We explore the wooded shores of Lake Kerkini, where we meet species that are new to me. One of those species is the Eleonora's falcon, a species that was once searched for in vain in Mallorca. The Rock Nuthatch was also a new species: it is a small bird that lives on/in a rock wall. We were lucky that another bird watcher had already found one. Many of the photos were taken from a great distance, for example the Eleonora's falcon at 88 meters. That doesn't help with the sharpness.
House sparrow
Huismus
Passer domesticus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 1250, distance 13.2 m
Many storks nest in the area around Lake Kerkini. Where 2 storks breed, I often feel at least 10 pairs of sparrows live in the branches of their nest. House sparrows and Spanish sparrows and hybrids says the guide.
The photo shows a House sparrow (Passer domesticus). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Passeridae. The photo was taken at Koryfoudi (Kerkini Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 05:27 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Common stork's-bill
Duinreigersbek
Erodium cicutarium
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 1600, distance 2.10 m
The photo shows a Common stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium). It is a plant in the order Geraniales and the family Geraniaceae. The photo was taken at Koryfoudi (Kerkini Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 06:17 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Red campion
Dagkoekoeksbloem
Silene dioica
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 640, distance 5.38 m
The photo shows a Red campion (Silene dioica). It is a plant in the order Caryophyllales and the family Caryophyllaceae. The photo was taken at Koryfoudi (Kerkini Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 06:22 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Milk thistle
Mariadistel
Silybum marianum
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 640, distance 2.92 m
The photo shows a Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). It is a plant in the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. The photo was taken at Koryfoudi (Kerkini Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 06:23 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
White stork
Ooievaar
Ciconia ciconia
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 52.4 m
The photo shows a White stork (Ciconia ciconia). It is a bird in the order Ciconiiformes and the family Ciconiidae. The photo was taken at Koryfoudi (Kerkini Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 06:23 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Eleonora's falcon
Eleonora's valk
Falco eleonorae
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 800, distance 88.3 m
The photo shows a Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae). It is a bird in the order Falconiformes and the family Falconidae. The photo was taken at Δημοτική Κοινότητα Λιθοτόπου at 06:56 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Booted eagle
Dwergarend
Hieraaetus pennatus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 400, distance 247 m
The photo shows a Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). It is a bird in the order Accipitriformes and the family Accipitridae. The photo was taken at Lithotopos (Iraklia Municipal Unit, Irakleia Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 07:21 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Woodchat shrike
Roodkopklauwier
Lanius senator
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 320, distance 38.6 m
The Red-headed Shrike was the most abundant bird in the landscape during the trip. We have always heard the nightingale singing everywhere, but never seen it.
The photo shows a Woodchat shrike (Lanius senator). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Laniidae. The photo was taken at Lithotopos (Iraklia Municipal Unit, Irakleia Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 07:35 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Spanish sparrow
Spaanse mus
Passer hispaniolensis
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 17.2 m
The photo shows a Spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Passeridae. The photo was taken at Lithotopos (Iraklia Municipal Unit, Irakleia Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 07:53 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Dalmatian pelican
Kroeskoppelikaan
Pelecanus crispus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 400, distance 57.3 m
The photo shows a Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus). It is a bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the family Pelecanidae. The photo was taken at Chrysochorafa (Iraklia Municipal Unit, Irakleia Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 10:58 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Great white pelican
Roze pelikaan
Pelecanus onocrotalus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2500 sec at F5.0, ISO 200, distance 147 m
The photo shows a Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus). It is a bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the family Pelecanidae. The photo was taken at Λιμνοχώρι (Iraklia Municipal Unit, Irakleia Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 11:50 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Kerkinimeer
Apple with iPhone 16 Pro back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78, 1/3953 sec at F1.8, ISO 80
Lake Kerkini has many corners, but they are all beautiful: water with mountains in the background.
The photo was taken at Thrakiko - Omalo at 12:24 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Wood sandpiper
Bosruiter
Tringa glareola
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 55.0 m
The photo shows a Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola). It is a bird in the order Charadriiformes and the family Scolopacidae. The photo was taken at Thrakiko - Omalo at 12:36 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Hermann's tortoise
Griekse landschildpad
Testudo hermanni
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 400, distance 41.8 m
The photo shows a Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni). It is a animal in the class Testudines and the family Testudinidae. The photo was taken at Thrakiko - Omalo at 12:52 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Water buffalo
Gedomesticeerde waterbuffel
Bubalus arnee
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 500, distance 56.0 m
The photo shows a Water buffalo (Bubalus arnee). It is a animal in the order Artiodactyla and the family Bovidae. The photo was taken at Thrakiko - Omalo at 13:08 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Common blue
Icarusblauwtje
Polyommatus icarus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 400, distance 3.10 m
The photo shows a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus). It is a insect in the order Lepidoptera and the family Lycaenidae polyommatinae. The photo was taken at Βυρώνεια (Petritsi Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 14:49 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Western rock nuthatch
Rotsklever
Sitta neumayer
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 2500, distance 35.5 m
The photo shows a Western rock nuthatch (Sitta neumayer). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Sittidae. The photo was taken at Βυρώνεια (Petritsi Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 15:15 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.
Eurasian hoopoe
Hop
Upupa epops
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 1600, distance 37.1 m
The photo shows a Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops). It is a bird in the order Bucerotiformes and the family Upupidae. The photo was taken at Mandraki (Petritsi Municipal Unit, Sintiki Municipality, Central Macedonia, Greece) at 16:26 on Tuesday May 05, 2026.