Dalmatian pelicans
Up close by boat.
Andreas Markou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andreas Markou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andreas Markou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CHE — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ChrysanthiAkoni — CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir on the Strymon river in Central Macedonia, northern Greece, about 65 km north of Thessaloniki in a straight line. It was created in 1932 on the site of marshland and small lakes and redeveloped in 1980. It is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, lying on the migration route of birds heading to the Aegean, the Balkans and the Black Sea. Its first dam was built near the village of Lithotopos in 1932; later the embankments were raised and a new dam came into service in 1982. Its area ranges from 54 to 72 square kilometres depending on the water level. The calm water spreads like a mirror reflecting the Belles mountains, snow-capped in winter, with lone trees and small flooded woods standing in the lake. Flocks of Dalmatian pelicans, herons and cormorants live here, and water buffalo graze on its green banks. Visitors take small boats with local fishermen to get close to the pelicans, and walk or cycle along the dam and banks. Winter and early spring are the best season for pelicans, and early morning gives the finest reflections.
Up close by boat.
The Belles mountains.
On the banks.
Near Serres, Central Macedonia, Greece
Winter and early spring.
Yes, from Thessaloniki.