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Evros Delta

On the border with Turkey, the Evros Delta forms a huge area of 188km2 and was declared a Ramsar-protected wetland in 1974. Despite this and a plethora of other paper protection the site faces major issues of freshwater management, overgrazing, overfishing, hunting and drainage.

However the delta still offers good birdwatching opportunities and, being close to one of the great migration flyways, offers the chance of real rarities, such as Greater Sand, White-tailed, Sociable and even Caspian Plovers.

Birding the delta

The north-western section has public access. The south-eastern part is permit only for non-Greeks (see below).

The delta has a rich diversity of habitats including freshwater lakes, brackish and seawater lagoons, rivers, reedy ditches, tamarisk forest, sandy islets, swamps, reedbeds and a small area of riverine forest. More than 300 species have been recorded and it has probably been the prime European site for Slender-billed Curlew, with a flock of 120 (no, it’s not a typo!) on 20 October 1978. Those were the days!

When to visit

The delta can offer great birding at any time of year:

Spring - probably the richest time of the year is from mid-April to mid-May when migration can be fantastic, with large numbers of passage waders and terns in evidence alongside those birds that have returned to breed.  Glossy Ibis, Ruff, Curlew Sandpipers and Spur-wings can be much in evidence. All three marsh terns occur in good numbers, particularly at site 7 in the site guide. Raptors can include Montagu's Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner and Eleonora's Falcons. Masked Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush, Ortolan Bunting

and Woodlark occur around site 9 together with Orphean Warblers. Isabelline Wheatears, Greater Short-toed and Calandra Lark plus Tawny Pipit are all easy to find near the Isabelline Flats

Autumn - tends to be a little more hit-and-miss, with water levels the crucial element and the bulk of passage waders have moved through by late September. Pelican numbers peak in autumn, often with several hundred of both species. Broad-billed Sandpipers are frequent visitors, although a flock of 50 in September ’14 was rather special, and Terek Sands are regular, though only in singles. Garganey numbers peak in late August – early September, with 2650 in 2005. Other early autumn highlights include 1468 Glossy Ibis and 43 Ruddy Shelduck in July '10.

Winter - has a special, desolate feel. Thousands of White-fronted Geese move noisily around the delta during the day, arriving at their roosts in late afternoon, usually with perhaps 50 Lessers and occasional Red-breasteds. Hen Harriers quarter the rough grass and Spotted Eagles can be everywhere, together with perhaps a White-tailed or Eastern Imperial. There were 15 species of raptor on the delta in February ’14, including Eastern Imperial, both kites, Long-legged Buzzard and a Lanner.
Over 200 000 birds were counted in January '13, predominantly ducks, with over 100 000 Teal. However geese and duck numbers fluctuate enormously, with particularly low numbers during the mild winter of 2008 - 2009. Numbers of swans are growing – over 5000 of the three species early in 2013. A total of 1980 Ruddy Shelduck was counted in Febuary ’11 and 45 Little Bustards were on the delta in January '13. In addition, around 2 000 Greater Flamingo spend the winter here, alongside plenty of Pygmy Cormorants.

Getting permits

Permits can be obtained free of charge from the Evros Visitors' Centre. Alternatively, we will be happy to arrange this for you, also free of charge. You will need to give four weeks’ notice if possible.

Guided tours and boat trips are also available from the Centre, which is usually open from around 8.30 a.m. during the week. The address is The Evros Delta Visitors' Centre, Traianoupoli, Thrace, Greece, telephone and fax (0030) 25510 61000 and email e.makrigianni@evros-delta.gr Try to visit the Centre to add your support to the work going on.

 

Thanks to the Evros Delta Management Authority for their data.

Evros January/February

The annual mid-winter counts were undertaken by the Management Body at the end of January. Ducks were numerous as usual. 29700 Mallards, 16586 Wigeons, 4310 Common Teals, 4200 Shovelers, 2358 Coots, 2044 Shelducks, 622 White – fronted Geese and 145 Greylag Geese were observed. 170 Ruddy Shelducks and 3 Red - breasted Mergansers were also counted.

Raptors were also quite numerous. Among others, 10 Greater Spotted Eagles, 2 White – tailed Eagles, 62 Marsh Harriers and 9 Hen Harriers.

Swans are also increasing in the Delta as winter progresses. 111Bewick’s Swans, 285 Mute Swans and 204 Whooper Swans were counted. One Crane was also seen.

Waders were plenty too. 1359 Dunlins, 168 Curlews, 700 Avocets, 133 Oystercatchers and 208 Lapwings were in the area.

66.874 birds were counted in total.

Flamingos during the day are feeding at the Turkish part and return at night for roost. 6728 were counted in Turkey at the same day, as the counts were held simultaneously in both parts of the delta.

Thanks to the Management Body for the data.

Evros April/May

The exceptionally dry year of 2016 has continued into the first half of this year, with disastrous consequences for several wetlands. Much of the normally gloriously wet Anthia marshes have failed to fill this spring resulting in severely restricted habitat for both passage and breeding waterbirds. Elsewhere on the delta the first Rollers arrived on April 30th when a lingering Hen Harrier was still present along with several Montagu’s and some 40 Collared Pratincoles came in off the sea. All four shrikes were to be seen by the 1st May, with two pairs of Masked prospecting around Loutros.  Plenty of Calandra and Short-toed Larks are in residence around Calandra Fields, along with Tawny Pipit and Black-headed Buntings and a Quail was calling there in early May.

Evros February '17

The beginning of the month saw the delta littered with dead birds following a harsh and prolonged freeze, many of these being Flamingos and Mute swans, particularly immatures. Large numbers of swans sought refuge fom the frozen conditions on the delta, with 5742 Mute, 1248 Whooper and 8240 Bewick's. Almost 200 Dalmatian Pelicans and 1032 Flamingos joined the huge number of duck which included a record 84 000 Mallard as areas of open water froze. Geese numbers rose to include 2400 White-fronts, 800 Greylags, 28 Red-breasted and 2 Lesser White-fronts. Spotted Eagle numbers rose to 22 in January before falling to 10 by early February.

Evros July 2016

Return migration was well underway by the beginning of the month, with 470 Glossy Ibis, 350 Black-winged Stilt, 430 Wood Sandpipoer, 1300 Spotted Redshank, 360 Greenshank, 140 Marsh Sandpiper, 710 Black-tailed Godwit, 95 Little Ringed Plover, 310 White Pelican and 200 Spoonbill.

 

 

Evros May 2016

Wader counts for May include 1320 Curlew Sandpiper, 107 Little Stint, 165 Spotted Redshank, 41 Turnstone and 45 Spur-winged Plover. Terns include 528 Black, 75 White-winged Black and 415 Sandwich. Other totals include 240 White Pelican, 71 Pygmy Cormorant and 58 Glossy Ibis.

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