Birdwatching Season in Crete 2024

Crete hosts more than 400 different bird species, ensuring a great birdwatching experience

Best time: mid-March–mid-May | September–October

Flora and fauna of Crete are diverse; the island is home to lots of endemic species of birds. What is more, Crete is an island that hosts lots of birds migrating from Europe to Africa. The territory of the island is an entirely protected area. Crete has lots of nature reserves in the mountains and at lower elevations.

Crete offers numerous destinations for birdwatching across all the regions of Crete—the Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Lasithi. Birdwatching in Crete will bring you to the most beautiful and isolated areas where you haven't been before. On a birdwatching trip, you will have the chance to discover the nature of Crete at its best and see golden eagles, peregrine falcons, lanner falcons, tawny and little owls, alpine and red-billed choughs, and other bird species.

Chania

In Chania, the best birdwatching destinations are scattered across the Lefka Ori mountains. Both, Agia Irini Gorge and Samaria Gorge promise magnificent views. For coastal birding, travelers head to Tigani and Rodopou peninsulas and the island of Gramvousa. There you can spot Eleanora’s falcons, eagles, vultures, and buzzards. The areas of Lake Kournas and Georgioupolis Beach are considered to be the richest destinations with unique birds such as squacco herons, mallards, and little egrets.

Rethymno

In the region of Rethymno (or Rethimno), some of the highest mount ranges of Crete provide a habitat of numerous raptors and alpine species such as bearded vultures and golden eagles. You may combine birdwatching with climbing up the highest peak of Crete—Mt Ida—in the Psiloritis Range. The Potami Dam Reservoir, southeast of Rethymno, is a relatively new freshwater lake completed in 2008. The lake is already proving rather popular with a variety of grey and squacco herons and other waterfowl. Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Kotsifou Gorge promise magnificent views. Birding in these gorges gives a chance to spot blue rock thrush, chukar, rock dove, griffon vultures, crag martins, and lots of other bird species. On a lucky day, you might spot a rare inhabitant of Crete—Lammergeiers or bearded vultures—with less than a handful of pairs across Crete.

Heraklion

Heraklion region boasts several birding spots with migrating and breeding species. Aposelemis River that feeds Aposelemi Dam, Gouves Lagoons, and the adjacent gorge are the areas for finding black-eared wheatear, buzzard, griffon vulture, greater flamingo, black-winged stilt, little egret, and purple heron. There are also lots of other places like Lake Votamos and Rouvas Gorge to be checked out.

Lasithi

The easternmost region of Lasithi, with the capital in Agios Nikolaos, is full of both Cretan and migratory bird species. Bramiana Reservoir and Zakros Gorge are some of the prime spots in this part of the island. Bramiana Reservoir is the place for spotting black-winged stilt, Eleanora's falcon, glossy ibis, garganey, red-footed falcon, and green sandpipers.

Best time for birdwatching in Crete

The best time of the year to watch birds in Crete, particularly the migratory species, is during spring (mid-March to mid-May) and autumn (September to October).

Practical info

What are some good destinations for birdwatching in Crete?

Crete is home to several destinations that offer great birdwatching experiences across the Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi regions. Bird species in the mountainous and remote areas of Crete are unique and diverse. For instance, Chania's Lefka Ori mountains offer opportunities to spot some avifauna not found elsewhere on the island. Similarly, the Reservoir of Bramiana and Zakros Gorge are top birdwatching locations in Lasithi, while the Gouves Lagoons in the Heraklion region provide habitats for several breeding and migratory bird species.

When is the ideal time of the year to watch birds in Crete?

The best time of year to watch birds in Crete is during spring and autumn. These seasons are favorable for spotting migratory bird species, and you might even witness birds that migrate between Europe and Africa. Apart from these seasons, the island hosts a wide variety of endemic and rare bird species. Thus, any season could be a special time for birdwatching enthusiasts visiting Crete, depending on the birds they want to check off their lists.

What avian species can be sighted in the Lefka Ori mountains of Chania?

Birdwatchers visiting the Lefka Ori mountains in Chania can expect to see a variety of species. They may spot unique birds like the golden eagles, peregrine falcons, lanner falcons, tawny and little owls, alpine and red-billed choughs. The areas of Lake Kournas and Georgioupolis Beach in the same region are also worth visiting for watching squacco herons, mallards, little egrets, and other avian species.

Where can one see the rare inhabitant of Crete, known as Lammergeiers in Rethymno?

Lammergeiers, a rarely spotted inhabitant of Crete, can potentially be seen at the gorges of Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou in Rethymno. These gorges offer stunning landscapes for birdwatching enthusiasts and may provide a glimpse of the bearded vulture. However, due to their dwindling numbers, sighting of these birds cannot be guaranteed. The Psiloritis Range, also located in Rethymno, is home to alpine species and numerous raptors such as golden eagles and bearded vultures.

What bird species breed at Gouves Lagoons in the Heraklion region?

The Gouves Lagoons in the Heraklion region serve as breeding habitats for a variety of bird species. Birdwatchers visiting this location can spot various species like black-eared wheatear, buzzard, griffon vulture, greater flamingo, black-winged stilt, little egret, and purple heron. The region near Lake Votamos and Rouvas Gorge also offers diverse birds and serves as a prime spot for birdwatching during migration season.