Lake Kerkini, a birdwatching paradise.Lake Kerkini is one out of the wetlands of International Importance of Greece, according to Ramsar Convention and has also been declared as National Park. The lake was formed after a dam constructed in 1932, by the waters of the Strymonas river. The riparian forests, the nuphars and other aquatic plants, the fish diversity, the buffalos swimming in the lake’s calm water and the great mountain vistas of Mt Belles and Mt Krousia give a unique value to this land. The lake offers ideal conditions for bird watching. It is one of the best places in Europe for about 300 rare and protected bird species that live and breed here. The ideal time to visit is in May-June, when one can see herons and egrets, pigmy cormorants, common stilts and many stork nests. It is also the best time to visit Mt Beles with the lush forests and rare flora. (Management authority of Lake Kerkini: +30 23270 28004)