Paul's Birdwatching - Salt Pans
Polichnitos Salt Pans are only around 20 minutes drive from Vatera.
Head north to Polichnitos, once there take the road directly opposite you
at the second sharp right hand turn off the main road through the town.
Follow this road signposted to Skala Polichnitou to the harbour and beach
of this little village. Continue through the village and you will
eventually reach the salt pans at the other side.
It is possible to
drive all the way round the inland side of the salt pans and then down to
the sea once you reach the far end. From here it is possible to drive
along the seaward side of the pans a small distance then walk the
remainder of the way. Thus, good viewing access to all the pans can be
obtained.
Further along the coast past the salt pans towards Skamioudi
are some agricultural fields and at Skamioudi there is freshwater lake
called Alikoudi Pool. These areas are worth checking out as well as the
salt pans as there are many drivable tracks around the fields and down to
the pool.
|
 |
Our
visits to the area were unfortunately during hot periods of the day whilst
heading from one site to another but the following birds were seen at the
salt pans; Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo,
Black and White Storks, Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little
Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper,
Dunlin, Little Stint, Ruff, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common, Little,
Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns, Sand Martin and Yellow Wagtail.
Collared Pratincole and Terek Sandpiper were also seen on the salt pans.
The fields between the salt pans and the pool produced
Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Shrikes, Warblers, Bee-eaters and excellent
views of a Roller right by the side of the road in an olive tree.
From
Skamioudi there is a track right along the coast and it was from here that
we had our best views of a Red-footed Falcon. The bird was a second
calender male feeding in the fields from the telegraph wires overhead.
A good
variety of birds were seen at the salt pans and in the agricultural area
nearby including six Mute Swans on Alikoudi Pool which is a rare record
for Lesvos. However, the water levels in the pans were high presenting
less mud than on my previous visit and the times of day I visited were not
the best, Therefore I feel that the pans did not reach there full
potential and even better birding would be possible in this
area.
This area was also covered in my report on Lesvos in
September 2000 accessed from my home page.
Go Up
|
