Today’s fieldwork across Liri and Skino revealed a rich and active butterfly community, reflecting the mosaic of habitats that define this part of South East Pelion. From open scrub and dry grasslands to woodland edges and cultivated patches, the diversity we recorded highlights how even small landscapes can support a remarkable range of Lepidoptera.

We documented twelve species during the survey:

🦋 Iphiclides podalirius
🦋 Celastrina argiolus
🦋 Melitaea cinxia
🦋 Pontia chlorodice
🦋 Pieris brassicae
🦋 Pararge aegeria
🦋 Polyommatus icarus
🦋 Colias croceus
🦋 Lampides boeticus
🦋 Gonepteryx cleopatra
🦋 Maniola jurtina
🦋 Aricia agestis

The presence of larger, highly mobile species such as Iphiclides podalirius and Colias croceus, alongside smaller, habitat-sensitive species such as Aricia agestis and Polyommatus icarus, suggests a healthy ecological gradient. Woodland indicators like Pararge aegeria were observed in shaded areas, while open-habitat specialists such as Melitaea cinxia and Pontia chlorodice were active in sunlit clearings and dry fields.

Particularly encouraging was the mix of resident breeders and migratory or dispersive species. Lampides boeticus, known for its mobility, and Gonepteryx cleopatra, a characteristic Mediterranean species, underline the connectivity of these habitats within the wider landscape.

These observations reinforce the ecological value of Liri and Skino as micro-hotspots for butterfly diversity. Continued monitoring will be essential to understand seasonal dynamics, population trends, and potential pressures from land use changes or climate shifts.

This kind of field documentation contributes not only to local biodiversity knowledge but also to broader conservation efforts. Even short surveys like today’s provide valuable data points in building a clearer picture of species distribution across Greece.

The first butterfly observations of 2026 were recorded today during a short transect and additional random observations around the hills and fields of Liri and Skino in South Pelion.

Despite the early season, several spring species were already active, indicating the beginning of the butterfly activity period in the area.

Here is what was observed today:

🦋 Large White (Pieris brassicae)
🦋 Small White (Pieris rapae)
🦋 Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
🦋 Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
🦋 Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra)
🦋 Eastern Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia)
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A promising start for the 2026 butterfly season in South Pelion. More surveys will follow as temperatures continue to rise and spring vegetation develops.

Today’s survey at Liri Beach focused on the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca). These rays spend the day resting on the sandy seabed, sometimes half buried with only their eyes and spiracles visible. Careful observation helps us note their abundance and distribution along the coast, building a clearer picture of how they use this habitat.

As part of the survey, we also checked inside one of the sea caves near the beach. We already know that these caves are used by Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), so we entered with caution. In the middle of the cave, a male seal suddenly appeared and swam directly toward us.

Today, we carried out a focused marine survey at Liri Beach, South Pelion, at 4-meters depth, dedicated to the observation and documentation of the Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca). This species is a familiar yet often overlooked inhabitant of Mediterranean coastal waters, and our aim is to better understand its local presence, behavior, and habitat preferences.

About the Common Stingray

The Common Stingray is a benthic species, usually resting on sandy or muddy seabeds, often partially buried and well camouflaged. It can grow up to 140 cm in length, with a disc-shaped body and a long whip-like tail that carries a venomous spine used for defense. Although generally non-aggressive, stingrays can inflict painful stings if disturbed, which makes observing them with care essential.

They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fish, playing an important ecological role in maintaining the balance of benthic communities. In Greece, they are considered relatively common, but systematic data on their abundance and seasonal movements are still limited.

​🦇 Bat Survey Success in Radakia Beach (South Pelion)

Yesterday evening, we carried out a low-impact bat survey at Radakia beach, South Pelion, following our sea cave protocol:
🔗 Survey Protocol - https://www.mermanconservation.co.uk/uploads/8/8/6/1/886111/low-impact-bat-survey-protocol-for-sea-caves_orig.jpg

In just 15 minutes, using minimal light and keeping noise to a minimum, we managed to survey the two species known to frequent the area:
✅ Miniopterus schreibersii
✅ Rhinolophus euryale

We successfully photographed the bats and key identifying features, made population estimates, and observed fascinating juvenile behaviors.

A small effort with valuable data for conservation 🦇🌊
#BatSurvey #SouthPelion #SeaCaveEcology #MermanConservation #GreekBats #RadakiaBeach #ChiropteraConservation

On June 23, 2025, our team surveyed the coastal waters of Vlachorema in South Pelion, Greece. The area revealed a vibrant mosaic of marine life, ranging from well-known fish to colorful nudibranchs, algae, bryozoans, and more. Below is a categorized list of the species recorded during our dive.

​Fish

• Saddled Seabream (Oblada melanurus)
• Sargo (Diplodus sargus)
• Common Two-banded Seabream (Diplodus vulgaris)
• Annular Seabream (Diplodus annularis)
• Striped Seabream (Lithognathus mormyrus)
• Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)
• Salema Porgy (Sarpa salpa)
• Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse (Coris julis)
• Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo)
• East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse (Symphodus tinca)
• Mediterranean Cardinalfish (Apogon imberbis)
• Mediterranean Damselfish (Chromis chromis)
• Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)
• European Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense)
• Southern Sand Smelt (Atherina hepsetus)
• Striped Red Mullet (Mullus surmuletus)
• Mullets (Family Mugilidae)

Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs

• Elysia (Elysia timida)
  
  

Crustaceans

• Tube Hermit Crab (Calcinus tubularis)
• Leptomysis buergii (Mysid shrimp species)

Sponges

• Oyster Sponge (Crambe crambe)
• Kidney Sponge (Chondrosia reniformis)

Algae and Seagrasses

• Neptune Grass (Posidonia oceanica)
• Mermaid’s Wine Glass (Acetabularia acetabulum)
• Pennyweed (Halimeda tuna)
• ​Peackock's tail (Padina pavonica)

Worms and Tube-dwellers

• Red-spotted Horseshoe (Protula tubularia)

Bryozoans

• Purple Encrusting Bryozoan (Reptadeonella violacea)

Echinoderms

• Black Sea Urchin (Arbacia lixula)

Our team at Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd. recorded a striking jellyfish bloom yesterday afternoon in the Pagasetic Gulf. In the waters just off Milina, more than 30 mauve stingers (Pelagia noctiluca) were observed gathering approximately 20 meters from the beach, while swimmers were still enjoying the sea.

This local observation appears to be part of a wider bloom event that is now expanding beyond the Pagasetic Gulf toward northern Evia and parts of the Sporades. The density and behavior of the jellyfish suggest that this bloom may continue to spread in the coming days.

The mauve stinger is a well-known species in the Mediterranean, recognizable for its translucent body with pink or purple markings and its bioluminescent glow. Although small, it can deliver a painful sting and occasionally forms dense swarms that impact both swimmers and fisheries.

We will continue to monitor the bloom and provide updates as its extent becomes clearer. Events like this remind us how dynamic and unpredictable marine ecosystems can be, especially during the warmer months.
​
Stay informed and stay mindful when entering the sea.

Yesterday’s dive survey along the coasts of Agrielia and Neraki in South Pelion focused on documenting nudibranch diversity, as part of an ongoing seasonal monitoring project. While the waters were teeming with life across multiple taxa, the nudibranch yield was notably lower than in previous years for this time of season.

This post summarizes the species observed, categorized by type with scientific names italicized and common names in parentheses.

🐌 Nudibranchs & Sacoglossans

Despite targeted efforts, the number of nudibranch taxa was relatively low. This may be due to seasonal variability, temperature shifts, or local ecological pressures or factors we’ll continue monitoring closely in the coming weeks.

• Elysia timida
• Calmella cavolini
• Cratena peregrina (Wandering Cratena) 
• Flabellina affinis (Mediterranean Violet Aeolid) 
• Facelina rubrovittata  
• Nemesignis banyulensis (Lady Godiva) 

Compared to past surveys at the same sites during mid-June, both species richness and individual counts were reduced—warranting further ecological investigation.

🐟 Fish
​

• Tripterygion tripteronotum (Red-black Triplefin) 
• Thalassoma pavo (Ornate Wrasse)  
• Diplodus sargus (Sargo) 
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy) 
• Oedalechilus labeo (Boxlip Mullet) 
• Diplodus vulgaris (Common Two-banded Seabream)
• Microlipophrys canevae (Caneva's Blenny) 
• Parablennius gattorugine (Tompot Blenny) 
• Epinephelus marginatus (Dusky Grouper) 

🪸 Corals & Anemones

• Cladocora caespitosa (Cushion Coral) 
• Balanophyllia europaea (Pig-tooth Coral) 
• Caryophyllia inornata (Carnation Coral) 
• Aiptasia mutabilis (Trumpet Anemone) 
• Parazoanthus axinellae (Yellow Cluster Anemone) 

🐚 Mollusks (Excl. Nudibranchs)
​

• Patella caerulea (Mediterranean Limpet) 
• Phorcus turbinatus (Turbinate Monodont) 
• Spondylus gaederopus (European Thorny Oyster) 
• Arca noae (Noah's Ark Shell) 

🧽 Sponges & Tunicates
​

• Tethya aurantium (Golf Ball Sponge) 
• Phorbas tenacior (Bluish Encrusting Sponge) 
• Clathrina clathrus 
• Microcosmus polymorphus 
• Diplosoma spongiforme 

🌪️ Polychaeta
​

• Protula tubularia (Red-spotted Horseshoe Worm) 

🌿Hydroids

• Eudendrium racemosum 

🥒 Holothuria

• Holothuria sanctori (Variable Sea Cucumber)

🌿 Algae & Marine Flora
​

• Genus Laurencia 
• Flabellia petiolata (Fan Weed) 
• Class Phaeophyceae (Brown Algae) 

Yesterday's marine biodiversity survey at Ammitsa Beach in South Pelion offered a vivid snapshot of the Mediterranean’s underwater richness. Under calm June skies and crystalline waters, our fieldwork revealed a surprisingly high diversity of species, ranging from nudibranchs to seagrasses, sponges, corals, and bony fishes.

This survey was conducted between 12:25 and 13:10 EEST and included over 36 unique taxa, highlighting Ammitsa as a thriving marine microhabitat worth continued observation and conservation attention.

Below is a list of species observed:

🐠 Fish

• Chromis chromis (Mediterranean Damselfish)
• Tripterygion melanurus (Small Triplefin Blenny)
• Sarpa salpa (Salema Porgy)
• Thalassoma pavo (Ornate Wrasse)
• Trachinotus ovatus (Pompano)
• Oblada melanurus (Saddled Seabream)
• Serranus scriba (Painted Comber)
• Diplodus puntazzo (Sharpsnout Seabream)
• Symphodus tinca (East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse)
• Diplodus vulgaris (Common Two-banded Seabream)
• Diplodus sargus (Sargo)
• Mullets (can't identify the species)
• Sparidae (can't identify the species)

🐌 Mollusks

• Conus ventricosus (Mediterranean Cone Snail)
• ​Phorcus turbinatus (Turbinate Monodont)

🐛 Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs

• Flabellina affinis (Mediterranean Violet Aeolid)
• Nemesignis banyulensis (Lady Godiva)
• Cratena peregrina (Wandering Cratena)

🪱Worms

• Galeolaria hystrix (Scarlet Tubeworm)

🪸Corals

• Cladocora caespitosa (Cushion Coral)
• Caryophyllia inornata (Carnation Coral)
• Balanophyllia europaea (Pig-tooth Coral)

🌿Algae and Marine Plants

• Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass)
• Acetabularia acetabulum (Mermaid's Wine Glass)
• Flabellia petiolata (Fan Weed)
• Dictyota dichotoma (Forked Ribbons)
• Padina pavonica complex

🧽Sponges

• Crambe crambe (Oyster Sponge)
• Sarcotragus spinosulus (Black Leather Sponge)
• Chondrosia reniformis (Kidney Sponge)
• Chondrilla nucula (Potato Sponge)
• Ircinia variabilis (Variable Loggerhead Sponge)

⭐Echinoderms

• Arbacia lixula (Black Sea Urchin)

🪼Hydroids

• Eudendrium racemosum

🦪 Oysters

• Ostrea edulis (European Flat Oyster)

🟨 Fungi

• Amyloporia xantha (Yellow Porecrust)