The 2026 calendar of the Sitia Geopark is dedicated to four emblematic birds of prey that nest in the areas distinctive geosites, highlighting their pivotal role in ecosystems and biodiversity within the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Due to its geographical location and unique geomorphological features, the UNESCO Global Geopark of Sitia serves as a refuge for a significant number of birds of prey. Whether migratory or permanent breeding species, these birds occupy a central place in the regions natural heritage.
A particularly prominent position in the avifauna of the Sitia Geopark is held by four large breeding birds of prey: the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Bonellis eagle (Aquila fasciata), the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), and the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). These species live and reproduce permanently in the area, as the Geopark hosts a wide range of suitable habitats for both breeding and feeding.
Isolated gorges, vertical rock faces, and steep cliffs provide ideal nesting sites, while the phrygana ecosystems of the wider area constitute a high-value food source. Partridges, hares, small mammals, as well as carcasses of wild or livestock animals form part of their food chain.
For the creation of the calendar, the Sitia Geopark extends its thanks to Aspasia Anagnostopoulou and Anastasia Perodaskalaki from the Natural History Museum of Crete for the texts and photographs, to Nikos Samaritis (NHMC) for the photographs of the four birds of prey, and to climbers Konstantinos Marmatzakos and Savvas Paragkamian for their contribution.
