Grey Partridges, Pelicans and Winter Birdlife at Kalochori Lagoon & Axios Delta

The day started quietly, with the sun rising behind Mount Chortiatis, casting warm orange tones over the Thermaikos Gulf. A soft mist sat only above the fishing boats along the coast, while the lagoon and wetlands were already clear and bright. It felt like the perfect calm November morning to explore Kalochori lagoon and the Axios Delta.

Arriving at Kalochori lagoon, the water was still and bright, with no fog and no sudden water-level changes — just a peaceful early-winter surface. The first birds to stand out were the Greater Flamingos, feeding in loose lines across the lagoon. Further out, right in the middle of the lagoon, a compact group of Eurasian Teal rested comfortably, occasionally shifting but mostly remaining calm on the open water.

Surprise of the day: a covey of Grey Partridges

Moving towards the adjacent fields and tracks brought the dryland highlight of the morning. In the field margins, a tight and perfectly camouflaged group of ten Grey Partridges (Perdix perdix) appeared — the surprise of the day. They fed slowly in a compact covey, repeatedly lifting their heads to scan the surroundings. Seeing a healthy group of this size so close to the wetland emphasises the importance of the agriculture–marsh transition zone for farmland birds.

Spectacle over the water: cormorants and Dalmatian Pelicans

Further along, near the Axios Delta, the scene shifted dramatically from quiet farmland to open-water spectacle. A huge flock of approximately 2,000 Great Cormorants was actively feeding, diving and swirling in constant motion. Mixed among them were around 100 Dalmatian Pelicans, taking advantage of the disturbance created by the cormorants and feeding efficiently on pushed-up fish. This classic Axios winter feeding behaviour transformed the wetland into a dynamic, noisy, impressive wildlife display.

Fields alive with small passerines and egrets

The surrounding fields also held significant bird activity.

• Flocks of Chaffinches moved between the hedges, stubble and wires.

• Corn Buntings gathered in loose groups, typical of the early winter period.

• Pipits and larks moved low over the fields, feeding along the damp edges and dykes.

• A nice group of 40 Cattle Egrets continued to move between fields, often spreading out in small groups before gathering again.

This combination of farmland and wetland birdlife is what makes the Kalochori–Axios system so productive and diverse.

Plan Your Visit with Aegean Birding

If you’d like to explore Kalochori lagoon, the Axios Delta, Lake Kerkini or any of the other rich wetlands of Northern Greece, Aegean Birding can guide you through the best birdwatching and photography experiences.
From intimate encounters with farmland species to spectacular winter gatherings of pelicans, cormorants and flamingos, every trip is designed to match your interests, pace and photography goals.

Whether you are visiting Thessaloniki for a day or planning a longer nature-focused itinerary, we offer custom birding tours, expert local knowledge, transport and field guidance.

Get in touch to plan your next birdwatching adventure in Greece — we’ll be happy to guide you.