Cyprus Birding Tours

Offering guided bird watching tours around Cyprus

Tag Archives: cyprus trip reports


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos, 16th September 2016

Picking Bernie and Gill up in Latchi we headed for the Smygies/Agios Minas area behind Neochorio. We saw the first of many European Bee-eater there as well as two Cretzschmar’s Bunting, a Whinchat, a Cyprus Wheatear, a couple of Spotted Flycatcher and an adult Masked Shrike. A covey of ten Chukar kept us entertained especially as a juvenile tried to climb into an olive tree as we drove past.

At Arodes we found another Cyprus Wheatear and spent some time watching and checking the ID pointers of a female Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. We also saw a male Spanish Sparrow, several Sardinian and Willow Warbler and juvenile Red-backed and Masked Shrike. The sound and sight of more European Bee-eater dominated the area. Driving from Kathikas through Arkoudaleia and Miliou we saw a male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear and a Lesser Grey Shrike.

We spent some time at the shallow end of Evretou Dam. There were many Yellow Wagtail, Barn Swallow and a couple of Sand Martin, yet more European Bee-eater as well as one each of Black-winged Stilt, Dunlin, Little Stint, Ruff and Common Kingfisher. Here we also saw a Long-legged Buzzard and more unexpectedly a Common Kestrel noisily mobbing an adult Northern Goshawk. The latter spectacle interrupted our lunch as we sat and ate our sandwiches in a small olive grove. We weren’t complaining though!

On the south coast outside Paphos we visited the Sewage Works and Mandria. Here we enjoyed Spur-winged Lapwing, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Western Marsh Harrier, more than 300 Yellow Wagtail, three European Roller, three Tawny Pipit, at least thirty Greater Short-toed Lark, Isabelline and Northern Wheatear and a couple more Whinchat, Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrike.

A good day out with a mixture of species seen. European Bee-eaters provided the soundtrack of the day with the Northern Goshawk and the European Rollers providing the birding moments of the day.

Full list of birds seen – European Shag, Western Marsh Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Common Black-headed Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail races – flava, feldegg, thunbergii, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 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, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting.

mandria-16th-september-2016-1-of-1

Mandria, 16th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

 


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos 14th September 2016

The day out with Joan and Keith started with a walk around the Headland with the aim of finding the Greater Sand Plover that overwinter there. We found four of them after a bit of searching in the rocks where they were hunkered down. We also watched a Common Kingfisher hovering over the sea and saw a Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, a Northern Wheatear and two Crested Lark. Several of the fields around Paphos Sewage Works were being watered and at least twelve Spur-winged Lapwing were feeding there, as were many Hooded Crow and Western Jackdaw. Other birds of note there were a couple of Whinchat and Eurasian Hoopoe, a Eurasian Stone Curlew, at least ten Yellow Wagail, a Green Sandpiper and the first of many Willow Warbler that were at all locations visited.

At Mandria we got good views of a flock of migrating European Bee-eater which came down close to us and then headed out to sea. We watched a flock of more than 150 Yellow Wagtails in a field of cut alfalfa and in the ploughed fields found two Isabelline and two Northern Wheatear, several Whinchat, a Tawny Pipit and a mobile flock of at least thirty Greater Short-toed Lark. In the west of the area there was a European Roller and two Lesser Grey Shrike on some wires. A Spur-winged Lapwing seen on the beach could have been a migrant. An unusual bird sitting on the offshore rocks with the European Shag was later identified as nothing more interesting than a Muscovy Duck….not sure how it got there!

We ate our lunch under the trees in the amenities area of the Asprokremmos Dam. European Bee-eater passed over head and European Goldfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler and a Masked Shrike were all flying around and feeding in the conifers. We had a quick scan of the dam itself but saw nothing until we spotted a Peregrine Falcon sitting near the Dam head. Moving onto Agia Varvara we found some water in a couple of the ‘soakaways’. There we found a very smart male Red-backed Shrike, several Yellow Wagtail including a male Black-headed, more Willow Warbler, two Tree Pipit, a Spanish Sparrow, Chukar, Zitting Cisticola and some more European Bee-eaters.

The current development at Minthis Hills appears to have disturbed the birds although we did see some more European Bee-eater, a Masked Shrike and a fly-by Eurasian Hobby.
A good day out in fun company – odd not to have seen any large raptors, migrant or resident –  but we had a good mixture of species.

Total birds – 46
European Shag, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail inc flava and feldegg, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian 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 Goldfinch, Common Linnet.

Whimbrel, Paphos Headland 14th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Whimbrel, Paphos Headland 14th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-backed Shrike, Agia Varvara 14th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-backed Shrike, Agia Varvara 14th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Morning’s Guiding Paphos 6th September 2016

A few hours out with Malcolm around Paphos. We started at Paphos Headland where four Greater Sand Plover were obligingly standing on the rocky shore and easily visible. A Common Snipe flying in from the sea and over the archaeological site calling was unusual. Apart from a few Crested Lark the other birds we saw were familiar to a British birder if good birds for Cyprus – a Whimbrel and a Ruddy Turnstone.

We then visited Mavrokolympos Dam with the specific purpose of finding the endemic Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler. We had good views of both and also found migrant Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike and Whinchat. We could hear many Chukar on the surrounding hills as well as some European Bee-eater migrating over head. There were also plenty of migrating Lesser Grey Shrike at both Mandria and Paphos Sewage Works – out next two stops. At Mandria we also found a smart male Red-backed Shrike, a flock of at least 300 Yellow Wagtail feeding on recently cut alfalfa, around twenty Greater Short-toed Lark, two Northern Wheatear and an Isabelline Wheatear. A Black Kite floated over and out to see as a Hooded Crow mobbed it and a Western Marsh Harrier put all the Yellow Wagtail to flight.

There were more Yellow Wagtail at Paphos Sewage Works again feeding in the recently cut fields. At least six Spur-winged Lapwing were also there and unusually we found two Glossy Ibis and a Eurasian Curlew also feeding in nearby fields. A few Red-rumped Swallow flew over and a Purple Heron passed over the area and headed out over the sea. Also seen here were a Eurasian Hoopoe, Willow Warbler, Chukar, Eurasian Stone Curlew and a Spotted Flycatcher,

A good mixture of different species found during an enjoyable morning’s birding.

Total species seen: 47

European Shag, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Whimbrel, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, 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

Lesser Grey Shrike, Mandria 6th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Lesser Grey Shrike, Mandria 6th September 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Akrotiri and Larnaca 31st August 2016

A good day out birding with Byron started at Akrotiri Salt Lake where we scanned the area for roosting Demoiselle Cranes. None were present but although we were unlucky with that species we had a successful day  enabling Byron to get many of his target species which included – Chukar, Black Francolin, Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear, Spur-winged Lapwing, Kentish Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Long-legged Buzzard, Eleonora’s Falcon, Slender-billed Gull, Spectacled Warbler, Pallid Swift and Masked Shrike.

Highlights per location visited:

Akrotiri Salt Lake – Lesser Grey Shrike, European Bee-eater, Red-backed Shrike

Akrotiri Gravel Pits – Greater Flamingo c20 along coast, European Honey Buzzard 3 gaining height over area 9.30 am, Black Francolin, Common Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper (thanks to local birder Tony who told us where the bird had moved to when it was absent from Lady’s Mile), Common Kingfisher, Tawny Pipit, Common Whitethroat, Northern Wheatear, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Cretzschmar’s Bunting 2h and seen briefly

Lady’s Mile – Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Eleonora’s Falcon (one over high up)

Phasouri Reed-beds – Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Eurasian Roller, Yellow Wagtail inc feldegg and thunbergii, Cattle Egret, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike

Panagia Stazousa – Montagu’s Harrier 2m, Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Whinchat, Cyprus Wheatear 3, Cyprus Warbler 2m, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike

Larnaca Airport Pools South – European Bee-eater, Eurasian Stone Curlew

Larnaca Sewage Works – Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Montagu’s Harrier 1 juv, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Ruddy Turnstone, Slender-billed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Tern, Spur-winged Lapwing

Spiros Beach – Ruddy Turnstone 5

Petounta – Long-legged Buzzard

Agios Theodoros – Little Owl 2, Eurasian Scops Owl 1 h and seen, Black-crowned Night Heron 16 heading S

Total species – 79

Little Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Slender-billed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Blue-headed, Black-headed and Grey-headed Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting

Broad-billed Sandpiper, Akrotiri, 31st August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Broad-billed Sandpiper, Akrotiri, 31st August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

 


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning’s Guiding Paphos area 10th August 2016

Just like the first morning out with Jon, on 3rd August, today’s highlight was an unexpected sighting of a species not on the list of likely birds for the day. This time it was a juvenile Northern Goshawk which flew in front of us at Mavrokolympos Dam chasing six Chukar. It almost caught one of them and we saw the bird briefly on the ground before it returned across the valley and was lost to sight. The decision to visit the Dam turned out to be a good one as not only did we see the first migrating Lesser Grey Shrike of the autumn but also got great views of a male Cyprus Warbler, saw several Cyprus Wheatear, four Green Sandpiper and had a fly-past Eleonora’s Falcon.

We then spent some time in the valley behind Arodes where we found another Lesser Grey Shrike, two Woodchat Shrike, several Masked Shrike, some European Turtle Dove and a European Roller as well as two Eurasian Hobby. A European Serin flew overhead and we saw a flock of at least twenty Chukar – but not with a chasing raptor this time. Returning to Paphos we drove over Minthis Hills which gave Jon the chance to get a good view of a Spectacled Warbler.

Species list – Little Grebe, Northern Goshawk, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Green Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, European Roller, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Great Tit, Lesser Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch

Lesser Grey Shrike, Arodes, 10th August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Lesser Grey Shrike, Arodes, 10th August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Two mornings Guiding Paphos 1st & 8th August 2016

Two mornings out around Paphos with Paul and Debbie enabled us to see some of the area’s seasonal specialties. We also caught up with plenty of shrikes – mainly adult and juvenile Masked, but also two Woodchat Shrike at Arodes on 8th August. We had good views of Greater Sand Plover and Spur-winged Lapwing as well as seeing Black Francolin, Chukar, Eurasian Stone Curlew and European Turtle Dove. We saw Long-legged Buzzard on both days and Peregrine Falcon and European Hobby flew over us on 8th at Arodes.

Highlights per day:

Monday 1st August

Paphos Headland – Greater Sand Plover, Eurasian Shag, Yellow-legged Gull

Paphos Sewage Works – Cattle Egret, Spur-winged Lapwing, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Chukar, Black Francolin, Spanish Sparrow, Green Sandpiper

Minthis Hills – Masked Shrike, Long-legged Buzzard, Cyprus Wheatear, Spectacled Warbler, European Roller

Monday 8th August

Minthis Hills – European Roller, Masked Shrike, Spectacled Warbler, Zitting Cisticola

Arodes – Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, European Turtle Dove, Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear

Species list – European Shag, Cattle Egret, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, European Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, European Roller, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet

Photographs © Paul Lowden

Cyprus Wheatear, Minthis Hills, (c) Paul Lowden

Cyprus Wheatear, Minthis Hills, (c) Paul Lowden

Spectacled Warbler, Minthis Hills 8th August (c) Paul Lowden

Spectacled Warbler, Minthis Hills 8th August (c) Paul Lowden

Masked Shrike, 8th August 2016, (c) Paul Lowden

Masked Shrike, 8th August 2016, (c) Paul Lowden


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning’s Guiding north of Paphos 5th August 2016

A morning out with Fulco and his son Tijmen was spent at a few locations to the north of Paphos. We visited Arodes, Androlikou, Neochorio and Kathikas and the highlights were Masked Shrike, two adult Bonelli’s Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Long-legged Buzzard, Cyprus Wheatear and Cretzschmar’s Bunting. We also saw several Chukar, a male Black Francolin and Eurasian Turtle Dove. We spent some time sea watching near Latchi but there was no movement of migrants at the time.

Smygies picnic site, Neo Chorio, Paphos 5th August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Smygies picnic site, Neo Chorio, Paphos 5th August 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Species list:

Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Cretzschmar’s Bunting

Photographs below taken during trip by Fulco van’t Holt (c) Fulco van’t Holt.

Eurasian Hobby, Arodes (c) Fulco van’t Holt
Starred Agamas, Neochorio, Paphos (c) Fulco van’ t Holt
Crested Lark (c) Fulco van’t Holt
Bird Watching in Arodes (c) Fulco van’t Holt
Chukar (c) Fulco van ‘t Holt


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning out Paphos 3rd August 2016

The first of two mornings out with Jon and we made an early start to avoid the stifling Paphos heat as far as possible. A visit to the Headland gave us a good start with four Greater Sand Plover but there was very little else there. We spent some time around Asprokremmos Dam and the mast area behind it and this was more profitable, if still a little quiet. Four Long-legged Buzzards flew above us calling and an Eleonora’s Falcon flew high above them. At least three Masked Shrike were seen perched on bushes and a Eurasian Stone Curlew was in the carob grove as were two family parties of Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.  We found two Cyprus Wheatear but had no luck with Cyprus Warbler today. A mixed flock of Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sand and House Martin flew over. The surprise bird of the day was in the trees of the car park of the Dam. As we got out of the car to look at two Eurasian Hoopoe feeding under the trees, a European Nightjar flew up and into one of the conifers. We managed to get some decent views of it until it flew on into denser cover and we lost it. An unexpected bonus. We finished the morning at Paphos Sewage Works where several Spur-winged Lapwing, including some juveniles, were feeding in the fields. We also found another Eurasian Stone Curlew. Some choice birds on a very quiet day with just a few signs that migration is slowly getting underway.

Species list:

Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Nightjar, Eurasian Hoopoe, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Goldfinch.


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos area 26th May 2016

Knowing that migration was now virtually over, this day out with Steve and Mary concentrated on finding migrant breeders and allowed them to see several lifers which included Black Francolin, Chukar, European Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Cyprus Wheatear, Laughing Dove, Alpine Swift, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Cretzschmar’s and Black-headed Bunting. The bird of the day was a male Black-headed Bunting singing perched on a large cow-parsley flower head!

Highlights per location:

Paphos Sewage Works – Black Francolin 2m and 1f, Spur-winged Lapwing 6+

Petra tou Romiou – Eleonora’s Falcon 2, Peregrine Falcon 1, Alpine Swift 10+

Kouklia – Laughing Dove 2

Anarita Park – Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 1 pale throated male, Spanish Sparrow, Little Owl, Cetti’s Warbler – 1 fledgling, European Roller 3, Cyprus Wheatear 1 male with two fledglings, Chukar 2 ad and 12 young

Road to Episkopi – European Roller 2, Cyprus Wheatear 6+

Ezousas Valley, Episkopi – European Roller 2, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 1 seen well, European Turtle Dove 2

Minthis Hills – European Roller 1, Cyprus Wheatear 2, Cretzschmar’s Bunting 1 singing male and another adult with a young bird

Arodes – Black Francolin 1h, Eleonora’s Falcon 1, European Roller 4, Cyprus Wheatear 4+, Red-rumped Swallow 1, Black-headed Bunting 1 singing male

Androlikou – Cyprus Wheatear 6 plus one young bird, European Roller 1, Eurasian Scops Owl 1 h, Little Owl 1h

All species seen: Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Akamas, 26th May 2016

Akamas, 26th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Day’s Guiding Paphos 11th May 2016

A day out around Paphos with John and Madeleine. As we had been out together in both May 2014 and 2015, this year we were aiming for a general birdwatch in the Paphos area. We visited Anarita Park, Episokopi (Paphos), Minthis Hills, Kannaviou, Panagia, Evretou Dam and Kathikas. A good variety of habitats in which we saw mainly migrant breeders but also several late passage migrants including a male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear at Anarita Park. Unfortunately, that area was much quieter than it has been recently. The vagrant Amur Falcon and most of the other migrating falcons having moved on.

Highlights per location:

Anarita Park – Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel 1m, Red-footed Falcon 1f, Great Spotted Cuckoo 5, European Roller 2, Little Owl, Red-rumped Swallow, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 1m pale throated, Cyprus Warbler 1m

Anarita Park to Episkopi (Paphos) track -European Roller 6

Episkopi (Ezousas valley) – Bonelli’s Eagle, European Roller 2, European Turtle Dove, Red-rumped Swallow, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher

Episkopi Rocks – Peregrine Falcon 2

Minthis Hills – Cretzschmar’s Bunting 1m

Kannaviou area – European Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, Red-rumped Swallow, Spotted Flycatcher,Coal Tit,  Masked Shrike, European Serin, Cretzschmar’s Bunting

Panagia area – Common House Martin 50+, Red-rumped Swallow c10, Masked Shrike 1, Coal Tit, Eurasian Jay, European Bee-eater

Evretou Dam – Purple Heron, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Spanish Sparrow, Eurasian Hoopoe

Kathikas – Black-headed Bunting 2 singing males

Total species seen: 53

Purple Heron, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, European Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Masked Shrike, Panagia 11th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Masked Shrike, Panagia 11th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Day’s Guiding Larnaca area 9th May 2016

A late spring trip with Neil and Julie following on from an autumn trip with just Neil last October. We started at Oroklini Marsh where as well as breeding Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Lapwing we had fifteen White-winged Tern. There was a good selection of heron species as well with ten Purple Heron flying in and landing on trees to the west, a single Squacco Heron and immature Black-crowned Night Heron, two Little Egret and many Cattle Egret – several on nests in the tamarisks. A European Roller flew nearby and we watched a male and female Red-footed Falcon gain height to the west of the water. We then moved to the nearby storm water drain next to Jumbo toy shop where there were a couple of Spur-winged Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, two Wood Sandpiper and four Temminck’s Stint. The last was the reason for stopping there so I was pleased they were still around.

As we approached the hide at Larnaca Sewage Works we saw three White-winged Tern flying over the area. That was a good start but better was to come. From the hide itself we found there were at least twenty White-winged Tern and eight Black Tern – the latter not common in Cyprus. We were entertained by them for a while and then ten Collared Pratincole flew over but unfortunately didn’t appear to land. On the water there was a single Ferruginous Duck in with the Mallard and Eurasian Coots and Ruff, Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint feeding around the edge. Two Common Black-headed Gull were unusual for May. We found a female Red-backed Shrike and got fleeting views of Spectacled Warbler. Around Meneou Pool we watched two European Roller and on the water’s edge found Kentish Plover with two small chicks, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Common Greenshank, some Little Stint, six Little Egret and a couple of Greater Flamingo.

We checked the fields near Pervolia for Calandra Lark and after a while had good views of at least eight in the stubble. Moving onto Kiti Dam we watched a Spotted Flycatcher and a female Common Redstart while we ate our lunch and then at Kivisilli we watched a hunting female Red-footed Falcon and saw a Chukar with twelve recently hatched young.

We spent the rest of the day in the Panagia Stazousa Important Bird Area. There we found Long-legged Buzzard, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Masked Shrike, Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear, Eurasian Hoopoe, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Eurasian Turtle Dove and heard Eurasian Scops Owl all within a short drive. A lovely location to finish an enjoyable day out, although we managed to add a new species to our day list on the drive back – two Eurasian Stone Curlew in fields near Vrysoulles.

Total species – 66

Little Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Temminck’s Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Black-headed Gull, Black Tern, White-winged Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl h, Little Owl, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Common Redstart, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch

Cattle Egret, Oroklini Marsh, 9th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Cattle Egret, Oroklini Marsh, 9th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


by Leave a comment

Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Day’s Guiding Paphos 7th May 2016

I had previously taken Gareth out in April 2015 when we had visited Akrotiri and managed to see 90 species. We knew that we couldn’t reach that total today around Paphos but we had some great birding moments – quality rather than quantity being the order of the day. We started at Anarita Park where we saw seven species of raptor – Bonelli’s Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Amur Falcon and Red-footed Falcon. We also found both the Cyprus endemics – Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler, at least six Great Spotted Cuckoo, watched a displaying European Roller, enjoyed the feeding antics of many European Bee-eater and in return were watched by two Little Owls.

We spent several hours at Anarita Park and then moved on to Petra tou Romiou where we saw at least three Eleonora’s Falcon, an Alpine Swift and then – my birds of the day – a female Peregrine Falcon with two young birds flying out over the sea and near the cliff face. A great spectacle watching them trying out aerial manouvres  and chasing each other. A quick detour into the village of Kouklia meant we found two of Cyprus’ newest colonisers, Laughing Dove. Usually noted as a vagrant to Cyprus, a population of escapees has bred for several years in Agia Napa and Limassol and they are now spreading, although the exact origin of the Kouklia birds is unclear. While eating our lunch in the Agia Varvara valley we added Squacco Heron and Spotted Flycatcher to our day list and again were entertained by European Bee-eaters.

We then drove to the area around Kannaviou Dam. There was little on the dam itself – a single Purple Heron but in the nearby wooded area we found two of Cyprus’ endemic sub-species – Coal Tit and Eurasian Jay – as well as Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Masked Shrike, Cretzschmar’s Bunting and European Serin. There was no sign though of any Black-headed Buntings which have been seen near the Dam in previous years. So we headed towards Kathikas where we heard at least two singing males and got good views of one in the vineyards. A nearby soaring Long-legged Buzzard completed a great day’s birding.

Total species – 50

Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Amur Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Peregrine Falcon, Petra tou Romiou 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Peregrine Falcon, Petra tou Romiou 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-footed Falcon, Anarita Park 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-footed Falcon, Anarita Park 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-footed Falcon female, Anarita Park 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Red-footed Falcon female, Anarita Park 7th May 2016 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours