Undeniably Lesvos is a very special place for birds and an extremely rewarding location for watching them, often at very close range. So far 325 species have been recorded, right across the island. There are several reasons why this is the case, but the wonderful variety of habitats and the island's locations on an important migration route just below the Turkish coast are two of the most important.

This ornithological abundance has encouraged many birdwatchers to visit over many years observe and record the "flying population" of Lesvos. However the majority of the information up to 1999 seems to be primarily for the areas in, around and north of Kalloni.

Even though this has largely discouraged bird watchers from visiting other locations in the island, they have been quite a few intrepid spirits that did so independently over a number of years. Naturally they have recorded their findings in reports but sadly they have not published a book about it - at least not yet.

Since 1999 we have been offered these recordings as ample evidence that VATERA and the South of Lesvos is an equally ornithologicaly rich location to keep you occupied for many hours and days and to set the record straight.

You can access these BIRDING REPORTS at

http://www.lesvos-ecotourism.com/birdwatching.htm and discover more options for your first or repeat bird-watching trip to Lesvos

We also hope this new information will be a small step towards dispelling the prevailing myths that bird watching at Leaves is synonymous with the Wetland of Skala Kallonis and addressing the present imbalance regarding bird watching in Vatera and the surrounding area.

In the mean time, just to tempt you the most popular locations within the Municipality of Polichnitos and their potential for rewarding bird watching are:

1. At the centre of Polichnitos town you can view and photograph the White Stork’s nest on the tall chimney of the old olive press (now converted to a theatre / conference facility). For many years now a pair of White Storks has taken up residence on the chimney, staying over even in the winter. They even have house guests, as you can see…

2. Wetland at Salt Pans of Skala Polichnitos (6 hectares). In size they are one sixth of those at Skala Kallonis; however they are much more wetter in the autumn, thus attracting much better birds, in greater numbers. They are also a reliable wintering site for birds like the Greater Flamingo (noted to be very tame here), Great White Egret, Avocet, Black Stork, Pintail and Black-necked Grebe and many others. In addition they are the main stronghold for Redshank in Lesvos. The surrounding area can be very good for Rollers, Golden Orioles, Purple Heron, and Golden & Spur Winged Plover. On the 10^th of April 2001 a concentration of more than fifty Red-throated Pipits here was impressive in a fairly poor year for the species on the island. It is also worth noting that on the 1^st of May 2001 a party of more than thirty Red-footed Falcon were seen here. Nevertheless it is a fact that this area has not yet been checked out thoroughly, so it is safe to say that you could have sightings of birds that have not yet been recorded.

3. Skamnioudi & Alykoudi Pool. These two sites (very close to each other) are located on the coast of the Gulf of Kalloni, north of Skala Polichnitos. The mini Wetland at Alykoudi is capable of turning up as good a selection of waders at close range as almost anywhere else on the island. Large falls of several Yellow Wagtail species have been seen here posing beautifully amongst the wildflowers in company with various Chats, Tawny Pipit, and Stone Curlew etc. In January 2003, a large number of Greater Flamingos, 12 Mute Swans and 9 Whooper Swans were seen here.

4. Achladeri & Ancient Pyrra. Geographically they are the northest point of the Municipality of Polichnitos and only a 30 min drive north from Skala Polichnitos (beyond Skamioudi and Alykoudi). This area is now synonymous with Kruper’s Nuthatch and rich in very many other species, like Egrets (in the winter), Winchats, Stonechat, Cuckoo, Subalpine Warblers, Serin, Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Wheatears, Shrikes and Orphean Warblers. You can even see locally breeding Buzzard, Goshawk and possibly Sparrow hawk with Nightjar present in the late spring.

5. The Nyfida coast (with reasonable sized reedy pools), located south from Skala Polichnitos is a very good spot for viewing Shearwaters. Again this area has not yet been checked out thoroughly, so it is safe to say that you could have sightings of birds that have not yet been recorded.

6. The Bougazi Headland, further south from Nyfida this is a regular site for Cinereous Bunting, Grebes, Black-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Garganey, Plovers, Crakes, Kingfishers and many other species depending on conditions.

7. Vatera, located on the south coast of Lesvos & the Polichnitos Municipality is a veritable paradise for birds. Having a gentle bay with calm waters and a long fairly unspoiled beach, it encourages flocks of indigent and migrant birds all year around to take shelter and be observed in several locations around the resort and the wider area. It is not uncommon, in the early spring while you are taking a swim in the wonderful beach to hear the call of the Hoopoe and see it soaring in the sky. On the 11^th of May 2001 a Sardinian Warbler and a Honey Buzzard were seen here as well as 400+ Mediterranean Shearwater moving offshore.

8. Almyropotamos River at West of Vatera The river mouth is gravely with little vegetation, but it’s favoured by Wagtails, Little Ringed Plover etc. The deep reedy pool to the left is much favoured by terrapins. A large number of turtles can be watched and fed at springtime along the riverbanks. Little Bittern, Crakes, Red-Rumped Swallows and Crag Martins are also regular visitors.

9. Cape of Agios Focas, West of Vatera Having a protruding point into the sea it naturally attracts lots of migratory birds and it’s an excellent spot for sea watching. On the 15^th of April 2001 there was a sighting of a Storm Petrel, only the second or third ever recorded at Lesvos. Whenever there is a south-westerly wind there is a pronounced movement of shearwaters. On the 17^th of April 2001, 300 Yelkouan Shearwaters were seen heading west in the space of an hour. As late as the 12^th of May 2001 four summer-plumaged Black Throated Divers were flying offshore.

10. Vourkos River at East of Vatera. The coastal road in Vatera leading to the east ends at the river and its good marshy area. A very quiet area, it turns up a fair proportion of the species recorded in the Kalloni area in spring – even breeding Rufus Bush Robins! At the gravel road, which links Kato Stavros and Ambeliko, in January 2003 some 100 Robins, a lot of Common Chaffinch, Winchat and Stonechat were recorded.

11. The hill of Profitis Elias (Vatera), about 700 metres to the north or a lower unnamed crest 300 metres closer to Agios Fokas for observing raptor migration, such as broad-winged hawks, honey buzzards  Eleanora’s falcons  harriers  marsh harriers. The bare top of Profitis Elias provides opportunities to observe passerines moving through the olive trees. Chiffchaffs, spotted flycatchers, red-backed shrikes and lesser whitethroats are frequently observed crossing the summit moving through the vegetation.

On September 27^th 2004 the direction of movement was recorded over a 2-hour period. 85 migratory birds (i.e. excluding tits, woodpeckers, cirl buntings and other presumed residents) were observed.

As Dirk Raes, Belgian Ornithologist, accredited and leading nature and city guide, rightly points out (www.cr-birding.be ), Vatera is the perfect location to use as base camp, not only because of the above under observed locations but also because of its mid-southern location, which allows you to reach very quickly the nearby Agiasos and Plomari areas, the Derbyshire and Kalloni Areas (45 min from Vatera) and even the capital Mytilini. Trips to Molyvos, Petra, Sigri and Eressos are achievable too within a day.

Also apart from Vatera being a less build up, much calmer location, (with less tourists than the Kalloni area), it’s also very handy for walks in the magnificent forests with the wild flowers and orchids.

So, ring the changes and let’s see you in Vatera for this year’s bird watching!