Early morning surveys in the Larnaca area provided some good birds which included several singing male Cyprus Warbler, Great Spotted Cuckoo, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Pallid Harrier, Little Owl, Calandra Lark, Woodchat and Red-backed Shrike, European Bee-eater and a calling Eurasian Scops Owl. The numbers of Greater Flamingo on the Salt Lake has decreased but there are still plenty of Ruff, Little Stint and Wood Sandpiper passing through as well as Black-winged Stilt, Little Tern, Spur-winged Lapwing and a Little Gull. Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis and Black-crowned Night Heron have been passing by the coast and in the fields there are still small numbers of Yellow Wagtail and Red-throated Pipit and an occasional Northern Wheatear.
Kentish Plover Petounta Point April 30th 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
Black-crowned Night Heron Larnaca Salt Lake 29th April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
The first stop of a day out with Peter and Marny was at Petra tou Romiou where we found two Eleonora’s Falcon – one unusually perched on a tree. A male Cyprus Wheatear was singing and we watched a Great Spotted Cuckoo fly over the area. At least nine Alpine Swift were around and a lone Little Egret flew in off the sea. A couple of male Sardinian Warbler were singing, trying to attract our attention. A Peregrine Falcon speeded past the car as we left the area. The river at the Kouklia Soakaways had a good flow of water and we spent some time watching four Wood Sandpiper feeding there.
We found a male and a female Cyprus Warbler near to the mast behind Asprokremmos Dam where there were also five Tawny Pipit, two Ortolan Bunting, a Whinchat, a Little Owl and a Sardinian Warbler family party. We were having a good day for raptors and here we saw a female Western Marsh Harrier, a male Montagu’s Harrier, an unidentified ring-tail harrier and two Bonelli’s Eagle. On the water were several Yellow-legged Gull and through the ‘scope we spotted one with a darker grey mantle which we identified as the ‘heuglin’ race of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. Mandria was very windy and disappointing bird-wise so we moved onto Paphos Sewage Works where we found eight Spur-winged Lapwing and three Cattle Egret in the fields. It took us some time to locate any Yellow Wagtail but we found several in a bare tree including Blue-headed flava and Black-headed feldegg, several females and a xanthophrys intergrade. Near the Ezousas river we saw a Eurasian Turtle Dove, a Squacco Heron and heard an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler singing.
At Agia Varvara we found a Woodchat Shrike, a Purple Heron and more Wood Sandpiper. Our last stop was Anarita Park where at least twelve Red-footed Falcon resting on a field was the sight that greeted us. The first of the five European Roller that we saw in the area joined them. Driving through the area we found at least twenty more Red-footed Falcon flying and feeding over the hills sides. Around ten Lesser Kestrel were also present as were several Common Kestrel. A Long-legged Buzzard flew in but two Western Jackdaw soon chased it away. Two male Montagu’s Harrier were also seen. An impressive array of raptors in a small area concluded a good day out.
Number of different birds seen – 57
Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Spur-winged Lapwing, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Heuglin’s Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, xanthophrys Yellow Wagtail, Common Nightingale, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting
Red-footed Falcon female Anarita Park 24th April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
A drive around the south side of the Larnaca Salt Lake today dodging the showers produced some interesting species. The water in the pools is slowly receding meaning that the conditions are just right for migrating waders.
From Meneou to Airport coast 17.30pm – Common Swift 500+
Yesterday a quick drive through Panagia Stazousa gave good views of European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Cyprus Warbler, Cretzschmar’s Bunting and Great Spotted Cuckoo.
Today was the second morning out with Mike and Nancy and meant visits to Anarita Park, Agia Varvara and Minthis Hills. A quieter morning than that of last Thursday but with some excellent species seen. At Anarita Park we found two Great Spotted Cuckoo on the track in front of us as we drove in and later saw another pair and heard one more. There were at least five European Roller and more than ten Lesser Kestrel flying and feeding in the area. Three, maybe four, Red-footed Falcon headed north over the goat farm as did a female Montagu’s Harrier. We also had good views of a Little Owl, Red-rumped Swallow, two Spotted Flycatcher, a Woodchat Shrike and a Eurasian Hoopoe and spent some time watching a male Cyprus Wheatear singing. The area was full of Corn Bunting as well as several Ortolan Bunting and Whinchat.
At Agia Varvara we found another female Montagu’s Harrier migrating over and were able to compare a female with a male Cyprus Wheatear. Two Long-legged Buzzard flew to the north of Minthis Hills where we finished our morning out. Two singing male Cretzschmar’s Bunting brought the species total for the morning to thirty seven and that for our two mornings out to fifty seven. Quality rather than quantity!
Total species seen: 37
Little Egret, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Chukar h, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Whinchat, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Ortolan Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Corn Bunting
Spent the afternoon birding around Akrotiri. The best bird was seen last at 18.10 when an Osprey flew over Lady’s Mile and headed north. Other birds seen included Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Spotted Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike and Yellow Wagtail.
Black-tailed Godwit, Akrotiri Salt Lake 16th April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
Some good birds seen around the area of Larnaca Salt Lake both north and south of the airport today, which included the famous black Greater Flamingo which today was on the main Salt Lake. Waders of note included eight Pied Avocet, four Eurasian Dotterel, two Whimbrel flying offshore, three Red-necked Phalarope, more than thirty Common Greenshank and plenty of Black-winged Stilt. Several migrating Grey Heron and Little Egret were around and three Squacco Heron went east along the coast in the morning with a flock of sixteen Great Egret flying over the area just before 9 am. There were several Slender-billed Gull on the main Salt Lake where there was also a European Roller and four European Bee-eaters flew over heading north. Eight Garganey were on the Larnaca Sewage Pools and a few Eurasian Teal still remain from the winter.
The fields were full of Red-throated Pipit and Yellow Wagtail early in the morning with several Greater Short-toed Lark and I found one Eurasian Wryneck. I also saw two Western Marsh Harrier and a female Pallid Harrier.
Little Egret Larnaca Salt Lake 15th April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
As we left Paphos, seven Black-crowned Night Heron flew over the road outside Gareth’s hotel. On arrival at Phassouri we stopped to find several European Serin singing in the eucalyptus plantation and then a Black Francolin at the start of the reed beds. Two Squacco Heron, several Little Egret and a Purple Heron were feeding on the edge of the reeds where we could hear Eurasian Reed and Sedge Warbler singing. A large snipe flew out of the reeds and into some low vegetation near to us and we were delighted to realise it was a Great Snipe. To aid our ID a Common Snipe also flew over and the differences were obvious. In among the many Common Swift flying over we picked out at least three Pallid Swift and several Red-rumped Swallow were also seen. A male Common Redstart was in the plantations.
The pool near the deserted sheds was drying up and we found Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Redshank and Dunlin feeding there. Two Woodchat Shrike were in the nearby tamarisks. On the Gravel Pits we found more than ten Whinchat and several Northern Wheatear as well as a singing Common Nightingale and a resting Common Buzzard. In the church gardens there were two Lesser Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit, an Ortolan Bunting, an Eastern Orphean Warbler, a couple of Willow Warbler and male and female Blackcap.
We could only find about fifteen Greater Flamingo on the Salt Lake and in the waterlogged area along the south side of the lake we saw a Black-tailed Godwit and several Glossy Ibis. A couple of Eastern Olivaceous Warbler could be heard singing. On Lady’s Mile we quickly found several Slender-billed Gull which had been one of Gareth’s targets. In the end we counted around 40 of these birds and also two Common Black-headed Gull, a couple of second calendar year Armenian Gull, a scruffy second calendar year Caspian Gull and several Yellow-legged Gull. A Spotted Redshank attaining its black breeding plumage was the star of the waders there which included Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff and Kentish Plover.
We didn’t have to wait long in the Zakaki Marsh hide before we saw a male Little Crake and then a female also appeared to our right. Five Ferruginous Duck were on the water with two sleeping Northern Shoveler and a Green Sandpiper. Little Egret, Common Moorhen and Glossy Ibis were feeding on the mid between the reed stands where Sedge and Eurasian Reed Warbler were seen. Two Laughing Dove flew into the port area as we drove by but we couldn’t relocate them for better views.
We decided to make a quick visit to Kensington Cliffs on our way back to Paphos and Anarita Park. It proved to be a good decision as we found six Eleonora’s Falcon, newly arrived and flying around the area. Both Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler were singing on bushes below us as was a Sardinian Warbler. After some searching we finally located at least two Alpine Swift. As we drove past Pissouri a Great Spotted Cuckoo flew across the motorway in front of us. We found another one on a rock at Anarita Park – our last location of the day. Here we found around ten Lesser Kestrel and a lone male Red-footed Falcon as well as three European Roller, a Common Whitethroat and two Tawny Pipit. Unfortunately only I managed to see a male Pallid Harrier flying low and then out of sight being followed by a couple of Hooded Crows. A good location at which to finish a great day’s birding.
Total number of species seen – 90
Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Pallid Harrier, Common Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Little Crake, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Great Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Baltic Gull,Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, Armenian Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Nightingale, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting
Red-footed Falcon Anarita Park 14th April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
Some good birds around the Larnaca area seen on both an early morning and later afternoon ‘drive around’. I thought the days highlight would be a male Golden Oriole I found when doing my Common Bird Survey at Mennogeia until I found a Eurasian Dotterel on the Larnaca Airport Fields late in the day.
Larnaca Airport Pools South – Little Gull 1, Red-necked Phalarope 3, Common Greenshank 7, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Black-winged Stilt 50+, Greater Flamingo c120 (all pink!)
Meneou Pool – Whiskered Tern 1
Alaminos – European Roller 1, Red-rumped Swallow 3
Mennogeia – Cyprus Warbler 2m and 1f, Great Spotted Cuckoo 2, Golden Oriole 1m, Masked Shrike 1, Common Nightingale 1 singing
Olöf and Gun had three priorities for our day out –Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear and Great Spotted Cuckoo. We headed out to Anarita Park where Great Spotted Cuckoo had been seen regularly recently. Our first scan of the area produced several Ortolan Bunting and a Tawny Pipit but the cold wind and the threat of rain made us worry we wouldn’t find our target. As we returned to the car to search other areas, one flew into a hawthorn bush just 30metres from us and meant we got great views – in fact we moved off before the Great Spotted Cuckoo did. We then found two maybe three others and one even sat on a fence close to us while we were watching a male Cyprus Wheatear singing on his territory. We also found a Wrneck, several Eurasian Blackcap, a European Roller, a couple of Lesser and Common Whitethroat, at least five Whinchat, two Woodchat Shrike and two female Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. We found the Little Owl on its usual rock and to the watched a small group of Lesser Kestrel to the north of the area. A male Western Marsh Harrier migrated over being harassed by a Hooded Crow.
Two of the targets found and we headed to the area behind Asprokremmos Dam for the third. The wind meant that sylvia warblers were not keen to come out and sing but finally we found a male and then a female and heard at least one other singing well inside a bush. In the area we heard another Great Spotted Cuckoo, found a female Eurasian Pied Flycatcher in a carob grove, a male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, several Tawny Pipit, two male Spectacled Warbler, a couple of Chukar and several Whinchat. While eating our lunch in the pines of the utility area we watched a couple of Wood Warbler, a Eurasian Hoopoe and heard a Willow Warbler. Several Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallow were flying over the area.
It was very windy down at Mandria where we found a single Black-winged Stilt on the beach and several Isabelline and Northern Wheatear in the fields. Towards the church we got good views of a male Black Francolin and at least three Eurasian Turtle Dove flew over. At Paphos Sewage Works we watched a couple of Spur-winged Lapwing in a field which were joined by a Collared Pratincole and a group of herons flew in off the sea and headed inland – it contained Grey and Purple Heron, a single Cattle Egret and at least eleven Black-crowned Night Heron. We then watched a flock of around a hundred of Yellow Wagtail – mainly feldegg with some flava – and at least ten Red-throated Pipit feeding on a recently mown field. Two Grey-headed Wagtail, thunbergi, were on a pool at the mouth of the Ezousas river together with a Little Egret. As we left the area we were greeted by the beautiful sight of five Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. A great end to a good day’s birding with our targets met and we avoided the rain as well!
Sixty four different birds seen:
Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting.
The weather had an autumn feel this morning when I picked up Howard for a day around Paphos and Akrotiri. The wind, that at least lowered the temperature, also seemed to affect the birds that we saw with very little raptor movement noted.
We had one Honey Buzzard circling up over Paphos Sewage Works and a Western Marsh Harrier putting the many Yellow Wagtail to flight. Red-backed, Lesser Grey and a very pale juvenile Masked Shrike were found as were a couple of Spotted Flycatcher, several Whinchat, lots of Willow Warbler and a few Zitting Cisticola. We also had great views of two male Black Francolin. One was creeping along the side of one of the fields and the other emerged from the track side vegetation. At the Ezousas Soakaways we found at least four Turtle Dove and a flock of migrating European Bee-eater together with a juvenile European Roller. At least one Eurasian Reed Warbler was spotted and a Water Rail was heard.
Another Honey Buzzard greeted us as we arrived at Mandria where again there were plenty of Yellow Wagtail in the fields. We also found a couple of Northern Wheatear and at least one European Stone Curlew was in one of the ploughed fields. A couple of European Shag were offshore and two Yellow-legged Gull floated past. As we approached nearby Asprokremmos Dam we saw a Long-legged Buzzard fly over which landed on the slope opposite us enabling us to examine it through the ‘scope. More European Bee-eater were around as were many Sardinian Warbler, at least six Chukar and at least three Spotted Flycatcher.
We then headed for Phassouri Reed Beds where we ate our lunch as we checked for migrating raptors. No Honey Buzzards during our watch but we did see a European Sparrowhawk and a couple of Western Marsh Harrier. Howard managed to get some photographs of the European Bee-eaters in the trees but the strong winds were hindering both us and the birds. We went to Zakaki Marsh and from the new hide saw the immature Great White Pelican that has been there for several weeks now. A White Stork was also present with the Little Egret and Grey Heron on the opposite shore. We were treated to a flying display by at least five Whiskered Tern and also watched a Spotted Redshank and Common Kingfisher. Another Western Marsh Harrier was quartering the area and put most of the birds to flight.
Our final point of call was Lady’s Mile. An Eleonora’s Falcon flew westwards over the sand dunes and then we spotted a female Red-footed Falcon heading straight out to sea. Checking the waders we found a Sanderling in with the many Kentish Plover and Little Stint. A couple of Dunlin were also present. We had a good variety of species seen on a day made difficult by the strong winds. Nevertheless an enjoyable day out.
Total 53 species seen:
European Shag, Great White Pelican, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Goldfinch
Great White Pelican, Zakaki Marsh, September 25th 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
Arriving at Paphos Sewage Works with Rick, who was holidaying in Paphos, we found a flock of nearly thirty European Turtle Dove feeding on the ground and flying into the conifers. We moved on to the plant buildings where several Spur-winged Lapwing could be seen. The area was full of European Bee-eater and Barn Swallow as well as plenty of resident Common Woodpigeon and Hooded Crow – they were seen at all the locations we visited. A Lesser Grey Shrike was on the overhead wires and a couple of juvenile Red-backed Shrike were also seen. A single Cattle Egret was in the alfalfa fields and as we were watching feeding Yellow Wagtail, the first wave of migrating European Honey Buzzard appeared in a ‘kettle’ thermalling up to our east. Once they had gone the next group were more obliging moving southwards over our heads allowing us good views of their varied plumages and enabling us to sort juveniles from adults. At least thirty birds passed over and a minimum of another twenty passed over as we moved on to the nearby Ezousas river bed.
There was still some water in the Soakaways but not as many birds as earlier in the month. We did however see Grey Heron, a Squacco Heron, a couple of Eurasian Hoopoe, many Willow Warbler, some Whinchat, yet more European Bee-eater and two European Roller. Four Red-rumped Swallow flew down in front of us feeding over the water and a Common Kingfisher flew out of the reeds. Two Western Marsh Harrier migrated over and the nearby fields held more Yellow Wagtail. Among the many females and juvenile we found a male Grey-headed (thunbergii) and a couple of male Blue-headed (flava).
At Mandria a single Honey Buzzard flew low over us as we drank our coffee. Seven Eurasian Stone Curlew were in the fields and checking through the Yellow Wagtail flocks in the Mandria fields we found nine Greater Short-toed Lark and a single Tawny Pipit. A Northern Wheatear was in the fields and as elsewhere many European Bee-eater and Barn Swallow were moving over the area. The roadside vegetation held several Willow Warbler.
We only had the briefest glimpse of a Cyprus Warbler behind Asprokremmos Dam but we were luckier with both Spectacled and Sardinian Warbler. We found more Northern Wheatear, several Spotted Flycatcher, another Lesser Grey Shrike and a couple of Red-backed Shrike. We decided to make a short early afternoon visit to Phassouri Reed Beds in the hope of catching some other raptor species.
On first arrival there at about 14.30pm it looked that all we would be seeing were yet more European Bee-eater, Whinchat and hirundines – a few Sand Martin, House Martin and Red-rumped Swallow in with the many Barn Swallow. But after a fifteen minute wait the first group of Honey Buzzard appeared over the eucalyptus trees to the east of the area and during the next hour and a half we had five plus Western Marsh Harrier, one, maybe two, Black Kite, a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier and juvenile Pallid Harrier and more than fifty Honey Buzzard passing over us. We explored the area near to the reeds finding a couple of Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg) and two Common Kingfisher, a few Turtle Dove, three Common Snipe and a European Roller. Returning to check for migrating raptors before finishing our day we were pleased to see an ELeonora’s Falcon heading southwards and then two female Red-footed Falcon and second calendar year male. A good day’s birding, with each location we visited giving us something different to enjoy.
Total species seen – 53
Little Grebe (h), European Shag, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Snipe, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch.
A day out around Paphos, and David and I started at Petra tou Romiou where at least three Eleonora’s Falcon flying around the area got the day off to a good start. Several Willow Warbler were flitting in a eucalyptus tree as was an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. A Lesser Grey Shrike was on a distant bush – the first of many seen throughout the day.
Three of them were on the wires as we turned into the track to Kouklia Soakaways and we also saw several female Red-backed Shrike, a couple of Zitting Cisticola and heard several Cetti’s and Eurasian Reed Warbler. We heard European Bee-eater, and while we watched twelve of them flying above us we caught sight of seven Honey Buzzards thermalling up to the north of the area. Soon they were out of sight so we headed to Asprokremmos Dam. Yet more Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrike (this time a couple of males as well) and two Masked Shrike were there. We also had two Eurasian Hoopoe, two Tawny Pipit, a Spectacled Warbler, around fifty Yellow Wagtail on a mown field, some Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, two Northern Wheatear and many Willow Warbler. Around the edge of the lake itself there was a single Grey Heron and Squacco Heron and four Little Egret.
A drive round Mandria added a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier, three European Roller, three Isabelline Wheatear and fifteen Greater Short-toed Lark to our growing list of species. The Short-toed Lark sat still in a field as we passed by and we were able to get really good views of them. We ate our lunch there watching a migrating flock of Grey Heron pass by as well as a couple of European Shag and Yellow-legged Gull on the offshore rocks.
In the fields of alfalfa at Paphos Sewage Work there must have been at least 200 Yellow Wagtail – many female and juvenile but we did see several male feldegg and flava among them. A female Western Marsh Harrier headed out to sea. Two Cattle Egret were enjoying the water from the irrigation system and the area was also full of shrikes, Whinchat and Willow Warbler. Two Glossy Ibis could be seen over the Ezousas river so we headed there next and checked the Soakaways. A Garganey flew up, we heard a Water Rail, and we also had good views of two Common Kingfisher, several Sedge Warbler and a Eurasian Reed Warbler.
Anarita Park was our last stop where we watched around ten Red-rumped Swallow flying around and found an autumn plumaged Cyprus Wheatear. Pleased to have found one of the Cyprus endemics, as the Cyprus Warbler had eluded us, we finished our day. An interesting variety of species.
Day’s total – 55 species
European Shag, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Garganey, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar (h), Water Rail (h), Common Moorhen, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, 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, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch
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