A wildlife refuge for hundreds of species
Depending on the time of year, one may encounter many different animal species on Mt. Hymettus. There is a wide variety of bird species such as blackbirds, finches, European robins, partridges, goldfinches etc., and of turtles, foxes, weasels, as well as bats in the caves of the mountain. There is also a large population of butterflies.
In fast-growing pine forests and shrubs, the vertebrate fauna comprises a wide variety of birds (carnivores, insectivores, omnivores, diurnal and nocturnal predators) and mammals (chiroptera, insectivores, rodents and small carnivores).
These areas are of great environmental importance to the avifauna, as these forests and shrublands currently serve as the natural habitat of many species and especially as resting sites for migratory birds, following the degradation or destruction of the coastal wetlands of Attica.
Many of these species are considered either rare or endangered in Europe and are protected by the respective EU directives.
A wildlife refuge for hundreds of species
Depending on the time of year, one may encounter many different animal species on Mt. Hymettus. There is a wide variety of bird species such as blackbirds, finches, European robins, partridges, goldfinches etc., and of turtles, foxes, weasels, as well as bats in the caves of the mountain. There is also a large population of butterflies.
In fast-growing pine forests and shrubs, the vertebrate fauna comprises a wide variety of birds (carnivores, insectivores, omnivores, diurnal and nocturnal predators) and mammals (chiroptera, insectivores, rodents and small carnivores).
These areas are of great environmental importance to the avifauna, as these forests and shrublands currently serve as the natural habitat of many species and especially as resting sites for migratory birds, following the degradation or destruction of the coastal wetlands of Attica.
Many of these species are considered either rare or endangered in Europe and are protected by the respective EU directives.