hi neil, i was at koukinaris beach skiathos in may this year and saw the black swans on the lake behind the pine wood. that wood and lake area is fascinating, i have visited it a few times over the years and never get tired of the tranquillity of the place, regards mike

I've just returned from a week in Skiathos. We stayed in Koukounaris which was great and I'd recommend to anyone. The apartments were surrounded by Pine trees Delighted to spot the resident Little Owl on our way out one evening - a first for the whole family. A large murder of Hooded Crows lived in the surrounding pines as well. At least 30 - 40. I always thought Crows were sedentary or lived in pairs?? It was amazing to watch them mobbing a pair of Buzzards one morning. Even more bizarre was the sight of a very noisy Pheasant flying back and forth from one side of the grounds to the other early one morning as I was reading on the balcony. Loads of Chaffinches and Great Tits about plus the usual Sparrows. Black and Mute Swans on the lake by the beach and quite a few pairs of Shags off the coast which we saw from a boat. Large numbers of screaming Swifts in the sky above Skiathos Town. A great place for a holiday and they even put Latics V Spurs on the telly as well !!!!!