Birds along the Corfu Trail

Birds take full advantage of the notable habitat variety of Corfu all year round, hence several dozens of species can be observed scattered throughout the area of the island. A particularly interesting place for birdwatching is the area of LIvadi Ropa, where the mixture of cultivated land, shrubland vegetation and remnants of aquatic vegetation provides options for species of different requirements to breed, such as the Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor), the Wryneck (Jynx torquila), the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus).

Nevertheless, the actual wealth in brids is mainly hosted in the 4 large wetlands of the island. In the significant Korission lagoon we can easily watch the large-bodied Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and herons, such as Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) and Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea).

The shallow wetlands, such as Chalikiopoulou lagoon next to the town of Corfu, are more crowded in spring and autumn when small groups of waders gather during their migration route, such as plovers (Charadrius sp.), sandpipers (Tringa sp.), Common Sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos).

Winter is also a period with satisfactory concentration of birds in wetlands, as several birds of N. Europe take advantage of the clearly milder climate of Corfu to overwinter. In the bare and gray-whitish scenery of Alykes (Saltpans) Lefkimmis the impressive colors of the Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) flying rapidly just above water surface easily attract observer’s attention.

The inland rural areas of Corfu with the extensive olive groves host several rodents and other small animals, which in turn attract and support nocturne predators, such as the Scops Owl (Otus scops) and the Little Owl (Athene noctua).

In the open areas of Mt. Pantokratoras we have good chances to observe the large diurnal raptors of the islands seeking their prey, mainly Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) and Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus).

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Corfu Trail runs along all the key elements of Corfu nature: the coast, the dunes, the wetlands, the shrubland and the Mediterranean forest landscape. Almost all the biodiversity of bird species of the island can be observed along this 180-km long trail.