The Ferruginous Duck is an important species, which arrives in Greece during spring in order to nest (mainly in wetlands of northern and western Greece), while it can also be observed during migration and rarely in winter. Breeds rarely in southern Greece and therefore, its presence in the wetlands of the Peloponnese (Stymphalia, Strofylia) is very important. The Ferruginous Duck mainly prefers lakes with freshwater marshes and coastal wetlands. Also, the Ferruginous Duck forages in the surface or dives in shallow waters near dense vegetation. The main pressures and threats that the species has to face in Greece are firstly, degradation of freshwater habitats (such as: drainage, poor water management, pollution, etc.) and secondly illegal hunting. 
 The Ferruginous Duck is a trigger species of this particular Natura site (SPA/SAC) and is included in Annex I of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Also, it is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the Red Data Book of the Endangered Animals of Greece (

One of the largest and most spectacular species of herons, it breeds in a few wetlands (mainly in northern Greece) while it can be observed more frequently during migration. Lake Stymphalia is one of the few wetlands in southern Greece where the species breeds (and the southernmost in Europe). The Purple Heron mainly nests in dense and extensive reedbeds and occasionally in riparian or littoral forests and feeds (usually hidden in dense vegetation) on aquatic insects, amphibians and fishes. The species is threatened by water pollution and degradation of wetlands (especially freshwater wetlands, such as lakes and marshes). 
The Purple Heron is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Also, it is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Red Data Book of the Endangered Animals of Greece.

The Little Bittern is the smallest species of heron. It visits Greece in spring in order to breed (in Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus and locally in Peloponnese and some islands) and it is most commonly observed during migration. The species prefers freshwater wetlands, swamps, lakes with dense vegetation of tall reeds and trees (e.g. willows). Little Bittern feeds usually hidden at the dusk, with fishes, frogs, shrimps, spiders and insects. It is threatened by the loss and alteration of freshwater wetlands and the disturbance at the breeding habitats. 
The species is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). It is also referred as a Least Concern (LC) species in the Red Data Book of the Endangered Animals of Greece.