Cyprus Birding Tours

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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning’s Guiding Paphos 15th November 2013

Having had a good day out in early October with Carl and Riss it was great to get the chance to take Riss’ parents and their friends out for the morning. Leaving from Emba we headed north to Evretou Dam visiting the ‘deep’ end first. There were three Grey Heron, a Moorhen, a Great Cormorant and some Mallard on the water and we heard a Long-legged Buzzard but couldn’t locate it. We did find a couple of Black Redstart, two male Sardinian Warbler, some Linnet and of course Common Stonechat. We had heard Chukar and one ran in front of the car as we left and headed for the ‘shallow’ end of the dam.

Waiting to greet us as we drove up were a young Bonelli’s Eagle and two Long-legged Buzzard. Great – the eagle flew over our heads and the two buzzards had to put up with being mobbed by Common Kestrel. Good timing – in fact if road works hadn’t made us take a detour our timing would have been different and we may have missed them. At the water’s edge was a Great Egret and as we watched it the Pied Kingfisher that had been present for the last few days flew out from the other side of the dam and hovered over the water. We had great views of that although the Common Kingfisher was only seen briefly. Also in the area were White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Robin, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and a Woodlark.

As we returned towards Paphos another Long-legged Buzzard flew along the side of the road near Stroumbi. We had a quick visit to Anarita Park where we found the obliging male Finsch’s Wheatear, at least twenty Woodlark and a Little Owl. A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was still around and we had the chance to watch a couple of Black Redstart up close.

We seemed to have packed a lot into a few hours and I returned the group to their holiday home.

Total number of species seen – 38

Great Cormorant, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Moorhen, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Finsch’s Wheatear, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report, Paphos 11th November 2013

Six hours around Paphos today with David and Jan. Lots of winter visitors around now including Hen Harrier, Woodlark, Northern Lapwing, a flock of over 100 Woodpigeon and a Reed Bunting. We also caught up with a male Finsch’s Wheatear at Anarita Park and found a male Cyprus Warbler and a Little Owl at both Asprokremmos and Anarita Park.

We spent most of our time out around Paphos Sewage Works. There we watched Meadow Pipit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and Robin all bathing in a pool while a lovely male Hen Harrier, a female Sparrowhawk and several Common Kestrel were hunting over the area putting up the many Meadow Pipit, Skylark, White Wagtail and Red-throated Pipit. A Yellow Wagtail is still around. At least four Spur-winged Lapwing were present as was a lone Northern Lapwing.  The numbers of Chaffinch and Linnet in the area have increased and there was several Spanish Sparrow. On the road driving into the area we found several Serin, Black Redstart and a single Woodlark.

At Mandria we found well over 100 Eurasian Skylark and at Asprokremmos Dam there was a juvenile Red-backed Shrike. Another one was also at Anarita Park which we visited to find Finsch’s Wheatear and were not disappointed.

Total species – 40

Cattle Egret, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Spur-winged Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Finsch’s Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s guiding Paphos, November 8th 2013

On meeting Martin in Paphos  and mentioning the fact that two Wallcreeper had been seen the day before in the Avgas Gorge we abandoned our day’s schedule and headed there. Three Chukar on a rock caught our attention on the way into the gorge – a new species for Martin, the first of five during the day.  Sardinian Warbler, European Robin, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and a large flock of Western Jackdaw didn’t detain us for long and we headed to the area where the Wallcreeper had been seen the day before. We located the site of yesterday’s sighting and waited. No joy for over an hour so I headed upstream to see if one was there. Again no joy – until we decided to leave. As if on cue one flew in and proceeded to fly all over the cliff face opposite us, feeding as it stopped. We had great views and Martin was able to take some photos until it flew upstream. We followed it and now it was even closer to us if very flighty – what a great bird. The showy Grey Wagtail that was also present was almost ignored.

After thirty minutes the bird flew off and we decided to rescue some of our previous plans and headed for Paphos Sewage Works. A late juvenile Red-backed Shrike was perched on a roadside bush as we approached.  Spur-winged Lapwing was the target but first we checked through the birds feeding in the alfalfa fields and using a large puddle for bathing – White Wagtail, a few late Yellow Wagtail, Meadow, Water and Red-throated Pipit were all seen as were small group of Spanish Sparrow.  Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler and Chiffchaff were in the road side vegetation and Eurasian Skylark flew over.  As we walked along the road we found a Bluethroat drying its feathers in the sun. It completely ignored us and sat there letting Martin take plenty of photos. Our attention was distracted by some noisy Hooded Crows who were mobbing a Eurasian Sparrowhawk.  A Common Snipe sat motionless on the field’s edge. The Spur-winged Lapwing were inside the Sewage Plant area but could still be photographed through the fence. Several Linnet and a couple of Serin together with two female Black Redstart, six Cattle Egret and plenty of Stonechat completed the species seen there.

We made a quick visit to the Asprokremmos Dam to try and find Cyprus Warbler and a male and female obliged us in the scrub behind the dam itself. We also saw a Little Owl in the area. We headed off for Anarita Park as the clouds closed in and the thunder rumbled in the distance. We were lucky that it didn’t rain hard there and the light rain didn’t hinder our views of a lovely male Finsch’s Wheatear on the rocks there. A flock of eleven Woodlark were not as obliging and flew away as quickly as they had arrived. A total of three Little Owl were in the area. I saw a male Blue Rock Thrush but unfortunately it flew off before Martin could see it.

We decided to make the most of the fading light at Mandria. A Common Ringed Plover was on the beach and nine Great Cormorant headed east offshore. We heard Skylark but with the last of the light we headed back to Paphos.  A Barn Owl was sitting next to the greenhouses as we passed by and near the olive groves we could hear at least two Stone Curlew.

No doubting the bird of the day which probably caused us to miss several other target species but it had been worth it and we had still caught up with some other great birds and lifers for Martin.

Total species – 49

Great Cormorant, Cattle Egret,  Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Bluethroat, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Finsch’s  Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush,  Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Wallcreeper, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow,  Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip report – Day’s guiding Paphos, 29th October 2013

Spent the day around Paphos with Brian who especially wanted to see eastern Mediterranean specialties. Amongst the birds we found were four Greater Sand Plover on Paphos Headland, several Spur-winged Lapwing and Red-throated Pipit at Paphos Sewage Works, a male Finsch’s Wheatear and several Chukar at Anarita Park and a very obliging male and female Cyprus Warbler at Asprokremmos Dam who even posed for phototgraphs.

A great day out with 43 species –

European Shag, Cattle Egret, Eurasian Sparrowhawk (3), Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Greater Sand Plover (4), Spur-winged Lapwing (8+),  Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Restart, Common Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Finsch’s Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike (1juv), Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting

Cyprus Warbler Asprokremmos Dam 29th October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Cyprus Warbler Asprokremmos Dam 29th October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip report – Morning’s guiding in Akrotiri, 26th October 2013

Gail and Russ from the US had stopped in Limassol for a few hours as part of a Mediterranean cruise and had asked for a morning’s birdwatching. We headed straight to Phassouri Reed Beds where after checking out a selection of passerines – Great Tit, European Robin, Chaffinch and the ubiquitous Common Stonechat – we turned the ‘scope on two Red-footed Falcon on the bare branches of a tree. Shortly after they flew off southwards and a female Marsh Harrier rose up from behind the reeds. We found a freshly dead Nightjar in the road – an road accident victim it seemed – and then headed for the open area of the Reed Beds. Here we found several Cattle Egret, a Common Kingfisher  and a Yellow and some White Wagtails. There was another wagtail in the mud near the reeds and on closer examination we identified it as a juvenile Citrine Wagtail. Two Common Snipe flew around and although I despaired of us being able to get good views of one, as we turned to walk away we found one crouched near some water in full view.

A Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew over and as two Marsh Harrier quartered the area behind the reeds we watched a Honey Buzzard gaining height. Two Eleonora’s Falcon then flew by. We still hadn’t seen a Common Kestrel though so we could compare its size with the American Kestrel. After a quick coffee/tea break in the shade of some olive trees, where we kept company with several Chaffinch, we drove across the Gravel Pits. A Marsh Harrier flew up from its perch on a small tree and then as well as the numerous Stonechat we finally saw several Common Kestrel as well as a lone Zitting Cisticola.

On the pool near the church I was surprised to find a single Black-necked Grebe and we watched another Common Kingfisher fishing there. In the trees near the Church itself we watched a male Sardinian Warbler and then Gail and Russ enjoyed the antics of several Crested Lark close to the edge of the track. From Sylvana’s Restaurant viewpoint we looked at the thousands of Greater Flamingo through the ‘scope. Some ducks were present as well but it was impossible to identify them in the heat haze.  As we headed for Lady’s Mile we stopped to look at a late Red-backed Shrike – a juvenile.

On Lady’s Mile we watched Dunlin and Little Stint feeding but only found two Kentish Plover. The drainage works near Zakaki Marsh mean that it is possible to see some of the water now – there we saw several Grey Heron, an overflying Little Egret and Great Egret as well as many Black-headed Gull and a few Yellow-legged Gull. Perched on a rock was a juvenile Whiskered Tern. Close to the road side we searched in the reeds near a channel of water. I could hear Penduline Tit calling and as if on demand one came and sat on a reed less than 5m from us. We were able to watch it for a while but although I could hear two others calling we had to be content with seeing just the one – not a real hardship! We saw two Moorhen creeping into the reeds but then Gail spotted something different. It was a Water Rail. It dived back into the reeds and our attention was then grabbed by a Bluethroat hopping around in the mud and reed stems close to us. The Water Rail seemed to want to be back in the limelight and emerged from the reeds to come quite close to us and compete with the Bluethroat.

Also in the reeds were several Chiffchaff and a single Reed Warbler. Two Common Kingfisher were chasing each other around the area. We checked the House Sparrows feeding from the seeds on the reed-tops and found several Spanish Sparrow amongst them. We decided to finish the morning at Kensington Cliffs where we managed to get a brief view of a male Cyprus Warbler and a final fly pass by two Eleonora’s Falcon as we left. I returned to the docks and left Gail and Russ to rejoin their ship.Thanks to them for being interesting company on a good morning’s birding.

Total number of birds – 46

Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Common Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Bluethroat, Common Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch


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Akhna Dam Friday 25th October 2013

Had a chance of a quick walk around Akhna Dam this morning. The water levels are dropping but there is still plenty of waterside mud and although there were less waders there were still some good birds. The bushes and trees are full of European Robin and especially Chiffchaffs. A few Chaffinch and plenty of Greenfinch and Goldfinch were flying around as was a Song Thrush. Two Common Redstart were present along with a Whinchat and several Stonechat. A Sedge Warbler was feeding in the reeds. The usual Grey Heron and Little Egret were joined by a Great Egret. At least forty and probably more Spur-winged Lapwing were roosting and feeding at the water’s edge. Two Northern Lapwing were in the area near the goat farm together with several Common Snipe, some Ruff, two Common Redshank, a Greenshank and at least ten Common Ringed Plover. A juvenile Peregrine Falcon flew over the water being chased by a White Wagtail and two Eurasian Sparrowhawk were harassed by the local Hooded Crows. A Honey Buzzard flew over heading south and two Marsh Harrier – a male and a female put the Coot and Moorhen to flight. The Black-necked Grebe from last week was still around as were a couple of Common Kingfisher. As I was leaving I found a Water Pipit in with a group of White Wagtail. No sign of any Meadow Pipit or Skylark yet though.

Grey Heron Akhna Dam October 25th 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Grey Heron Akhna Dam October 25th 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Akhna Dam October 25th 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Akhna Dam October 25th 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours


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Two hours birding in Nicosia this afternoon

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

Grey Wagtail Athalassa 23rd October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Grey Wagtail Athalassa 23rd October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

 

Black-winged Stilt Athalassa Park 23rd October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Black-winged Stilt Athalassa Park 23rd October 2013 Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

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Bluethroat – A winter visitor to Cyprus

The Greater Flamingo is probably the most well known species overwintering in Cyprus. They are also the most easy to see – large flocks are present most winters on the Larnaca and Akrotiri Salt Lakes with others occasionally at Oroklini Marsh and Paralimni Lake. A smaller and more elusive visitor is the Bluethroat. A few individuals have already been seen at Akhna Dam this autumn  –  I found one there a week ago flitting around the roots of of waterside bushes. This site is a reliable place to check for this bird – at the edge of the reeds flitting from the safety of the vegetation on the mud to feed and back. In the past Zakaki Marsh has been a good place to check but this year the works around that area may change that. The vegetation in front of the Larnaca Sewage Works hide is another place Bluethroat have been seen in the past. Hopefully Phassouri Reed-beds and Oroklini will have a couple as usual. The most commonly occurring race in Cyprus is the form with the red spot in the middle of the throat. The white spotted form is scarcer and there are very few records of the all blue throated form.

This Bluethroat was photographed at Zakaki Marsh in November2008

Bluethroat Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours

Bluethroat Copyright Cyprus Birding Tours