Lake Kerkini

Kerkini was created in 1932 by damming the Strymonas to control flooding and irrigate the plain, and within decades it had become one of the most important wetlands in Europe, a Ramsar site holding over 300 bird species. Both European pelicans breed or feed here, Dalmatian and great white, and the sight of them fishing beside traditional flat-bottomed boats has made the lake famous with photographers. Drowned willow forest stands in the water at the northern end, herons and cormorants nest in colonies, and herds of semi-wild water buffalo, several hundred strong, graze the shallows and the surrounding meadows. The Belles mountains rise on the northern shore. Local boatmen run early-morning trips, and the levees make good cycling and walking routes.

History

Before 1932 there were irregular marsh lakes along the Strymon, one of them called Podkova, "horseshoe", in Ottoman records. The lake was created by embankments on both sides of the river and a dam near Lithotopos, which began working in 1932; as silt from the Strymon reduced its capacity, the embankments were raised and a new dam came into operation in 1982 (Wikipedia, Lake Kerkini).

Highlights

• The pelicans - Dalmatian and white pelicans fishing and loafing on the water.
• The water buffalo - herds grazing the shallows and shoreline meadows.
• The drowned willows - flooded trees standing in the northern shallows.
• The boat trips - flat-bottomed boats working from the village landings.

When to go

October to May for the greatest numbers and activity, with winter the peak for pelicans; spring adds breeding herons and migrants. Summer is hot, hazy and much quieter for birds.

Practical notes

Water levels fluctuate hugely between seasons, which changes what is visible; in late summer the lake can shrink dramatically. Boat trips need booking, run mostly at dawn, and are cancelled in wind. Facilities are limited to a few village guesthouses.

Nearby

Serres and the Alistrati cave lie south; the Bulgarian border crossings are north.

Key facts