Went over to the east of the island today stopping at Agia Trias outside Paralimni first where there were two Grey Plover, a Greater Sand Plover and a Common Sandpiper on the shore. A first winter Audouin’s Gull flew by as did two Yellow-legged Gull. Spent a couple of hours walking around Cape Greco where the highlight was a female Finsch’s Wheatear. As most of the Finsch’s Wheatear that winter in Cyprus are male it was good to find a female on the same territory used by one  for several years now. A male Blue Rock Thrush was also nearby and there were many Western Black Redstart and European Stonechat as well as Spectacled and Sardinian Warbler, and flocks of Corn Bunting, Common Linnet and European Goldfinch. Several Chukar were about as were several Meadow Pipit.

There was at least 150 Cattle Egret coming to roost on Oroklini Lake late in the afternoon. A group of more than seventy Greater Flamingo were there as well as Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal and a large flock of Common Black-headed Gull. A Water Pipit was also present and at least sixty Common Starling were flying around the area.

Finsch’s Wheatear female Cape Greco 5th December 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Greater Sand Plover and Grey Plover Agia Trias 5th December 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Grey Plover Agias Trias 5th December 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours