First ever trip to mainland Greece to explore the area of Lake Kerkini National Park - most well know as a site for both Dalmatian & White Pelicans, it's only about an hour or so drive north of Thessaloniki and just a few miles south of the Bulgarian border.

Unusual for me to do a trip to hotter climes mid-summer due a combination of less obvious bird activity at the back end of the breeding season, with high temperatures and associated heat haze making photography more difficult. Not much info available
online either for visits this time of year, with most relating to the spring and winters periods, so it was a case of just having a look and seeing what wildlife was around. On a six day trip, one day either side effectively taken with travel, another day exploring the sights and shops of Thessaloniki. left just three full days in the field. Temperatures were off the scale, peaking at around 45 degrees, so afternoons onwards were pretty much a write off - too hot for both people and wildlife.

Accompanied by Evie on this trip, with her excellent navigation skills & ability to get us to some pretty rural spots. Driving was exceptionally busy around Thessaloniki compared to hardly any traffic in the Lake Kerkini area.

The two pre-arranged dawn boat trips onto the lake were both excellent for photo opportunities and well worth doing, with different light conditions & species on offer. Water levels vary substantially over the year, being pretty shallow in July, so at times the flat bottomed boats were navigating in just a couple of feet to give close range views.

On such a short trip there was always an element of hit and miss as to what was seen, but overall more than happy - highlights in addition to the pelicans included frequent sightings of top quality raptors, as well as waders in full breeding plumage.
Dalmatian pelican, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024White-tailed skimmer, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Sunrise, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Bee-eater, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Spoonbill, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Evie at The Umbrellas sculpture, Thessaloniki, Greece - July 2024Water buffalo, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Red-rumped swallow, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Little tiger blue, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024White pelican, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Kerkini Harbour, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Dalmatian pelican, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Common tern, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024White stork, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Pygmy cormorant, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Sunrise from the 6.30am boat tour, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Alexander the Great statue, Thessaloniki, Greece - July 2024Dalmatian pelican, Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece - July 2024