laid back Greek Island without a lot of effort

Skopelos, Skiathos and Alonnissos are all "green" islands.

Spetses is a green island too, easy to combine with a visit to Napflion.

Lesbos and Limnos are the default islands for spring and autumn migration, Lesbos (Lesvos) being the greener of the two.

More to read, I see.
@Lee, thanks. Evia is the same group of islands, just closer. What is the appeal of the ones you suggested and is there enough for 2 weeks?
@Suki, thanks. That option is close to the Mainland....and could get me to the Corinth Canal. At other times I considered a Rock type road trip of that region. Maybe start with the island to rest up and end in Athens with a road trip in between.
@Jennifer. Thanks. Good to have a birders knowledge...but so far from Athens...I guess fly instead of ferry.

Another addition to your list, rather than a comment on Evia or Kefalonia. We really like Andros, which you can reach easily from Athens. There’s a direct bus from the airport or from Athens itself to Rafina, and then a two hour ferry.

The main town, Chora, is an hour by car from the port and has two sandy beaches, a pedestrianised centre and some good tavernas. There are good and well marked footpaths.

I’m not a bird expert but we’ve seen some really nice birds there just walking outside the town. For example there is a colony of Eleanor’s Eagles - it’s possible to hire a boat and get quite close.

Even if you don’t decide on Andros you might find these sites interesting on bird life

http://www.androslife.gr/en/?page_id=774

http://www.birdingingreece.gr/en/birding-at-the-island-of-andros/

We are often in Andros for the last two weeks in September. The first week is very hot and good for swimming, the second gets slightly cooler for walking. It can be windy though.

Have a great trip wherever you go!

Alan

@Alan. Thanks for the additional option. As I haven't birder any of that part of the world, most will be new and thrilling. Eleanor Eagles would be lovely. I did a quick look at the library book I have. It says Chora is 20 km from the port...an hour? Welcome to slow travel 😁 I appreciate the reality bite.

We explored Kefalonia for two weeks two years ago. Loved it. June 12 we will go to Evia for the first time, probably staying about 2 1/2 weeks. Both islands have limited public transportation so require a car. On each island you can find beautiful sandy beaches as well as pebbley ones. Evia is greener with many pine forests although last year there were several forest fires and I don’t know the extent of the damage.

Since Evia is close to the mainland and has a bridge as well as several car ferries it is frequented more by Greek tourists escaping Athens than by international tourists. We are renting a car at the airport and driving to Chalcis where we’ll spend the first two days getting over our jet lag. It’s a city but there are a few interesting sites and a short drive south is Eretria which is supposed to be a beautiful little town with a beach and major archeological sites. After Chalcis we will go north to Loutra Edipsou for at least a week. There are natural hot springs which emerge right next to the sea forming pools of various temperature. This is the prime tourist destination in Evia.

Southern Evia has more traditional sandy beach towns such as Karystos. I’m not a birder, but southern Evia also has a large inland lake and mountainous river gorges so it probably has a variety of wildlife, although the roads through the mountains take some nerve.

If you decide on Kefalonia be sure to stay a few nights in Asos. Gorgeous tiny town on a picturesque harbor and a nearby hike to Venetian Castle ruins.

@3love2travel Thanks for the details on the locations considered. Birding is often an opportunistic activity on some vacations with binos in my pool bag and one dedicated birding day along the way. Perhaps Greece is different than Italy with the no csr zones and tickets g nightmares, but I thought I might get a rental from Chalcis but AutoEurope doesn't recognize it by what ever name I enter. Yet another frustration of it consistent spelling and names.
Have a great time while you are there.

Chalkida is another spelling used. I see a Europcar on Google Maps. In Greece many family run hotels also offer rental cars. It’s usually noted on their website.

Spent a few days on Samos and loved it. Easy direct flight to and from Athens

Maria

Re Andros - yes Chora is an hour from the port. There’s a bus which meets the ferry and costs about 5 euros. There’s a regular bus service from Chora to other parts of the island, but I wouldn’t say it was frequent!

Alan