Bird Watching in Crete

We have an abundance of interesting bird life on the island. As well as many passerines not commonly found in northern Europe, we also have a varied raptor population and many coastal/riverbed locations where waders and waterfowl can be found.

Near to Footscapes is a colony of Eurasian Griffon Vultures which can regularly be seen circling the farmland close by looking for fallen stock. We have counted as many as 15 individuals over the house at one time! Click here to see some photos, taken from close to our house at Footscapes. They are amazing birds, with a wingspan of up to 3 metres and hardly any fear of humans.

Other recent inhabitants have been a pair of migrating Hoopoes just up the lane from our house. Buzzards and Kestrels are commonly seen around our plot. At night, we often go to sleep to the sound of a Scops Owl or Nightjar.

Perhaps our best "tick" since moving to Crete was a Little Bittern, seen at Petres River estuary, about 10 mile up the coast from us.

If birdwatching is an interest for guests at Footscapes, we are more than happy to help out with bird guides and software to aid identification, or perhaps a pair of larger binoculars than you managed to bring in hand luggage. We also have a copy of "A Birdwatching Guide to Crete" (Stephanie Coghlan), which lists recommended watching sites along with historical records of birds sighted between 1986 and 2000. We can also help with maps and travel directions when planning watching trips.