We went to Greece via low cost airline. After the famous battle for the right place for body and baggage on the plane was fought we were ready to start. From Thessaloniki Airport we immediately went into the “field”.
The first overrun reptiles were recorded right on the way to the first habitat. While there basically is no trip in Southern Europe without these carcasses, it always is infuriating and sad.
The search for the herpetofauna began in a rocky area that seemed to cry out for reptiles, like so many areas of Greece.
The first reptile sighting of the trip was a Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata), followed by some Starred Agama (Laudakia stellio), Hermann’s Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and Glass Lizards (Pseudopus apodus). The first snake was, somewhat to our surprise, a juvenile Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax) under a small stone. Several Worm Snakes (Typhlops vermicularis) were also found through “flipping”. A Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius) was too fast for me and my camera.
After nightfall several European Green Toads (Bufo viridis) were seen on the road.
Day 2
After beginning the journey with a dry habitat, it was time to go to a body of water. So the next stop was Volvi Lake. Once you get into South Eastern Europe - especially the waters near Greece- there is no avoiding the countless Marsh Frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus). European Green Lizards (Lacerta viridis) were also quite frequent sightings and showed little fear. For example, some lizards were sunbathing directly on the roadside. Omnipresent were again the Hermann’s Tortoises. Occasionally Greek tortoises (Testudo graeca) showed up for variety.
We were also pleased about the discovery of an almost 10 cm large Mediterranean scorpion (Mesobuthus gibbosus).
Many Dice Snakes (Natrix tessellata) and a Striped Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa) lingered directly on the riverbank or in the water. A Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) that was basking in the sun between vegetation and debris a few meters away from the lake withdrew quickly.
Just off the water I discovered a Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius), whose strongly clouded eyes hinted at an impending sloughing. In the semi-high grass was a large Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata). Like on the previous day some Worm Snakes were hidden under rocks. By now I was a little surprised just how many Worm Snakes you get to see by "Flipping".
As it was getting windy and a little rainy, we went back to our lodging. A brief stop at a meadow brought up two Glass Lizards and the last Hermann’s tortoises of the day, which proved that they do not have too high demands on the weather.
Day 3
A dense cloud cover, wind and rain did not constitute good conditions for a reptiles search. Thus the findings remained at a juvenile Dice Snake and a Worm Snake.
The search for amphibians proved somewhat more fruitful. Marsh Frogs were ubiquitous again. There were also European Tree Frogs (Hyla arborea) and Green Toads to be found.
Day 4
Fortunately the sun replaced the previous weather conditions. Off we went to Nestos river. The Nestos Delta offered a beautiful landscape and lots of creatures.
Only a few meters from the car park we set off with a juvenile Glass Lizard. It was followed quickly by adult conspecifics and a Dahl’s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum). Greek and Hermann’s Tortoises were to be found in the immediate vicinity of rivers and steep slope.
An adolescent Four-lined Snake used the warm rocks for sunbathing. In the river vegetation Dice- and Grass Snakes were seen frequently. On the amphibian side, next to the unspectacular Marsh Frogs the discovery of a Common Toad (Bufo bufo) was interesting, which openly walked on a gravel area on the riverbank in sunshine and very warm temperatures.
North of the Nestos I found a young Large Whip Snake. I also discovered the largest Striped Grass Snake I've seen so far. Besides Marsh Frogs there were also a few Agile Frogs (Rana dalmatina) to be recorded.
In the evening some Kotschy’s Geckos (Mediodactylus kotschyi) waited on our lodgings wall.
Day 5
The weather was sunny and warm. The conditions for the reptiles search were looking good. At first it was but the usual suspects like Hermann’s Tortoises, Glass Lizards and European Green Lizards.
Near a small river, at the edge of the forest I found a black Grass Snake. Not far away was a melanotic Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) along the way. The discovery of a young Javelin Sand Boa (Eryx jaculus) illustrated both highlight and end of the day.
Day 6
The first find of the day was a Large Whip Snake which was hiding under a sheet. Nearby small waters revealed not only Marsh Frogs and Grass Snakes, but some European pond terrapins (Emys orbicularis) as well.
On the edge of a slightly rocky and littered field I found a Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) under a tarp. A Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus) fled into the thicket a little later. White storks (Ciconia ciconia) were observed in the entire area.
In a clear pond Smooth Newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) were seen. The trip was rounded off by the common but always welcome Hermann’s Tortoises and Green Toads.
more pictures available here
