Looking at my Easyjet cancellation for flight to Bilbao next week to visit Picos de Europa, I was reflecting that a year ago today I had flown to Thessaloniki in N Greece and driven up to Lake Kerkinitis near the border with Bulgaria, inspired by a trip that Pete Eeles and others had taken some years earlier. I hope you'll bear with me for some cathartic revisiting of memories.
The journey up to Lithotopos, at the south end of the lake, was memorable for the heat (35C), and the clouds of Painted Ladies sweeping across the highway. Checked in to the Kerkinitis Guesthouse in late afternoon, and went for a brief stroll through vineyard paths down to the lakeside, seeing Holly and Common Blues (possibly Eastern Zephyrs too), Clouded Yellows, more Painted Ladies and a number of tortoises.
Then a couple of small movements attracted my attention; firstly what I suppose is an Orbed Red Underwing Skipper, followed by a new species to me, a Little Tiger Blue, which whizzed around for a minute until it finally came to rest, with beautiful lunules sparkling in the sun.
An Eastern Bath White posed for a moment, and then I crossed the road onto a grassy bank by the lakeside where amongst others I found a Spotted Fritillary, and another first for me, a slightly tatty Fiery Copper.
A brief wander in the village led me to a taverna with a balcony overlooking the lake, a cool breeze, a cool beer, grilled lamb chops and a Greek salad
.
Returning a different route to guesthouse took me past the village stork nest
What treats did the next few days have in store... ?
