Greece supports a wide variety of habitats for flora and fauna. the Peloponnese in particular, hosts a number of wild plant species that are not found elsewhere and could be lost as the Peloponnese is developed to encourage tourism. We've photographed wildlife observed in the Methoni area and at the Trigono-Lamda Groves
Plant life is easier to photograph so it is described in some detail within the pages within the Flora Section
Fauna describes the animal kingdom - living Creatures that move. Below are examples of insects, bugs, reptiles, mammals and birds while Sea Life is described separately.
Insects
Butterflies
The butterfly Gonepteryx cleopatra, related to the brimstones, is one of my favourites. The males have a yellow ground with orange on the forewing and are found in abundance, mainly in early June, seeming to favour hibiscus and geranium flowers, though that may be because those plants show such a stunning contrast to the butterflies. Butterfly habitats are very specific and easily lost through ignorance when clearing land.
There are 5 families of butterfly and examples of most are seen at the groves or close by:
Papilionidae - including swallowtails
Pieridae - the white and yellow coloured, including Gonepteryx cleopatra as shown here.
Lycaenidae - the blues and copper coloured,
Riodinidae - metal mark (due to the appearance of the spots on their wings)
Nymphalidae - brush footed.
Bees and Wasps
Bees of varying types are common and some really do make a "bee-line", flying low and droning loudly as they pass. Bee-keeping is still common in the Methoni area and you can see brightly painted wooden bee-hives in rows along some of the hillsides. The boxes are rectangular with metal coated lids and make ideal storage boxes if lined with netting to discourage insects from entering the slits at the base.
Small, circular, wasps nests can be found at the caravan at the Triangle each year. Be cautious, especially near wood, as wasps might well be lurking there.
Stick Insects
One of my favourites, remembering them in glass cases at school, it was wonderful to see them wild. Stick insects are just that- like sticks, very hard to spot. One crawled onto the black water tank, which was a reckless thing for a stick insect to do, leaving it unprotected against predators as its pale brown colour was so easily visible.
Preying Mantis
Small with large eyes, a triangular head and a very delicate, long limbed, form. At the lemon grove they are green and are commonly seen on sunny days. The photograph shows a brown one closer to town, resting on a broom! The Preying mantis is not are not nearly as scary as the name suggests.
We've encountered some colourful beetles and bugs and interesting Arachnids - including spiders and scorpions. Scorpions sting badly so don't go barefoot, nor turn rocks and stones over with bare hands. be careful when moving plant pots too!
Reptiles
Salamanders
Salamanders and Geckos are not dangerous. Colours vary slightly, mainly sandy with brown blotches. A family of them lives behind the pictures in "Ithaka", the summer house. They reputedly bring good luck - maybe because they feed on insects. They are nocturnal, and when I switched on a torch at night I'd see them scurrying across the walls for cover. Be careful not to knock their tails- the tail falls off and, though a new one grows, the little creatures don't look so good with just a stump.
Tortoises and Lizards
Tortoises still live in the area, wandering freely, though not often seen. In 2001 we were lucky
to see one at the Lemon Grove, feeeding on vegetation under the trees.
Green lizards were more often seen on the dry, sunny, bank above the Triangle (Trigono). Unfortunately, traffic has increased considerably in that region and will have scared many creatures away.
Arachnids
Spiders and Scorpions
The photo shows a garden spider. Scorpions are related to Spiders ( Arachnida). Yellow scorpions were a common sight at the Lemon Grove summer House in 2000-2001. They would cling to the bathroom ceiling, and when approached would put their tails up ready to sting. They rely more on touch and hearing than on sight. The main danger with scorpions, as with snakes, is that you will accidentally contact them. Be vigilant, check shoes by tapping them on the floor before putting them on, check seats before you sit, remember they may have crept under pots and pans, and never lift stones or flower pots without gloves, or- better, using a tool.
Mammals
Mammals found wild in the area surrounding Methoni include badgers, foxes, stoats, cats and some dogs. Apparently there is evidence of wild boar at the Lamda Olive Grove.
Birds
Birds found in the area include large birds of prey, related to eagles, that hunt over the hills. More common are the swallows which used to nest in the deserted lemon grove building but sadly have not returned since the renovation. They can, however, be seen in Methoni.
many birds are the same families as in other European countries - Robins, wrens, blackbirds, thrushes and sparrows. In migratory terms, the peloponnese is not far from North Africa and, although not commonly seen, a Hopoe used to meet the car as I drove to the Lemon Grove and would swoop low alongside the car.
The dawn chorus at the Lemon Grove is wonderful and cuckoos arrive in Spring. Many small birds nest in the lemon trees, and migratory birds gather together close to the sea near Methoni towards the end of the year to fly further south as Winter temperatures on the Peloponnese can be low, especially at night. On December 8th 2008, we witnessed the preparation for migration which lasted several hours, and were able to photograph it - sadly not to video.
Bird Migration 5th December 2008
before they left, the birds rested briefly on bamboos and trees where we stood; then they were gone! We believe they were swifts.