Birdwatching at Oropos Wetlands

Little egrets and other birds at the Oropos lagoon

Little egrets (Egretta garzetta) and other birds at Oropos lagoon.

Oropos wetland is one the most important breeding areas in the prefecture of Attica, Greece. It is the remnant of a much bigger wetland that included the estuaries of Asopos river, 2 km away.

Unfortunately, the development of holiday settlements occupied most of the wetland, currently limiting it to about 71 hectares from some 285 hectares. Segments of the 71 hectares are claimed by individuals for further residential development.

Oropos lagoon and part of the wetland. Click on the picture to open it in Google Maps.

However, more than 180 bird species have been counted in the area, out of which, 54 are protected. Some species, like the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) reproduce at the wetland, whilst others only sojourn.

Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus )

Oropos wetland is home for important numbers of Mediterranean black headed gulls (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus).

Mediterranean black-headed gull (Larus melanocephalus)

Here, one will encounter significant flocks of little egrets (Egretta garzetta), as well as fewer great egrets (Egretta alba). The great egrets are larger in size and can be distinguished mainly by the yellow beak.

During the autumn and spring, we will spot, if lucky, flamingo flocks (Phoenicopterus roseus), that pause at the Oropos wetlands during their migration flight to and from Africa.