Greek
Limnos is an important rest stop for many migratory birds. So those of you who like bird-watching, this island is a very interesting destination. The major wetlands hosting a great number of migratory birds during their wintering are the lakes Alyki, Chortarolimni and Asprolimni in an area belonging to the NATURA 2000 Network expanded over about 1.8 hectares. These are shallow lakes hosting dozens of protected bird species, for the observation of which the local Environmental Information Centre of Kalliopi has installed many observatories. Here you will meet birds like little egret (Ergetta garzetta), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), Ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), however the most impressive sight is the hundreds of American flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) mainly in Alyki, the biggest of the three lakes where a population of up to 5.000 has been recorded!
Other areas of avifauna protection of the NATURA 2000 Network on the island are the marsh of Diapori where flamingoes, herons, ducks etc. winter, the peninsula of Fakos where lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae) and chukar (alectoris chukar) pass during their migration or stay there, as well as the bay of Moudros. It is worth mentioning that on Limnos there is a significant population of lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) or “alemonates” as they are called by the locals, a worldwide endangered migratory species as in the last years its population has been dramatically reduced. They are small falcons familiarized with the human presence which choose to make their nests in roof tiles or house ruins. They mainly frequent the settlements of Roussopouli, Repanidi, Kontopouli and Kalliopi.
Around Limnos you will find many islets which belong to the Natura 2000 Network, such as Sergitsi, Diavates, Kompi, Kastria, Tigani, Karkalas and Prasonisi serving as a place of residence or reproduction for sea birds such as Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii), Eurasian thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus oedicnemus), and Scopoli’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea).
Info: Environmental Information Centre of Kalliopi tel. +30 22540 41330 nature@otenet.gr
