Wildlife· Saronic Gulf (between Methana and Aegina)· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Saronic Seabirds (Shearwaters & Audouin's Gull)
37° 33.6′ N · 23° 25.8′ E · approximate
On passage between Poros and Methana keep binoculars handy for shearwaters skimming the swell and Audouin's gull, a rare red-billed Mediterranean gull that feeds offshore.
Practical
Coordinate is approx: the open water off Methana's east coast, chosen as a typical passage area, not a known colony. Species to look for (Wikipedia species pages): Scopoli's shearwater, which breeds east to the Greek islands, leaves the Mediterranean in autumn and returns at the end of February, has a pale yellow bill with a dark tip and follows fishing boats; Yelkouan shearwater, which breeds on eastern and central Mediterranean islands, is gregarious and seen in large numbers from boats, especially in autumn (IUCN Vulnerable); Audouin's gull, with a short stubby red bill and 'string of pearls' wingtips, is a fish specialist that feeds at night far offshore (IUCN Vulnerable, about 10,000 pairs worldwide). Do not land on small islets in spring and early summer, when ground-nesting gulls and shearwaters breed.
Best for
Birdwatching on passage
Season
Shearwaters Mar–Oct; Yelkouan flocks best in autumn
Nearby
- Saronic Gulf Common Dolphins1.1 NM away
- Gerolimani (Poros)2.2 NM away
- Limnionas Anchorage & Mycenaean Sanctuary (Methana)2.2 NM away
- Methana Old Port (West)2.2 NM away
- Methana Thermal Springs2.2 NM away
- Methana Town Harbour2.2 NM away
- Nisaki Beach & Methana Acropolis2.2 NM away
- Paliokatastasi Mezedopoleio (Methana)2.2 NM away