By Ioannis Gkourogiannis, Stamatis Kalogiannis, Plato Stefanopoulos &
Charis Kouelis |
| A Hellenolacerta team special |
Introduction
Contrary to what some people may think, Greece has a very distinct
winter period. During a very short time span, usually in mid-late November, the
temperature drops enough to make conditions unsuitable for activity and the
vast majority of reptiles will retreat and (mostly continuously) brumate
through the winter. A few cold-tolerant reptiles will still move consistently
until later in the year, though activity will practically seize during the
coldest periods. Considering all this, it would go without saying that winter
is a pretty miserable time for herpers, though, as all things, it is not
completely black and white. Every year, Greece receives mid-winter warm fronts
that may awaken some reptiles from their slumber in lowland-submontane
habitats, which can allow for some herping, though it is not reliable in the
slightest, especially when looking for high-profile/hard-to-find reptiles like
snakes, and on top of all that, healthy individuals will generally refuse to
interrupt brumation at all during these winter warm fronts. Contrary to popular
opinion, we believe that activity is not based solely on temperatures, but also
on the duration of the day/time of year, among a myriad of other things, which could explain why most reptiles are very hesitant to emerge from their hibernacula
(brumation sites) before late winter/early spring unless they are absolutely
desperate to do so. That being said, things are vastly different for frogs, which will stay active somewhat consistently even in January in most habitats, and
may breed if warm fronts are plentiful and intense, though each region and
microhabitat sees different amphibian breeding trends, even breeding during fall. Salamanders also
reproduce in early winter, which renders salamandering easier. Each year has a
different winter, and while in 2020-21 we
received vast amounts of unseasonably warm conditions, this winter was cold and
unforgiving. It was a very unproductive time of year for all of us, though we
still made some progress, in the form of setting up sites, learning new things,
discovering spots or working on projects and it would go without saying that despite
the unfavorable circumstances, we still managed to squeeze in a few half decent
herp finds during the late November-February period. Without further ado, these
are the Hellenolacerta team’s 2021-22 winter exploits!
Nov 22-23
Platon:
At that point, it had already been a year and a half since I
had been dreaming of finally seeing my lifer salamander in South Euboea. I was
trying to book a hotel since late October, and for almost a full month, I was
failing hard to time it right, but at last, I hastily booked a hotel and went
there two days later. I still failed to time arriving right on the rains
correctly, so I cruised a pre-storm front about an hour and a half away from
the salamander spot in hopes of rare situla morphs. Of course, I failed
miserably, and got myself into a regrettable situation which added to the
discouragement. Over the course of the day, I drove down south to Karystia and
revisited tons of iconic spots, only to get skunked over and over again.
Finally, I went to a puddle at a river mouth that had a few terrapins and frogs
active in it. I ended up walking all alone in Karystos town that night, and
some mediocre souvlaki was my sole consolation for what seemed like the worst trip ever.
 |
| A skunk-saving juvenile Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
After failing to sleep, I made the long drive to the
mountains the next morning, and for once, the weather was actually cooperating
and there was more or less consistent rain and densely overcast skies. I drove
over 6 kilometers of dirt road in total and tried hiking a couple different
areas, and thankfully, in less than 3 hours of effort in total, I was finally
face to face with an absolutely perfect adult male S. salamandra that
was sprawled out on top of a large rock of a dry seasonal stream bed. This was
a huge deal for me as this was an animal I had been dreaming of photographing
for all my life, and that made all the effort and trouble absolutely worth it
in the end. I also missed a viper off the road… the weather proceeded to get hot and sunny and by that time I had already started my way back. I did not herp for about a
month after this trip.
 |
| My first ever salamander, it was an absolute joy interacting with this animal (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| In habitat shot of the salamander, notice the iconic plane tree log and its leaf litter (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| A look at the rest of the habitat and my salamandering buddy (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
Nov 28 - Dec 5
After a long period of relative cold and drought, we finally saw a half-decent warm front in very late November to early December, though again, we barely got out.
 |
| Perhaps the most cold-loving lizard in Greece: European copper skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii) found basking in December (Picture: Stamatis Kalogiannis) |
 |
| Slope occupied by sheep, typical scenery on Alonissos (Picture: Stamatis Kalogiannis) |
 |
| Podarcis erhardii, always out and basking (Picture: Stamatis Kalogiannis) |
Dec 8
By Platon:
Me and friend Christos finally planned a trip to set up some
of my cover boards, but obviously we still did a bit of herping as the
conditions were nice. We saw few things, mainly amphibians, but also a very
nice juvenile marginated tortoise and a weathered DOR dice snake.
 |
| Juvenile Margie pictured as found foraging on that sunny December day (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
Dec 19
By Platon:
December 19th 2021 was a pretty special day. Me
and friends Charis and Alex all met up and went to a special event for
awareness of the habitat destruction happening at Erasinos R. Despite the
horrible state of things, we still managed to have a good time, and had many
great conversations with fellow naturalists and some distinguished scientists.
This took place during the first major cold front of the winter, and even
though it was pleasant out (10 C, bright and sunny), the herps were having none
of it. After I got home with Charis, we flipped a couple pieces in my
neighborhood and photographed some young Balkan frogs.
 |
A very dark Pelophylax kurtmuelleri metamorph with ventral spots (Picture: Charis Kouelis)
|
During/after the holidays, we saw what was essentially the
only true mid-winter warm front of the season, which lasted up until early
January. This warm front was not only not particularly intense, but also very
early in the winter season, meaning that less reptiles were out than there
could have been had this happened somewhat later. Nevertheless, snakes were
recorded across the country, though we did not find any.
Dec 26
By Charis:
It was a sunny and relatively warm day, and after many weeks without seeing any herps I figured I should visit a new urban grove with family and friends, without expecting to see much, as the habitat was very degraded and shaded. Nevertheless, I found a small open area where I found two great looking green toads under a lid. After a short and productive photo session I also saw an adult marginated tortoise grazing.
 |
| Green toad (Picture: Charis Kouelis) |
Dec 27
By Platon:
Inspired by Charis’ finds, I went to a known bufotes site in
my neighborhood in the peak of the warm front, and naturally flipped two
individuals that cooperated very well for photos. (I also did a little bit of
birdwatching, but don’t tell anyone.)
 |
| Senile male Bufotes viridis in the urban grove clearing it calls home. (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| Field guide style photo of the second individual (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
Dec 28
By Platon:
On that faithful day, which was perhaps the peak of this warm
spell, we finally got the perfect nighttime weather (high 50s, densely overcast
and drizzly), and me and Charis at last went on a long-awaited winter frogging
expedition. Our goal was simple: see all 4 amphibians of Attica. And we did. We
completed the Attica frogging grand slam, and found tons of Balkan frogs, tree
frogs, green toads and common toads on the road at two separate sites, and we
managed to take some very nice pictures. It was a great time.
 |
| An adult male tree frog showing off its vocal sac and climbing abilities (picture: Charis Kouelis) |
 |
| Adult male Bufo bufo (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| Pelophylax kurtmuelleri large female (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
Pelophylax kurtmuelleri large male (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos)
|
 |
| Adult female green toad as found at a parking lot (Picture: Charis Kouelis) |
 |
| A huge adult female tree frog (Picture: Charis Kouelis) |
 |
| A striking female tree frog with grey coloration (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
Good looking adult female green toad (Picture: Charis Kouelis)
|
 |
One of the most beautiful female green toads we've ever seen (Picture: Charis Kouelis)
|
Jan 1By Platon:
Me and Christos met up in my neighborhood on New Year’s Day.
We were lucky enough to observe several juniper skinks thermoregulating and
slithering around.
By Giannis:
A few days before New years I had this idea of visiting the mountains of Corinth to admire their natural beauty and why not find some animals too. Me and my family decided to make this our short winter trip and at the first day of 2022 we were off. The drive to the reservoir was phenomenal. The fir forests of this part of Peloponnese are some of the most beautiful in the area for sure. Reaching an opening we stopped to admire the view. There I managed to spot some ravens flying above. A beautiful bird I haven’t come across in ages. After the break and a half an hour drive we reached the reservoir which was magical! Straight out of a fairytale. Around the lake were countless streams leading into it. Perfect habitat for some amphibians, I thought. At this point I should mention that the weather was around 16-17 °C. While checking the streams one by one I couldn’t spot any life apart from some juvenile fish. Then I heard leaves cracking and realized that it has to be a reptile. Upon closest inspection it was! And not only one but a few Common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis). I managed to get really close and get some shots of one of them that was basking on an old log. I don’t know why but this particular species is probably the most cooperative of all the herp species I have ever encountered, always posing for pics in cool poses and all. I was really happy with my find that day considering the time of the year. I like to think that it was a sign for the success of the rest of the year. So I wish you all a great herping year of getting out there and enjoying your adventure!
 |
| Raven flying above the Corinthian Mountains |
 |
| View from the reservoir |
 |
| Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) basking |
Jan 2-4
By Platon:
Charis’ mom was nice enough to take us both on a rocket run
to Stymphalia on Jan 2, which was very appreciated. Despite the altitude, the weather
was sunny and in the low 60s, so we found a handful of herps. We saw Ionian
wall lizards, juniper skinks, got some nice daytime photos of Hyla, and saw several
other frogs. It was a very welcomed change of pace.
 |
| a beautiful adult male Ionian wall lizard basking outside its hibernaculum (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| A common toadlet (Picture: Charis Kouelis) |
 |
Voucher photo of a female Ionian wall lizard from the same hibernaculum as the male (Picture: Charis Kouelis)
|
 |
| European tree-frog (Hyla arborea) (Picture: Charis Kouelis) |
 |
| The beautiful landscape at lake Stymphalia (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
By Stamatis:
As we welcomed the new year with a short but strong warm front, I decided to finally crawl out of everyday's routine and make some short outings at parts of Alonissos, which, apart from a variety of avifauna, produced a few lizards. The cold-tolerant, ever-present Podarcis erhardii and Ablepharus kitaibelii were out basking, whereas Mediodactylus kotschyi were found under some AC. No snakes, as expected.
 |
| A uniform (concolor) female Podarcis erhardii basking in January |
 |
| In-hand pic of Mediodactylus kotschyi |
 |
| Roof tiles, perfect flipsite for Mediodactylus |
Jan 5
By Charis:
As we were nearing the end of the late December-early January warm front, my family and I were invited by some friends that live in Southern Attica. Before we arrived at our destination, we made a stop near Lavrion. There, I saw an abandoned house next to the road and didn't find a reason not to check it out. Before flipping the nearby trash, I found a hatchling marginated tortoise basking on the grass. After flipping a few pieces around the building I found a beautiful average-sized adult ocellated skink, so I decided to spend some time photographing it. I was very satisfied with my photos, as well as the fact that I found two reptiles in 10 minutes.
 |
| Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) |
 |
| Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) |
 |
| Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) |
When we arrived at our destination, I realized that the weather wasn't as suitable as the wind was getting more intense and it was getting late. Even though the conditions were getting worse and no herp could be found, the white stork named Xenofon welcomed us at the Legraina wetland. It was a very pleasant sight and I got some decent photos.
 |
'Xenofon', a white stork wintering at the Legraina wetland
|
Jan 21
By Platon:
Due to a looming snow front, I felt a desperate need
to finally carry out a much anticipated task: set up some stuff in caspius
country in Attica. I loaded up my car with boards that Charis had given me
after his old wardrobe was discarded and I was on my way. My friend Alex was
nice enough to come along and help me out, I picked him up from the subway station,
and after a long drive, we were finally on site. Hope was kind of bleak at
first due to the lack of material, but in the end, we struck gold; we found an
abandoned building with tons of boards in it, which we spread out over the
course of over an hour. It was a lot of labor, but it now has a lot of potential.
We also explored a lot and actually did find 3 herps, two Kotschy’s geckos and
a green toad that were hiding in the warehouse.
 |
Two of several massive boards we relocated (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos)
|
 |
| Juvenile Kotschyi's gecko (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
 |
| A beautiful adult female green toad in her rather unusual habitat (Picture: Platon Stefanopoulos) |
Epilogue
On the final days of January, most of Central and Southern Greece received an insane
amount of snow and absolutely spectacular snow storms. We saw mass destruction and justified
outrage, though after it melted (mostly, there still is snow in some urban
areas in Athens as of Feb 12), numerous mild warm fronts followed. Reptiles emerged
again, and while it is still very early, mid-winter is over, and the worst is behind
us. Here’s to spring 2022!!
 |
| The snowy Athenian landscape. a bit too cold for urban herps... |
 |
| The main road of Alonissos covered in snow after the Elpis snowstorm; even small islands got decent to extreme snow |
Species seen:
Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii)
Ionian wall lizard (Podarcis ionicus)
Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
European copper skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus)
Kotschy's gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi)
Dice snake (Natrix tessellata) (DOR)
Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) (seen but not photographed)
Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata)
Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)
Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra)
Balkan frog (Pelophylax kurtmuelleri)
European tree-frog (Hyla arborea)
Common toad (Bufo bufo)
Green toad (Bufotes viridis)
