GO BIRDING IN THESSALONIKI

Just a few kilometres west of Thessaloniki, the Kalochori Lagoon forms part of the Axios–Loudias–Aliakmon Delta National Park, one of the richest wetlands in Greece. Despite its proximity to the city and port, Kalochori has become a vital refuge for birds, proof of how nature can thrive even next to urban areas when given space and care. This coastal wetland, shaped by tidal movements and freshwater inflow, offers a mosaic of saltmarshes, mudflats, lagoons, and reedbeds that attract hundreds of species throughout the year.

Habitats and Landscape

Kalochori lies on the inner Thermaikos Gulf, where the sea meets the deltaic plain of northern Greece’s great rivers. The landscape changes constantly with the tides and seasons:

Shallow lagoons and mudflats host waders and flamingos

Saltmarsh vegetation — glasswort, sea lavender, and halophyte meadows — provide foraging grounds for herons and spoonbills.

Reedbeds and drainage channels support bitterns, warblers, and amphibians.

Adjacent agricultural fields attract larks, pipits, and raptors.

This rich habitat mosaic makes Kalochori one of the most accessible birding sites in Greece, just 15 minutes from Thessaloniki city centre.

Birdlife

Kalochori is a year-round birding hotspot, offering different spectacles in every season.

Spring and Autumn Migration

During migration, the lagoon hosts large numbers of waders, including:

Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, and Spotted Redshank. Mixed flocks of terns, herons, and glossy ibises are common, while Greater Flamingos often remain year-round.
Raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Osprey, and Red-footed Falcon can be seen hunting over the saltmarsh.

Summer Breeding Season

In summer, the site becomes a nursery for Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, and Little Terns. Kentish Plovers nest on dry flats, while Bee-eaters and Rollers colour the surrounding fields.

Winter

Winter brings impressive gatherings of waterfowl, including Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, and Shelduck.
Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, and Hen Harriers patrol the area, while flocks of flamingos feeding in the shallows provide one of the lagoon’s most iconic scenes.

Altogether, more than 280 bird species have been recorded here — an extraordinary diversity for a site at the edge of a major city.

Explore the Axios Delta with Aegean Birding

Combine your visit to Kalochori with a full exploration of the Axios–Loudias–Aliakmon Delta, one of Greece’s most important wetland systems.
Aegean Birding offers guided day trips from Thessaloniki, covering Kalochori, Nea Agathoupoli, and the delta lagoons — ideal for birders, photographers, and nature lovers.

Experience the wild beauty of northern Greece — where wetlands meet the city, and the birds of the Aegean never cease to surprise.