Star birds

Lesvos is very close to the Asia Minor coast and is the Aegean island with the most numerous wetlands that also holds an impressive variety of different and extensive habitats. The usual bird list of a week’s stay in spring could exceed 120, while the island’s list has more than 330 recorded species, with “star” birds among them, the Kruper’s Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi) and the Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea). The ideal period for birdwatching is from March to late May and again from late September to late November. The wetlands of Kalloni and Geras are rich and valuable ecosystems for birds. The following are also important bird watching areas here: the area near Mount Olympus, Prinovouni, the area near Akrasi, the area surrounding Vatera, the area near Mount Lepetymnos, Agiasos, Sigri, Eressos, Petra, Skala of Polichnitos and Agra. Two observatories have been erected in the Bay of Kalloni (part of the Natura 2000 network). The first one next to the rural road Mytilene-Kalloni after a bypass to Polichnitos, and the second one in the area of Alyki in Aghia Paraskevi, after the junction to the village of Aghia Paraskevi on your left.

The birds can also be observed in the village of Skala Kallonis, just before entering the village, as well as in the wetland of Larsos-Ntipi and in the salt flats of Polichnitos.