Cloudy and sunny morning in the forest around Taxiarchis, in the heart of the Cholomontas Mountains of northern Greece. The light kept shifting — one moment soft and grey, the next breaking through the clouds in golden shafts that lit the slopes. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of pine resin, damp leaves, and distant wood smoke from the village below.

Between old beech and oak stands, long rows of Christmas tree plantations stretched along the hillside — neat, dark-green corridors cutting through the patchwork of autumn colour. Walking among them, the contrast was striking: the warm reds and yellows of the native forest blending with the evergreen tones of the cultivated firs.

Bird activity was steady throughout the morning. Many Blue Tits and Great Tits were moving restlessly through the branches, calling softly as they foraged. Eurasian Nuthatches were easy to hear, their sharp “twit-twit” calls echoing through the woods as they climbed up and down the trunks with their usual energy. Tiny Goldcrests flickered high in the firs, barely visible among the needles, while small groups of Chaffinches fed quietly along the paths and clearings, their pinkish tones blending with the fallen leaves.

Write your text here...From deeper within the forest came the steady drumming of woodpeckers, breaking the calm in short bursts of rhythm. Occasionally a Jay called harshly from the treetops, and a Common Buzzard circled above the valley, using the brief moments of sunshine to rise on the gentle thermals.

By late morning the clouds began to gather again, and the forest took on a cooler, silvery tone. The last calls of tits and Nuthatches faded into the distance, leaving only the quiet rustle of the wind in the firs. Taxiarchis in November — a place of colour, calm, and quiet life, where even a short walk can feel like a long, gentle pause in the season.

Visiting Taxiarchis

Taxiarchis is a mountain village located about 15 km southwest of Polygyros, in central Chalkidiki, roughly an hour and a half’s drive from Thessaloniki. The road winds through dense forest and open ridges, offering fine views of the Cholomontas range.The area is excellent for birdwatching and forest walks throughout the year. Spring and autumn bring high activity, with mixed flocks of tits, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, and woodpeckers, while the surrounding meadows host warblers, finches, and shrikes. Winter is quieter but still rewarding, with Siskins and Hawfinches. For photographers and nature lovers, the best time for forest colour is late October to mid-November, when the beech and oak leaves turn deep gold and red, contrasting beautifully with the dark green Christmas tree plantations that make Taxiarchis famous.