Corfu

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis ©Panos Oikonomoy Website
Birding Corfu

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. Its northeastern coastline of lies off the coast of Sarandë, Albania, from which it is separated by straits varying in width from 3 to 23 km (2 to 15 mi), while the southeast side of the island lies off the coast of Thesprotia, Greece. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu peripheral unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The municipality includes the island Corfu and the smaller islands Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Othonoi. The principal city of the island and seat of the municipality (pop. 33,886) is also named Corfu. Corfu is home to the Ionian University.

Two high and well-defined ranges divide the island into three districts, of which the northern is mountainous, the central undulating, and the southern low-lying. The more important of the two ranges, that of Pantokrator stretches east and west from Cape Falacro to Cape Psaromita, and attains its greatest elevation in the summit of the same name.The second range culminates in the mountain of Santi Jeca, or Santa Decca or the Ten Saints. The whole island, composed as it is of various limestone formations, presents great diversity of surface, and views from more elevated spots are magnificent. Beaches are found in Agios Gordis, the Korission lagoon, Agios Georgios, Marathia, Kassiopi, Sidari, Palaiokastritsa and many others. Corfu is located near the Kefalonia geological fault formation; earthquakes have occurred. Corfu city and countryside have not lost the traditional architecture from the 16th century.Corfu’s coastline spans 217 kilometres (135 mi) including capes; its highest point is Mount Pantokrator (906 metres (2,972 ft)); and the second Stravoskiadi, at 849 metres (2,785 ft). The full extent of capes and promentories take in Agia Aikaterini, Drastis to the north, Lefkimmi and Asprokavos to the southeast, and Megachoro to the south. Two islands are also to be found at a middle point of Gouvia and Corfu Bay, which extends across much of the eastern shore of the island; are known as Lazareto and Ptychia (or Vido).

Several cultivated plants are found across the island; olives, pomegranate, fig and grape vine along with all the fruit trees known in southern Europe, with addition of the kumquat, loquat and prickly pear and, in some spots, the banana. When undisturbed by cultivation, the myrtle, arbutus, bay and holm oak form a rich brushwood, and the minor flora of the island are extensive.

Bird LifeCorfu’s mild all-year round climate and because it is one of the greenest island in the med with a number of lagoons it does have a rich avifauna. Unfortunately, of course, they have to avoid the ravages of hunters. Nevertheless, around 200 species have been recorded. High elevations and wetlands are the best places to bird but scrubland, orchards and cultivated areas do hold birds if you are quiet and patient.Arriving by plane the first wetland you will see is by the airport itself which is built in the Chalikopoulou lagoon, a small ecosystem in its own right. This is a sea water lagoon but has several streams that trickle fresh water almost all year round make is a very diverse habitat for wildlife. It has recently been designated as a reserve.There are two much larger lagoons the Korission in the south west and Andinoni in the north east but the greatest magnet for bird life is the great salt flat in Lefkimmi and the no longer used salt pans.

Top Sites
  • Lake Halikiopoulos

    Satellite View
    Now designated as a nature reserve
  • Lake Korision

    Satellite View
  • Lefkimi Salt Pans

    Satellite View
    Waders, terns including Whiskered and Black and heron species including Purple Heron, Spoonbills & Squacco Heron. Surrounding area good for Tawny Pipit.
  • Pantokrator Mountain

    Satellite View
    Good for raptors and Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear and Black Redstart…
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 301

    As at June 2018
Trip Reports
  • 2008 [05 May] - Colin D

    Report
    In truth it wasn’t the greatest week birding I’ve ever had, but then we didn’t just go for birds, and as a general wildlife week it was outstanding, and I did at least get one lifer…
  • 2012 [08 August] - Steve Goddard

    Report
    …On a relatively early morning walk (8am onwards) around the Pink Palace scrubland I had some good views of Subalpine Warblers and a Sardinian in an olive tree; and a phyllosc with a very yellow head and throat, a pronounced supercilium and eyestripe, little marking around the ear coverts and a very pale underside, was a pretty clear Wood Warbler. At the small river which flows through the village, a rufous bird, quite long-tailed and perhaps giving a quiet ‘tick’ call, skulking in some undergrowth, was a Nightingale. Finally, two large birds some way out at sea, dark above and light below, soaring in a clearly shearwater-ish way and occasionally settling on the water were Cory’s Shearwaters….
  • 2014 [04 April] - Glyn & Chris Sellors

    PDF Report
  • 2014 [09 September] - Paul Dykta

    Report
    All our birding was done on foot as neither of us drive, saying that we were out every day, thunder storms or not. We did three trips to a nearby salt water lake/lagoon called lake Korisson, although you couldn't get too close to it from the south on foot, you could certainly get good views. The rest of our time out was spent walking through olive trees(more like forests than groves)and round agricultural land. In fact we approached the lake by three different routes, one of them across large sand dunes.
  • 2016 [05 May] - Jon Hornbuckle - Corfu, Cyprus, Macedonia & Albania

    Report
    Syndy and I spent 3 weeks sight-seeing and birding in Cyprus, Macedonia, Albania and Corfu (Greece). I had only been to mainland Greece and Lesbos before, so it was 3 new countries for me.
Other Links
  • Corfu Wildlife

    Article
    Due to the Corfiots love of hunting most species of birds on the island shun human contact and might not be as abundant as in other parts of Europe therefore you have to work hard to observe them
  • Nature Conservancy in Michigan

    Article
    Those of you familiar with Gerald Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals" will already have an idea of the diversity of flora and fauna in Corfu. For those keen to observe the beauty of nature at close quarters, the island is a naturalist's paradise. Whether you are a keen botanist, ornithologist, zoologist or photographer, Corfu has something for you
  • St Spiridon Nature Reserve

    Video
    Nature reserve, North Corfu Greece 2016. Captured by Kassiopi Corfu TV. Stunning St Spiridon Lake and Nature reserve.

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content