Bird watching around Zante

Bird watching around Zante

The ideal time for bird watching is during the period of migration which is from March up until late May and then again from late August until mid November.

Bird watching around Zante


The migratory species in the area of Zante can be found mainly in the wetland area of Alykes, Keri and the 'Strofades' (access to the 'Strofades' is unfortunately difficult as they can only be reached by private boat). During the migration period in spring from late March and up until May thousands of birds traveling from Africa stop at the 'Strofades' to rest and replenish their energy reserves. Some of the birds that you may see include Warblers, goldfinches, grouse, falcons, lesser kestrels, wood chats, golden oriole, Sylvia melanocephala, Lanius senator, otus scops, buzzard and the turtle dove. Birds that nest here include the the artemis which looks like a seagull but is actually related to the albatros as well as the herring-gull. You can also find here the Mediterranean shag, a keen diver and typical bird in coastal ecosytems, the audouins gull which is recognized by its dark red beak and grey-green legs, and the shearwater which resembles the dark-artemis that of which is related to the petrilo, one of the smaller seabirds in the world.
In the wetlands of Alykes during the migration period you can observe over 40 species of migratory birds including the wood sandpiper, night heron, little egret, woodchats, collared dove, robin, house sparrow, redstart, blackcap, and stonechat.
In the regions of Vasilikos, Keri, The Cape of Akrotiri and the 'Strofades'  turtle doves pass by and stop here both in spring and autumn.
There is also reliable evidence for the existence of predatory birds such as hawks and several other seabirds in Marathonisi, and of buzzards, grouse, giona and the treehawk in forested areas of Vasilikos and possibly Marathia.
Egrets and the mute swan frequently stop in the wetlands of Keri. Swallows, gulls, crows, collared doves, woodcocks, thrushes and blackbirds are also found in this area. By the airport where there is stagnant water in place of the drained lake 'Makris' there are a few wild ducks, coots and snipe. Falcons can be found nesting in the region of 'Gremna'.