Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A coastal wetland complex. It consists of the freshwater Lake Mitrikou, surrounded by extensive reedbeds (
Phragmites), coastal lagoons and saltmarsh.
The area is important for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds, and breeding species associated with reedbeds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Branta ruficollis (0-3 wintering individuals),
Oxyura leucocephala (wintering),
Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering),
Aquila heliaca (passage),
Falco naumanni (passage),
Larus audouinii. The site holds 20,000 waterbirds in winter, on a regular basis (including
Tadorna tadorna 2,500;
Anas penelope 6,000;
Anas crecca 3,500;
Anas platyrhynchos 10,000;
Recurvirostra avosetta 2,500;
Larus ridibundus 3,000).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Chemical and sewerage pollution, water abstraction, hunting, the expansion of agricultural land and infrastructure developments are the main threats. The area is a candidate SAC.
National Partial
International PartialPart of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Mavromatiou-Limni Mitrikou/Imerou-Mavromatiou, 1,900 ha). Part of IBA covered by Protected Area. Part of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Lake Vistonis, Porto Lagos, Lake Ismaris and adjoining lagoons, 24,396 ha). 4,900 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Limnes Vistonis-Ismaris-Limnothalasses Porto Lagos, Alyki, Ptelea, Xirolimni, Karatza, 14,647 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Ismarida (Mitrikou) (Greece). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-ismarida-(mitrikou)-iba-greece on 22/11/2024.
