About 20 kilometres from Alexandroupoli, at the Greek-Turkish border, the Evros River forms an ecosystem extending over 20 000 hectares and known internationally for its avifauna. Three hundred and sixteen bird species have been recorded in the delta’s wetland. These include a number of waterfowl and waders, such as birds of prey, geese, ducks, herons, pelicans, flamingos and swans, as well as many rare species, such as the lesser white-fronted goose, the slender-billed curlew and the spotted eagle. The Evros River delta has for centuries been a vital stopover for waders in their long journey from northern Europe to Africa and back again. It is also important to countless waterfowl that spend the winter in the delta, finding favourable living conditions in its wet expanses. Here, where the boundaries of Asian and European fauna meet, the delta landscape forms a mosaic of biotopes progressing from the fresh water of the river to the salty water of the sea. The delta wetland, with its riverine forests, wet meadows, reed beds, lagoons and other biotopes, enchants visitors with its unique beauty. Its rare and rich biodiversity has earned it a place among the internationally recognized wetlands protected by the RAMSAR Convention. You can get information and watch a relevant video at the information centre in Traianoupoli. This is followed by a tour by boat on the Evros delta.
For more information click here
DADIA FOREST
A refuge for rare fauna and flora, the National Park lies in the centre of Evros Prefecture, its extensive forest covering the south-eastern foot of the Rhodope mountain range. Situated on one of the main migration routes followed by migratory birds, Evros lies on the boundaries of two major zones of fauna and flora, namely the European and Asian zones. The presence of rare species makes the National Park a forest of great ecological value, with birds of prey playing a prominent role. Thirty-six species of diurnal birds of prey (out of the 38 living in Europe) have been observed in the area. Eagles, vultures, buzzards, sparrow-hawks and falcons soar over the calm and beautiful landscapes of this Thracian earth, finding in it one of their last refuges in all of Europe. For the rare black vulture, this is the last remaining home in Greece and the Balkans. The Soufli Forest Inspectorate, the Evros Prefectural Authorities, the local municipalities and WWF Hellas have worked together to put into action programmes to protect and manage the forest. One of the main objectives of these programmes is to encourage the active involvement of the region’s inhabitants in the preservation of their homeland’s natural heritage.You can get information and watch a video on the subject at the information centre in Dadia. This is followed by a visit to the observatory, from where you will be able to admire the birds from up close.
For more information click here
