Lake Kerkini in June 2011

David Tomlinson outlines his proposed tour

Lake Kerkini in north-east Greece is a tempting year-round destination for the naturalist, offering an exceptionally interesting flora and fauna throughout the year. It’s easy to get to – just a 90-minute drive from Thessalonica airport, which is served by direct flights from London Gatwick with both easyJet and British Airways. The Hotel Viglatoras, which we use when we visit Kerkini, is a delightful small, family-run hotel with interesting and individual rooms and excellent food. The hotel is in the small hillside town of Ano Poroia, overlooking the lake, with the mountains and Bulgarian border behind.

I ran my first birdwatching holiday at Kerkini in 2008, since when I have taken four more groups there, including last June’s holiday for the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. This week produced sightings of 75 species of butterflies, including such sought-after insects as Mazarine Blue, Large Blue, Large Copper, Camberwell Beauty, Nettle-tree Butterfly and Clouded Apollo. In addition we recorded nearly 120 species of birds, including Balkan specialities like Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Levant Sparrowhawk and Black-headed bunting. The constant song of nightingales, cuckoos and golden orioles add to the pleasure of visiting this quiet and attractive corner of Greece. The success of the 2010 SBBC holiday allowed me to donate £350 to Butterfly Conservation.

For 2011 I’m planning a return visit to Kerkini. This will be a holiday with equal emphasis given to both birds and butterflies. We plan to fly out on Thursday 2 June, using British Airways, returning on the following Thursday, 9 June. The inclusive cost of the holiday, excluding the flight, is £825 (no single room supplement). This includes all meals, wine with dinner and transport by minibus. The maximum group size is eight, plus leader.

David Tomlinson has been organising and leading birdwatching holidays for his company Gourmet Birds for over 25 years. He is the author of the WildGuides Britain ’ s Butterflies. For further details of this holiday please contact David on 01359 269 657, or by email at davidtom@aol.com.

Camberwell Beauty by Mervyn Crawford