An Ornithological Spectacle
Skyros, part of the NATURA 2000 network, is the top birdwatching destination in Greece. Boasting 205 recorded bird species from 48 distinct families and diverse habitats, the island offers a singular experience in nature for visitors who arrive with binoculars and a field guide.
Eleonora’s Falcon is King
The island is home to the world’s largest colony of Eleonora’s falcons, with over 1,050 pairs nesting there from April to October before returning to East Africa. Furthermore, almost all of Greece’s seabirds, such as Audouin's gull, the European shag, and Scopoli’s shearwater breed in the archipelago of Skyros, making the island an international ornithological centre.
Prime Vantage Points
The island’s diverse birdlife is complemented by the presence of Eurasian hoopoes and impressive flights by pallid harriers. Even owls can be spotted during the day, confirming that Skyros is a place where wildlife thrives, offering a truly spectacular display that connects Europe with Africa.
Eleonora’s Falcon is King
The island is home to the world’s largest colony of Eleonora’s falcons, with over 1,050 pairs nesting there from April to October before returning to East Africa. Furthermore, almost all of Greece’s seabirds, such as Audouin's gull, the European shag, and Scopoli’s shearwater breed in the archipelago of Skyros, making the island an international ornithological centre.
Prime Vantage Points
- Mount Kochylas: Its imposing presence in the southern part of the island serves as a vital habitat for birds of prey such as Bonelli’s eagle, as well as a resting stop for thousands of migratory birds.
- Kalamitsa Wetland: This expansive wetland, spanning 70 hectares, attracts rare aquatic birds, including little egrets, purple herons, and western marsh harriers, which find their food in cultivated fields and bushes.
- Aspous and Achilli Beaches: Bird watchers can spot common kingfishers, common sandpipers, and great cormorants that frequent the pier in search of food.
- Ferekambos Gully: One of the most important wetlands, where common buzzards, glossy ibises, and herons gather in spring and autumn.
- Palamari - Trachy: In the northern section, the river mouth attracts European bee-eaters, Eurasian stone-curlews, and migratory waders, such as sandpipers and ruffs.
The island’s diverse birdlife is complemented by the presence of Eurasian hoopoes and impressive flights by pallid harriers. Even owls can be spotted during the day, confirming that Skyros is a place where wildlife thrives, offering a truly spectacular display that connects Europe with Africa.
