Home · Hides · Lyra Forest, Dadia
Hide Lyra
Where three of Europe's four vulture species share the same sky — the oldest hide in our network, set on the edge of the Dadia oak forest.
seen at Dadia
present at once
from the hide to date
from the hide to date
OUR OLDEST HIDE,
QUIETLY EXPANDED
"We built the first version of Lyra in 2013. We have rebuilt the roof twice since, but the vultures never stopped coming."
The hide area is located along the southern edge of the oak and pine forest, overlooking a permanent feeding station and a small natural pond. It consists of two buildings: the larger one (accommodating 6 people), facing southwest, and the smaller one (accommodating 4 people), facing northwest. Both have a view of the natural pond.
The larger hide includes sleeping facilities, heating, and a toilet, while the smaller one does not provide sleeping accommodation. Both are powered by solar panels.
Externally, both structures have been carefully designed to blend harmoniously into the natural surroundings and remain as unobtrusive as possible. These are highly specialized hides intended primarily to attract birds of prey, although, to date, a total of 88 bird species from the Greek bird list have been photographed there.
THE LITTLE POND
IN FRONT OF THE HIDE
Twelve metres across, hand-dug ten years ago, fed by an underground spring that runs even in August. We did not expect it to become the hide's second main subject — but in the warm months the pond pulls in amphibians, reptiles, dragonflies and the small forest birds that come down to drink.
It works at the same focal length as the feeding station, so a 600mm rig can swivel between a vulture and a green lizard on the rocks at the water's edge without changing lenses.
- Frogs & newts
- 3 spp.
- Reptiles
- 4 spp.
- Butterflies-Dragonflies
- 40+ spp.
The cast
WHAT YOU MAY MEET
A total of 95 bird species have been photographed here across all seasons. The only species that have been recorded but not yet photographed are the nocturnal raptors.
Vultures & eagles
- Black Vulture
- Griffon Vulture
- Egyptian Vulture
- Golden Eagle
- White-tailed eagle
- Imperial Eagle
- Short-toed Snake Eagle
- Greater Spotted Eagle
- Lesser Spotted Eagle
- Short-toed Eagle
- Booted Eagle
Falcons and Harriers
- Black Kite
- Red Kite
- Common Buzzard
- European Honey-buzzard
- Western Marsh Harrier
- Hen Harrier
- Sparrowhawk
- Kestrel
Nocturnal Raptors
- Eurasian Eagle Owl
- Tawny Owl
- Long-eared Owl
- Little Owl
- Scops Owl
Other Birds
- Common Wood-Pigeon
- European Turtle-Dove
- Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Common Cuckoo
- Black Stork
- White Stork
- Hoopoe
- European Bee-eater
- Common Kingfisher
- European Roller
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Syrian Woodpecker
- Green Woodpecker
- Eurasian Golden Oriole
- Red-backed Shrike
- Great Gray Shrike
- Lesser Gray Shrike
- Masked Shrike
- Woodchat Shrike
- Eurasian Jay
- Eurasian Magpie
- Eurasian Jackdaw
- Hooded Crow
- Common Raven
- Eurasian Blue Tit
- Great Tit
- Wood Lark
- Eurasian Skylark
- Crested Lark
- Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
- Olive-tree Warbler
- Barn Swallow
- Western House-Martin
- Eastern Bonelli's Warbler
- Common Chiffchaff
- Cetti's Warbler
- Long-tailed Tit
- Eurasian Blackcap
- Lesser Whitethroat
- Eastern Subalpine Warbler
- Greater Whitethroat
- Eurasian Nuthatch
- Eurasian Wren
- European Starling
- Mistle Thrush
- Song Thrush
- Blackbird
- Spotted Flycatcher
- European Robin
- Common Nightingale
- Common Redstart
- Black Redstart
- Whinchat
- Northern Wheatear
- Dunnock
- House Sparrow
- Spanish Sparrow
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow
- Gray Wagtail
- Western Yellow Wagtail
- White Wagtail
- Common Chaffinch
- Brambling
- Hawfinch
- European Greenfinch
- Eurasian Linnet
- European Goldfinch
- Corn Bunting
- Cirl Bunting
- Ortolan Bunting
A typical day
WHAT YOUR DAY IN THE HIDE LOOKS LIKE
Most visitors use the hide for one, two, or three days, with the majority choosing a two-day stay. Approximately one in three photographers also spends the night in the hide.
We will either transfer you or meet you at the point where we leave the cars. From there, we walk for about five minutes to reach the hide. Using flashlights, we arrange our equipment, tripods, and personal gear. Once everyone is ready, we open the window shutters. All windows are fitted with high-quality one-way glass. Under no circumstances should you switch on the interior lights of the hide, as any birds perched in the surrounding trees and bushes will immediately detect your presence.
Do not rush to start photographing as soon as the first corvids arrive in the field area. Ravens, Hooded Crows, Magpies, and especially the highly intelligent Eurasian Jays are the ones that either give — or do not give — the green light for the raptors to land in front of you.
Even after the birds of prey have landed and started feeding, wait a few more minutes. Before long, the entire scene will belong to you.
Midday is usually siesta time — but not at the Lyra hide! Many small birds visit the feeding spots where we provide seeds or approach the water of the small pond nearby.
During the afternoon hours, the raptors return once again to the hide area for dinner. Some do not leave at all and remain perched on the branches of the trees beside the hide. This is the perfect time for warm afternoon light and even silhouette photography.
Those who choose to spend the night inside the hide may be fortunate enough to witness nocturnal visitors feeding nearby. Foxes, wildcats, and jackals are the most likely encounters. The luckiest guests may even hear — or see — the Eurasian Eagle-Owl of the area.
Spending the night at the Lyra hide is a truly beautiful, impressive, and unique experience. On one hand, you feel as though you are part of the nocturnal landscape itself, and on the other, you are already perfectly positioned and ready for photography at first light the following morning.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Pickup & Transfer to the Hide · Our guide can pick you up either from the designated meeting point or directly from your accommodation and transport you to the hide.
- Hide Access & Setup · You will be escorted to the hide, which will be fully prepared and ready for your photography session upon arrival.
- Feeding Station Preparation · Our guide will prepare food for both the birds of prey and the smaller bird species that visit the hide. If desired (additional fee applies), the guide can remain with you inside the hide to provide species identification assistance and photographic guidance.
- Coffee & Drinking Water · Fresh coffee-making facilities and drinking water will be available for your comfort throughout the day.
- Heated Hide · The hide will be preheated to ensure a warm and comfortable environment, particularly during the colder months.
- Direct Support During Your Session · You will be provided with the guide's direct contact number should you require assistance at any time during your stay.
- Return Transfer · At the end of the day, our guide will collect you from the hide and return you either to the meeting point or to your accommodation.
PLEASE NOTE
- Meals Are Not Included · Guests are responsible for bringing their own breakfast, snacks, and lunch for the duration of the session. Depending on the season and wildlife activity, you may spend many hours in the hide, so we recommend bringing sufficient food and refreshments.
OPTIONAL GEAR RENTAL
- Canon lens EF 600mm/f4 L USM · €60 / day
- Canon lens EF 70-200mm/f2.8 L ULTRASONIC · €40 / day
- Canon body EOS7D Mark II · €30 / day
- KENCO 1.4x Teleplus Pro300 · €10 / day
- Canon body EOS7D Mark II · €30 / day
At the Lyra Hide, raptors can typically be photographed at distances ranging from just 20 to 50 meters (65–165 feet). These close encounters provide outstanding opportunities for everything from dramatic flight shots to stunning, frame-filling portraits—so be prepared to fill your memory cards!Matti Virtanen · guest, January 2026
The practical
GETTING TO LYRA
- Nearest village
- Lyra · 1 km
tavernas, small market - Nearest airport
- Alexandroupoli AXD · 46 km
direct from Athens, Thessaloniki - By road
- 45 min from Alexandroupoli, 3.30h from Thessaloniki
- Lodging
- There are few hotels near the hide. Our partner, small, clean and quiet hotel, next to Lake Tycherou, in Tychero village, 9 km from the hide (15 min), is one of them — or sleep in the hide!
- Mobility
- The hide is reached by a forest path; please advise mobility needs ahead of booking
- Languages
- Greek · English · German
BOOK A SESSION AT LYRA
The hide takes ten guests with comfort. We do not split a booking between unrelated parties — when you reserve, the hide is yours.
The other two
OUR OTHER ACTIVE HIDES
HIDE KASTORIAS
A traditional Kastorian fishing boat, rebuilt as a floating hide for waterbirds — and a thermal platform after dark.
Visit the hide →
HIDE KERKINIS
Pelicans against the snow-capped Belasica range, photographed from a low flat-bottomed boat in mid-winter.
Opening 2026