Fauna

Elina Papagiannaki - Tasoula Blazaki – Maria Garopoulou

The region's fauna has the same characteristics with the fauna of The White Mountains. The mammals that have been met more frequently and recorded are the following:
Acomys minous a prickled mouse
Felis silvestris cretensis the wild cat
Martes foina the ferret
Meles meles the badger
Mustela nivalis the weasel
Tadarida teniotis a bat
Ferrumequinum a bat
Rhinolophus hipposideros a bat However, the area and particularly the peaks of Agios Dikaios(1008m altitude) are a significant biotope for birds of prey. As a whole 124 bird species have been recorded in the area, 36 of which are permanent inhabitants and 16 are summer visitors that reproduce in the area. The region represents a place for resting, feeding and passing by for the migrating birds. The species that are met in the area can be indexed in 4 groups.

Seashore species 3 species in total
Prey species 29 species in total
Passeriformes (small to medium birds with 4 fingers and comprise the majority of known birds – about the 3/5) 77 species in total
The rest birds 15 species in total

The most significant species of the region are:

The honey bazzard (Pernis apivorus).

The honey bazzard is a migratory species. It appears in Crete from late February, while its autumn migration period begins from mid August and ends in mid October, and heads towards Africa (northern of Sahara) where it spends the winter. The honey bazzard is assumed to reproduce in this area.
Population. The population of species in Greece is estimated to be 500 pairs with a declining trend during the last years. Ecology. The species is a bird that lives in forests. It nests on trees and prefers the deciduous trees and especially the beech. It is fed with insects (particularly wasps) and rarely with reptiles, amphibians even with fruit. It usually hunts in open lands with scanty vegetation, in glades or in the edges of the forests near the ground.
Possible threats. The destruction of the open oak forests and generally the reduction of the open pastures reduce the feeding areas of the species.

The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). The griffon vulture is a permanent species in Greece and generally in the area we are studying. It is estimated that in the nearby hills 10-15 pairs inhabit, which use the whole area in order to find their food. The greatest amount that has been recorded in this area is 18 individuals. In Crete the griffon vulture is met in almost the whole island, from the most remote peninsulas until the outskirts of cities such as Heraklio and Rethymno. Quite often, groups of 3-15 individuals are seen over the sea near steep coasts or even in low altitudes such as Messara plain. Nowadays, Crete hosts the healthiest population in Greece and the Balkans; moreover it hosts the biggest amount of the species of all the islands in the world. In this area no reproduction settlement has been observed or any traditional nesting places that these vultures use systematically. On the contrary, there have been noticed some pairs that nest on the hills and have individually reproduced inside this area.

Population. During the 80' the population of the bird in Greece was estimated to have been 450 pairs, while 250 were in Crete. Later estimations don't exceed the number of 300 pairs.
Ecology. This species lives in colonies. It can be met in open lands with scanty vegetation and it nests on steep hills of low altitude. They seek food in an area that expands form 30 to 40km around their colony, whereas some individuals might go much farther (200-300km). It is fed by corpses of small to medium stock raising animals, like horses and cattle. It prefers mainly the soft parts of the animals, chiefly their entrails. Their very good vision, their flying capability and mainly their gregarious attitude helps them to find the corpses before they decay, a fact that is very useful in regions with hot climate, because dead corpses quickly become a pollution center. A group of 60-80 vultures can consume a sheep corpse within 5-10 min. or a horse or a cow in 3-4 hours. The vulture has been recorded in catalog I of E.U. direction 79/409/E.U. and is strictly protected, while alongside, it has been characterized as rare and vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the Greek and European Vertebrates.
Possible threats. The most significant threats for the animal are illegal hunting and the poisoned baits; nevertheless what really affected it is the reduction of nomadic stock breeding, which during the last years provided food for the species (dead animals). Moreover, the better nursing conditions during the last years, which has reduced animal mortality and the compulsory burying of the dead animals has resulted in the reduction of its available food. This reduction has caused serious living problems for the population left so compensatory measures should be taken (feeding spots).

Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). This eagle is a migratory species. It comes in the region during late February, whereas some individuals spend the winter here.
Population. 300-500 pairs are estimated to inhabit in Greece.
Ecology. The short-toed eagle nests usually on high trees and high bushes providing no human disturbance occurs. It is fed mainly with snakes and lizards that finds in areas with scanty forest or bushy vegetation.
Possible threats. The downgrading or even more the destruction of its feeding areas consists the main threat for the bird's survival.

The Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). The imperial eagle used to nest in Greece but the last verified nesting occurred in Dadia forest in Northen Greece in 1990. Since then there is no proof of a nesting species. Nevertheless, form 1996 research has been intensified and 3 pairs have been found.
Ecology. The main biotope of this bird during its reproduction period is open planes and steppes with sparse trees and forests. Due to human hunting, in many places the species has been withdrawn in forests and mountainous or semi-mountainous lands (mainly in altitudes no higher than 1000m). The imperial eagle eats hare species (citellus citellus), hares, small rodents, birds, reptiles and dead animals, which it picks from the ground and sometimes insects.
Possible threats. Farming intensification and gradual substitution of the traditional, rich agricultural lands with single cultivations, has lead to the reduction of the feeding population with which the bird is fed, such as hare species. Moreover, another repercussion of this fact is that trees that these birds use to nest are being logged.

The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The golden eagle was very common during the beginning of the 19th century in Greek mainland and in some islands of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea. Today the species is met in two sub-species (Aquila chrysaetos and Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri) in mountainous mainland and in Crete. The region seems to be quite important for the juveniles. West Crete hosts 2 or 3 pairs. One of it was found abandoned since 1970 in Rodopos peninsula. It nested on low altitude (300m) and was chased by shepherds because it was fed with small sheep and goats from the nearby stockyards. The other two pairs are in the broader area of West Selino province (which we are talking about) and are often been seen.
Population. The golden eagle is the most common big eagle in Greece. Estimations about the amount of its population during the 80s' vary. During the 70s' the Cretan population was estimated to 6 pairs. During research from the Life Survey 22 pairs were spoted in the island, from which 16 were reproductive.
Ecology. The bird is observed in open hilly regions and forested slopes in altitudes from 800 to 1800m. its diet is comprised of birds and mammals of medium size such as ringdoves (Columba palumbus), wild peagons (Columba oenas), jackdaws (Phyrocorax spp.), chukars (Alectoris chukar), hares (Lepus europeus) and small sheep and goats.
Possible threats. Apart from the baits this eagle is in danger from illegal hunting. A sidelong threat comes from food reduction due to agricultural intensification and abundance of mountainous stockbreeding.

The Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus).The species is met in the region during the migration period, while at least two individuals have spent the winter here. The species pass through this region in spring from mid February.
Population. 100 to 150 pairs are estimated to inhabit Greece with decreasing trends.
Ecology. The bird lives in hills and mountainous lands with deciduous (rarely coniferous) forests and in regions with classical Mediterranean vegetation. It nests on old trees in slopes and riverside forests. It hunts in open forests and pastures reptiles, small birds and small mammals.
Possible threats. Tree logging and the substitution of oak forests with pine forests, hunting and uncontrollable use of pesticides distort the biotope and contribute to the extinction of the species.

Boneli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). It is a permanent species, which reproduces in the region, in which two pairs inhabit.
Population. The total population of the species in Greece is up to 100-120 pairs, which are distributed in the Aegean islands, Epirus, Central Greece and Peloponisos, while it is rather rare in North Greece. In Crete live 10-15 pairs scattered in the whole island. They are found in low altitudes (300-500m) in the edges of big cliffs (usually gorges). It nests on the edge of the rocks.
Ecology. Boneli's eagle is a typical bird of the Mediterranean ecosystem. It nests in steep cliffs and is fed with medium sized birds (ringdoves, wild pigeons, chukars), small mammals (mice) and rarely reptiles, which it finds in lands with sparse bushes and near cultivated area.
Possible threats. The disturbance in reproduction areas due to activities such as road opening and tree logging constitute the main threats for the conservation of the species.

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). The peregrine is a permanent species that nests in this region.
Population. 100-250 pairs are estimated to live in our country.
Ecology. It nests in steep cliffs and tall trees. It hunts in open lands small to medium birds.
Possible threats. Pesticide use, which reach the bird through the dietary chain, illegal hunting and illegal trade of its eggs and blossoms are the main threats of the species.

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus).It is a migratory species that reproduces in the region.
Population. 10000 to 20000 pairs are estimated to live in Greece.
Ecology. The nightjar nests on the ground in barren lands or in spots with sparse vegetation, on the edges and the openings of forests. It is fed with insects, which it “arrests“ while on flight either near their nest or in a distance that can reach 6km far from it. Often it seeks its quarry in wetlands. It usually eats during the dawn and the dusk and rarely during night. Ii spends the day roosting on the ground.
Possible threats. Extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers, which result in the reduction of the insects that constitute the bird's food, is the most significant threat of the species.

European Roller (Coracias garrulus). It is a migratory species, which can be observed as it passes the region.
Population. The roller is a species, which has suffered a significant reduction on its population in Europe mainly during the last three decades. The reproductive population in our country is estimated to be from 50 to 200 pairs.
Ecology. It is a species that prefers open bushy areas with lonely trees (usually oak trees). It nests on sandy slopes, buildings and tree holes.
Possible threats. The most significant threat is agricultural intensification, which confines the dwelling area of the species. Alongside, pesticide use decreases the amount of insects that are the bird's main food.

Woodlark (Lullula arborea). This species spends the winter in the region.
Population. The woodlarks's population has suffered a significant reduction (about 75%) during the last 30 years. In Greece it is estimated that there has been a steady amount of 4000 to 10000 pairs.
Ecology. The bird's dwellings are usually found in bushy areas where free or nomadic stockbreeding is dominant.
Possible threats. The alteration of agricultural policies in Europe, alongside with the agricultural and stockbreeding intensification is a main threat for the species.

Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris). It is a migratory species that nests in the region.
Population. The population of the tawny pipit has been reduced in Europe during the last decades. In our country about 10000 to 20000 pairs are estimated to live steadily.
Ecology. The species is characteristic of pasture and semi-mountainous lands. It can be observed in brushwoods too. It is mainly fed with invertebrates.
Possible threats. The most significant threat comes from the alteration of the land uses due to agricultural intensification.

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana).It is a migratory species that reproduces in the region.
Population. The European population of the species has suffered a significant reduction during the last decades, whereas in our country although there has been noticed a reduction, the population ranges form 20000 to 30000 pairs.
Ecology. It is a typical species of Mediterranean agricultural ecosystems since it settles in areas with normal cereal cultivation and have scattered trees.
Possible Threats. As for other birds and the ortolan bunting suffers from agricultural intensification.