Lake Kerkini

Lake Kerkini is located in Northern Greece close to the border with Bulgaria and is an important location on a number of migratory routes for birds flying to the Aegean Sea, the Balkans and the Black Sea.

The lake offers birdwatching possibilities throughout the year. The migrant species start to arrive in March with osprey, white stork and glossy ibis being just some of the arrivals. In the summer, the lake is teeming with pelicans, egrets and herons whilst you can also watch and listen to golden orioles, European rollers and bee-eaters along the shoreline. It is also possible to observe a number of raptors as well including Bonelli's eagle, European hobby and northern goshawk.

However, it is the winter time that Lake Kerkini really seems to come into a world of its own. Whilst it might be cold and thin layers of ice may form on the lake's surface, it is the perfect time of year to encounter Dalmatian pelicans who look particularly photogenic in the first couple of months in the year. At this time of year, you can photograph the pelicans from the water on boats and also from the shoreline.

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