Pasiphae Hotel - Skala Kalloni

The large and beautiful island Lesvos has an amazing variety in landscape, flora and fauna. It was here, on the shores of the large Gulf of Kalloni that philosopher Theophrastos from Eressos in antiquity did much of his work that later marked him as the first biologist. Today the island welcomes visitors from all over the world, coming for the famous nature, wildlife and bird watching opportunities.

The spectacular spring migration is the without doubt the most popular. The island’s geographical position, its size and nature attracts migrating birds heading from and for Turkey and beyond, and as much as 180 different species has been observed on Lesvos during a week. By rental car or minibus all other popular areas on Lesvos are within reasonable distances.

At the end of this page we offer you a bird check-list for Lesvos in spring.

The area around the large Gulf of Kalloni has good habitats for migrating birds with its wetlands, pools and rivers, saltpans and olive groves. The interesting marine ecosystem, with the gulf connecting to the Aegean Sea through a narrow entrance, keeps a rich marine flora with sea shells and famous sardines: not long ago be found in markets of Odessa, Alexandria and Smyrna.

Because of the Gulf's significant value, the area has been included into the European Net for Nature 2000, as well as been characterized as significantly rare and protected accordingly to the Regulations of European Union (EU Habitats Directive).

With the present disturbing situation of the nearby Kalloni Pool slowly drying up, Hotel Pasiphae has joined birdwatchers, local and international organizations in cooperating to reverse the development and protect the local area as a future habitat for migrating birds.

Around Hotel Pasiphae:

Hotel Pasiphae is situated in Skala Kallonis and is a quiet oasis ideal for exploring the wildlife and birds of Lesvos. Staying with us during spring you wake up to an orchestra of singing birds, and as you call it a day, a choir of owls, frogs and the occasional nightingale fills the night.

Skala Kallonis is ideally placed in the centre of the island for you to explore the whole island and its many birdwatching areas.

Within walking range of the hotel you can spot up to 60 different species as some of the best sites on the island are just outside the entrance.

For instance at the Skala Kallonis Pool right outside the hotel, you can see Little Bittern, Great Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Purple and Squacco Herons, crakes and much more.

Christou River:

To the west of the hotel lies the Christou River. Some species that hasbeen spotted here are: Stone-curlew, Kentish Plover, egrets, storks occur around the water areas and Red-throated Pipits, yellow wagtails, shrikes and Whinchat on the land whilst birds of prey can usually be seen overhead including Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier and Long-legged Buzzard.

Tsiknias River:

Within walking distance to the east of the hotel is one of the main rivers on the island. Here you can see Bee-eaters, Olivaceous and Great Reed Warblers Warblers, Sandwich, Common and Little Terns, Black-headed Buntings, Little Egret, storks and herons plus much, much more.

Kalloni Saltpans:

Just east of Hotel Pasiphae are the vast saltpans of Kalloni. Coming here an early morning, having the sun in your back, this is a fantastic spot for bird watching and photographing. Some of the many species you are likely to see here are: Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier, Black-headed and Corn Buntings, Whinchat, European Bee-eater, Collared Pratincole, Ruff, Little Stint, Ringed Plover, many other waders, Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns, Flamingos and Black and White Storks.

Birdwatching around the island:

If you hire a car then all the main birdwatching areas can be reached in a little over an hour or less. Ipsilou, the north coast, Polichnitos Saltpans, Sigri and many more areas await your exploration!

Useful information:

The Hotel Pasiphae is the home of Lesvos Birding (www.lesvosbirding.com) each spring. Lesvos Birding is run by Steve Dudley (UK) one of our regular returning birdwatching guests. Visit his interesting website for lots of information on birdwatching on Lesvos including daily summaries of birds seen during past birdwatching seasons. The Lesvos Birding bird log lives on our hotel reception desk – please come in and read it and add your own records!

Contact Hotel Pasiphae directly, your travel agent or local bird watching/wildlife organization to experience the birdwatching seasons on Lesvos. As the spring migration (mid Apr to mid May) is highly popular and booked up to a year in advance, we recommend that you plan your stay in Hotel Pasiphae early. In the hotel’s reception we have an informal bird-log where you can write your own sightings and take a look at what others have seen.

For sale we offer the special printed 16-postcard collection “Birds of Lesvos”, and you can buy your stamps and send your post cards from the reception during your stay.

Coming soon!

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos by Steve Dudley (www.lesvosbirding.com). A much-needed new guide to the island’s birds and birdwatching sites by our good friend Steve who probably knows the island better than any other bird guide. It is due for release in autumn and we will have copies of his new book for sale at the hotel.

The wildlife on Lesvos is special; a part of the natural heritage and pride of entire Greece.

On Lesvos it is estimated to be approximately 1400-1500 different plants, this richness explained by the varied biotopes, rock formations, human activity, closeness to Asia Minor and (from a geological point of view) East Aegean’s recent detachment from the Asia Minor coast.

Yearly many visitors come to the island to walk and look, hoping to locate and get a close-up view of some of the rare plants and animals on Lesvos. On your own or by participation in an organised tour, the flora, fauna and natural beauty of Lesvos is here to be explored and enjoyed.

In spring the island is an explosion of colours and wonderful sceneries, and all season Hotel Pasiphae has its many carefully tended plants and flowers both inside and outside, making the hotel a fertile oasis and a representative for the Lesviots love of what grows and shows life and beauty.

15 - 20 million years ago Lesvos was covered with tropical and sub-tropical forests, uniqely in Greece as well as in all the Mediterranean. When intence volcanic activity covered the west side of the island in lava and ash, more than 200 different plants and trees were petrified. This great source to the pre-historic and volcanic past of the island was only discovered when erosion uncovered these hidden treasures in the 1800’s.

Covering an area of approximately 40.000 acres and with several paths to walk, the vast Petrified Forest just outside of Sigri is one of few in the world, and the only one petrified on roots.

Nearby is also the Museum of Natural History, with an exhibition of petrified leaves, trees and plants as well as a presentation of Lesvos' volcanic past.

More than anything Lesvos is characterized by its olives: Here are over 11 million olive trees, totally yielding 20.000 tons olives yearly, yet most trees are still harvested the traditional way as donkeys and humans are the only ones who can reach many of the groves.

The olive trees are also of the utmost importance to the eco-system on Lesvos, where the trees and terraces around them prevent rain and erosion from drying out and changing the landscapes and flora this fertile island.

As the selling price for olive-oil has fallen rapidly, many are worried by the trend with younger generations caring and tending less for trees and groves as the high-quality "golden oil" from Lesvos no longer is a valued product.

In cooperation with local olive grove owners and based on the principle of "fair agro-tourism", Hotel Pasiphae can on special request organise participation in olive harvesting the traditional way. (Min. 5 persons, from mid November).

When the almond tree blossoms, spring is on its steady way to Lesvos, and when the lilac fills the air with its seducing smell, it is Easter. After the rain-period in the winter, it is like an explosion of life and colour when the spring arrives, and you can almost litteraly see grass and flowers grow.

In spring Lesvos has fields of bright red poppies, areas covered with wild flowers, peonies, anemones and pimpernels. You might spot some of the scarce species such as stars of Bethlehem, star clover or helleborine. Here are close to 70 different species of orchids such as bee-, tongue-, butterfly-, provence-, long-spurred- and Italian man orchid. In between and spread across the island you see catchflies, buglosses, vetches, mallows and rock roses.

Rhododendron luteum and Haplophyllum megalanthum are only found on Lesvos, Alyssum lesbiacum being the only endemic species on the island. As part of the EU INTEREG II, the small book ”The Footpaths of Rhododendron” has been printed, and will take you to especially interesting routes on Lesvos. Rare species such as Osmunda regalis, Elatine alsinastrum, Silene urvillei and even the exotic Comperia comperiana (Komper’s orchid) could be found on the island.

Lesvos can boast with over 50 different species of butterflies. In the mountains one can spot the beautiful Small Apollo, at the rest of the island species include the Balkan Marbled White and two varieties of Swallowtails.

There are several lizards on Lesvos, found on walls and rocks, the most common being the nocturnal Turkish Gecko. Of the many herps can be mentioned two species of Terrapins and the Spur-thighed Tortoise, European Tree Frog and Green Toad.

Driving in the dark, you can see red foxes crossing the road, and almost everywhere squirrels hurry up trees. There are several kinds of snakes on Lesvos, only the adder being poisonous.

The red-brown scorpion on the island also has poison but even though a sting can be very painful it is in normal circumstances not lethal. Snakes can be seen crossing the roads in some periods of the year, but as with the scorpion they are very seldom to be found in populated areas. If you should get bitten or stung by a snake or scorpion, or if you have an allergic reaction to mosquitoes or hornets, pay a visit to the medical centre for treatment.

In Agia Paraskevi, a neighbouring village to Kalloni, there is a Wildlife Hospital treating wounded animals and birds before releasing them into the wild or giving them new homes. The Dutch couple running the centre keeps it open to visitors, but it is recommended to give a call before you arrive. (0030 22530 32006) And since all work at the Wildlife Hospital is voluntarily and does not receive any public funding, donations are appreciated.

If not a part of the wildlife, domestic animals are a very visible part of everyday life on Lesvos. You will meet large herds of goats and sheep, the occasional donkey and mule, horses and numerous dogs and cats. Even without collars, many of these dogs and cats belong somewhere, and are for the most part friendly and also accepted by taverns and cafés.

Unfortunately building, over-grazing, modern development and tourism pose a threat to the nature and variation of Lesvos. Hopes are though carefully growing as the awareness of environmental issues are slowly increasing in all Greece. And combined with the interest in ecological routes and sustainable tourism also from visitors to Lesvos, there is room for optimism for this fantastic island's future.

The numbers indicate: 1 likely to be seen, 2 possibly will be seen, 3 occurs, but only an outside chance of seeing.