Greece has always been home to its unusual pink visitors; flamingoes. This year however Halkidiki has announced that a visiting pair of flamingoes, nesting in Halkidiki have become parents! The birth of the flamingo chicks is thought to be a first for Greece and more are expected, as around 180 flamingo nests have been recorded by wildlife volunteers.
Flamingoes have been visiting Greece for decades and many areas of the country have created habitats suitable for the birds, in the hope they would naturally breed, but as yet it hasn’t happened. Until now.
The discovery of the flamingo nests in Halkidiki was made by wildlife volunteers in May. The decision was made to keep the discovery secret however, in order to protect the birds and ensure they weren’t disturbed.
An ornithologist and Volunteer for Wildlife Action said, “Reproduction of palm trees in Agios Mama is a great event, and in the past they have tried to reproduce in other wetlands in our country. In fact, it is very important the place they chose for reproduction, the small but valuable for biodiversity, the wetland of Agios Mamas, which is facing very serious problems from the anthropogenic activity in the protected area.”
This is such wonderful news and we hope that this will be the first of many new flamingoes that hatch in Greece.
source and images – rethemnos news gr