Birds
more than 300 species, in Greece’s most important wetland
The wetland complex of Amvrakikos gulf is one of the most important wetlands in southern Europe. It is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, which means that in Amvrakikos we find waterbirds in such high numbers that classify their populations important on an international level. Amvrakikos gulf is classified as a Special Protected Area (SPA), part of the Natura 2000 network, for thirty four birds species.
In Amvrakikos we find the most extensive reedbeds and saltmarshes in Greece. The Rodia reedbed, located in the north-west part of Amvrakikos is the largest in the country (ca 30 sq. km) and hosts breeding populations of Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), the Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) the Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) as well as nationally important heron colonies.
A Ramsar site of international importance
Amvrakikos regularly hosts over 120.000 wintering waterbirds
Amvrakikos contains the largest lagoon system in Greece. These lagoons are the breeding habitat of one the oldest colonies of Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), for which HOS implemented its first ever long-term monitoring and wardening programme in the area in 1984. Conflicts between the Dalmatian Pelicans and the local fishermen have decreased over the years due to the long term communication and dissemination efforts of NGOs as well as the local Management Authority. Overhead electricity transmission wires pose a threat for the species, and a number of fatalities are recorded each year due collision.
The area is one of the most important wetlands in Greece for breeding, migratory and wintering waterbirds, waders, raptors and passerines. Some species of global conservation concern, recorded in the area, are the Pygmy Cormorant, the White-tailed Sea-eagle, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, the Greater spotted Eagle, the Lesser Kestrel and the Great Snipe. Significant nesting species include the Little Egret, the Squacco Heron, the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Purple Heron, the Little Bittern, the Glossy Ibis, the Eurasian Spoonbill, the White Stork, the Black-winged Stilt, the Eurasian Stone-curlew, the Collared Pratincole, the Common Tern, the Little Tern, the Sandwich Tern and the Gull-billed Tern.
Wintering species, recorded in large numbers in Αmvrakikos, include the Great Cormorant, the Great White Egret, the Greater Flamingo, the Eurasian Spoonbill, the Shelduck, the Eurasian Wigeon, the Gadwall, the Common Teal, the Northern Pintail, the Northern Shoveler, the Common Pochard, the Red-breasted Merganser, the Eurasian Coot, the Great Crested Grebe, the Black-necked Grebe, the Dunlin, the Common Redshank, the Northern Lapwing, as well as Black and Red Kites.
Hunting and illegal hunting pose a great threat for the birds of Amvrakikos. Illegal hunting is widespread in the area and hunting is allowed within core areas of Amvrakikos despite the continuous efforts of HOS to stop it. The wetland is vast and effective patrolling is practically absent. As a result, illegal hunting activities are unfortunately a common sight that results in significant disturbance for the waterbirds.
Human activity in the area over the past decades has largely affected the area. Upstream dams and river canalisations have reduced the availability of sediment and as a result there is significant corrosion in breeding islets, dykes and the coast line that reduce the available habitat for a number of waterbirds including the Dalmatian Pelican.
Hunting, both legal and illegal has affected the area for decades. Illegal hunting is notoriously common in the area all times of the year including during the breeding period. Relatively recent legislations have allowed hunting to take place within pockets of the national park, fragmenting the protected area and reducing its quality as a winter refuge for visiting waterbirds.
Overhead electricity transmission wires are a significant mortality threat for waterbirds especially Dalmatian Pelicans, a number of which is found dead on an annual basis due to collision.
Climate change and its effects on fresh water availability is expected to negatively affect breeding waterbirds. Increasing demands on fresh water for irrigation and hotter summers are expected to reduce available breeding sites within the reedbeds of Amvrakikos.
Amvrakikos Alliance partners
