Cyprus Birding Tours

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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Day’s Guiding around Akrotiri and Kouklia 23rd September 2015

The first of two day’s out with Julia and Pete was spent mainly around the Akrotiri Peninsula but the surprise of the day was found during a spur of the moment visit to Kouklia Soakways.

As we drove into Phassouri Reed Beds Julia noticed two birds at the edge of the field – a male and female Black Francolin. Moving on to the soundtrack of the day –  the call of migrating European Bee-eaters – we saw several European Honey Buzzard fly over , a couple of Western Marsh Harrier and a female Red-footed Falcon. A male and a female Golden Oriole flew into a tall tree and we had brief glimpses of them. There were also several Eurasian Turtle Dove flying around together with several Yellow Wagtail. A lone Cattle Egret was present but the only waders we saw were two Common Snipe that flew over the area.

On the Gravel Pits we stopped near the church to watch a kettle of around fifty European Honey Buzzard on the thermalling up and disappearing into the clouds. We also had a Tree Pipit fly over calling and on one of the pools we found several Dunlin, Kentish Plover and a Common Sandpiper. We saw a couple of Whinchat and a Northern Wheatear as well as several juvenile Red-backed Shrike. We also had a single Lesser Grey Shrike on the road past Bishop’s Pool.

Lady’s Mile had Kentish Plover, a single Common Ringed Plover, several Dunlin and plenty of Little Stint. A Western Marsh Harrier flew over and then a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier. We were able to get great views of two Great Reed Warbler and several juvenile Yellow Wagtail (feldegg) from the hide at Zakaki Marsh due to the recent clearing work done by a BirdLife Cyprus volunteer. A hunting Western Marsh Harrier put a Northern Pintail, Garganey, Mallard, two Little Egret and a Grey Heron to flight.

After lunch we went to Kensington Cliffs where we were treated to a great flying display by around twenty Eleonora’s Falcon who were joined by seven Eurasian Griffon Vulture soaring over the cliffs and a single Long-legged Buzzard.  We finally left as the Griffon Vultures headed inland and then back again behind the cliffs and out of sight.

We decided to pop into Kouklia Soakaways on the way back to Paphos on the off chance of a Bonelli’s Eagle. No luck with that but we had two, maybe three, Long-legged Buzzard, another Western Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine Falcon. Again there were many European Bee-eater and we thought at first we were looking at another one on the wires over the road as we were leaving. Suddenly it dawned that we had a Cyprus rarity in front of us – a White-throated Kingfisher – recorded less than annually. Unfortunately before we were able to even get a quick photo for the record it flew off into the nearby orchard. We had no luck relocating it but the views we had were unmistakable.  A quick visit to Asprokremmos Dam added Spotted Flycatcher and Black-crowned Night Heron to the day’s list which contained some quality birds.

Species seen – 58

Little Grebe, European Shag, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, European Honey Buzzard, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common  Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sand Martin, Common House Martin, Tree Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet

 

 


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Three Day’s Guiding Akrotiri, Larnaca and Cape Greco 18th, 19th & 21st September 2015

Three great days out with Robert and Ruth visiting Akrotiri, the sites around Larnaca and those around  Cape Greco.  Although migration was not as busy as we would have expected at this time of September we still had some great birds while missing out on some usual sitters such as Zitting Cisticola! We had over 100 European Honey Buzzards on at Akrotiri on 18th; displays by flying Eleonora’s Falcons at Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Larnaca Sewage Works and Kensington Cliffs; close views of Long-legged Buzzard at Panagia Stazousa; a probable Saker at Cape Greco (we are checking our photos); Temminck’s Stint and Marsh Sandpipers; six Eurasian Spoonbill at Larnaca Sewage Works; three Demoiselle Crane flying up over Lady’s Mile on 18th; Gull-billed and White-winged Terns; Greater Sand Plover near Kermia Beach 21st; more juvenile Red-backed Shrikes than we thought possible;  several Cyprus Wheatear and a showy female Cyprus Warbler when the males let us down; and so many flocks of European Bee-eaters.

Highlights per location and date

Friday 18th September

Phassouri Reed Beds – European Honey Buzzard c130, Sand Martin 100+, Red-rumped Swallow 20+, Ortolan Bunting 1

Akrotiri Gravel Pits – European Honey Buzzard c20, Montagu’s Harrier, Eleonora’s Falcon 2, Kentish Plover c15,  Yellow Wagtail c60, Lesser Grey Shrike 1

Lady’s Mile area – European Honey Buzzard 2, Western Marsh Harrier 3, Demoiselle Crane 3

Zakaki Marsh – Spur-winged Lapwing 2

Kensington Cliffs – Eleonora’s Falcon 10+

Saturday 19th September

Livadia ‘Jumbo’ Drainage Channel – Temminck’s Stint 1+

Meneou Pool – European Roller 1 juv

Spiros Pool – Western Marsh Harrier 1, Kentish Plover c60, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Eurasian Turtle Dove 10+, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Spectacled Warbler 4+

Larnaca Airport Coast – Common Kingfisher 2, Sand Martin c50, Red-rumped Swallow 10+, Tawny Pipit 2, Northern Wheatear 1

Larnaca Sewage Works – Glossy Ibis 1, Eurasian Spoonbill 6, Greater Flamingo 10, Northern Pintail 2, Eleonora’s Falcon 1 flew over, Black-winged Stilt 2 juv, Spur-winged Lapwing c40, Yellow-legged Gull 8, White-winged Tern 1 juv

Pervolia Fields – Western Marsh Harrier 1m, Common Swift 1, Isabelline Wheatear 1

Kivisilli – Red-backed Shrike 1 male, Masked Shrike 1 juv, Western Marsh Harrier 1

Kiti Dam – Cyprus Wheatear 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1

Panagia Stazousa – Western Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Eurasian Turtle Dove 8, Pallid Swift 1, Cyprus Wheatear 5+, Cyprus Warbler 1+ glimpsed briefly, Masked Shrike 6+, Corn Bunting c50

Monday 21st September

Cape Greco – European Honey Buzzard 4, Eurasian Hobby 1, probable Saker 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Cyprus Wheatear 3, Spectacled Warbler 2+, Cyprus Warbler 1f seen well and 2+ others seen briefly, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Masked Shrike 1

Kermia Beach – Greater Sand Plover 2

Agia Napa Football Fields – Cattle Egret c50, Long-legged Buzzard 1, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Yellow Wagtail c50, Isabelline Wheatear 1, Spotted Flycatcher 2

Akhna Dam – Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier 1, Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1, Spur-winged Lapwing 3, Common Greenshank 1, Gull-billed Tern 2

All species seen – 86

Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eleonora’s Falcon, probable Saker, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Demoiselle Crane, Black-winged Stilt, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Temminck’s Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Gull-billed Tern, White-winged Tern, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove,  Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail (feldegg & flava), Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting

Eurasian Spoonbill Larnaca Sewage Works 19th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Eurasian Spoonbill Larnaca Sewage Works 19th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Masked Shrike Panagia Stazousa 19th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Masked Shrike Panagia Stazousa 19th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Morning’s guiding, Paphos 16th September 2015

A few hours out with Jeanette visiting a few of the well-known Paphos birding locations to give her the chance to get several of her target species. We had a total of 40 species with great views of some migrating European Honey Buzzards as a bonus. Not bad for less than four hours and without visiting wetlands!

Highlights:

Paphos Headland – Greater Sand Plover 3, Whimbrel 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Greater Short-toed Lark 1

Paphos Sewage Works – Chukar 4, Spur-winged Lapwing 7+, European Bee-eater 12+, Yellow Wagtail inc feldegg and flava c50, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Red-backed Shrike 2, Spotted Flycatcher

Mandria – European Shag 1, European Bee-eater 1+, European Roller 5, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Greater Short-toed Lark c20, Isabelline Wheatear 1, Northern Wheatear 6, Lesser Grey Shrike 2

Petra tou Romiou – Eleonora’s Falcon 3+, European Honey Buzzard 20+, Western Marsh Harrier 2, Eurasian Hoopoe 1

Asprokremmos Dam – Common Cuckoo 1, European Bee-eater c50, Tawny Pipit 4, Cyprus Warbler 2

Agia Varvara – European Honey Buzzard 4 pale juveniles

Full species list:

European Shag, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Whimbrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crown, House Sparrow, European Goldfinch


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Cyprus Birding Tour Trip Report : Day’s guiding around Paphos, 14th September 2015

Rather a hotter day than we had expected and despite a disappointing show by migrating raptors we had a good day’s birding. It was the third time I was taking Terry and Sarah out and we headed straight for Agia Varvara, a new site for them. We were greeted by the sound of migrating European Bee-eaters – which was to be found wherever we went throughout the day. There was still some water in the river and we found a Sedge Warbler but could not see the Water Rail we had heard. Our lone European Honey Buzzard of the day was a juvenile bird seen in the area perched on a small tree.  We saw two Cyprus Wheatear, two Eurasian Turtle Dove and the first of many Whinchat and Masked and Red-backed Shrike that were around throughout the day.

There were many Yellow Wagtail in the fields at Paphos Sewage Works – many juveniles and females but we also saw some male Black and Blue-headed. We counted at least fifteen Spur-winged Lapwing which included at least seven juveniles. There were several migrating Willow Warbler and resident Sardinian Warbler in the roadside vegetation and we also found a Eurasian Reed Warbler, a Eurasian Hoopoe and an Isabelline Wheatear which was sitting on the top of some hay bales.

The star birds at Mandria were eight European Rollers that were together on some wires to the west of the main beach. They were calling to each other as we watching and swooping down to feed on insects in the fields. Our attention was drawn to a kestrel nearby and on watching it through the ‘scope we realized we were looking at a male Lesser Kestrel. Our only Lesser Grey Shrike of the day was also in those fields. Again Whinchat and the other shrikes were plentiful and we also had four Northern Wheatear and yet more Yellow Wagtails. On the beach, avoiding the bathers were two Little Ringed Plovers.

Visiting the area behind Asprokremmos Dam we were pleased to locate a male and female Cyprus Warbler, a Spectacled Warbler and then a single Eurasian Stone Curlew in the shade of the carob grove. As we ate our lunch in the shade of the car park trees we watched a Eurasian Hoopoe, a Spotted Flycatcher and the many European Goldfinch that are always there.  On the water we found a single White-winged Tern and disturbed a Purple Heron that flew off inland.

We finished the afternoon at Evretou Dam adding juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Common Greenshank and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear to our list. We also had good views of European Bee-eaters coming down to drink from the water until frightened off by the Bonelli’s Eagle, as well as three Cyprus Wheatear and another Northern Wheatear. Many Willow Warbler were feeding in the roadside orchards.

Driving back to Paphos we caught sight of a hovering large bird of prey – a Long-legged Buzzard. We spent some time just watching it as it hunted over the area near Stroumbi. A spectacular display to end our day.

Number of different birds seen 51:

Grey Heron, Purple Heron, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Water Rail (h), Eurasian Stone Curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Greenshank, Yellow-legged Gull, White-winged Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch


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Cape Greco and Larnaca area, Sunday 13th September 2015

A very different morning at Cape Greco today. Few birds around compared to yesterday, although I spent an hour checking out the football pitches at Agia Napa which were full of migrants feeding on the watered pitches:

Cape Greco 8.00am – 12.00pm

Black Kite 1
Montagu’s Harrier 1 ringtail
Marsh Harrier 6 (1 male)
European Honey Buzzard 9
European Hobby 1
European Bee-eater two flocks heard and another 17 seen
Ortolan Bunting 4
Ruff 15 migrating off shore
Lesser Whitethroat 1

Agia Napa Football Fields

European Bee-eater 17
Lesser Grey Shrike 2
Masked Shrike 3
Eurasian Hoopoe 6
Yellow Wagtail 50+
Isabelline Wheatear 3
Red-backed Shrike 4
Whinchat 1
Tawny Pipit 1
Cattle Egret 12
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Red-rumped Swallow 8

Protaras
Alpine Swift 8

Meneou Beach 6.00am
Red-rumped Swallow 50+
Barn Swallow 30+
Sand Martin 3
Red-backed Shrike 1
European Bee-eater c60

Red-rumped Swallow Meneou Beach 13th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-rumped Swallow Meneou Beach 13th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Eurasian Hoopoe Agia Napa Football Fields 13th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Eurasian Hoopoe Agia Napa Football Fields 13th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Good visible migration this morning at Cape Greco, 12th September 2015

Good movement over Cape Greco from 8am to 12pm this morning. Flocks totaling 54 Purple Heron and 16 Grey Heron were heading south and there were unseen European Bee-eaters flying over as well as plenty of Barn Swallow, a few Sand Martin and a flock of around 40 Red-rumped Swallow. Four European Rollers were in the area.

The stars though were the raptors. It was interesting to see that the 230+ European Honey Buzzard that passed over or were seen gaining height in the distance approached from the north, north east or east and the Harriers from the north or north west. There were forty Western Marsh Harrier including ten males and a male and two ringtail Montagu’s Harriers throughout the morning. One of the early birds was an Osprey and a European Sparrowhawk over the view point as I arrived. I counted at least eight Black Kite – mainly in with the Honey Buzzard. On two occasions kettles of Honey Buzzard rose up over the ridge to the east of the observation point and over my head. Great views.

Not many passerines around – two Cyprus Wheatear and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike.

Migrating raptors Cape Greco 12th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Migrating raptors Cape Greco 12th September 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Cyprus Wheatear 2 Cape Greco 12th September 2015 with signature


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Cape Greco again 2nd September 2015

Back again this morning at Cape Greco with an easterly wind, the birds arriving later than yesterday and only around 50 Barn Swallow migrating with no martins at all today. Raptors were a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier and another distant ring-tail, six Western Marsh Harrier, six European Honey Buzzard, a Black Kite and a Long-legged Buzzard which may be a local bird. Twenty Purple Heron left their roost in some eucalyptus trees and headed south around 10.00 am. Other birds seen included two Greater Short-toed Lark, two Tree Pipit, three Spotted Flycatcher, a Common Whitethroat, a Cyprus Wheatear and two male Red-backed Shrike with a single juvenile.

Ten Eurasian Hoopoe were feeding on the Agia Napa Football Fields were there was also a small flock of Yellow Wagtail, some Cattle Egret, a Northern Wheatear, two Lesser Grey Shrike and two Red-backed Shrike.


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Cape Greco Raptor watch this morning, 1st September 2015

Raptor watching at Cape Greco this morning to kick off the autumn migration survey there. For a location that can be very good but also very quiet, it was a reasonable first day with two juvenile Pallid Harrier, five Western Marsh Harrier, three Honey Buzzard and a Black Kite all by 10.00 am. Then the only other bird of prey was a Eurasian Hobby who heading south in the company of the many hirundines that were migrating over the area. There were more than 400 Barn Swallow, 180+ Sand Martin, nine Common House Martin and five Red-rumped Swallow moving S over my observation point.

Also in the area to keep me interested once the raptor movement slowed were six Cretzschmar’s and then one Ortolan Bunting, three juvenile Eastern Orphean Warbler, twelve Eurasian Turtle Dove, two Pallid Swift, an Isabelline Wheatear, at least one Tawny Pipit, two Spotted Flycatcher, Common and Lesser Whitethroat, two Eurasian Hoopoe, a male Blue Rock Thrush and the inevitable Masked, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike.


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Two Mornings guiding around Paphos 26th & 28th August 2015

Two mornings around the Paphos area with early starts to avoid the lingering summer heat enabled Andy to see some target species and catch up with several early migrants.

Highlights from locations visited:

26th August:

Minthis Hills – Cyprus Wheatear, Eurasian Hobby, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrike, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, European Bee-eater

Arodes – Long-legged Buzzard, Eurasian Turtle Dove, European Roller, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrike

Polis Chrysochou Bay – Garganey, Glossy Ibis

28th August:

Paphos Headland – Greater Sand Plover

Paphos Sewage Works – Glossy Ibis, Eleonora’s Falcon, Spur-winged Lapwing, Eurasian Hoopoe, Yellow Wagtail, Red-backed, Masked and Lesser Grey Shrike, Spanish Sparrow

Mandria – Collared Pratincole 1, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Grey Shrike

Asprokremmos Dam area – Chukar, Cyprus Wheatear, Spectacled Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Woodchat Shrike

Total number of species: 46

Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Garganey, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Collared Pratincole, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Corn Bunting

Lesser Grey Shrike Mandria 28th August 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Lesser Grey Shrike Mandria 28th August 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Spiros Pool and Larnaca Sewage Works 24th August 2015

On Saturday I had been surprised to see Ruff on Spiros Pool which appeared to be completely dry; visiting the area briefly yesterday I saw a Western Marsh Harrier put up many waders from that location. I returned for a search today and found water in the area near the Sewage Plant and Desalination Buildings. A good collection of waders and mosquitos awaited me. These included a Black-tailed Godwit (probably the same as seen at the Sewage Works last week), two Grey Plover moulting from their breeding plumage, a Temminck’s Stint, a Sanderling, several Wood Sandpiper, two Dunlin, a Curlew Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plover and around ten Common Ringed Plover, four Common Snipe and tens of Ruff and Little Stint. Several Black-winged Stilt were there and a juvenile Collared Pratincole flew away as I arrived. Four Greater Short-toed Lark flew over the area calling and there were at least three Yellow Wagtail. The Western Marsh Harrier was still quartering the area.

After the excitement of finding a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling on the coast near the airport boundary fence, I then watched a young Peregrine Falcon chase a feral pigeon while being mobbed by two Commom Kestrel.

As I arrived at the Sewage Works pools a Long-legged Buzzard was soaring over the area. On the water were an adult and two juvenile ‘Baltic’ Gulls, an eclipse plumage Northern Pintail, at least four Garganey, six Northern Shoveler and a Eurasian Teal. A few waders around the edge of the pools – Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Ruff, Common Ringed Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing and Black-winged Stilt.


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Interesting migrants in Larnaca area this morning, 22nd August 2015

Had my first Pallid Harrier of the autumn today with a juvenile quartering the fields near Larnaca Desalination Plant. A Common Kingfisher was on the coast there and several Yellow Wagtail were in the fields. It was strange to see around twenty Ruff on the bone dry Spiros Pool.

On the Sewage Pools there were seven Garganey, around four Northern Shoveler and at least one Eurasian Teal – migrants mixed in with the resident Mallards. Around the edge were also some migrant waders – a Black-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling, two Common Ringed Plover, a Common Redshank, around twenty Little Stint, five Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper. Two moulting adult White-winged Tern were flying over the water together with a juvenile. There are still good numbers of Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Lapwing there.

Near Tekke Mosque there were two Lesser Grey Shrike and two male, three female and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike.