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Prespa Lakes National Park, Greece: the largest Dalmatian Pelican colony in the world

10,000 Birds

Add more than 350 pairs of White Pelicans to that picture, numerous herons and up to 700 pairs of Pygmy Cormorants breeding in the same reedbeds (cover photo)… It must be bursting with activity in spring, but I was there in mid-September. Hence, the smaller lake is frozen in winter, while the bigger one never freezes. and dual digits.

Greece 252
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The true “Mediterranean” Gull

10,000 Birds

Quite recently, it has started to expand inland, along the river Rhone and to the South of Germany, where it is now an uncommon but conspicious breeder. A different form ( atlantis ) which may or may not constitute a separate species, is found on the Azores, Fuerteventura, and the Canary Islands.

Europe 117
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Andalucia’s City-Slicker Falcons

10,000 Birds

In Europe, Lesser Kestrels are birds of the Mediterranean zone, nesting mainly in Spain and Portugal, southern France, Sardinia, the Balkans and parts of Greece. On their breeding grounds in Spain, Lesser Kestrels are very much city birds, for 95% of the population nests in towns. Perhaps some females remain, too, but I didn’t see any.

Falcons 184