Should you’ve birded in Spain, probably greater than as soon as, and are contemplating one other Mediterranean nation to quench your thirst, look to the east. Steve Dudley, a fowl information and creator of the Lesvos birding information, as soon as advised me: “Greece is THE premier birding location in Europe for me [and for yours truly as well]. Wider than Lesvos, it additionally affords different spectacular birding areas corresponding to Kerkini, Dadia, and the Evros Delta – they’ll all be mixed in a simple sufficient week or two-week birding journey which I’ve accomplished many instances myself, in addition to offering some glorious winter birding too for lengthy weekends (an extended winter weekend at Kerkini could be very simple from the UK and is simply sensible). You will get to Athens from just about wherever, and from Athens, you possibly can entry wherever else in Greece simply sufficient by aircraft, ferry, or automobile. What’s to not love!”
A number of where-to-find-birds books have been printed, together with ones by Steve Mills, Dave Gosney (each protecting northern Greece), Steve Dudley (Lesvos), and many others., plus the country-wide information “Birding in Greece” printed by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS). Gosney’s information is light-weight and no-nonsense, providing easy instructions like “on that meadow on the left search for these species,” however its maps resemble these from early hippy guides to India—hand-drawn and troublesome to observe with hard-to-read handwritten particulars. “Birding in Greece” by Chris Vlachos et al., printed by HOS, offers considerably generic website descriptions (richer normally data on every website, however as an alternative of “search that meadow in your left”, it’s extra like “within the SW part of the reserve you possibly can anticipate…”), and once more, the maps. Many chapters take care of bigger reserves, dozens of kilometres throughout, proven solely on one full-page map. That’s it—no different maps, only one per every space, regardless of its dimension!
By now, you’re conscious of the weaknesses of those different guides, however what if you wish to discover Greece past simply the north of it? Whereas Steve Mills began his information with northern Greece, by the third version he has expanded the protection to embody the complete continental Greece, aside from Attica (the environment of Athens) and the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Within the aforementioned area, Mills covers all areas—aside from the cliffs of Meteora—lined in Vlachos/HOS information, and in his “historic” space, northern Greece, Mills covers considerably extra websites than the country-wide Vlachos information. On the identical time, the north stands out with the extra diverse aid and better mountains, consequently extra rainfall, lusher forests, and extra various habitats, leading to longer fowl lists, making it the easiest area of the nation.
Already being acquainted not simply with the competitors, but in addition with Steve Mills’s Birdwatching in Northern Greece: Second Version, I knew prematurely, earlier than the #3 was printed, what would determine the perfect amongst these: the maps. Do the maps proper, and you’re the chief of the pack.
Lastly, the maps are digitalised, (doubtless) primarily based on Google Maps, one thing you may be utilizing in your telephone, making it simple to match the options within the e-book with these on the display and discover your manner round. Whereas smaller areas could also be depicted on three maps, the bigger areas are depicted on 10 to fifteen maps! And that’s why I take my hat off to Steve Mills.
The third version of “Birdwatching in Northern Greece” is a outstanding achievement that surpasses its predecessors in each scope and high quality. The inclusion of latest websites corresponding to Lake Karla, Messolonghi, Mount Parnassos and others expands the scope of the information, whereas the addition of color-coded sections, detailed GPS info, up to date standing lists, and lodging suggestions additional improve the usability of the information. This e-book is certain to change into an important companion on my future birding journeys in Greece.
There’s another reason to take my hat off: all funds raised from promoting the books go immediately in the direction of fowl safety initiatives in Greece. Now you realize which information you actually need.
Birdwatching in Northern Greece: Third Version
Creator: Steve Mills
Paperback | 288 pg | full color
First Revealed: 2023/08/10
Revealed by: Birdwing Books
ISBN: 9780956777027
Weight: 0.5 kg