Orchids of Crete

Nicholas Turner
May 6, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jan 31

27th April - 4th May 2023

Crete is one of the premiere destinations in Europe for orchid enthusiasts, particularly during the period of late March to early May. This was our 3rd visit to the island but the first time that we had been at the peak time of the year for orchids and spring bird migration.

Thursday 27th April: We flew from Manchester to Heraklion, picked up the rental car and then drove to our Airbnb in Rethymno where we had a spectacular view of the Mediterranean and our base for the next 7 days.

Friday 28th April: Our first destination was the town of Spili, in particular Orchid Hill which marks the beginning of a valley that runs west to east with the name of the ‘Orchid Superhighway’. As soon as we stepped out of the car the sheer abundance of orchids became quickly apparent. By slowly walking around the hill over a period of a couple of hours we spotted a wide variety of different species including Ophrys episcopalis, Bory’s Orchid, Few-flowered Orchid, Naked Man Orchid, Lax-flowered Tongued Orchid, Man Orchid, Fan-lipped Orchid and Four-spotted Orchid. Some were very much specialities of the area including Cretan Bee Orchid, Heldreich’s Orchid and Cretan Orchid.

The Ophrys orchids were particularly impressive with Ophrys phaidra, Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys phryganae and Ophrys dictynnae.

We met a Dutch botanist who kindly pointed out to us that a little further down the road was a meadow full of Loose-flowered Orchid. More searching produced Pyramidal Orchid, Three-toothed Orchid and Early Spider Orchid.

Saturday 29th April: In the morning we visited the popular site of Moni Preveli on the south coast of the island where there is an ancient monastery. Migrant birds were apparent including Black-eared Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, a flock of Bee-eaters and a Blue-headed Wagtail. We also found a Lulworth Skipper and Meadow Brown, together with some Bug Orchids growing by the side of the road and 2 Wood Sandpipers on the riverbank by the café.

We spent the afternoon back at Spili and this time explored a little further down the road that eventually leads to Gerakari. In addition to the previous day’s haul we found Pink Butterfly Orchid and a few Bumble-bee Orchids.

Sunday 30th April: Lake Agia is to the west of Chania and is always worth a visit. Here we found Spotted Flycatcher, an approachable female Pied Flycatcher, Marsh Harrier and Barn Swallow.

In the afternoon we visited Lake Kournos which is an excellent place to see Black-necked Grebes as well as Little Grebes. Butterflies were out and about in the sun including Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow (helice form), Wall, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Small White.

Monday 1st May: We were now heading back to Heraklion and decided to go via Katalyki Salt Lake which is a well-known place on the south coast to look for waders. This turned out to be the case with 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and Little Stint as well as Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Marsh Harrier and Little Egret.

The afternoon was spent driving to Heraklion where we spent a couple of hours at Aposelemi Beach which yielded 5 Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Stint and Crested Lark. The following day a fly-by Eleonora’s Falcon was spotted just along the coast at Almyros.

Thursday 4th May: The morning of our departure was spent at Aposelemi Beach which proved very productive with Squacco Heron, Yellow Wagtail, Little Stint, Temminck’s Stint, Little Ringed Plover, 12 Bee-eaters, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Hooded Crow, Serin and Cetti’s Warbler.