Region covered by this guide
This guidebook covers the entire island of Lesbos, from the wetlands around the Gulf of Kalloni and the forests of the east to the dry landscapes, rocky mountains and Petrified Forest of western Lesbos. It includes all the island’s main areas for birdwatching, wildflowers and wildlife.
The Crossbill Guide is a thorough and practical guide for birdwatchers, naturalists and nature lovers. It offers background information, detailed routes and site descriptions, plus tips on finding and watching birds, wildlife and wildflowers. The book combines mostly easy walking routes with car itineraries featuring stops and short walks.
Some key sites described in this book
- Gulf of Kalloni
- Amali Peninsula
- Ipsilou Monastery
- Petrified Forest
- Faneromeni
- Eftalou
Why visit Lesbos for the birds and wildlife
Lesbos lies in the Aegean Sea close to the Turkish coast, at a meeting point of European and Asian flora and fauna. Oak and chestnut forests, olive groves, coastal wetlands, dry scrub and rocky mountains create a remarkable variety of habitats. As a result, the island is rich not only in birds but also in orchids, other wildflowers, reptiles and butterflies.
Above all, Lesbos is famous for its bird migration. Every spring, large numbers of birds pass through the island on their way north from Africa, while the wetlands around the Gulf of Kalloni are particularly rewarding for birdwatching. Eastern specialities such as Krüper’s Nuthatch, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Masked Shrike and Olive-tree Warbler add to the island’s distinctive birdlife.
Some key species you may find with this book
- Persian Squirrel
- Levant Sparrowhawk
- Masked Shrike
- Krüper’s Nuthatch
- Sombre Tit
- Olive-tree Warbler
- Eleonora’s Falcon
- Western Rock Nuthatch
- Cretzschmar’s Bunting
- Cinereous Bunting
- Isabelline Wheatear
- Dahl’s Whip Snake
- Leopard Snake
- Starred Agama
- False Apollo
- Turkish Goldenring
- Lesbos Fritillary (Fritillaria theophrasti)
- Spurred Helleborine (Cephalanthera epipactoides)
- Horseshoe Orchid (Ophrys ferrum-equinum)
- Comper’s Orchid (Comperia comperiana)
- Lesbos Orchid (Ophrys lesbis)
About the author
Alex Tabak (NL, 1976) is an all-round ecologist specialising in field surveys of flora, vegetation, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. He works partly in the Netherlands and partly in Greece. Together with his Greek partner Christiana Bairaktari, Alex guides naturalist holidays on Lesbos, focusing not only on birdwatching and wildflowers but also on the landscape and local, nature-based cuisine.
Lesbos is Alex’s second Crossbill Guide. He also co-authored the Crossbill Nature Guide to the Rhodope Mountains.
Dirk Raes (EU cr-Birding) –
The wonderful balance between nature & traditional land use summarizes the attraction of Lesbos (p.50). This balance is THE value of this fabulous book. Starting from an important Geology & History, you are guided through different Habitats and concerned species. Attractive hiking trails show you the best-of-Lesbos and detailed maps with pictures finalizes your discovery. In the Tourist Information & Observation Tips, I like the local dishes (in Greek, easy visiting a Taverna) and a correct list of recommended restaurants. This book ends with a Species List & Translation (Latin, ENG, DLD, NL). I’m positively surprised by names having an asterisk (*) behind them, indicating an unofficial (translated) name. Congratulations to the author : this guide is a detailed, well looked after and precise work not to be missed when visiting the island or just “tasting Lesbos”.
Visiting Lesbos since 2003 -several times a year- I discover unknown corners, txs to this book.