Surveying at Almyros

Today Carl, Rosemary, Tieffa and I went to the wetlands at Almyros on Crete's north east coast to continue our survey to compile a species list. There is still not much to be found, but we hope as the weather warms up there will be more to record.

Work on species lists

With tge help of German university student, Carl Barnick, Rosemary and I have started work on the species lists we started in November and December of last year. These are, so far, the orchid meadow sites above Elounda and the large island of Kolokytha off the causeway at Olous. Tomorrow we are resuming surveying the wetlands at Almyros to provide a comprehensive species list for the Mirambello Bay group. Although we give our time freely, help with cost of petrol would be much appreciated from any of our supporters.

Flowers of Crete calendars

Have sold out of calendars again, so am re-ordering if anyone would still like to get theirs.

Chronia Polla

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. I am looking forward to the coming season with a variety of new trips and holidays - www.flowersofcrete.info. I'm especially looking forward to the Rare Orchids trips and the new Food Foraging weeks.

Species survey at Almyros

Rosemary and I have decided to undertake a survey of the wetlands at Almyros just east of Aghios Nikolaos in order to produce a species list of this important habitat. We went there a couple of weeks ago and recorded three species in flower and identified a number of other species from their leaves. We are going again today. It is my aim to photograph each plant as it comes into flower and we will be putting the results onto the Flowers of Crete website

Course at Knossos

I have today received the following information from the British school of Archaeology at Knossos

'We have a residential course here (22-28 April 2012) of an ecological Historical nature .. it is led by Oliver Rackham. It's theme is The Making of the Cretan Countryside.
There is room for 10 places.'

If anyone would like more information please contact me directly - I have prices and itinerary.

Orchid calendar

The first batch of Orchid calendars has sold out and we are just about to order some more. It is not too late to order yours at a cost of 12 euros plus post and packing.

Red Palm Weevil

Up until a few days ago the palm weevils were still flying - I killed two in the house last week. I have heard from quite a few people that their palms are infested and that there is no money available from the authorities to deal with the problem - not surprising in view of Greece's ordeals at the moment. As far as I understand it basic measures are being taken to spray palms in public areas but the threat is by no means being dealt with. So far I have received no information of infestation of P. theophrasti and several eminent botanists believe that they will not be attractive to the palm weevil. We can only hope that they are right!

Orchid Calendar 2012

The Flowers of Crete Orchid Calendar is now available priced at 12 euros plus post and packing. We are really fortunate in having the wonderful flower photography of writer and photographer Paul Harcourt Davies including in this calendar, which is our best yet. Orders received now can be despatched in time for Christmas.

Specialist holidays for 2012

The new itineraries for our specialist holidays and trips can now be found on the website www.flowersofcrete.info, including Botanical Art workshops, Food Foraging and Discovery, Spring Orchid Finding and Endemic Spring Flowers - more information on further events will be online shortly.