It was good to get out in the field again with a day’s guiding with Harry and Jacky. Driving to Cape Drepanum we saw three Great Spotted Cuckoo flying over. There were plenty of Yellow-legged Gull on Yeronisos Island opposite and a group of Black-headed Gull and two Little Egret flew north offshore.  The Cape itself was alive with Isabelline and Northern Wheatear and Black-headed Wagtail. We must have seen double figures of these three birds as well as a couple of Greater Short-toed Lark, two Blue-headed Wagtail and a pale throated form of Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. There were plenty of Barn Swallow around and two Red-rumped Swallow flew over.  A Common Nightingale could be heard. There were many Jackdaw there as there were also at our next stop at Meletis. In that area we found a male Cyprus Wheatear, a Hoopoe and a pair of Chukars put up by something – possibly a Peregine Falcon which Harry saw briefly.

We had a short walk around Paphos Headland where again the most common species were Isabelline and Northern Wheatear. There was a dark throated form of the Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. We also found at least three Hoopoe, many Barn Swallow, a few Common Swift, some more Black-headed Wagtail, two male Sardinian Warbler and a couple of Meadow Pipit.

The weather had changed by the time we reached Mandria and we needed coats on to sit and have our lunch. Three Shags were offshore and more Black-headed Gull passed by. A small raft of 24 Garganey were floating offshore. Around twenty Little Ringed Plover were feeding on the shore together with a lone Kentish Plover. On the ploughed fields we found a female Sparrowhawk hunting and in amongst the Yellow Wagtail races we picked out at least one of the dombrowski race although again Black-headed Wagtail were the most common. A Common Starling flew over and a Quail also flew past us seeming to have come off the sea.

Our last stop was at Anarita Park. Turning into the area we found a Great Spotted Cuckoo sitting on a thistle. We watched four Lesser Kestrel hunting in the distance. There were many singing Corn Bunting, a lone female Stonechat, a male Sardinian Warbler and male Cyprus Wheatear. We watched a male Hen Harrier hunting and a falcon flew over too fast for positive id.

Driving back to Polis we saw a Long-legged Buzzard flying near Evretou Dam. A good day’s birding in good company with 55 different birds and a lot of wheatears!!

Day’s total – 55 species

Birds seen – European Shag, Little Egret, Garganey, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin (h), Common Quail, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, dombrowski race of Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Nightingale (h), Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Reem and her family were in Cyprus for the Christmas holidays and had asked for a day’s birding during their stay. We started  at the Amathus Archaeological Site as one of their target birds was the Cyprus Warbler and I had seen several there on a visit two weeks previously. We walked up the slope behind the site and very quickly found some Spanish Sparrow and the first of the day’s many Stonechat. We could hear European Robin and also calling Cyprus Warbler but at first only managed fleeting views as they flitted around the area and flew deep into bushes. We watched two Chukar climbing over the ruins as well as four Eurasian Skylark, several White Wagtail and Meadow Pipit. A flock of Corn Bunting flew over and we could hear Blackcap singing. On our return walk the Cyprus Warbler were more obliging and we even managed to watch two males through the telescope. A female was seen briefly as were two Zitting Cisticola. On returning to the car we were able to watch a female Black Redstart.

We moved onto Germasogeia Dam and drove to the Finikaria area. As we parked the car a black and white bird flew in front of us. A Pied Kingfisher – never a common visitor to Cyprus.  It flew off over the Dam and we set off to relocate it. We had great views of a Great Egret and two Little Egret. At least four Great Cormorant were on the water as were several Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe. Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were in the waterside vegetation and there were several Meadow Pipit and White Wagtail at the side of the track. Finally the Pied Kingfisher flew up, stopping just in front of us to hover and then drop down into the water. It did this several times and was a real treat to see. As we left the Dam a Grey Heron also flew over.

A Phassouri Reed Beds we stopped to watch several Cattle Egret sitting on the back of a cow feeding on the insects. A female Marsh Harrier floated over the reeds and we saw many Mallard flying around the back of the area. The only other water birds were Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe but we picked out a Water Pipit amongst the Meadow Pipits. The surrounding bushes were alive with Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Robins and we flushed a Song Thrush. From Sylvana’s Restaurant we watched the Greater Flamingos on Akrotiri Salt Lake through the telescope. There were several Common Shelduck on the Lake as well as many Teal although the heat haze meant it was hard to pick out any other species. A Marsh Harrier quartered the dry area in front of us and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew by while a Common Kestrel sat on a telegraph pole.

We ate our lunch at Agios Georgios Church on the Gravel Pits and were treated to fly pasts by both the Marsh Harrier and a Hen Harrier. Several Serins and Greenfinch were  flying around the area but although I could hear a Sardinian Warbler I couldn’t see it. We headed to Bishop’s Pool with the intention of seeing Ferruginous Duck. As we walked to the pool we came across a Grey Wagtail, Black Redstart, Great Tit and Stonechat all bathing in a large puddle. Several Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler were also in the bushes by the side of the puddle and we did actually manage to watch a Cetti’s until it disappeared into the undergrowth again. On the pool we found four Ferruginous Duck, many Teal and a female Shoveler. I was hoping we could find the White-throated Kingfisher that had been at the site since September and we scanned the trees at the back. Finally I found it but by the time I could get the ‘scope trained on it and call the others, it had flown off. I did feel guilty though as I was the only one to get any sight of it. We all searched the area for it again but no luck this time and finally we decided to head off to Kensington Cliffs to finish the day there.

This proved to be a good decision as no sooner were we out of the car than two Griffon Vulture floated over our heads. They flew over the area the entire time we were there – one of them even landing on the top of a pine only 100m away from us and plucked a twig which it then took to the cliff face where it is possibly building a nest. As well as their show, two Common Kestrel and two Peregrine Falcon were also soaring over the area. We picked out eight Shag on the rocks offshore together with two Yellow-legged Gull. At Amathus we had been searching for a Blue Rock Thrush with no luck but we were rewarded here with a lovely male on a ledge of the cliff face. We headed back to the car as the sun disappeared behind the cliffs.

Day’s total – 55 species

Birds seen – Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, European Shag, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher (only seen by guide), Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Blue Rock Thrush, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cyprus Warbler, Sardinian Warbler (heard), Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

I met Ken and Sue at their Agia Napa hotel at 7.00 am this morning and we headed straight to Cape Greco. They had been on the island in September and had seen some interesting migrants then so were interested to see what Cyprus had to offer later in the year. We were treated to a group (covey?) of at least thirty Chukar in the roadside fields and saw the first of the many Stonechat we were going to notice in the trip. As we turned to head towards the coast a group of twenty Common Starling were sitting on the wires. Stonechat and Robins could be both heard and seen from almost every bush. We stopped to watch a Spectacled Warbler in one and a female Blackcap could be seen sitting on a lower branch. We drove to the picnic site where we parked and scanned the bushes for other species. We spotted a female Black Redstart and a few more Spectacled Warbler. A Common Kestrel flew over, closely followed by a Eurasian Sparrowhawk.  We could hear Cyprus Warbler and after much searching we managed to find two males and one even let us watch it through the telescope.

As we headed towards the area of aerial masts, Ken spotted a male Blue Rock Thrush on a road side rock while I had been searching  for that species on the higher rock face. We were able to watch this beautiful bird until it flew off towards the sea. In the fields near the sea we watched a couple of Crested Lark and had good views of five Corn Buntings on the electricity wires. On looking out to sea I was amazed to see a small gull like bird floating offshore. A juvenile Kittiwake – an accidental visitor to Cyprus with less than ten records. Not an unusual site for Ken and Sue though so once I had taken a few record shots we decided to move onto the Macronissos/Agia Thekla coast to look for Greater Sand Plover.

It took a while but finally we found six of these birds – a lifer for Ken – as well as five Common Sandpipers. Offshore a Sandwich Tern flew by heading east as did a small flock of around twenty Northern Shoveler. There were more Shoveler and many Teal at Oroklini Marsh although as usual with late morning visit there the sun was in our eyes as we checked through the birds from the car park. We picked out two Common Snipe and two Common Redshank, and watched a group of Spur-winged and Northern Lapwing fly around the area although we couldn’t find out what had disturbed them.

There were many Skylark flying around at the back of the Larnaca Desalination fields and a couple of Red-throated Pipit flew over but none were close enough for us to get good views. We did find a male Spanish Sparrow and of course yet more Stonechat. We finished the morning with a quick look at the Sewage Works pools from the hide. I didn’t notice any more dead birds so assume the problem seen ten days ago has been solved. The numbers of wildfowl seem low though but did include a Ruddy Shelduck and several Wigeon as well as the usual Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot and Little Grebe and well over 200 Black-headed Gull. A female Black Redstart was on the bank in front of the hide and a Spectacled Warbler was seen well as it flitted in the shrubbery there.

We searched the fields for Water Pipits as I had heard their call and found one although we were sure that there were more there. As we got in the car to leave two Hen Harrier ring-tails soared up together over the pools. A great sight to add to the interesting selection of birds we had seen.

Total number of species seen – 47

Little Grebe, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Crested Lark, Common Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, Blue Rock Thrush, European Robin, Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting

Holly had been at the same conference in Larnaca as Norm and Tracy who I had taken out on Monday so I was under some pressure to provide an obliging Black Francolin for her as well as some other eastern Mediterranean species.

We started at the edge of Meneou Pool where we found nine Stone Curlew. Around us we could hear two calling Black Francolin and on a hay bale to the back of the area we watched another through the telescope. As we drove up to the Larnaca Sewage Pools hide at least twenty Chukar were in the field. Another one of Holly’s targets seen. On the pools themselves there was nothing new for a UK birder until we spotted a Whiskered Tern fishing in the far right hand corner. In fact the activity in the undergrowth in front of the hide and to its side was more interesting. We found at least three Spectacled Warbler and a smart male Spanish Sparrow and of course several  Stonechat. We had seen something else moving between the bushes and the ground but for a while it remained hidden until finally a Bluethroat hopped forward. It even sat on the fence for a short while. A single Yellow Wagtail was on the ploughed fields together with several White Wagtail while many Skylark flew over the site.

The farmer was working in the field in front of Spiro’s Pool so we had only a brief glimpse of the female Black Francolin there and saw the male fly off. On the wires next to the Sewage Work Plant sat seven Barn and two Red-rumped Swallow. Stonechat and Crested Lark were everywhere and we moved to the fields further east to find yet many Skylark – some even flew out to sea from there so seemed to be migrating further south -, a few Red-throated Pipit and more interestingly seven Lesser Short-toed Lark. No Water Pipits however and they must have moved on from yesterday but there will still plenty of Spanish Sparrow flying around the area. A few Kentish Plover were close to the sea as was a Common Ringed Plover.

We counted twenty six Greater Flamingo in the middle of Larnaca Salt Lake. We found Common Snipe, Ruff, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Redshank and Common Ringed Plover on the northern shore. There were more Spur-winged Lapwing, another Ruff and two Common Redshank at Oroklini Marsh together with many Shoveler , Coot and Moorhen. There was also, two Little Egret and four Cattle Egret. A Marsh Harrier quartered the area and most of the birds present were keeping a watchful eye on its movements. We heard a Water Rail call but couldn’t get a decent view in the thick reeds which were full of House and Spanish Sparrow.

A good variety of birds in a few hours on a Sunday morning.

List of species  (43)

Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Greater Flamingo, Common Shelduck, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Water Rail (heard), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Stone Curlew, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Common Skylark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Bluethroat, Common Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Goldfinch

Out around Akrotiri this morning with Eoghan and his family for a few hours. The trip was mainly for young  Eoghan who was keen to see new birds and already has some pretty impressive ID skills. We saw the following –

Akrotiri Salt Lake – Cattle Egret 6, Little Egret 20+, Great Egret 2, Grey Heron c200. Greater Flamingo 600+, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler

Phassouri Reed Beds – Cattle Egret 1, Honey Buzzard 1, Black Kite 1, Marsh Harrier 1m and 1f, Common Kestrel 3, Red-footed Falcon 2, Common Woodpigeon 10+, Common Stonechat 5, Cetti’s Warbler 3, Red-backed Shrike 1 juv, Spanish Sparrow 20, Chaffinch 2, Mallard 30+, Red-throated Pipit 6

Lady’s Mile – Kentish Plover 150, Little Stint c50, Dunlin 10

Zakaki Marsh  – Barn Swallow 3, White Wagtail 2, Honey Buzzard 5, Black Kite 1

Kensington Cliffs – Eleonora’s Falcon 5, Griffon Vulture 1

Norm and Tracy  were in Cyprus for conferences and wanted a few hours birding in the Larnaca area where they are based for their stay. We made straight for area around Larnaca Sewage Works, stopping first at Meneou Pools where we found five roosting Stone Curlew to get the day off to a good start. The Sewage Works Pools were full of the usual Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, Coot and Little Grebe. More interesting was a Red-crested Pochard . A Dunlin and Greenshank were feeding around the edge and a good group of Black-headed Gull were present. Common Stonechat were on the perimeter fence and Norm was pleased with some close up views of a Willow Warbler in front of the hide.

Moving onto Spiro’s Pool we stopped to watch a Spectacled Warbler on the wires which obligingly sat there long enough for a good look and we then turned our attention to a female Marsh Harrier moving over the salicorna. Rounding the corner and heading towards Spiro’s Pool and Beach, a male and female Black Francolin made themselves the day’s star birds as they fed on the edge of the ploughed strip in full view. We moved on and stopped the car to check out the Yellow-legged Gull on the beach and to find the Shag that was swimming offshore. But our attention we quickly abandoned them as eight Common Crane took to the air from the vegetation to the side of Spiro’s Pool and slowly gained height in front of us before heading off eastwards. As they circled they were joined by a Honey Buzzard.

At least two hundred Spanish Sparrow were flying around the area towards the old airport coast and on the beach itself we found around forty Kentish Plover, four Dunlin and a Little Stint. We moved on to the main Salt Lake where the Little Owl that nests just past Tekke Mosque was waiting for us – sitting patiently in a small hole in the rocks. A Zitting Cisticola also landed nearby so that Norm could watch that too. In the middle of the Salt Lake were three adult Greater Flamingo and one juvenile.

At Oroklini we found around ten Spur-winged Lapwing – one of our target species – as well as Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe and another Little Stint. We couldn’t find anything different amongst the ducks and grebes so we moved on the Akhna Dam. We ate lunch here before setting off to walk around the shallow end. A group of Chukar flew across the water in front of us and into the fields behind the dam.  At least forty Spur-winged Lapwing were present here as well as eight Northern Lapwing. A couple of Common Kingfisher were flying around the area and an Osprey was perched on a large dead tree in the shallow water. It took off and was joined by a Marsh Harrier quartering the area. We saw another Common Snipe, several Grey Heron and Little Egret and many Coot.  At least three Sedge Warbler were flitting around the reeds at the water’s edge and one even stayed still long enough for us to watch it through the telescope.

This was our last stop and I drove Norm and Tracy back to their Larnaca hotel. Norm was pleased with his 14 lifers though it was difficult to decide on a bird of the day – I think the Black Francolin just edged it with the Little Owl a close second.

Species seen – 47

Little Grebe, European Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Common Teal, Mallard, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Common Coot, Common Crane, Stone Curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing,  Northern Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Common Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Red-throated Pipit, White Wagtail, Common Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Magpie, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Goldfinch

Lorraine  had been to Cyprus birding before but in the spring so I was a bit concerned that a late autumn trip might disappoint as definitely we would not see the variety that she had seen before. We headed straight to Akrotiri Salt Lake with a view to seeing as many of the birds in the north and northwest shores as we could before the heat haze made it impossible. We scanned the area with the scope from the New Inn parking space and had good views of over 2000 Greater Flamingo, several Eurasian Spoonbill, Great and Little Egret, at least 200 Grey Heron and three White Stork. We had been told there were Black Stork present but we couldn’t find them. There was a large group of Slender-billed Gull as well as several Black-winged Stilt and many Mallard, Teal and Coot. Lorraine however was especially pleased to see six Corn Bunting on the wires above our vantage point as well as the first of the many Common Stonechat of the day. A flock of Spanish Sparrow was feeding on the seeds of the grasses nearby.

We moved to the area next to Sylvana’s restaurant for another scan of the Salt Lake. We found no new species there but on the wires in front of us sat two Red-footed Falcon and a lone European Bee-eater. They kept us entertained for a while as did the nine Chukar below us.  As it was getting warmer we headed the shaded area at the start of Phassouri Reed Beds and focused on the sky around the aerial farm hoping for a few migrating raptors. We got our wish – several Honey Buzzard very kindly flew right over us, others to our left together with two Black Kite, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a male and three female Marsh Harrier. Several Cetti’s Warbler were in the vegetation and two Black Francolin were watched in a nearby field. Near the water we found several Zitting Cisticola, yet more Stonechat, a few White Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail. Along the coast near the Fish Farm there was a lone Isabelline Wheatear.

Moving across the Gravel Pits area we found at least 15 Stonechat, another lone Bee-eater and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike. We then headed for Bishop’s Pool. I was hoping maybe this time we would be lucky and find the elusive White-throated Kingfisher but my record on that species so far had not been good. As we drove in, three Common Crane were circling the area and then headed off towards the Salt Lake. Again there was a notable passage of raptors to occupy us. Another 15 Honey Buzzard – one of which landed in a tree there and tried to rest until mobbed by Hooded Crow and forced to continue. Four Black Kite passed over, there were another two Sparrowhawk and around 10 Red-footed Falcon. Most of these were soaring above us but one Red-footed Falcon flew around the Pool as did two Eleonora’s Falcon. The usual Mallard, Teal, Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe on the water were joined by four Shoveler. We heard a Water Rail but couldn’t locate it and several Grey Wagtail were present.

Then suddenly a great flash of blue came up from the back of the lake calling loudly. There was no mistaking that we had just seen the White-throated Kingfisher that has been at the site since early September. This Cyprus vagrant was a lifer for both of us so we then spent some time trying to relocate it. We heard it calling again but it was back in hiding. Pleased with our efforts we walked back to the car as several Barn Swallow flew into the area.

A Sardinian Warbler kept us entertained as we ate lunch in the shade near the Salt Lake and we then headed to Lady’s Mile. We found many Kentish Plover, a Sanderling, three Common Ringed Plover, eight Dunlin and around twenty Little Stint. We finished our day out at Zakaki Marsh where the thick reeds meant that the only bird we got good views of was a Common Kingfisher – but we weren’t complaining!

Phil was staying in Paphos and had requested a visit to Mandria, Phassouri Reed Beds and Bishop’s Pool. Adding Paphos Sewage Works and Kensington Cliffs to this meant that we were hopeful of a good selection of birds. The weather forecast promised sunshine in the areas we were to visit – a contrast to the storms of the last few days. That weather however seems to have slowed the raptor migration right down so that side of the trip was disappointing overall but we still saw plenty of good species and Phil had several lifers.

The first birds that we saw at Paphos Sewage Works were four Common Starling – probably more interesting for me as a Cyprus based birder than a visitor from the UK! Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Zitting Cisticola and Willow Warbler were everywhere. A puddle near the beach produced three Grey Wagtail – two of which were fighting and at one stage one even tried to drown the other. There were several Sardinian Warbler in the undergrowth together with a couple of Cetti’s Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat. We also saw four Spur-winged Lapwing and at least ten Corn Bunting.  A small flock of migrating Spanish Sparrow passed overhead and at least two Black Francolin were calling.

At Mandria there were again many White Wagtail but this time they were joined by over 40 Red-throated Pipit and around 20 Yellow Wagtail. There was a lone Tawny Pipit, two Isabelline Wheatear and three Whinchat. At one stage they were all put to flight by a hunting Eurasian Sparrowhawk which in turn was mobbed by a couple of Hooded Crow. Phassouri Reed Beds were quieter than on visits in September. We saw one Honey Buzzard, a female Marsh Harrier and one (maybe two) Red-footed Falcon which was gaining height and getting ready to continue its journey to the north of the reed beds. We heard several Bee-eaters passing over and a lone Turtle Dove sat in one of the trees near the aerial fields. There were several Red-backed Shrike and a Whinchat on the tall vegetation and we picked out at least three male Spanish Sparrow in with a large flock of House Sparrow.

By now there was quite a heat haze over the Salt Lake but we did manage to pick out a group of around 500 Greater Flamingo and at least two White Stork nearby. On the wires next to our view point was a Common Stonechat – one of the first of the autumn. We picked out a Peregrine Falcon perched on one of the aerials. Heading towards Bishop’s Pool we stopped to check out a small falcon on the wires and were excited to find three Lesser Kestrel flying around the area. Moving on to Bishop’s Pool we found yet more Willow Warblers in the trees but also an Olivaceous Warbler. The Pool itself held several Teal, Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe and another two Grey Wagtail to make it a good day for that particular species. Phil found six Chukar crouched low on a field and an Eleonora’s Falcon flew over as we left together with about twelve Barn Swallow – our only hirundines of the day.

We finished our day at Kensington Cliffs where at least eight Eleonora’s Falcon were flying around and two Griffon Vulture finished our list for the day by flying over the cliffs in the distance. A calling Cyprus Warbler however was not so obliging and wouldn’t come out from the bushes to enable Phil to see it. Unfortunately the best view of this endemic was the brief glimpse of one earlier near the Agios Georgios Church at Akrotiri.

List of species (56)

Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Greater Flamingo, Common Teal, Mallard, Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin (h), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Spur-winged Lapwing, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

Passing Petra tou Romiou on my way to Paphos I saw twelve Honey Buzzards thermalling up over the motorway and took this to be a good omen for the rest of the day. I picked up Elsa from Germany from her hotel and we headed straight to the Paphos Sewage Works area. Walking on the track down to the sea took us some time as there were several Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrike to watch – a one stage three Lesser Grey Shrike were sitting in a row on the roadside electricity wires. At least two Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher were also in the area and two Zitting Cisticola sat on plant stalks on the edge of the track. A Sardinian Warbler could be heard in the vegetation but it was determined not to be seen. In with the Common Swift, Barn Swallow and House Martin we picked out at least two Pallid Swift and various Yellow Wagtail were feeding in the alfalfa. Bee-eaters could be heard moving southwards overhead but it seemed they were too high for us to find. On the sea we found a European Shag.

As we walked back to the road a Black Kite slowly flew over and a Marsh Harrier flew south. In the road side bushes we were able to get good views of a Cetti’s Warbler and the several Willow Warbler. Again a Sardinian Warbler was sounding its alarm but stayed hidden. A Tree Pipit was on the road side wires and two Spur-winged Lapwing were around the newly constructed yet waterless pits. We moved on to Mandria and stopped at a field near the coast to pick out male Blue-headed and Grey-headed races of Yellow Wagtail in with over 80 others which were mainly female and juvenile birds. A juvenile Ruff was feeding in the same field as were eight Greater Short-toed Lark.

As we sheltered from the sun under the shade in the picnic area around 50 Honey Buzzards moved over heading out over the Mediterranean. A juvenile Montagu’s Harrier quartered the area as did a Marsh Harrier. We managed to pick out a well camouflaged Tawny Pipit in the dusty vegetation away from the beach. On the ploughed fields of ‘Lark Corner’ we found a few more Greater Short-toed Lark as well as Isabelline and Northern Wheatear together with another juvenile Red-backed Shrike and two more Whinchat. By the side of the track on the edge of the field a juvenile Collared Pratincole stood patiently watching us as we watched him.

Elsa had hoped to see a Cyprus Warbler so we headed for the car park and amenity area of the Asprokremmos Dam. Checking the scrub there we managed to put up a Chukar but although I heard both Cyprus and Sardinian alarm calls we saw neither. A Squacco Heron though was added to the day list as it flew over the Dam and the trees held at least four Spotted Flycatcher. There were several Goldfinch and Greenfinch as well as Linnet and a small flock of Corn Bunting flew past. We moved down to the dry Aspro Pools and finally we located both a male and female Cyprus Warbler. Both were flighty and didn’t stay anywhere for long but Elsa was able to get decent views of them.

We then decided to go along the coast to Petra tou Romiou to look for Eleonora’s Falcon. Parking by the side of the road we scanned the cliffs and after a few minutes were treated to the aerial display of probably five birds in total. Another Shag was drying its wings on a rock below. Recent reports of a White-throated Kingfisher at Kouklia led us to try and find that at our last location for the day. The valley was full of Bee-eaters both sitting on the wires and flying over. We had no joy with the kingfisher and luckily Elsa told me she had seen them previously in India so I was more disappointed than her! However as we went back to the car to return to Paphos both a juvenile Long-legged Buzzard and immature Bonelli’s Eagle flew over. A spectacular site to end our day out.

List of 50 species seen –

European Shag, Squacco Heron, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Collared Pratincole, Spur-winged Lapwing, Ruff, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, European Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler (heard), Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Out for the day with Christiane and Christian from Germany, our first stop was at Phassouri Reed Beds. A male Golden Oriole flew away from us as we parked in the shade of one of the eucalyptus trees at the start of the reed beds. The call of Bee-eaters filled the air and around fifty flew around the area stopping to rest on the bare branches of the trees near the aerials. Others could be seen moving high in the sky heading south. Several Turtle Doves flew fast over the area and a Purple and a Grey Heron made their way towards the main salt lake. Above us several Honey Buzzards were flying southwards, while others thermalled up to our left and disappeared from view. We saw around 20 of these as well as at least three Marsh Harrier, a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier and two Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Two juvenile Red-backed Shrike were in the reeds nearby and as we watched them a Collared Pratincole flew swiftly in front of us. A steady trickle of Sand Martin flew over as well.

We drove along the road until we came to the water. At least two more Marsh Harriers were hunting over the reeds and a Black Kite was seen in the distance gaining height. A Little Egret and Cattle Egret were with the grazing cows and several Red-backed Shrike, Whinchat and Zitting Cisticola claimed our attention from the tops of grass stalks and small shrubs. Two Common Kingfisher were chasing each other across the water – one of them hovering and diving to catch a fish right in front of us. Another flash of colour was provided by a European Roller which was probably the highlight of the day. Just as we were thinking of moving on a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier and a Glossy Ibis landed in the area. We were able to watch the Harrier take off and continue across the reed beds but the Ibis disappeared into the vegetation.

Moving on we scanned the Salt Lake itself but it was so hazy that the best we could make out were around 500 Greater Flamingo, a White Stork, some Little Egret and a Marsh Harrier. All was very quiet at the Agios Georgios Church although a Cyprus Warbler flitted in the bushes and two more young Montagu’s Harriers flew low over the area.

As we parked the car at Kensington Cliffs two Eleonora’s Falcon flew ahead of us. Another two birds then flew out from the cliffs and calling swooped in front of us. It was now very hot so we moved to Kourion Stadium for some lunch. As with my visit there the previous week at least two Cyprus Warbler were in the bushes but would not stay still long enough to be seen properly.

We then drove up to Troodos and spent our last hour at the picnic site at Livadhi tou Pashias. Both the endemic sub-species of Coal Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper could be heard although we only had a really good look at the Coal Tit. The Jay (another endemic subspecies) was high in one of the pine trees nearby. There were many House Martins above and a couple of Red-rumped Swallow. As I drove Christiane and Christian back to their guesthouse at Potamitissa we saw a couple of Cyprus Wheatear by the roadside.

Total day list: 47 species

Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Northern Shoveler, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Collared Pratincole, Common Snipe, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cyprus Warbler, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Jay, Magpie, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

I picked up Vlad from Ukraine at 5.30am from his hotel in Agia Napa and we headed straight to the picnic site at Cape Greco. Vlad wanted to get photographs of the endemic Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Wheatear and hopefully some migrating raptors. I knew a few pairs of Cyprus Warbler bred in the area and once the sun rose at least two male could be heard singing. They weren’t the easiest birds to get photos of as they flitted between bushes and mainly stayed hidden but on a few occasions Vlad was able to get some shots . A female Marsh Harrier and a lone Honey Buzzard floated above our heads and were more photogenic as were the several Whinchat, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap that were in the same area of scrub. A male Red-backed Shrike was present as was a Masked Shrike (a lifer for Vlad), a rufous phase Common Cuckoo and two Ortolan and one Cretzschmar’s Bunting. At least seven Turtle Dove passed over as did seven Grey Heron heading south west.

As we explored the rest of the Cape we found at least four Isabelline Wheatear (another life), a male and a female Northern Wheatear, several of the resident Spectacled Warbler and a large group of Chukar. At Cava View Point we found a Cyprus Wheatear which Vlad was able to photograph and a juvenile Pallid Harrier migrating over the area. Two Alpine Swift were around as were a couple of Red-rumped Swallow. Moving onto Agia Napa Football fields we found at least twenty Yellow Wagtail and plenty of shrikes – at least four Lesser Grey, a female and a juvenile Red-backed  and two Masked. A new species for the morning  was a Spotted Flycatcher.

We had a quick stop at Oroklini Marsh but the strong sunlight meant that it was impossible to take good photos. We had a coffee though and a quick scan of the birds present. This included Spur-winged Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Stint and a Marsh Sandpiper. There were a few Red-crested Pochard feeding on the water together with Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe. We then decided to head to Kensington Cliffs to see some Eleonora’s Falcon.

We stopped at Phassouri Reed Beds on the way. A juvenile Purple Heron was present and we put a Common Snipe to flight. Three European Rollers flew over and at least four Marsh Harrier were quartering the area. We added yet another Whinchat to the day’s total – there were many of these around today. At Kensington Cliffs a pair of Eleonora’s Falcon were obligingly  flying out from the cliff face over the sea and Vlad could get a few photos although no close ups. We ate lunch at Kourion Stadium where there was another Cyprus Wheatear, at least two more Cyprus Warbler and of course a Whinchat. An Eleonora’s Falcon flew over as we ate and in the distance a Long-legged Buzzard soared. By then the heat of the day had defeated us and I returned Vlad to his hotel.

List of species seen: 54

Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Common Snipe, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting.