Thanks to all the work being done under the Life+ Project, Oroklini Marsh has become the first area in Cyprus that can be classed as a ‘nature reserve’ on a par with others in Europe. It was good therefore to see a new bird added to their list of breeders when I visited there this morning.

There are at least four Cattle Egret nests in some of the tamarisk bushes in the Lake area. Cattle Egret are added to the site’s breeding Spur-winged Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt and Red-crested Pochard as well as the commoner Little Grebe, Coot, Mallard and Moorhen. Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Warbler could be heard in the reeds so I imagine they are also nesting there. Two Little Tern were flying around so maybe they will try out the newly constructed shingle ‘islands’ in the drier area of the Marsh.