Little Grebe | Cyprus Birding Tours

December 5, 2017
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Red-breasted Merganser today Akrotiri Gravel Pits 5th December 2017

Red-breasted Merganser, Akrotiri 5th December 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Great Crested Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

I hadn’t been sure where to go birding today until I heard last night that local birder John East had found a female Red-breasted Merganser at Akrotiri Gravel Pits. The last record was in 2014 so not to be missed. The bird was keeping close company with a Great Crested Grebe and a Black-necked Grebe who had been on the pool for several days and I was pleased to get a few photos. Also around Akrotiri today:

Akrotiri Gravel Pits
Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1
European Serin 7
Woodlark 8
Red-breasted Merganser 1f
Great Crested Grebe 1
Black-necked Grebe 1
Little Grebe 1
Western Marsh Harrier 1f and 1 sub-ad male

Phasouri Reed-beds
Bluethroat 1
Eurasian Skylark 1

Zakaki Marsh
Water Rail 1h

Lady’s Mile
Black-headed Gull 300+
Armenian Gull 6+
Caspian Gull 1+
Greater Flamingo 48 juvs
Pied Avocet 2
Common Buzzard 1

Akrotiri Salt Lake
Greater Flamingo c1200
Common Buzzard 1

June 22, 2017
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Little Grebe family, Nicosia 22nd June 2017

Several Little Grebe families this morning at Athalassa Dam. This one was near the hide and the adult was very busy keeping the three youngsters together and also bringing some food. All three young were able to dive and could be seen clumsily swimming underwater presumably looking for insects etc themselves.

Juvenile Little Grebe, Athalassa Dam, 22nd June 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Adult Little Grebe, Athalassa Dam 22nd June 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Juvenile Little Grebe, Athalassa Dam, 22nd June 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Little Grebe adult with small fish, Athalassa Dam 22nd June 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Adult and juvenile Little Grebe, Athalassa Dam 22nd June 2017 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

February 2, 2017
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World Wetlands Day 2nd February 2017

A visit to Manglis Lake in the suburbs of Nicosia this morning showed the importance of this and other wetlands to wintering birds here in Cyprus. There were nearly 50 Greater Cormorant, four Grey Heron, a Great Egret, a Little Egret, more than 20 Eurasian Coot, three Moorhen and a Little Grebe all feeding and resting there.