Prespa lakes are located in the west side of the prefecture of Florina, north-western Greece and extend to Albania and FYROM. The area includes lake Mikri Prespa (small) and lake Megali Prespa (large) and all the land areas around them, including the territories of drained lakes.
Lake Mikri Prespa has been recognized internationally and globally as one of the most important wetlands. The diverse habitats such as wetlands, beaches, rural landscapes, grasslands, alpine meadows, forests, streams and other related to the small size of Prespa, are making Prespa lake area a unique wetland.
Prespa Lakes area is an extremely interesting wetland with over 261 bird species. As the wet meadows are also acting as refuge for many aquatic organisms, as main breeding sites for certain species of fish and amphibians and maintenance of many sites of rare water birds. Besides all the benefits offered as a wetland, it is the main habitat for bird species to breed that are threatened worldwide with extinction.
Today the colony of Dalmatian Pelican in Prespa is the largest in the world. Prespa lakes area is one of the few places where the Pelicans nest and the colony of is also the place that hosts the second largest population in Europe of Pygmy Cormorant. Prespa Lakes area also hosts the only reproducible greylag goose population in Greece and is an important habitat for seven species of herons and many other endangered species. Probably no other region in Europe has such a wide variety of life forms per unit area.
In the sandy areas of the Lakes it is very possible to spot Tawny Pipit and Short-toed Pipit while in the reeds and the reed’s fringes birdwatchers could spot Little Bitten, Savi’s and Marsh warblers and also Baerded Tit. Also in the scrubby areas Red-backed and Barred warbler, Woodchat Shrikes and Lesser Grey it is very possible to be seen.
In the mountains around Prespa Lakes it is more likely to find Subalpine and Eastern Bonelis’s Warblers, Marsh and Sombre Tits, Hazel Grouse and Black and Middle Spotted woodpeckers among other species of woodpeckers that can be found in the area.
In the area is most possible to spot also amongst others Grey and Purple Herons, Great Egrets, Barred Warbler, Golden and Booted Eagles, Golden Eagle, Hoopoe, Lanner Falcons, Woodchat Shrike, Rock Thrush, Golden Oriole, Bee-eaters, Levant Sparrowhawk, Eagle Owls, Night Herons, and Goosanders.
Location and getting there :
Distances from / to Prespa Lakes :
Cities :
- Thessaloniki : 200km (B-roads)
- Thessaloniki : 235km (National Road)
- Florina : 47km
- Kastoria : 50km
Closest airports :
- Thessaloniki International ( SKG) : 245km
- Kastoria (domestic flights) : 60km
It is very difficult if not impossible to travel to Prespa lakes area using public transportation, so we strongly suggest that if you are planning to visit on your own to arrange for a rental car. If you wish to visit during winter, consider a 4x4 vehicle as the area is mountainous.
Local weather :
Florina
May 18, 2012, 10:28
real feel: 8°C
humidity: 60%
wind speed: 6 m/s N
sunrise: 6:14
sunset: 20:48
Forecast May 19, 2012
day
Sunny
24°C
wind speed: 0 m/s N
night
Clear
7°C
wind speed: 0 m/s N
