Greece Nature

The nature of Greece has a rich diversity. Located on the crossroads of three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia), the landscape of the country has been largely affected by the close regions and hosts a variety of flora and fauna. For protection from human activity, some regions have been declared National Parks.


1) Parnassos National Park
The National Park of Parnassos was founded in 1938. The dominant tree of the forested areas is the Greek fir (Abies cefhalonica). Most of the species in the plant list fall under the categories of aromatic, medicinal and poisonous species, whilst a lot of them possess valuable healing qualities. The fauna consists of animals commonly found in the Greek nature such as Fox, Badger, Rabbit, Squirrel and other species of rodents and insectivorous animals.
The richness of the butterflies of this region is legendary amongst entomologists, but it is perhaps not so much the scarce or restricted species which impress the visitor as much as the sheer diversity and abundance of individual butterflies in some areas.

2) Chelmos – Vouraikos National Park
The overall extent of the National Park is approximately 54.400 ha. The area of the park is bordered by the watershed of Vouraikos River to the west, which springs from the region of Priolithos (1,000 metres) and forms the famous Vouraikos Gorge near the town of Kalavryta and by the watershed of Krathi river to the east, which gathers the waters of the mountain streams around Zarouchla. The mountain’s flora is characterised by a large number of endemic species. There have been listed up to 30 endemic species of in the Peloponnese and more than 100 Greek endemics until now. Chelmos is celebrated as one of the best in Greece for butterflies, with over 100 species recorded.

3) Rodopi Mountain Range National Park
The Rodopi National Park is located at the central-west massive of the mountain range of Rodopi. Its boundary is defined by the north-east slopes of Falakro Mountain and it continues following the north riverbank of Nestos, to the Greek – Bulgarian borders and the mountainous area of Xanthi. Due to the fact that the Rodopi Mountain Range was never covered with ice during the Pleistocene period makes the region a botanical paradise of flora species variety.
The Fracto Forest is located in the northeastern edge of the prefecture of Drama below the highest peak of Central Rhodopi at 1.953 m. Since long the area has been under a framework of absolute protection since no human activity apart from scientific research is permitted in the forest. It is described as virgin forest because it followed natural processes in its development and has not been disturbed by humans for at least 500 years. The form of virgin forest differs from that of common forest because in virgin forest various species of broadleaved trees and conifers of different ages and heights co-exist with aged and dried out trees of great height. The forest is also famous for a couple of waterfalls.
Expansive mountain views present themselves all around the small city of Volokas. Separated by quiet and lush valleys fed by mountain streams, this is an area of tranquil beauty. To the north, at the base of Mount Falakron, runs the thickly wooded valley and deep gorges of the mighty Nestos River. The ski resort of Falakro is one of the largest and most equipped of the country. The total area covered is 600 squared kilometres. The main facilities are on the plateau of the Holy Spirit at an altitude of 1720 metres.

4) Nestos Gorge
Between Galani and Stavroupoli, the Nestos river has cut deep into the Rhodope Mountains. This scenic spot boasts steep cliffs adorned with vibrant greenery, providing an ideal setting for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This area is a Wildlife refuge and has been included among “Important Bird Areas” and the EU’s “Special Protected Areas”.

5) National Park of East Macedonia – Thrace
The National Park of East Macedonia covers an area of 93.000 ha. It stands out for its great biological, aesthetic, scientific, geomorphological, and educational value. In the north the Nestos Park is bordered by the low mountain-range between Kavala - Xanthi - Komotini, while in the south it ends at the Thracian sea. Dozens of different habitats cover the area, such as lagoons, large and small lakes, estuaries, swamps, riparian forests and wet meadows. From an ecological point of view, the riparian “Kotza Orman” forest (Great Forest), which currently occupies 450 ha, is of particular importance. This once huge, rare type of forest, was renowned for its natural beauty and unspoiled vegetation, with trees reaching 40 m in height and 2 m in diameter.
Lake Vistonida is the fourth largest lake in Greece, with a total area of 4.200 ha and an average depth of 2,5 metres. It extends in the Regional Districts of Xanthi and Rodopi and is one of the most beautiful wetlands in Greece, with both lagoon and lake features of exceptional ecological value.

6) National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi - Soufli
Characterised by a rich habitat mosaic on a network of low hills in a transitional climate zone between the Mediterranean and the Continental, the DNP extends over an area of 42.800 ha in Evros Prefecture. The National Park hosts three out of the four Vulture species of Europe (the Black Vulture, the Griffon Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture).

7) Evros Delta
Just southeast of Alexandroupoli, where the Evros River reaches the Aegean, 188 sq km of coastal lakes, lagoons, sand dunes, swamps and reed beds harbour an immensely rich amount of wildlife. In the spring migrations, thousands of wader birds pause here to feed in the nutrient-packed waters. The protected western section, is accessible via the visitor centre in Loutra Traianoupolis. The eastern portion is reached via Feres, but is sometimes closed by the military.

Trip Report

I did made a couple of trips into Greece. The main focus was on Butterflies & Moths, but i did also find nice Birds, Dragonfly, Reptiles, Arthropoda and Plants.
In juli 2015 I spent two days in the Parnassos National Park. The first day we made an early morning walk around our hotel in Delphi, looking for birds (Western Rock Nuthatch, Woodchat Shrike, Cirl Bunting, European Greenfinch) After breakfast we went up to the Parnassos Ski Center, finding birds (Spotted Flycatcher, Alpine Chough, Black Redstart, Peregrine Falcon), butterfly (Olive Skipper, Sandy Grizzled Skipper, Clouded Apollo, Black-veined White, Eastern Bath White, Anatolian Clouded Yellow, Lattice Brown, Amanda's Blue, Balkan Copper), dragonfly (Large Red Damselfly, Scarce Emerald Damselfly, Sombre Goldenring), plants (Eastern Gladiolus, Spreading Bellflower, Red Helleborine, Stinking Hellebore, Verbascum graecum, Rock Crane's-bill, Azure Stonecrop) and some arthropoda (Field Cricket, Mongolian Paper Wasp, Great Green Bush-cricket).
The second day we visited some lower parts in the east side of the national park. Finding birds (Blue Rock-Thrush, Corn Bunting), butterfly (Krueper's Small White, Powdered Brimstone, Cleopatra, Balkan Grayling, Niobe Fritillary), reptiles (Snake-eyed Skink, Green Toad, Yellow-bellied Toad, Alpine Newt), plants (Woolly Thistle, Cut-leaved Selfheal, Pyramidal Orchid, Wild Thyme) and arthropoda (Oriental Hornet, Common Cicada, Crecian Streamertail).
The second stop in my 2015 trip was a 3 day visit to the Chelmos – Vouraikos National Park. Upon arrival we drove along the Kerynitis River to the city of Kalávryta, where we made a couple of stops, seeing: birds (Hooded Crow, Short-toed Eagle, European Red-rumped Swallow, European Serin), butterfly (Sage Skipper, Tree Grayling, Great Banded Grayling, Great Sooty Satyr, Balkan Marbled White, Grecian Anomalous Blue), dragonfly (Odalisque, Greek Goldenring, Southern Migrant Hawker) and arthropoda (Lobed Argiope, Balkan Pincer Grasshopper, Serville's Long-legged Bush-cricket, Grand Antlion).
The next day we went up Mount Chelmos to the Kalávryta Ski Center finding: birds (Rock Bunting, Golden Eagle, Sombre Tit), butterfly (Eastern Rock Grayling, Camberwell Beauty, Lesser Fiery Copper, Odd-spot Blue, Escher's Blue), plants (Spring Groundsel, Mountain Star-of-Bethlehem, Nodding Stock, Greek Sea-Lavender) and arthropoda (Tiled Bright Bush-cricket, Zimmer's Bright Bush-cricket, Balkan Field Grasshopper, Libelloides macaronius).
The last day we went to the Vouraikos Gorge norteast of Kalávryta, finding: butterfly (Lulworth Skipper, Scarce Swallowtail, Delattin's Grayling, Silver-washed Fritillary, Southern Comma), dragonfly (Beautiful Demoiselle, Ornate Bluet, Greek Red Damsel, Turkish Clubtail), reptiles (Peloponnese Wall Lizard, Common Tree Frog) and plants (Bear's-breech, Terebinth, Forking Larkspur). Beside butterfly, the area around Kalávryta is also very good for dragonfly.

Greece

This list, give's you a nice idea of the things I h've photographed. So explore the list, to see nice picture's of different familie-goups; there are also detailed list available of the different species.

There are also some pictures available of the When you want to know more about this region, you have to visit my travelpages.

This trip is made possible by

In 2016 I spent 5 days in the Rodopi Mountain Range National Park. The first day we visited the Fracto Forest. The first stop was at the Waterfall St. Barbara. Here I made pictures of butterfly (Southern Small White, Common Glider, Knapweed Fritillary, Reverdin's Blue, Lang’s Short-tailed Blue), dragonfly (Beautiful Demoiselle, Small Pincertail, Southern Hawker) and reptiles (Erhard's Wall Lizard, Eastern Green Lizard). Higher up the mountain we found; butterfly (Hungarian Skipper, Dryad, Spotted Fritillary, Purple-shot Copper, Meleager's Blue) and some plants (Lady's Bedstraw, Agrimony, Woolly Foxglove, Campanula drabifolia) In the eving we set up a bright light next to a stretched sheet, to to attract moths; finding Chinese Character, Buff Arches, Barred Red, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Chalk Knot-horn
The second day we investigate the surroundings of Livadites, in the southeastern part of the Rodopi park, finding different new species: birds (Red-backed Shrike, European Honey Buzzard), butterfly (Balkan Green-veined White, Oriental Meadow Brown, Eastern Rock Grayling, High Brown Fritillary, Scotch Argus, Scarce Copper, Sloe Hairstreak), dragonfly (Balkan Emerald, Turkish Goldenring), reptiles (Greek Stream Frog, European Grass Snake) and plants (Corn Spurge, Creeping-Jenny, Peach-leaved Bellflower). On our moth trap new species found are Small Grass Emerald, T-Moth, Privet Hawk-moth, Sand Bordered Bloom, Pulse Pod Borer Moth.
On the third day we searched the area south of Volakas, where we first stopped at the Petroussa's Canyon where I found: butterfly (Southern White Admiral, The Hermit, Freyer's Grayling, Chalk-hill Blue, Grass Jewel) and some plants (Wild Fennel-flower, Dactylorhiza saccifera). On the other stops noteworthy butterfly species are Eastern Wood White, Turqouise Blue, Ripart's Anomalous Blue, Kolev's Anomalous Blue, Eastern Short-tailed Blue and White-letter Hairstreak. New moth-species where: Ruby Tiger, Spotted Sulphur, Small Emerald Moth, Small Magpie and White-foot Bell.
On our fourth day we first went the Falakro Ski Resort. New things seen here are include: butterfly (Tufted Marbled Skipper, Eastern Large Heath, Higgins' Anomalous Blue, Phalakron Blue, Geranium Argus, Balkan Zephyr Blue) and plants (Cross Gentian, Violet Larkspur, White Stonecrop, Clustered Bellflower, Stemless Carline Thistle). In the after noon we did some stops around the village of Pyrgi, south of the ski-resort, finding: butterfly (High Brown Fritillary, Balkan Zephyr Blue) and some grasshoppers (Serbian Pygmy Bush-cricket, Lily Bush-cricket, Blue Winged Grasshopper). New moth species are: Green Silver-lines, White-spotted Pinion, Beech-green Carpet, Least Carpet, White Plume Moth).
In the nortwestern part of the Rhodopi park is the Karantere Forest, where we spent the last day, finding: butterfly (Yellow-banded Skipper, Mountain Small White, Purple Emperor, Large Blue) and some nice grasshoppers (Bellied Bright Bush-cricket, Mediterranean Bush-cricket, Intermediate Cross-backed Grasshopper).The Rodopi Mountains holds different rare butterfly species, so it's wel worth to vist.
During my visit in early april 2024 to the Falakro Ski Resort I only saw some nice flowers (Least Gagea, Alpine Squill, Bird-in-a-bush), but on the way up the mountain at Petroussa's Canyon there were butterflies (Oriental Marbled Skipper, Little Tiger Blue, Osiris Blue, Geranium Bronze) and some nice insects (Apion graecum, Trichodes alvearius, Black-shouldered Shieldbug)
In 2024 I spent 2½ days in the area of the Nestos Gorge. Among other things seen here where birds (Eurasian Hoopoe, Little Owl), butterfly (Eastern Dappled White, Eastern Festoon, Southern Festoon, Nettle-tree Buttefly, Glanville Fritillary, Adonis Blue, Eastern Baton Blue, Checkered Blue), moths (Powdered Grass-veneer, Speckled Yellow, Tau Emperor), reptiles (Eastern Hermann's Tortoise, Balkan Green Lizard, Fire Salamander), arthropoda (Red-bellied Jumping Spider, Ornamental Orbweaver, Fasciated Conehead Mantid, Clay Bumblebee) and plants (Early-purple Orchid, Four spotted Orchis, Early Spider-orchid, Monkey Orchid, Broad-leaved Anemone, Oyster Plant) There is a path along the Nestos River leading into the George where we found Wall Brown, Balkan Green-veined White and Gruner's Orange Tip. Surely, these where the best day's in the 2024 visit to Greece.
SouthEast of Lake Vistonida are some lakes, where I had vieuws of Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Whitethroat and Ortolan Bunting.
In august 2023 a big fire burnt around 73.00 ha north of Alexandroupolis, of wich where large parts of the Dadia Forest. When I was there in april 2024, the devastations where still clearly visible and the Birds of Prey observatory was closed. Nevertheless, some plants were already visible (Iris suaveolens, Branched Asphodel), birds (Lesser Spotted Eagle, Northern Raven) and the in europe rare Small Bath White butterfly.
When visiting the Evros Delta in 2024 I have seen: birds (Western Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Wagtail), reptiles (Balkan Pond Turtle, European Pond Terrapin) and on the beach were some invertebrates (Common Jellyfish, Rayed Trough-shell, Common Piddock).