Bird watching is one hobby that doesn't exactly have a cool reputation. If you know what to look for, it can be great fun spotting all the different species though. We take a look at some of the best places in Europe to enjoy this fascinating pastime.
For a spot of birdwatching, Cyprus is an excellent location. Many species from around the world, travelling from Europe to Asia or Africa, will stop here for a time as it is on one of the major migration routes for birds in the Mediterranean. With plenty of top notch places for spying on them, there are almost 400 different species of birds seen on the island.
This major Mediterranean migration route also makes Malta a great place for some quality bird watching. Like Cyprus, there are almost 400 species to be seen here as well, but only 21 are native to the Maltese archipelago. Here you might see warblers, flycatchers, petrels, larks and doves. If you're not sure where to start looking, Malta also has various wetlands and nature reserves which offer a haven to a multitude of species.
If you want to spend some time in Greece, there are also plenty of species of birds here too. To get the best from your trip you'll want to select an area to focus your attention on, as the many islands of Greece makes it a vast, diversified location.
Most of the islands have hotels, and those which are more rugged and wild will only be a short boat trip away, so you could spend a day exploring, and tracking some of the rarer species. Or, you may prefer to stick to the mainland, and discover the birds in and around Athens, or even head north towards Mt Olympus. When in Greece, look out for harriers, buzzards, plovers, gulls and woodpeckers.
For a spot of birdwatching, Cyprus is an excellent location. Many species from around the world, travelling from Europe to Asia or Africa, will stop here for a time as it is on one of the major migration routes for birds in the Mediterranean. With plenty of top notch places for spying on them, there are almost 400 different species of birds seen on the island.
This major Mediterranean migration route also makes Malta a great place for some quality bird watching. Like Cyprus, there are almost 400 species to be seen here as well, but only 21 are native to the Maltese archipelago. Here you might see warblers, flycatchers, petrels, larks and doves. If you're not sure where to start looking, Malta also has various wetlands and nature reserves which offer a haven to a multitude of species.
If you want to spend some time in Greece, there are also plenty of species of birds here too. To get the best from your trip you'll want to select an area to focus your attention on, as the many islands of Greece makes it a vast, diversified location.
Most of the islands have hotels, and those which are more rugged and wild will only be a short boat trip away, so you could spend a day exploring, and tracking some of the rarer species. Or, you may prefer to stick to the mainland, and discover the birds in and around Athens, or even head north towards Mt Olympus. When in Greece, look out for harriers, buzzards, plovers, gulls and woodpeckers.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander has been writing about birdwatching holidays in Greece and Malta. For hotel deals in Greece, go to Hotels4u or click here for more information on Cyprus.
