Lake Kerkini

Lake Kerkini, in the district of Serres in Northern Greece, is an artificial reservoir initially created in 1932 and redeveloped in 1980 on the site of what was previously an extremely extensive marshland. Located approx. 100 km from Thessaloniki, the lake, which covers an area of 54 to 72 sqkm (depending on the conditions), is surrounded by Mounts Belles and Mavrovouni and lies just south of the Greek border with Bulgaria.

Lake Kerkini is now the premier birding site in Greece. As it is situated along the migratory flyway for migratory birds en route to the Aegean Sea, the Balkan region, the Black Sea and the Hungarian steppes, it has been recouped by the International Convention of Ramsar. This classification as a wetland of international importance has granted the area the status of National Park.

The reputation of the park is due to the thousands of birds, both rare and protected, which live in this area or use it as a place of rest on their migration route. The lake hosts 227 kinds of birds, especially non-migrants. 76 of them are recorded in the National Red Catalogue, while at least 31 of them are protected by EEC’s Directive concerning wildlife. The Dalmatian Pelicans and the Flamingos are by far the most famous birds of the region, but there are also White Tailed Sea Eagles, Red Crested Pochards, Yellowhammers and Buntings, Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Cranes and Storks, Kingfishers, and Booted – Golden – Greater Spotted – Short-toed Eagles, amongst others.

In addition to birds, there are various types of mammals (including buffalos), at least 10 amphibian species (frogs, salamanders, tritons), five snail species, 19 reptile species (lizards, snakes, turtles) and a great variety of insects, which play an important part in the food chain and contribute towards the biological resources of the lake.