WATERLANDS
Evergetoula's
Evergetoula's area is also of great ecological
significance. The particular water land is formed from the homonymous
river ( Evergetoulas ) and Dipi's marsh. This water land gives shelter to
rich fauna while some of them have been characterized as rare. The water
of the river forms small lakes of natural beauty and the entire site's
protection could be incorporated in the environmental program NATURA 2000.
Polychnitos
One of the most impressive areas of Lesvos island is Polychnitos at
the northeastern side of Kallonis Bay, which consists one significant
water land. Over 100 species of birds have been registered and we can say
that it is a real museum of natural history for biologists and amateur
observers.
The observation is possible all around the year and
especially during spring as the birds'
arrival is massive : herons,
flamingo, white stork, curlew, swans etc.
Also the land of Polichnitos area is a significant
part of this natural park : turtles, foxes, snakes, bats find shelter
there. The most impressive mammal of Lesvos is found here : the squirrel "Sciurus
Anomalus" ( not the common ) existing only there.
Except from the rich fauna the flora is significant
too : oak trees, wild olive trees, wild roses, fig and apple trees, and
numerous herbs compose this magic natural environment.
Kallonis Gulf
The Wetland of Kallonis Gulf is one of the most significant parts
of the ecologic assets of
Lesvos. The coastal areas that stretch
perimetrically to Kallonis Gulf consist a unified ecologic system, as this
area is consisted of a mosaic of salt-pits, small rivers and torrents
estuaries, reedy-areas, pine-trees woods and olive groves.
So all these wetlands give natural shelter and
become proper place for reproduction to numerous rare and protected
species of birds. Particularly the wetland includes the whole coastal area
of the Gulf and a great number of terrestrial areas :
The salt-pits of Kallonis and Polichnitos, the
torrents Tsikneas, Vouvaris, Mylopotamos, Enea Kamares, Potamea, the
lagoon of Meson, the marsh of Skala Kallonbis, of Parakela, Nyphidas etc.
The area has been placed among the European Program "Special Areas of
Nature's Preservation" of the net NATURA 2000.
At present 134 species of birds have been
registered- the 66 are migratory without having included the particular
species of the neighboring terrestrial ecosystems.
The last years, the activity of bird-watching at the
particular wetland has flourished. The best season for this activity is in
spring or in autumn. It is an activity adored by many visitors-naturists
-number that is going to increase as a relative program of development is
going to establish to the area all the necessary amenities ( installation
of organized observatories, establishment of Environmental Information
Center etc ). Species like stone curlew, avocet, black-headed bunting,
white and black stork, pink flamigos, slag, littleEgret, gray heron, ruddy
shelduk, bee-eater, ect.
Among others, the particular area has an extremely
rich flora so as a conclusion we can say that the wetland of Kallonis Gulf
does not only contribute in offering shelter to various species of birds,
but also in the preservation of the area's bio-diversity.
At last, we can say that the Wetland except from the
ecologic and economic significance has an aesthetic significance too.
Eressos
At the area of Eressos there's a water land with turtles and a
great variety of rare species of birds, significant subject for
observation or scientific study during all the seasons of the year.
