Cyprus Birding Tours

Offering guided bird watching tours around Cyprus

Tag Archives: Kentish Plover


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Guiding Larnaca area 31st October & 1st November 2014

A planned day’s guiding was spread over a day and a half in the end due to a flat car battery at Panagia Stazousa on Friday morning! The sort of morning that you couldn’t really make up – but Greg and I had good views of a late Cyprus Wheatear and were able to spend several hours listening and watching at least four male Cyprus Warbler while we waited for a jump start to the car. We also had plenty of European Robin, Eurasian Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff and Common Stonechat to watch and listen to. A Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew over as did at least two Long-legged Buzzard. We saw many Chukar and after a heavy rain storm at least ten Common Kestrel were flying over the area.

With my car restarted we decided to try again on Saturday and I went off to replace the battery. With Greg’s primary targets, the Cyprus endemics, well seen on Friday we aimed for some general birding and additions to his life list. We stopped at Oroklini Marsh on our way to Cape Greco where the numbers of Mallard, Northern Shoveler and Eurasian Teal are increasing after the recent rain. We heard a Water Rail and saw a couple of Common Redshank as well as five Northern Lapwing and several Spur-winged Lapwing. Stopping at Kermia Beach we were pleased to find two Greater Sand Plover.

At Cape Greco there were flocks of finches – Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet – and a couple of Corn Bunting. Plenty of Spanish Sparrow were present and Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit were flying over. We found a late migrating Northern Wheatear and at least four Blue Rock Thrush. The star birds, and the main reason for our visit there, were a male and female Finsch’s Wheatear that appeared to be competing for territory as we watched them.

A quick visit to Makronissos Beach found four Greater Sand Plover, a Little Egret and added Kentish Plover to Greg’s increasing world list. A Common Sandpiper was at Potamos Liopetri where two European Shag were fishing offshore. Arriving back in Larnaca we visited the northern edge of the Salt Lake where we found nearly three hundred Greater Flamingo were now on the Lake. At least fourteen Common Redshank were feeding at the edge as were five Common Ringed Plover and a Water Pipit. A flock of Kentish Plover could be seen in the distance.  Just as we were leaving I spotted a larger bird behind the reeds and was surprised to find it was a White Stork. A Black-crowned Night Heron flew over as we returned to the car.

Another surprise, again in the reeds but this time at Spiros Pool, was a juvenile Purple Heron. On the flooded area there we had two more Northern Lapwing for the day and three Green Sandpiper flew over. A couple of Black Francolin flew allowing good views and two arguing Cetti’s Warbler squabbled in a stand of reeds and for once came well into the open. A lone Common Starling on a wire was our last new species for the day.

Some good birds seen over a day and a half and thanks to Greg for his patience during our enforced stay in the Panagia Stazousa valley.

Sixty two species

European Shag, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White Stork, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Water Rail (h), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Finsch’s Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Panagia Stazousa 31st October 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Panagia Stazousa 31st October 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Akrotiri 20th October 2014

Meeting Carl and Riss outside Limassol we headed for Phassouri Reed Beds. I managed to catch sight of the only two European Bee-eaters we found all day and we also saw a Common Kingfisher, at least three Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, a lone Greater Short-toed Lark, several Red-backed Shrike and two Common Snipe. There were plenty of Common Stonechat as well as one Whinchat. We saw a flock of Greater Flamingo flying over the Gravel Pits where we also watched a single Honey Buzzard gaining height being mobbed by several Hooded Crows.

There were at least three hundred Greater Flamingo on the main Salt Lake which we saw in the haze as we headed for Bishop’s Pool. The water levels there have risen meaning that no waders were present but a few wintering Teal and Northern Shoveler had arrived and we had good views of two of the resident Ferruginous Duck. Two Grey Wagtails were flying around the area and as well as several Willow Warblers in the vegetation we found at least one Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Western Marsh Harrier was quartering the reeds but being ignored by the waterbirds.

Driving down Lady’s Mile we picked out two Spectacled Warbler and another Red-backed Shrike. A few waders were on the mud – some Little Stint, Dunlin and Kentish Plover. From the hide at Zakaki we watched two Common Kingfisher, several fighting White Wagtail, a Red-throated Pipit, a couple of Yellow Wagtail, a Water Rail disappear quickly into the reeds and two Common Snipe. We had been searching the reeds for a Bluethroat which finally Carl found and we watched it hurry through the bottom of the reed stands in front of us. Just as we were about to leave two unusual looking doves flew in – two Stock Dove. Unfortunately they left as quickly as they flew in but we were able to get a good look at this uncommon bird for Cyprus.

We returned to Phassouri to eat our lunch and were treated to a fly past from a migrating Black Kite. We saw a migrating Common Buzzard as we headed for Kensington Cliffs as well as six Honey Buzzard that seemed to be searching for trees in which to roost. It was windy at Kensington Cliffs but we were treated to an aerial display by at least five Eleonora’s Falcon there. I then suggested we visit Germasogeia Dam but unfortunately the lack of water at the Finikaria end of the dam meant that we saw very little more bird life – a couple of Grey Herons were around, Sardinian Warbler were in the scrub and Spanish Sparrow were in the bushes.

We returned to Zakaki again and finished the day there.  We had seen nearly sixty species and had a very enjoyable day.

Species total – 59

Little Grebe, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite,  Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Bluethroat, Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos and Akrotiri, 25th September 2014

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

Great White Pelican, Zakaki Marsh, September 25th 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Larnaca area this morning, 21st July 2014

A quick visit to Panagia Stazousa this morning where I found several juvenile Masked Shrike and Cyprus Wheatear. Two Little Owls were near the road but the best birds were an adult and sub-adult Bonelli’s Eagle soaring over the area.

At the coast, the fields near the Larnaca Desalination Plant are being watered at the moment and there were two Collared Pratincole, four Little Stint, a Common Sandpiper, three juvenile Little Ringed Plover and several Kentish Plover feeding in the mud. Two juvenile Little Tern flew along the coast.

Little Owl Panagia Stazousa 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Little Owl Panagia Stazousa 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Little Stint Larnaca Desal Fields 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Little Stint Larnaca Desal Fields 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Kentish Plover juvenile Larnaca Desal Fields 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Kentish Plover juvenile Larnaca Desal Fields 21st July 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding around Limassol 10th June 2014

Last autumn I had taken Terry and Sarah out for a morning in the Paphos area. This time they chose a day around Limassol with target species Cyprus Warbler and Greater Flamingo. We were lucky with the first target at Kourio Stadium. At least two and maybe three male Cyprus Warbler were singing there and we were able to see two of them really well. We also caught up with a family party at our last stop at Prastio Kellakiou.

At first it appeared that all the Greater Flamingo had left Akrotiri Salt Lake and the high numbers of over summering birds of the last two years had misled me into thinking we could find the same this summer. We scanned the edges of the lake in the haze and could see some movement in the area behind the Zakaki Marsh although it wasn’t clear which species were involved. So we headed as close to the area as we could by car and then walked. There were a few Greater Flamingo on the shore opposite us but in the haze were only just visible as Flamingos.  On cue however four – an adult and three immature birds – appeared from behind the reeds and paraded in front of us much to Sarah and Terry’s delight and my relief!

Other highlights of the day included hunting Eleonora’s Falcon over Phassouri Reed Beds; a male Spectacled Warbler and a young Kentish Plover together with a female sitting on a nest at Akrotiri Gravel Pits; good views of Black-winged Stilt, Ferruginous Duck, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, Black-headed Wagtail, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spur-winged Lapwing and an unseasonal White Wagtail at Zakaki Marsh; and Black-headed and Cretzschmar’s Bunting, the Cyprus Warbler family, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, European Serin and Masked Shrike at Prastio Kellakiou.

Species seen – 55

Little Grebe, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin (h), Common Moorhen,  Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Gull, Little Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove (h), Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Roller, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sand Martin, Common House Martin, Black-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, 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.


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Larnaca Sewage Works area today 7th May 2014

A big clearout of all the passerines from last night – not even a Spotted Flycatcher around. Just one Whinchat. There were several Turtle Doves and I heard European Bee-eaters passing over. A Marsh Harrier was putting the House Sparrows up from the surrounding fields.

On the Sewage Pools there were over 80 Ruff, some Little Stint, a Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. More interesting were a single Ruddy Turnstone, two Ferruginous Duck, a male Garganey, a male Northern Shoveler and a Common Shelduck. A Little Tern was fishing offshore.


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning’s guiding around Akrotiri 11th March 2014

Spent this morning around Akrotiri with Lesley who was on holiday in Cyprus. We managed to avoid the heaviest of the showers by being in the car at the time and still saw a varied collection of birds in a few hours.

Our first stop was Phassouri Reed Beds where at least two Western Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard were quartering the reeds. Many Common Swift and Barn Swallow were flying over the area with a few House Martin and Sand Martin in with them. A couple of Ruff flew into the area and there were Meadow and Water Pipit feeding in the wet grass together with a single Black-headed Wagtail. Several Cattle Egret and a Little Egret were present and we heard Little Grebe and Common Coot from deep in the reeds. A couple of Mallard and a Northern Shoveler flew over. After seeing some movement in the reeds we finally located a Moustached Warbler although just for brief views.

Crossing Akrotiri Gravel Pits we spotted a male Blue Rock Thrush perched on a low tree and when we got out of the car to get better views two Great Spotted Cuckoo flew off. We managed to relocate one of them only for it to fly away again. A Eurasian Hoopoe was also present as were a couple of Isabelline Wheatear. A male Sardinian Warbler flew to the top of a bush and later near the Church we were able to compare him with a male Cyprus Warbler we found there. In that area after a shower there were also many Meadow Pipit together with many Serin and Goldfinch and a female Black Redstart.  Seven Grey Heron were migrating over the area.

At Lady’s Mile the wind got up and the sky dark again but we managed to see good numbers of Kentish Plover there as well as some Dunlin and Little Stint which were still mainly in winter plumage. There were no gulls around although we also saw a Common Ringed Plover. A quick scan of Zakaki produced another Little Egret and a Water Pipit.

To finish the morning we checked the Limassol Port channel and had much better views of a Moustached Warbler there creeping low down in the reeds. We also added a Grey Wagtail to our list.

Species seen (55) –

Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Coot, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Sand Martin, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Moustached Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet