KOUTAVOS LAGOON, ARGOSTOLI
This lagoon at Argostoli is one of two wetlands on Kefalonia, the other being Livadi Marsh. Koutavos lagoon is on your right as you drive into the capitol. At the East end of the lagoon is a small islet connected to the shoreline by a narrow strip of land. This islet is a protected bird habitat and can only be observed from the shoreline. Along the Northern edge are trees which are home to grey herons. Along the Eastern edge is the De Bosset bridge which is a pedestrian bridge linking both shores. If you walk past this bridge and follow the lagoon, you will come to the fishing boats amidst the moored yachts.
The Eastern side of the lagoon is home to 70 species of birds. Herons, egrets and waders can be seen around the edges and coots, moorhens and swans dominate the water. I guess the main reason for going to the lagoon is caretta-caretta, the loggerhead turtle. There are over one hundred swimming in the lagoon and on calm days, they can easily be seen surfacing for air or just swimming past you on the concrete boardwalk. If the weather is calm, the local fishermen, go out early to fish. They bring their catch back in the morning and clean the fish ready for sale. The scraps of fish are thrown in the lagoon and there are always turtles ready to take advantage of this free meal.