BIRDWATCHING

Lesvos is one of the premier locations for birdwatching in all of Europe. It is a major site on the north-south migration of an enormous variety of birds.  The large range of geographical habitats, including wetlands, attract great numbers of birds, and to date more than 320 species have been identified.

While Kalloni, towards the center of the island, has been the primary destination for many years, more recently Vatera has become quite interesting to many visitors.  It provides a rich and varied environment, easily accessible, and much quieter and less crowded than other areas.

This fact has encouraged many visitors to come with their sound recording equipment as well as cameras and binoculars, and many successful sessions have been achieved.

Vatera is really a paradise for birds. The gentle waters of the bay and the enormous stretch of the beach encourages great flocks of passing birds.  At the east end of Vatera, the Vourkos River provides marshy areas, while the mouth of the Almyropotamos River at the west end of Vatera has deep reedy pools, surrounded by rocks and scrub and continuing into green fields.  At the western tip of Vatera, the Cape of Ayios Fokas provides an excellent vantage for sea watching.