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

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

Out with Simon and Natalie for the day we started at Paphos Sewage Works which is now a reliable site for Spur-winged Lapwing. At least twelve were in the recently cut alfalfa fields, as was a single Cattle Egret. A Hoopoe was also feeding there and a male Black Francolin showed nicely running down the side of the field. A flock of around one hundred Spanish Sparrow were continually moving around the area – stopping to feed in the fields or perch on the citrus trees. We picked out a lone Chiffchaff and there were several Willow Warbler still present. A couple of Stonechat were near the Ezousas river as were Whinchat and of course plenty of Yellow and White Wagtail were present. At least three Spotted Flycatcher were on the overhead wires and near the sea we found five Tree Pipit. I heard Red-throated Pipit fly over and finally we managed to find them and watch them through the ‘scope. As we returned to the car to leave four Red-footed Falcon were spotted flying over the abandoned aircraft.

In the fields at Mandria we found a couple of Isabelline Wheatear, around ten Greater Short-toed Lark and at least two more Red-throated Pipit. Simon spotted a lone Chukar in the middle of a ploughed area. Unfortunately only I spotted a Merlin being chased by a Hooded Crow. Near the church we managed to get close to nine Red-footed Falcon perched on overhead wires. We had great views of male, female and juvenile birds close together. In the distance another four were gaining height and yet more were on wires near Timi. Inland a Long-legged Buzzard could be seen flying over.

It was very quiet around Asprokremmos Dam although we were very pleased to find a male Cyprus Warbler in the trackside undergrowth and be able to watch him from the car windows. Simon had seen a black and white bird fly by on our outward drive behind the dam and on the way back we stopped and he found it again – a juvenile Masked Shrike. Simon hadn’t birded in this area of Europe before so we were picking up several species he hadn’t seen before, this being one of them. A lone European Bee-eater was in the car park area of the Dam and we also watched a male Sardinian Warbler for some time enabling us to compare the differences between it and the Cyprus Warbler seen earlier.

On to Kouklia where at the Soakaways we added two Grey Wagtail and a Blackcap to the day’s list. Near the Archaeological Site there we saw a Peregrine Falcon but more impressive were the Eleanora’s Falcon that we then watched flying near Petra tou Romiou. Three together and then one alone. We then went to Agia Varava hoping to find the other Cyprus endemic. A Cyprus Wheatear has been hanging on there for a few weeks now but it looked as if it had left when we arrived. We consoled ourselves watching a Little Owl high on the cliffs above us but further searching found the Cyprus Wheatear and Simon was able to take some record shots.

Returning to Coral Bay we passed over Minthis Hills hoping to see more raptors. We found four Northern Wheatear and three Red-footed Falcon and then finally a large raptor – a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier flew up to our left near the golf course. A good bird to end the day on.

Total species seen – 48

European Shag, Cattle Egret, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Merlin, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Little Owl, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch.

Red-footed Falcon Mandria October 10th Copyright Simon Ginnaw

Picking up Carl and Riss proved a bit of an intelligence test for me but I did manage to solve it in the end and we headed for a windy Paphos Headland. Five Greater Sand Plover were hunkered down and made us work hard to find them. A couple of Common Sandpiper, two Dunlin and a Ruddy Turnstone were feeding along the shore. Inland inside the Lighthouse fence were two European Stonechat – two of the first for this winter.

At Paphos Sewage Works we quickly found two Spur-winged Lapwing in the gardens of the plant buildings and then twelve were in the mown fields. A Ruff was also feeding in the fields together with Yellow and White Wagtail. Red-backed Shrike, Whinchat and Willow Warbler were around in good numbers and we located two Northern Wheatear. A lone European Bee-eater was feeding from an overhead wire and a Spotted Flycatcher from a sprinkler system. A group of nearly one hundred Spanish Sparrow flew over migrating and at least twenty were in bushes along the road side. As we left a Red-footed Falcon flew over but we were hoping for better views of one than that.

So we headed to Mandria and we were not disappointed. We found at least twenty of them feeding and flying around fields to the west of the village. Other than several Common Kestrel the only other raptor in the area was a Western Marsh Harrier. In the fields around Lark’s Corner we found a couple of Tawny Pipit. While we were watching them at least four Greater Short-toed Lark flew into an adjacent field and we spent some time looking at them as well. A few Bee-eaters were flying over the olive groves and at least seven Stone Curlew were roosting there. A male Black Francolin scurried into the undergrowth near the ‘poly-tunnels’ – too quick for either Carl or Riss unfortunately.

Asprokremmos Dam was quiet – apart from the usual local Goldfinch population.  Several Greenfinch were also feeding from the conifers. A Grey Heron was fishing on the shore and we found two male Sardinian Warbler in the scrub. After a break for our lunch there we moved onto the Kouklia Soakaways. Water is still running there and a Common Kingfisher was patrolling the area. A small group of European Bee-eater were in the cliffs above the stream. As we watched them two Black Kite flew over which were good to see. We also added Common Linnet to the day’s species list.

At Agia Varvara, Carl had a chance to take more photos of European Bee-eater as we managed to get quite close to a small flock. A late Cyprus Wheatear was a good find as I hadn’t expected to find one. A large bird of prey in the distance was too far away to be identified and although we heard a Little Owl calling near to us three pairs of eyes couldn’t find it. As we drove away many Chukar – at least twenty – ran in front of the car and up the nearby slope. A quick drive around Anarita Park gave no new species but didn’t dampen the day.

Thanks to Carl for allowing me to use some of the photographs he took during the day to illustrate this report.

Total species seen – 45

European Shag, Grey Heron, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet

European Bee-eater Paphos Sewage Works Copyright Carl Matthews

Whinchat Paphos Sewage Works Copyright Carl Matthews

Red-footed Falcon Mandria Copyright Carl Matthews

Ruff Paphos Sewage Works Copyright Carl Matthews

Was surprised to arrive in Paphos and find it had rained and there was plenty of cloud around. The weather felt different than it had on my recent visits to the area and this was reflected in the birds seen. There was a noticeable reduction in the number of Whinchat, Willow Warbler and larger raptors. We also found no Yellow Wagtail at the sites we visited.

The first stop with Terry and Sarah was around the White River area near Avagas Gorge. We were pleased to see a male Blue Rock Thrush drinking from a puddle in the middle of the track but other than plenty of Western Jackdaw and Sardinian Warbler there wasn’t much else until a couple of Honey Buzzard, a Black Kite and two Marsh Harrier passed over and there were a few Bee-eater inland from the coastal track.

Terry and Sarah hadn’t come across Greater Sand Plover on their previous visits to Cyprus so we had a short walk around the Headland to find them. On our way to where  four Greater Sand Plover were roosting on the shore we also saw two Dunlin, three Ruddy Turnstone, a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. There were two Common Kingfisher flying along the coast and offshore a couple of Yellow-legged Gull flew by and a Gull-billed Tern was a surprise find fishing offshore.

We then visited Paphos Sewage Works, a site that Terry and Sarah know well. We were amazed at the numbers of Hooded Crow around the watering systems. At least twelve Spur-winged Lapwing were also in the fields and there were several Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, Red-backed Shrike and Whinchat. A surprise though was the absence of any Yellow Wagtail but the stars of this location were the two Hoopoe feeding in a recently mown field.

Mandria was very quiet at first and we drove around checking the fields for any bird life. We had seen a Black Kite flying eastwards over the area as we drank our coffee. In the potato fields past Lark Corner we found seven Stone Curlew who were not really troubled by our presence and let Terry take several photographs. As we watched them the Black Kite floated above our heads giving a good chance to check his plumage and ID pointers. In the distance we could make out a couple of Red-footed Falcon circling up and decided to finish our morning by trying to get closer to them. We found nearly thirty birds in total on wires to the west of the village. Mainly female and juveniles but a very smart male decided to fly over our heads so we had lovely close ups of him as well. We could see others in the distance and then spotted a large white bird heading towards us from the Timi area. At first we wondered if it could have been one of the White Stork that had been in the area recently. But we soon realized it was a Great White Pelican. It was being mobbed by a couple of Common Kestrel. A few Honey Buzzard were circling up and the Pelican gained height below them.

Time to end our morning out with 40 species and several lifers for Terry and Sarah. Thank to Terry for allowing us to use some of his photos here.

Whimbrel Paphos Headland Copyright Terry Bone

Stone Curlew Mandria Copyright Terry Bone

Hoopoe Paphos Sewage Works Copyright Terry Bone

Species seen –

Birds seen – European Shag, Great White Pelican, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Whinchat, Blue Rock Thrush, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Goldfinch

Starting our day out with a walk around the Paphos Headland,  John and I quickly located our target species there – four Greater Sand Plover. An added bonus were three Ruddy Turnstone flying along the coast line. We also found two Northern Wheatear inside the fenced area of the Archaeological site. As usual there were many Crested Lark and Hooded Crow. Moving onto Paphos Sewage Works we found the Spur-winged Lapwing that now breed there. Many Willow Warbler were in the roadside vegetation together with several calling Sardinian and a Cetti’s Warbler. Yellow Wagtail were hidden in the alfalfa fields occasionally flying over and on to another field. Five White Wagtail were in a ploughed area and Tree Pipit, Red-backed Shrike and Whinchat were nearby. A walk down to the sea produced a European Shag on a nearby rock and suddenly four Honey Buzzard appeared and flew southwards. Two Eurasian Hoopoe were in the olive groves and thirteen Grey Heron moved eastwards along the coast. As we were in the car a Green Sandpiper flew over.

Mandria seemed quiet although many European Bee-eater and Barn Swallow were moving south. We checked all the fields and there were Yellow and White Wagtail there as well as the usual Crested Lark and then twelve Greater Short-toed Lark and at least 18 Whinchat – each on sitting on its own sprinkler! Three Red-throated Pipit flew down into the potato fields but despite searching John didn’t get a view of them. An Isabelline Wheatear was easier to see as were the Stone Curlew siting in the shade of the olive trees. As we drove away from the area a strange noise prompted me to stop the car and we got out to check what it was. Although we didn’t discover the perpetrator two White Stork flew into the fields ahead of us. Presumably the same pair that had been at Paphos Sewage Works over the last few days.

At Asprokremmos Dam we found more Bee-eaters and a rather tired looking Turtle Dove. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the car park woods and a search of the area produced several Sardinian Warbler and one possible Cyprus Warbler that refused to come out of the undergrowth for full identification. With little or no raptor migration in the area we decided to head for a quick visit to Akrotiri for the rest of the day – specifically Phassouri Reed Beds.

And that seems to have been the correct decision. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by yet more migrating Bee-eaters and a more healthy looking Turtle Dove and over the next hour or so we watched migrating raptors go over – at least 20 Honey Buzzard, a couple of ‘steppe’ Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus), more than twenty Red-footed Falcon, three Eleonora’s Falcon and eight Marsh Harrier. A female Blackcap was also a new bird for the day and in the area grazed by the cattle we found Cattle and Little Egret, two Glossy Ibis, several Yellow Wagtail, a couple of Wood Sandpiper and two Common Snipe. A rather scruffy Coot was also present. Barn Swallow and Sand Martin were flying over all the time.

To try and get better views of Eleonora’s Falcon we went on to Kensington Cliffs where three, maybe four birds, were flying. Checking the area around Kourio Stadium for Cyprus Warbler we saw at least two birds flitting from bush to bush and calling but neither sat still for very long.

Raptor migration is definitely slowing but we had quality rather than quantity in the birds seen. Thanks to John for a good day out in interesting company.

Total species – 52

European Shag, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Steppe Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Ruddy Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch