Mount Beles (Kerkini) - Map Area - Hellenic Ornithological Society

Criteria: B2, C6
Coordinates: 41° 18' 34.570" N 23° 8' 23.186" E	Altitude: 0-2.030 m	Area: 33192 ha
Region: Kentriki Makedonia		Prefecture: Serres

MEMORANDUM

Map:

Site description:

An isolated mountain range north of lake Kerkini, forming the border between Greece, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from east to west. It is characterized by peaks with low and sparse vegetation, extensive slopes covered by deciduous forests, gorges and scree, as well as cultivated land at lower altitudes. This ecosystem interacts with the wetland of Kerkini, hosting bird species such as Ciconia nigra and raptors that nest in the mountainous region and forage in the area of the wetland. The main human activities include forestry, livestock breeding and agriculture at lower altitudes. Ecotourism has been continuously developing over the past years.

Habitats:

Forest (55.8 %), Artificial landscapes (24.4 %), Shrubland (15.2 %), Grassland (3.6 %), Wetlands (inland) (0.1 %)

Birds:

An important area for breeding and passage raptors and species associated with alpine and forest habitats.

Species	Year	Season Status	Abundance	Minimum Population	Maximum Population	Units	Data accuracy	Criteria 2000
Ciconia nigra	-1997	B	U				U
Falco naumanni	-1997	P	U				U
Falco vespertinus	-1997	P	C				U
Falco peregrinus	1996	R		3	5	P	U
Pernis apivorus	-1997	B	C				U
Neophron percnopterus	-1997	P	U				U
Accipiter brevipes	1996	B		5	10	P	U	B2
Clanga pomarina	1996	B		4	8	P	U	B2, C6
Clanga clanga	-1997	W	U				U
Aquila heliaca	-1997	W	R				U
Aquila chrysaetos	2004-8	R		2	2	P	A
Hieraaetus pennatus	-1997	B	U				U
Bubo bubo	-1997	R	U				U
Coracias garrulus	-1997	B	F				U
Dendrocopos leucotos	-1997	R	F				U
Dryocopus martius	-1997	R	U				U
Picus canus	-1997	R	F				U
Ficedula semitorquata	-1997	P	C				U
Aquila chrysaetos	2015-2017	B		3	3	P	A

Protection Status:

• SPA: GR1260010 Oros Beles (25,311 ha, 75 %)

• SCI: GR1260001 Limni Kerkini - Krousia - Koryfes Orous Beles, Angistro - Charopo (78,304 ha, 100 %)

• NP: Lake Kerkini and greater area(78,316 ha, 100 %)

• WR: Petritsiou Dimou Petritsiou (3,897 ha, 12 %), Limnis Kerkinis, Irakleias, Petritsiou Sidirokastrou (19,638 ha, 0.2 %)

• RC: 3GR006 Artificial lake Kerkini (11,931 ha, 0.2 %)

Conservation issues:

The main threats recorded in the area are forest management, mainly that relating to reforestation with conifers (Pinus spp.), and also logging of mature and dead trees, as well as illegal hunting. The area is included in the National Park of lake Kerkini while the Management Body of Kerkini has been operating since 2003.

References / useful links:

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