Mount Prespa

Mount Prespa National Park in Western Macedonia, Greece, encompasses the Greek portion of the transboundary Prespa Lakes basin, protecting the internationally significant wetlands and surrounding mountain landscapes of Great Prespa Lake and Small Prespa Lake. The Greek section of the Prespa protected area covers approximately 19,470 hectares, including the entirety of Small Prespa Lake (which lies almost exclusively within Greek territory), the Greek shore of Great Prespa Lake, and the surrounding slopes. Prespa forms part of the first transboundary park in the Balkans, shared with Albania and North Macedonia. Small Prespa Lake hosts one of the most significant breeding colonies of great white pelican in Europe.

The Prespa Lakes are internationally recognized for their exceptional ornithological importance. Small Prespa Lake hosts the largest breeding colony of great white pelican in the Balkans, with 1,000–1,200 breeding pairs. Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorant, squacco heron, purple heron, ferruginous duck, and numerous other waterbird species breed in the reed beds and lake margins. The surrounding mountains support wolf, brown bear, otter, and chamois. The lakes contain endemic fish species including Prespa barbel and Prespa bleak. Eurasian otter is frequently observed along the lakeshore. Over 260 bird species have been recorded in the Greek Prespa area.

The dominant wetland vegetation in Small Prespa Lake is extensive reed beds (Phragmites australis) that provide crucial nesting habitat for the pelican colony. The lake margins have rich aquatic macrophyte communities. The surrounding hills support oak woodland (Quercus pubescens and related species) and mixed scrubland. Agricultural land, including traditional apple orchards for which the Prespa valley is renowned, occupies the valley floor. Subalpine vegetation on the higher mountain slopes includes mountain pine scrub. The diverse mosaic of wetland, agricultural, and forest habitats contributes to high overall species richness. Wild iris, marsh orchid, and various wetland wildflowers are characteristic.

The Prespa basin is a tectonic graben formed by extensional faulting during the Neogene, part of the broader system of tectonic lakes in the western Balkans. Small Prespa Lake sits at 853 metres elevation, slightly lower than Great Prespa Lake at 858 metres. The basin is surrounded by metamorphic and igneous rocks of the western Macedonian geological zone. A unique hydrogeological feature is the underground karst connection between Prespa and Ohrid (in North Macedonia), where water percolates through limestone and emerges as springs feeding Lake Ohrid. This connection has been confirmed by tracer experiments. The basin's geological isolation has promoted endemic evolution in its fish fauna.

The Prespa basin has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, modified by the moderating influence of the large water bodies. Winter temperatures regularly fall below -10°C, and the lakes may partially freeze in very cold years. Average July temperatures are 22–24°C. Annual precipitation is approximately 700–900 mm, higher on the surrounding mountain slopes. The large lake area moderates temperature extremes slightly compared to surrounding land areas. Late winter and spring are best for wetland bird activity. The apple orchards contribute to agricultural microclimatic effects. Snow covers the surrounding mountains from December through March.

The Greek Prespa area has a complex cultural history. The village of Agios Germanos at the lake shore is an important traditional settlement with Byzantine-era churches dating to the 11th-13th centuries. The village of Psarades (Greek shore of Great Prespa) is a traditional fishing village. The Prespa basin was part of the medieval Bulgarian and Byzantine empires, and the region is associated with the medieval Kingdom of Samuel of Bulgaria. The area was affected by the Greek Civil War (1946–1949), with some villages evacuated. Traditional fishing using nets and eel traps has been practised on both lakes for centuries. Apple orchards established in the 20th century are an important contemporary agricultural heritage.

The Greek portion of Prespa was first protected as a nature reserve in 1974 and designated a national park in the late 1990s. The Prespa Agreement of 2000, signed by Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia, formalized the transboundary protected area framework. The Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), established in 1991, has been the primary NGO driving conservation in the Greek Prespa. SPP has implemented extensive programs for pelican colony protection, sustainable fishing, and organic apple cultivation. EU LIFE program funding has supported habitat restoration and monitoring. The transboundary Prespa Park model has become an internationally recognized example of conservation diplomacy.

Boat tours on Small Prespa Lake provide exceptional viewing of the great white pelican colony, particularly during the breeding season (April-July). The Byzantine churches of Agios Germanos and the island church of Agios Achillios (accessible by pontoon bridge) are important cultural attractions. Hiking trails access the surrounding hills with views over the lakes. Birdwatching hides around Small Prespa Lake provide observation of diverse wetland species. The SPP visitor centre in Agios Germanos provides excellent displays and guided tour organization. The traditional village of Psarades on Great Prespa Lake offers cultural immersion. The Prespa apple harvest in autumn is a regional attraction.

The park is reached via Florina (35 km by road) or from Kastoria. Agios Germanos serves as the main visitor hub with the SPP visitor centre, accommodation in guesthouses, and boat tour organization. The island of Agios Achillios on Small Prespa has a small seasonal guesthouse. Florina provides comprehensive city services and has a domestic airport. Guided boat tours are organized through the SPP visitor centre and local operators; advance booking recommended in spring for pelican observation. The park is accessible year-round, with spring and early summer best for waterbirds and autumn for apple harvest and mountain color.

The Prespa pelican colony faces threats from illegal net fishing near nesting areas, human disturbance to nest sites, and fluctuating lake levels affected by water extraction and changing precipitation. Agricultural runoff from apple orchards introduces pesticides and nutrients to the lakes. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns in the watershed. Coordination with Albanian and Macedonian authorities on consistent management standards across the transboundary lake system remains challenging. The SPP promotes organic apple certification and low-impact fishing practices to align agricultural and fishing livelihoods with conservation objectives. Pelican colony monitoring is conducted annually to track population trends.