Birdwatching in Crete will take you at some of its most beautiful,
isolated and unpopulated areas, mountains, gorges, lakes particularly
when you are looking for birds such as eagles, vultures and falcons.
It is true that lovely Crete has still a plentiful and wide variety of
beautiful birds. Crete is located at the crossroads of three continents
(Europe, Asia, Africa) therefore Crete hosts thousands of migratory and
rare birds in its wetlands and other areas every year.
Crete is one of
the main flypast routes for species they wintered in East Africa, but
breed in eastern and northern Europe.
They migrate every spring up the Nile Valley, and then move across the
eastern Mediterranean, often in huge numbers. This happens from
mid-March to mid-May, depending on the species and the weather. The
return migration in autumn is less spectacular because it is less
concentrated in time, but still worth watching out for.
Moreover, more than 412 different bird species have been identified in Crete to date, most migratory, thus birding in Crete is one of the most common activities. There are a few endemics that breed on the island.
The great thing about birdwatching in Crete is that, if you pick your
time right, you can see both resident and migratory species.
The mountains of Crete, Idi, Lefka Ori, Dikti, Asterousia hold some of
the most exciting birds. Smaller birds like the blue rock thrush, cirl
hunting adn alpine chough are common, and there is a good chance of
seeing large and dramatic birds of prey.
One very rare species of
vulture, the Lammergeier (or bearded vulture) is currently on the
dramatically endangered list although it is more common in Crete than
everywhere in Europe, maybe you will be lucky to see one the island's
three remaining birds soaring above the Lasithi or Omalos plateau.
The diversity of habitats and the richness of the environment on Crete for
bird-life, results in an impressive species list and many unexpected
surprises, especially during Spring and Autumn migrations.
It is well
worth coming on holidays in Crete to see and enjoy these beautiful birds.
Bird watching in Crete attracts many fans, guests every year, so during your next trip in Cree don't forget to bring with you all the necessary supplies - travel cases, binoculars, or other items.
Nearby Plakias Village
is the Kourtaliotiko and Kotisfos gorges excellent birding areas with
species as Jackdaw, Rock Dove, Blue Rock Thrush; Raven, Chukar, Alpine
Swift, Griffon Vultures, and Crag Martins.
The area around Plakias
Village is popular with migrants too. Species include: Montagu`s
harrier, Short-toed Larks, Spanish Sparrow and Woodchat Shrike.
The
rocky places around Plakias
attract Rock Doves and the rare Eleonora's Falcon (Falco Eleonorae). In
Plakias Bay, Garganey can be seen. Other species in the area include:
Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Chukar, Wood Pigeon, Cetti's Warbler.
The mountainous area around the palm beach of Preveli is another excellent birding location in Rethymnon. Especially around the Preveli Monastery
there is a great variety of migrants as Nightingales, Turtle Doves,
Golden Orioles, Flycatchers, Ortolan Buntings and Ruppell`s Warbler.
At Geropotamos you can see Reed Warblers and at Pertres River Little Bittern, Squacco Heron and Griffon Vulture.
(source:Cretetravel)
