Every time I go to Athalassa Park in Nicosia I tell myself that I should go there more often. After three and a half days of work on the computer I decided to go there this afternoon and when the first bird you see is a Bluethroat you know you have made the right decision.

Very few ducks or Coots though although there were plenty of the resident Little Grebe and Moorhen.  As well as Grey Heron and Little Egret there was also a Purple Heron, a Great Egret and to my surprise a Spoonbill which flew off northwards after I had watched it for a few minutes. At least one Common Kingfisher was flying around and calling as was a Grey Wagtail. A lone Black-winged Stilt was unusual and there was also a Wood Sandpiper and Common Snipe. A Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew over and a Water Rail was heard. In the wooded areas there were plenty of Robins singing and probably setting up territories having recently arrived for the winter

 

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