Crete
Flowers and Wildlife on a spectacular Greek island
Tuesday 22 - Tuesday 29 April 2008 (8 days)
We spend a week on the largest and, some would say, the most beautiful of the Greek islands for a week of flowers and wildlife at one of the best times of year for them.
© Jamie McMillan/Nature Portfolio
Anemones on the Omalos Plateau
Crete is the largest, and to many the most spectacular of the Greek Isles. It is a truly rugged land, with a chain of mountains rising to nearly 2,500m, which at this time of year form a spectacular snowcapped backdrop almost wherever we go. Many of the mountains are formed of limestone and dolomite, with high plateaux cut by deep gorges. The geology and isolation from the mainland have given Crete a unique and diverse flora, with no less than a tenth of its plants (180 + species!) endemic to the island the greatest proportion of endemic plants on any island in Europe. In addition, the history of the island, from the times of the earliest European civilisation onwards, is fascinating, and Knossos, the original 'labyrinth', is a most fascinating relic of rich Minoan culture.
Although birds are never really numerous on Crete, as it is off the main migration routes, the range of species here can be diverse and unpredictable, and the close views of some of the migrants can be stunning. We are based for most of the holiday at a pleasant hotel on the coast near Chania, with good birdwatching in the immediate vicinity. The west of Crete is probably the wildest and most spectacular part of the island, and we are strategically placed for trips to the best sites, especially some of the wetlands.
Price: £ 1,275
Single supp.: £ 125
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price per person includes return flights from London Heraklion*, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, an optional tip to the driver, drinks, and other personal expenses.
*For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Heraklion/Heraklion) please deduct £ 175 per person from the tour cost.
Please note that it may be possible for clients to fly direct from Manchester. Please enquire for details and supplement. We can also arrange for a weeks extra hotel accommodation and car hire for those wishing to extend their stay.
Leaders: Liz Charter & Stephanie Coghlan
Day 1
We take a direct flight from London to Heraklion, and drive west to Chania, arriving at our hotel in the evening.
Days 2 - 6
We'll spend the first day exploring the area near Chania along the coast, a mixture of sandy beaches, river mouths, and a delightful headland. Any small wetlands along this stretch of coast can be worth checking for water birds on passage. Wood Sandpiper is usually the most numerous wader, with smaller numbers of Little Stint, Ruff and Black-winged Stilt, while rarer waders can include Marsh Sandpiper. Views of crakes, especially Little Crake, can be stunning at the edges of the few freshwater pools, while herons can include Squacco, Purple and Night Herons. Land migrants at this time could include Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike and Red-throated Pipit, while Eleonora's Falcon can appear almost anywhere along the coast.
One of the best areas near the hotel is Agia Reservoir, with natural-looking banks and reedbeds. This can harbour small crakes, Little Bittern and Garganey, as well as being attractive to Marsh Harrier, Alpine Swift (which can sometimes give superb views low over the water), hirundines and small migrants. We'll be making short visits to this area several times during our stay.
Just to the east of Chania is the Akrotiri Peninsula, an attractive area of olive groves, scrubby hillsides, and quiet monasteries. The flowers here can be superb, and breeding birds include Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear and Woodlark.
On one day we'll head high into the mountains, up through some of Crete's most spectacular scenery to the Omalos plateau. This is an excellent area for large raptors, with Griffon Vulture the most likely, but Lammergeier and Golden Eagle can also be found in the area, particularly above the dramatic Samaria Gorge. Well also keep a look-out for Chough and Crag Martin. The flowers here can be absolutely stunning, with carpets of blue Crown Anemones sprinkled with pink Cretan Tulips in the meadows, while Cirl Bunting and Woodlark sing from the tops of the flowering hawthorns.
On another day we turn south towards the Minoan Cemetery at Armeni, and on towards the hills above Plakias. This area is superb for orchids and other flowers, including stunning red Tulipa undulata, Fritillaria messanensis, Cretan Cyclamen and Cretan Iris, and also attracts migrants heading north.
But, amongst flowers, perhaps the amazing variety of orchids will be the biggest draw here. The bee orchids are both amazing and confusing, with Cretan Bee Orchid the star, but with Bumblebee, Yellow Bee and Marengo Orchids also notable. The endemic Borys Orchid always excites, but we hope to see Toothed, Milky, Provence, and Tongue Orchids too and of course Naked Man Orchid which usually draws a few wry comments.
Birds can vary, but in particular the Kourtaliotiko and Kotsiphos Gorges can funnel migrants northwards, as well as providing breeding habitat for several raptors including Peregrine and Griffon Vulture.
Once again we are timing our visit to coincide with the Greek orthodox Easter, and will have a chance to go to the spectacular midnight mass at a church nearby.
Six nights Chania
Day 7
We make an early start back to Heraklion today to give ourselves time for a visit to the amazing historical site of Knossos. Even the least historically-minded cannot fail to be impressed here - or you can always look for orchids and birds on the nearby hillside.
We continue on to our hotel just east of Heraklion. Just next to the hotel is one of Crete's best wetland sites, the Aposelemis River mouth. Although sadly severely damaged in recent years, the coastal saltmarsh here is still very attractive to migrant waders and passerines, and we are well placed for evening and morning visits here.
Overnight Heraklion
Day 8
We have time for a last look at the saltmarshes in the morning before returning to Heraklion airport for our flight home.
Accommodation: We stay in two good quality hotels, with all rooms en suite.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients