning we drove West to Pressano gorge and on arrival we parked on the road which runs parallel to the top of the gorge and looks down. Griffon vulture are known to breed here and on close inspection we noted 40+ Griffon vulture's some flying in close proximity to our position. After a while we continued along the road and headed towards Potami Dam and Lake.
We stopped off at several view points around the lake scanning for birds and after refreshments at the lakeside Taverna we headed back to Pressano gorge before returning to our base in Piskopiano.
We recorded 25 species today our trip total is 42. New sightings were: Barn swallow, Sparrowhawk, Long-legged buzzard, Muscovy duck, Moorhen, Mallard, Grey heron and a roost of 18 Black kites.
Other sightings: Sardinian warbler, House sparrow, Italian sparrow, Hooded crow, Rock dove, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Raven, Blue tit, Great tit, Kestrel, Collared dove, Chaffinch, Kingfisher, Willow warbler, Griffin vulture and Common buzzard. Top to bottom: Pressano gorge, Griffon vulture, Potami lake and Black kite.
This morning we drove the short distance over to Aposelemis dam, the water level was low and from the view point we could see the old sunken village of Sfentyli. Overhead a Golden eagle circled above the ridge along with Eleonora's falcon and Raven. Continuing on we took the limestone road leading to the sunken village and noted Ferruginous duck, Kestrel, Black kite, Sparrowhawk, Muscovy duck,
Cormorant, Green sandpiper, Greenshank, Serin, Grey heron and Griffon vulture, before returning along the limestone road and heading Southeast to Lasithi Plateau. We followed the track through the orchards and arable land and stopped at the largest of the two irrigation pools. Using our car as a hide we noted a flock of 150 water fowl comprising of Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Pintail, Tufted, Coot and
Garganey. 70 Eleonora's falcon were also recorded while Golden eagle and Griffon vulture circled overhead. We recorded 41 species today and our trip total is now standing at 53 birds. From here we returned to base. Other sightings included: Barn swallow, Common buzzard, Cetti's warbler, Sardinian warbler, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Linnet, Blue rock thrush, Goldfinch, Spanish sparrow, Willow warbler, Great tit, Rock dove, Wood pigeon, Stonechat and Jackdaw. Top to bottom: Aposelemis, Golden eagle, Greenshank, Eleonora's falcon
12-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199606541
Today we headed towards Rethymnon and the Psiloritis mountain range and ascended Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete at 2456mts. Conditions were ideal with good visibility and light winds. The drive up to the base station was straight forward, here you can park and reach the summit by foot on a well defined walking trail.
We decided to stay in the base station area of Ida.
Barn swallow and House martin were noted above the carpark and Griffon vulture and Golden eagle circled above the ridge. On the rocks we had close views of Woodlark as flocks of Red-billed chough and several Yellow-billed chough (Alpine) passed through. We continued back on the road through the Psiloritis mountains to Nida Plateau, this was quiet in comparison except for Eleonora's falcon,
Griffon vulture, Chukar and Rock dove. Today we noted 31 species taking our trip list total to 60 species. Other sightings included: Common buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Italian sparrow, Wren, Sardinian warbler, Willow warbler, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Linnet, Blackbird, Stonechat, Jackdaw, Raven and Grey heron. Tonight we noted a Barn owl at the apartment, trip total now 61 birds.
Top to bottom: Psiloritis, Woodlark, Yellow-billed chough (Alpine). Red-billed chough.
Today we went to Livades lake an abandoned park through the village of Thrapsano which according to Google maps is closed, thankfully nobody has told the birds and we noted Common sandpiper, Little ringed plover, Common snipe, Little grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common buzzard, Serin, Griffon vulture, Grey wagtail and Corn bunting. From here we drove to Zaros and lake Voltomos.
Zaros is a lovely village which is famous for natural spring water, the lake is a popular recreational spot with locals, particularly at weekends, we turned up on Sunday, this was a mistake, all the families were out enjoying themselves which made birding a bit challenging. Anyway we noted an unknown duck, Willow warbler, Long legged buzzard and Coal tit.
Sighting during the day were 35 species taking our
current trip list to 70 birds in total. Other sightings included Long-legged buzzard, Moorhen, Greylag geese, Muscovy duck, Hooded crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Eleonora's falcon, Great tit, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Blackbird, Sardinian warbler, Stonechat, Wood pigeon, House sparrow and Chiffchaff.
Top to bottom: Livades, Corn bunting, Little ringed plover, Common snipe, Voltomos and Long-legged buzzard
14-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199611830
We headed South this morning to the Asterousia mountain range and on our way up we stopped at a sheep farm. Around 20 Griffon vultures circled low, it was early and the sun wasn't over the peaks with low cloud like mist. The farmer loaded a dead Ewe on his L200 and set off up the track, stopping for a chat he informed us that the sheep was caput. Returning after a few minutes without the ewe we
decided to see where he had dumped it, just up the track we came upon a huge flock of vultures, all of them Griffon. We spent the next few hours here in the hope that Lammergeier may show but without success, so we decided to continued to Abas gorge. The waterfalls were dry but we had great views of the gorge which looks out towards the Libyan sea. Here we had views of Blue rock thrush, Woodlark,
Crag Martin, Red billed chough, Raven and Kestrel. Other sightings included: Black kite, Marsh Harrier, Common buzzard, Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk, Crested lark, Rock dove, Sardinian warbler and Grey wagtail.
20 species today taking our list to 72 birds. Top to Bottom: Abas, Griffon, Crag martin, Griffon and Raven.
This morning we went back to Elounda where we had views of Blue rock thrush, Red-backed shrike, Spotted flycatcher, Kingfishers and a Robin. Then we headed to Lasithi Plateau and on the main Pool we noted Mallard, Pochard, Coot, Teal, Garganey and Yellow-legged gull. Around a dozen Eleonora's falcon circled overhead and several perched on the utility wires. Griffon vulture, Common buzzard,
Hobby, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were also noted. A Golden eagle flew over the car very low and was being pursued by several Ravens. Other sightings included: Woodlark, Cirl bunting, Crested lark, Willow warbler, Spanish Sparrow, Collared dove, Rock dove, Stonechat, Blue tit, Great tit, Hooded crow, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Sardinian warbler, Chiffchaff and Linnet taking our birding
total to 77 individual species for the trip to date. We left Lasithi late afternoon and returning to Piskopiano through the mountains we stopped in the village of Mochos for refreshments, here we met a Norwegian birder who told us he regularly saw Bonelli's eagle at Aradena gorge. Later that evening we put together an itinerary for birding the west of Crete for the next two days and booked an overnight stay at a hotel on the West coast. Top to bottom: Crested lark, Blue rock thrush, Spotted flycatcher and Red-backed shrike.
16-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199616536
This morning we set off early heading Southwest towards Lefka Ori (white mountains). After a few hours we reached the Southcoast resort of Chora Sfkakion and followed the road to Aradina gorge stopping at the bridge looking for Bonelli's eagle. After a while in the blistering heat the best we had noted was Raven, Sparrowhawk, Blue rock thrush, Kestrel, Wren, Griffon vulture, Crag martin, Black
Kite and Woodlark so we decided to move on. Our next stop was Omalos plateau where we stopped at the entrance to Samaria gorge followed by an hour spent at Greleskas Observatory specifically looking for Lammergeier, once again without any success. We did manage to add Jay and Northern wheatear to our sightings list which now stands at 79 species.
A long and challenging day mostly spent in the car
and as light faded we set off for our overnight stay at the hotel which was on the beach at Kolymvari around 3 hours drive from our base in Piskopiano, this turned out to be a good decision after a full day out birding. Top to Bottom: Aradina bridge, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Northern wheatear, Lefka Ori, Greleskas observatory.
17-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199618314
This morning we woke to gales and had to change our plans, instead of calling at the Moronis reserve, Souda bay we decided to head inland to Lake Agia. By now the weather was improving but still windy, parking the car we walked around the paths at the lake where we spotted Mute swan, Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Ferruginous duck, Common snipe, Orphean warbler, Yellow wagtail, Kestrel,
Cetti's warbler, Little grebe, Raven, Hooded crow, Jackdaw, Italian sparrow, Blackbird, Barn swallow, Garganey, Mallard, Muscovy duck, Sparrowhawk, Sardinian warbler, Wren and Greenfinch. Walking back to the car a Booted eagle flew overhead being chased by several Hooded crow. Our next stop was the river mouth at Giorgioupoli where we spotted Kingfisher, Yellow-legged gull Grey heron, Little
Egret and two Common Sandpiper taking out trip total to date to 83 individual bird species. From here we headed over to Lake Kournos, with very little success as the lake was very busy and full of boats and pedalo's. At this point we made our way back to base. Top to bottom: Ferruginous, Snipe, Kingfisher and Booted eagle.
18-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199619756
We started late this morning after a busy last few days so we decided to stay local. First stopping off at Aposelemis river mouth where we noted Coot, Kingfisher, Mallard, Hooded crow, Grey wagtail, Muscovy duck and Italian sparrow before heading In land to Aposelemis Dam. Taking the limestone road past the sunken village we parked close to the dam wall using the car as a hide. Highlights were:
Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Griffon vulture, Red kite, Blue rock thrush, Cormorant, Sardinian warbler, Kingfisher, Little egret, Grey heron, Raven, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Stonechat, Jackdaw, Great tit, Crested lark, Rock dove, Collared dove, Blackbird and Wren. Around 40 Black kite and 30 Eleonora's were also spotted. No new birds today, trip list remains at 83 species.
Top to Bottom: Greenfinch, Black kite, Wren and Red kite.
19-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199621009
Today we headed back to Lasithi Plateau for a few hours where we spotted circling Griffon vultures in with the group we also picked out Golden eagle. Common buzzard, Kestrel, Eleonora's falcon and Raven were noted on the track leading to the large pool and Woodlark was observed singing from the treetops. Stonechat, Linnet, Cirl bunting, Willow warbler and Corn bunting were also recorded.
Arriving over at the large irrigation pool we noted Mallard, Pochard, Teal and Coot. Other sightings included: Hooded crow, Jackdaw, Wood pigeon, Rock dove, Collared dove, Italian sparrow, Great tit, Blue tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Sardinian warbler, Wren and Chiffchaff while several Tree sparrow and a male Blackcap sighting took our trip list total total to 85 bird species.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was once again Eleanora's falcon's with around 45 birds being spotted.
Top to bottom, Linnet, Golden eagle, Stonechat and Eleonora's falcon (dark morph).
20-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199622886
Today we headed Southwest and spent a few hours At the landfill near the village of Archanes before driving the short distance to Damania reservoir. Sightings included: Yellow-legged gull, Black kite, Raven, Sardinian warbler, Great tit, Greenfinch, Hooded crow, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Common kestrel, Italian sparrow, Griffon vulture, Common buzzard, Crested lark,
Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Rock dove, Blue tit, Eleonora's falcon, Barn swallow, Stonechat, Black-necked grebe, Little grebe, Pintail, Mallard, Coot, Grey heron, Greylag geese, Cetti's warbler, Teal, Muscovy duck and Pochard. During the day we noted 32 individual bird species and our trip list total now stands at 86 species. Leaving the dam we returned back to our base over in Piskopiano.
Top to Bottom: Archanes, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Damania, Black-necked grebe, Pochard and Pintail.
Early morning we headed Southeast to Bramiana reservoir, along the way stopped the car to observe Hooded crows hassling a Booted eagle. Over at the reservoir we had great views of Black-necked grebe, Little grebe, Great white egret, Little egret, Rock dove, Griffon vulture, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Red-backed shrike, Skylark, Raven, Collared dove, Mallard, Teal, Grey heron, Grey wagtail, Great tit,
Blue tit, Crested lark, Barn swallow, Sardinian warbler, Blackbird, Stonechat, Italian sparrow, Cormorant, Eleonora's falcon and good numbers of Pochard. From here we went over to Elounda where we noted Common redstart, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Whinchat, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Chukar, Yellow-legged gull, Kestrel, Jackdaw, Robin, Great tit, Blue tit and Willow warbler.
42 species recorded today and 88 species in total for the trip. From here we returned to base in Piskopiano.
Top to bottom: Bramiana reservoir, Booted eagle, Great white egret, Skylark, Chukar and Willow warbler.
22-10-2024. https://ebird.org/checklist/S199971471
Our last day today and we headed towards Malia marsh then carried on to Levades lake followed by Ini dam. Highlights were: Greylag, Muscovy, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Yellow-legged gull, Little grebe, Little egret, Cormorant, Griffon vulture, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Eleonora's falcon, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Raven, Sardinian warbler, Grey wagtail, Pied wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Cirl bunting, Barn swallow and Black Stork taking our total trip sightings to 89 species. Below: Black stork, Cirl bunting, Muscovy duck.
eBird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/286842
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