Birdwatching 3 Days
A trip to the serene environment of the Messolonghi lagoon. Also known as one of the richest natural fish production centers of our country, which is formed between the deltas of the Acheloos and Evinos rivers. The lagoon of Messolonghi is classified as a national park and protected by the Ramsar Convention and the Natura2000 Treaty. The lagoon is a small "Noah's Ark" with a wide biodiversity. About two hundred and seventy species of birds find shelter, and incubate in it, thanks to the safe shallow waters of the lagoon, not exceeding a depth of eighty centimetres, they find ample food from the 36 fish species that live and reproduce in it, while in it’s ecosystem 23 species of reptiles and mammals are found.
Wander among reeds, dunes, salt marshes and dykes, in the hope of seeing herons, the permanent patrons throughout the year, coots, who are summer visitors, beautiful avocets in the area of Salinas and lanky flamingos in various areas.
Scientists of the Geology Center recommend 'caution' when walking in the mounds, in order not to destroy the nests that terns build, to approach the birds in a calm manner, so as not to scare them, and for us to not be exposed.
Bird watching needs patience, mainly because birds change places. Do not forget to take with you: water, hat and binoculars.
Day 1
Upon your arrival in the historic town of Messolonghi and after you get settled in your hotel, we welcome you and we inform you about the region and the program which will follow in the coming days of your trip.
Initially, you start the tour in the city's cobblestone streets admiring the architecture of the neoclassical buildings of the last century and the old mansions.
Thereafter, you may end up with a bike in the lagoon to enjoy the feast of sunset colours.
After dusk, we will have a taste of Messolonghi Gastronomy in the city center, in the restaurant.
The menu includes:
Starter
Salted anchovies with lagoon salt, parsley and garlic /
Oven baked sardines with lagoon salt flower /
Fried shrimp with feta
Salad
Greek salad with virgin olive oil of the region /
Season salad
Main Dish
Fresh seasonal fish from the lagoon (sea bream-bass-pedal mullet) /
Meat of your choice on the grill with french fries or boiled greens.
Drink
2 glasses of wine or 1 glass of Ouzo Trikene
Dessert
Dessert of the day (season fruit or dessert)
Closing our first day in Messolonghi, we take a stroll in the bars of the center, with a stop at the "Avant Garde Bar-Restaurant" to taste our signature cocktail «Discover Messolonghi».
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel and briefing at 08:30. At 9:30 we visit Eastern Kleisova. We get access by the embankment that separates it from the Central Kleisova. We move towards the observatory. One side of the route, the east, has a rich reed, freshwater and different species of birds, accustomed to living in this habitat. While the west side is of shallow water, salty or hypersaline, little parts of land with halophytes, salt marshes (saltsino) and mudflats.
The route combines two different ecosystems, freshwater and saltwater, in a short space scale, giving access to the observer in both, from the same point, which is rare in the wetland.
It has a good observatory point that helps the observer. Finally, it has a wide range of bird species, all year round.
We depart from Eastern Kleisova, and we move on to the Tourlida Salt Marshes. Towards Tourlida, a brief take place, to explain to visitors what is that traditional vivarium. The observation in the Salt Marshes of Tourlida happens from three spots/stops, depending on which one is the most populated taking into account the season and weather.
The first stop is at the top of the Salt Marshes, on the dirt road junction that leads east, to the lower vivariums. The second stop may be made just before the chapel to the left of the road, at the beginning of the Tourlida settlement. The third stop is in the large vacant lot with the asphalt on the left, above the closed beach.
There is also another alternative stop. We could follow the 2km dirt road towards the vivariums, in order to reach the first large complex of arbitraries, in the first cluster of eucalyptus trees, which we meet after first vivarium, on the isle of Kleisova. These two coastal habitats, also in connection with the adjacent salt marshes and mudflats in a lagoon, are hosting some scarce and rare species for observers like the Great Sand Plover and Thalassolimoza. Our next stop are the Salt Marshes of Tourlida.
Then the group can lunch and rest on the island of Tourlida, in the restaurant of the island.
The menu includes:
Starter
Salted anchovies marinated with garlic and parsley /
Steamed mussels with mustard sauce.
Salad
Greek salad
Main Dish
Fresh seasonal fish from the lagoon (sea bream-bass-pedal mullet) /
Meat of your choice on the grill with french fries or boiled greens.
Drink
2 glasses of wine or 1 glass of Ouzo "Pelada"
Dessert
Dessert of the day (season fruit or dessert)
The evening will continue with three stops in the Aetoliko Region.
First stop: the Marsh of Finikias, between the Salt Marshes and Aetoliko. Access is gained by a passable mound. It is not recommended for large buses, but it is near the main road of Messolonghi - Aetoliko and can be made on foot. Closed with freshwater reedbeds, wet meadows and brackish presents major ornithological interest three out of four seasons (fall, winter and spring).
Second stop: The Perimeter of Aetoliko. The so-called Canal, which especially the winter, has large flocks of waterfowl, grebes, cormorants, coots that are of great interest. In the same area, we will see traditional fishermen with stafnokaria and other instruments that complement the scenery. Also, from the perimeter, with ease and with some luck, we will identify the Griffon, wintering or nesting in Arakynthos as they fly around the cliffs. This impressive and rare combination of natural features, where flocks of thousands of waterfowl in the wetland, are lying beneath the cliffs and canyons where flying vultures and other predators of the mountain fly.
Third stop is the Marsh of St. Nicholas, west of Aetoliko, under the stadium. Here we have easy access from the asphalt, even for large vehicles. The water basins with shallow water that are surrounded by saltsina, host large numbers of birds from November to March. Ducks, coots, flamingos etc. are species that occur in relatively short distances.
In the evening a meal can take place or a stop for a stroll of our visitors in Aetoliko, where we will taste the authentic flavours of the place in the heart of Aetoliko, in the tavern "Monomatos".
The Menu includes:
Starter
Pickled Ligda (small bream) /
Grilled Lagoon Eel /
Salad
Greek salad with virgin olive oil of the region /
Season salad
Main Dish
Fresh seasonal fish from the lagoon (sea bream-bass-pedal mullet) /
Meat of your choice on the grill with french fries or boiled greens.
Drink
2 glasses of wine or 1 glass of Ouzo Trikene
Dessert
Dessert of the day (season fruit or dessert)
Return by road and evening at your leisure.
Day 3
Breakfast at hotel, check out and departure at 09:00.
Water Tour of the lagoon and approach of the islands and the versatile ecosystem which is formed thereon, after we follow the path from Tourlida Vasiladi to Agios Sostis to the Lighthouse and then Coma, Schinias, Prokopanistos, Panagia Prokopanisiotissa and we will return to Prokopanisto with a stop at Vasiladi where we will have the chance to taste ouzo with meze, prepared with traditional fishery products by the fishermen of the local pens. Back on the island of Tourlida and boarding on the bus for our departure and return.
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Remarks:
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Minimum number of participants is 15 people.
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If the proposed dates or the duration or the travel programme do not meet your expectations, please contact us and one of our colleagues will help you create the trip of your dreams.
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Available Bank Accounts (for deposits):
NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE (IBAN): GR89 4120 0000 4120 0184 228
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