Lesser Florican - August 2023

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Monday 6 May 2019

Kerkini Lake, Greece: 3rd - 5th May 2019

Below are some images of species that weren't included in the previous posts. In total over the three days I found 112 species of birds (3 being lifers), as well as 13 species of Butterfly (weather not very conducive for these) and maybe five species of Orchids.

In all, the trip cost around £250, that's with staff travel flights (£28 return), car hire (£75 incl. insurance), accommodation (£140) & food costing just £13 (pasta and luncheon meat for dinners only plus basics for lunch and breakfast). I only used three-quarters of fuel over the trip, not bad for a Hyundai i10.

It was a very successful but also relaxing trip (apart from the hike up to the Bulgarian border), mainly as the area is so quiet and devoid of people; birds are everywhere, especially Nightingales, Golden Orioles, Bee-eaters and most other species that are rapidly declining here in the UK. I feel further exploration in this area is a must for future years.

Top ten birds for me are as follows:

Lesser Grey Shrike                                                       Roller
Lesser Spotted Eagle                                                    Spur-winged Plover
Levant Sparrowhawk                                                   Common Rock Thrush
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear                                     Eurasian Eagle Owl
Penduline Tit                                                                Masked Shrike

Red-backed Shrike

'Black-headed' Yellow Wagtail

Two Great White Pelicans &
2 Dalmatian Pelicans

Curlew Sandpipers

Green Underside Blue

Toothed Orchid

Pink Butterfly Orchid
(taken with my phone hence the quality)