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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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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Two Mornings Guiding around Paphos 25th & 27th August 2014

Two early starts on Monday and Wednesday in order to take out Simon who was staying in Latchi. That way we managed to beat the worse of the late August heatwave and caught up with several good species as well. On Monday 25th August we started behind Neo Chorio near the Smygies picnic site and had great views of around seven Cretzschmar’s Bunting. One even sang on the top of a pine tree in front of us – a lifer for Simon that I had not been optimistic of finding. We also found several Cyprus Wheatear, a male Red-backed Shrike and a couple of Masked Shrike. Willow Warbler, Lesser and Common Whitethroat were around but the best warbler was an Eastern Orphean in a carob tree. Several Red-rumped Swallow were migrating over the area during our time there and a flock of nearly 50 Purple Heron flew over heading SW. We were pleased to pick out a Little Owl in the distance as we were searching the some noisy Chukar who were not so easy to see.

Visiting the area behind Arodes village we were treated to the first of the many Lesser Grey Shrike we saw on both mornings. We had six of them sitting in a group together on some electricity wires. A great sight. More were seen on the road between Kathikas and Akoursos. Another male Red-backed Shrike was at Akoursos where we had brief glimpses of a male Cyprus Warbler skulking in the bushes.

To get a better view of the Cyprus Warbler we headed straight to Asprokremmos Dam on the Wednesday morning where we found at least one male – which Simon was able to get a record shot of –  and yet more Lesser Grey Shrike and several female Red-backed Shrike. A Whinchat was also present and two male Ortolan Bunting flew in and landed in front of us before flying off again. It was good to be able to compare them with the Cretzschmar’s we had seen on Monday. Finally Simon got good views of Chukar here with at least five perched on a ridge in full view. There were several Eurasian Hoopoe in the trees near the car park and two Spectacled Warbler were near the mast.

We made a quick detour to Petra tou Romiou and were treated to a couple of minutes fly-past from two Eleonora’s Falcon and then we headed inland over Minthis Hills towards Tsada and then over to Evretou Dam. Two Long-legged Buzzard were flying over Minthis Hills and yet more shrikes were perched on scattered bushes.

It was very hot by the time we reached Evretou Dam – our last point of call. Single Little Egret, Glossy Ibis and Green Sandpiper were on the water’s edge and an adult European Roller was flying around. At least two Yellow Wagtail were feeding on the drying mud. The orchards held many Willow Warbler with double figures in one carob tree alone.

I drove Simon back to Latchi pleased that we had managed to see most of his target species – Black Francolin let us down. Two enjoyable mornings’ birding.

Full species list – 41

Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Green Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Little Owl, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Cyprus Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Ortolan Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting

 


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Morning’s Guiding Paphos 7th August 2014

A few hours around a couple of Paphos sites on a hot and humid Cyprus summer morning with Rob and Helen produced twenty five different species. We had good views of two of Rob’s target species – Eleonora’s Falcon and Long-legged Buzzard. We were unable to find any Cretzschmar’s Bunting that may have still have been hanging around for his third. Despite checking out a couple of their breeding locations they all appear to have moved out. Plenty of Masked Shrike around and a couple of Turtle Dove still at Kannaviou while a Eurasian Hobby flew over the road in front of us outside Stroumbi.

Locations visited with some of the more interesting species seen there:

Petra tou Romiou: European Shag, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Cyprus Wheatear

Minthis Hills: Long-legged Buzzard, European Roller, Sardinian Warbler, Masked Shrike

Kannaviou: Eurasian Turtle Dove, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Coal Tit, Masked Shrike


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Rollers at Panagia Stazousa, Monday 30th June 2014

Found 10 adult Rollers this morning in the Panagia Stazousa Important Bird Area. All were adults and I didn’t see any young. There were family parties of Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Cyprus Warbler and Wheatear as well as young Wood-pigeon, Chukar and Little Owl. The juvenile Long-legged Buzzard had left the nest but was still perched closed by. An adult was flying over the area. I also saw a couple of European Bee-eater, Masked Shrike and Hoopoe.


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Panagia Stazousa, Larnaca this morning 9th June 2014

Back in Cyprus after a couple of weeks away, I went to Panagia Stazousa and Pyrga this morning. Found at least six European Roller, two Eurasian Hoopoe, a pair of Long-legged Buzzard with two young on the nest, a couple of Cretzschmar’s Bunting and several Masked Shrike. There were at least two Cyprus Wheatear family parties as well as several singing males. I heard a Cyprus Warbler and several Eastern Olivaceous Warbler singing. A Eurasian Scops Owl called briefly and a Little Owl disappeared quickly into its nest hole as I drove past. As well as many Barn Swallow there were also at least four Red-rumped Swallow. Two juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo were being fed by Magpies. The only species missing from visits there this time last year was European Bee-eater.


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos, 22rd May 2014

It was Esther and Marcel’s first birding trip in the eastern Mediterranean so they were keen to see as many regional species as possible. We started well at Petra tou Romiou where at least twenty Alpine Swift were flying noisily around. After a longer wait we had good views of four, maybe five Eleonora’s Falcon and their aerobatics. One of the birds was a dark morph so we had the chance to compare both plumage types. A couple of Chukar was on the slopes and several Yellow-legged Gull were on the cliffs. As usual the local Western Jackdaw were everywhere. We saw both male Sardinian and Cyprus Warbler but couldn’t locate the calling Cyprus Wheatear.

At Asprokremmos Dam we were treated to great views of a pair of Cyprus Warbler with two maybe three young moving around some bushes. A male Spectacled Warbler was singing nearby and we later saw at least two family parties of that species. A couple of male Sardinian Warbler were also singing in the car park area. A lone Squacco Heron was on the water and near the mast we found a late migrating Whinchat. A pair of Red-Rumped Swallow were near the pump area and a drive along the canal as we left the area allowed us to see a pair of European Roller and twelve European Bee-eater.

We made a quick visit to the Sewage Works where our target species was the Spur-winged Lapwing. Three were present on the edge of the pools and were very obliging. On to Anarita Park where ten days after my last visit all the migrating raptors and falcons had moved on. We did however find many Common Kestrel probably glad to have the area to themselves again. Two of them quickly chased off a single Eleonora’s Falcon flying high over the road. As we ate our lunch we were treated to an adult Bonelli’s Eagle floating to the north of us and a pair of Red-rumped Swallow and two Little Owl kept a close watch on us. We found a singing male Cyprus Wheatear and at least one European Roller.

Heading towards Kannaviou we went via Minthis Hills. We found another Roller and two more singing male Spectacled Warbler. New for the day were the several singing Corn Bunting and after hearing at least three Cretzschmar’s Bunting we finally saw an impressive male close to the track as we drove through. Our timing at Kannaviou was perfect as we missed what appeared to have been a heavy downpour.  A lone male Mallard was on the water so we quickly focused on the nearby fields and plantations. We saw family parties of Cyprus Wheatear, Sardinian Warbler and Common Linnet on one slope and heard a couple of calling Black Francolin. The Francolin remained hidden in the tall grasses but many Corn Bunting were singing. There was no sign of the Black-headed Bunting though much to my disappointment.

In the forested area we saw a couple of Eurasian Turtle Dove and could hear others ‘purring’ in the pines. After hearing several Eastern Olivaceous Warbler we finally spotted one in a conifer and were able to follow it as it flitted from branch to branch. Several male Spanish Sparrow were collecting nesting material and four European Serin were seen together with the many European Goldfinch and Greenfinch that are always in the area. A male Masked Shrike flew into the open and perched on a low branch and we finished our time there watching him. As we drove back to Coral Bay a Long-legged Buzzard flew across the road near Psathi. A great sight on which to finish a really enjoyable day out.

Species seen – 43

Squacco Heron, Mallard, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin (h), Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Whinchat, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Great Tit, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow,  House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Corn Bunting


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Days Guiding Pissouri and Troodos Foothills 25th April 2014

A visit to some different sites today with Steve and Julie concentrated on finding his two target species – Eleonora’s Falcon and Black-headed Bunting – but also produced some other interesting sightings.

We started our search for the Eleonora’s Falcon at Petra tou Romiou where we found several Alpine Swift, singing Cyprus Wheatear and Warbler and heard Chukar. Unusually we also heard a calling Scops Owl. More Alpine Swift were at Pissouri where we had great views of a male Cyprus Warbler, heard but couldn’t see a Black Francolin and Steve spotted a Hoopoe flying over the area. Our first Eleonora’s Falcon was seen by the roadside on the way between Pissouri and Avdimou. We had stopped to watch four European Rollers that were on roadside wires and an Eleonora’s Falcon flew nearby.

At Avdimou Bay we found several Cyprus Wheatear and a fly-by migrating Lesser Black-backed Gull of the fuscus race (Baltic Gull) was a good surprise. Arriving at Kensington Cliffs we were quickly treated to the aerial show of at least six Eleonora’s Falcon. We spent at least half an hour enjoying them and also saw one of the local Peregrine Falcon, a migrating juvenile Western Marsh Harrier and up to ten Alpine Swift.

One of our targets enjoyed, we then headed inland to see if Black-headed Buntings had arrived on their territories in the Omodos area. On the way we saw another Roller and pairs of Great Spotted Cuckoo and Turtle Dove. We sat and enjoyed the scenery in a valley outside the village. We could neither hear nor see any Black-headed Bunting but were treated to a pair of Long-legged Buzzard flying over the area – one of which had a rat in its talons and we assumed they were off to feed it to their young somewhere nearby. We also saw a Peregrine Falcon and a couple of Red-rumped Swallow and European Serin. Both Sardinian and Cyprus Warbler were heard and seen and Cyprus Wheatear were on territories. Several Eastern Olivaceous Warbler were singing in the thick vegetation but we couldn’t succeed in our attempts to actually see one. As we left I finally heard a singing male Black-headed Bunting and we managed just brief views of it as it flew away and out of sight over a ridge.

We headed back towards Limassol and then back inland to the east of that town to Prastio Kellakiou where I hoped we may find Black-headed Bunting. We were in luck and heard at least one as soon as we arrived. In the end there were three singing males and we managed much better views of them than at Omodos. We also found at least six Cretzschmar’s Bunting, several of which were singing, and two pairs of Masked Shrike. The area was full of Spanish Sparrow and a group of at least twenty European Bee-eater flew over.

An enjoyable day with some great bird watching moments – quality rather than quantity summing up the day.

Forty six species seen

Western Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic Gull), Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl (heard), Common Swift, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Cyprus Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, 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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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Paphos 17th April 2014

Michael had already seen some of his Cyprus target birds out birding before we met but we still had several to try and find on our day out. We visited Kouklia Soakaways, Asprokremmos Dam, Mandria, Agia Varvara and Anarita Park. We saw some interesting birds and had especially good views of an obliging male Cyprus Warbler near the Asprokremmos Dam who can and sang on bushes near us and a Great Spotted Cuckoo (one of at least seven in the area) at Anarita Park that walked along the track towards the car which we were standing next too.

We also found a Spectacled Warbler family at Asprokremmos; saw a pair of Stone Curlew at Kouklia where there were also at least two Great Reed Warbler and we had a fly past from a Long-legged Buzzard. A singing male Eurasian Blackbird was an unusual find. There were two Ortolan Bunting there and then another three at Asprokremmos Dam where we also found a Collared, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and two European Bee-eater. On the water’s edge was a Purple Heron, a Black-winged Stilt and a couple of Great Cormorant.

Michael had hoped to see an Isabelline Wheatear and after finding a couple of female Northern Wheatear we were pleased to find a lone Isabelline Wheatear. We also found some Greater Short-toed Lark and a male and female Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. A male Black Francolin was very obliging, sitting on a small building out in the open and calling. As with everywhere else we visited there was at least one Woodchat Shrike and many Whinchat.

Although one of the soakaways at Agia Varvara had water we only managed to find a Wood Sandpiper so we moved on to Anarita Park. We were treated to at least twelve Lesser Kestrel and a male Montagu’s Harrier as soon as we arrived and moving into the area we also found a Little Owl, a couple of European Roller, a female Red-footed Falcon and a Wryneck. Our last target bird for the day was a Great Spotted Cuckoo and we were in for a treat. Not only did we find at least seven (and definitely no double counting!) in the fields near the rubbish tip but one of them decided to feed on the track where we were parked moving slowly towards us completely oblivious of our present. A really great end to a good day’s birding.

Species seen – 63

Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Purple Heron, Mallard, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Wryneck, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail feldegg race, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, European Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting

Great Spotted Cuckoo Anarita Park 17th April 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Great Spotted Cuckoo Anarita Park 17th April 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Days Guiding Larnaca 14th April 2014

Picking up Reem and Paul from Nicosia we headed straight to Oroklini. It was their first visit there since the hide and information point had been installed. We used both of these to give us a good view over the whole area and got the day off to a good start with Red-crested Pochard, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Spur-winged Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Black-crowned Night Heron. Moving onto the Salt Lake we found a few areas with water where many Ruff, Little Stint and Dunlin were feeding. There were a couple of Glossy Ibis on the north eastern edge and we spotted calling Black Francolin. Near Tekke Mosque we found a couple of Woodchat Shrike and in the fennel plants we spotted an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. A Spectacled Warbler was singing and a male and female Common Redstart were in the eucalyptus trees.

More Black-winged Stilt were on the Sewage Work Pools together with more Ruff, a Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and a Little Tern. Lesser Whitethroat and a Wood Warbler were in the tamarisks and several Whinchat were on the fence. A Black Francolin perched on the perimeter fence for a while so better views wre obtained of that species and a couple of Chukar flew over. A great find was a male Ruppell’s Warbler near Spiros Pool and there were also some male feldegg Yellow Wagtail. As we left we found a striking male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear.

We ate our lunch in the wooded area of Kiti Dam and were able to see two female Collared Flycatcher, a male and female Common Redstart, a Willow Warbler and two Spotted Flycatcher. On the dam itself were many Ruff, three Common Sandpiper, five Black-winged Stilt and eight Glossy Ibis. In the distance we could see a European Roller. We had heard the call of a Great Spotted Cuckoo and found a pair near the church trying to fool a pair of Magpies. It seemed as if they were succeeding. Another pair was seen on our way back into Kiti village.

We continued to the fields near the village of Kivisilli. There we found yet more Whinchat, an Isabelline Wheatear and two Hoopoe. We were looking for raptors especially harriers and Lesser Kestrel. There were over twenty Kestrel flying around but most appeared to be Common Kestrel. Finally though after careful searching we found three Lesser Kestrel. At the same time a juvenile Pallid Harrier came into view and then a male Montagu’s Harrier which was even better and came quite close enabling us to see all its ID features and really appreciate it.

Finishing the day around Panagia Stazousa our first birds were also raptors – a juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle flew over the valley and then we found two Long-legged Buzzard. Stopping to drink a final cup of tea we were pleased to see the two European Bee-eater we had heard calling as well as watch a singing male Cyprus Warbler while another Great Spotted Cuckoo was flying around, several Cyprus Wheatear were around and a Scops Owl was calling.

A good number of species in a relatively small geographical radius. Thanks to Paul and Reem for their company.

Species seen – 78

Little Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl (heard), Little Owl, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Tree Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (heard), Spectacled Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Rueppell’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s guiding – Paphos 31st March 2014

Picked up Stuart and Ruth from Pissouri and headed to Kouklia Soakaways. We could hear Sedge, Eurasian Reed and Cetti’s Warbler in the reeds and watched a calling Cyprus Wheatear in a cultivated area. There was very little water in the river bed but we did find a Common Snipe, two Green Sandpiper and  a Wood Sandpiper using one of the small pools still around. A Water Rail came out from the reeds for a while and we had great views of it. We could also hear a couple of Common Nightingale singing and saw several Sardinian Warblers and Blackcap. As we left the area a male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear caught our attention.

As we approached Asprokremmos Dam we saw a flock of herons flying over the dam wall. We quickly identified them as Purple Heron and watched as they flew over the carpark appearing to look for a place to roost. A Long-legged Buzzard chose one of the pines to sit in for several minutes and we found several Tree Pipit in the area. We then drove behind towards the aerial pausing to stop and see the resident Little Owl and a breeding pair of Cyprus Warbler. A male Pallid Harrier and female Western Marsh Harrier were overflying. In the carob grove we found both a Common and a Great Spotted Cuckoo and around the aerial we found several pairs of Spectacled Warbler, more Tree Pipit, Spanish Sparrow and Blackcap. Two surprise finds were a Whinchat and an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler – both early arrivals for the end of March.

After lunch at Mandria we found a couple of Isabelline Wheatear and a smart male Northern Wheatear as well as several Red-throated Pipit and Black-headed Wagtail. A male Western Marsh Harrier kept the many birdwatchers in the vicinity entertained and a small group of Black-crowned Night Heron flew north of the area. After being given the location of a Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush at Anarita we decided not to omit that site from the day’s itinerary and headed there. True to form there was no sign of the bird at the designated location and despite a search we couldn’t find it. We decided to carry on through the area and return there again on our way out.  In what at first seemed an area devoid of birds we found a Eurasian Hoopoe, several Tawny Pipit, a male Ruppell’s Warbler, an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, a Common and several Lesser Whitethroat, many Chiffchaff, two Cretzschmar’s Bunting and lots of Corn Bunting. A Stonechat displaying the features of the Siberian race was flying around the area although I was unable to get a photograph of it to clinch its ID. A male Western Marsh Harrier was also quartering the fields.

We headed back to the area of our previous search for the Rock Thrush and this time it was waiting for us sitting on a large boulder! It allowed us to take photos and watch it for at least fifteen minutes. That seemed to finish the day on a high but we then managed to add four Greater Spotted Cuckoo in the field near the main road out of the area as well as a male Hen Harrier. A day full of some very interesting and co-operative birds!

Total number of species – 69

Great Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin (heard), Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Wood-pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail – feldegg, Common Nightingale, Whinchat, ‘Siberian’ Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Ruppell’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Serin (heard), European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Corn Bunting.

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Anarita Park March 31st 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Anarita Park March 31st 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Corn Bunting Anarita Park 31st March 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Corn Bunting Anarita Park 31st March 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s guiding Nicosia and Limassol 21st March 2014

Starting from Nicosia this morning for a day out with David,who was in Cyprus for business  and looking to see some new birds, we headed first to Agios Sozomenos. No sign of the over wintering Finsch’s Wheatear and they seem to have left but we did find a singing male Spectacled Warbler, some Spanish Sparrows, a Little Owl, some late Song Thrush and a Blackbird, Blackcap and Zitting Cisticola. We could hear at least four Black Francolin and managed to locate one on a rocky outcrop. A calling Common Quail though could not be located.

Heading to Limassol we saw a Long-legged Buzzard over the motorway near Mari and then another over the Amathus Archaeological Site. Around Amathus we found both the Cyprus endemics – a single male Cyprus Wheatear and several singing Cyprus Warbler. A couple of Sardinian Warbler were also singing and we had the  first of the day’s Isabelline Wheatear there.

At Germasogeia Dam we found several waders – Common Snipe, Green and Common Sandpiper and a Water Pipit which was almost in full breeding plumage. A few Black-headed Wagtail were also at the water’s edge and a Blue-headed flew over. I found one of David’s target species in the reeds – a male Bluethroat but unfortunately it disappeared before David could find it. We spent a while trying to relocate it but luck wasn’t on our side.

We headed to Akrotiri with our first stop around the small church. Driving towards the church we found many interesting migrants in a small area – a Masked Shirke, four male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, a female Cyprus Wheatear, some Isabelline Wheatear and a Tawny Pipit. Several Red-rumped Swallow were flying around with the many Barn Swallow and we could hear a Cyprus Warbler singing. A female Blue Rock Thrush perched for a few moments on a juniper bush and a Serin flew in to the area. Around the church itself we found a male and a female Common Redstart, several Lesser Whitethroat, a Hoopoe and many Chiffchaff. Driving over the Gravel Pits we saw a Great Spotted Cuckoo and a hunting ring-tail Hen Harrier.

At Phassouri Reed Beds we found the resident Cattle Egret and two Little Egret. A female Garganey flew in to one of the shallow pools where Wood and Green Sandpiper and Ruff were feeding. A Water Rail called and more Red-rumped Swallow flew over. On the Salt Lake itself there were around 100 Greater Flamingo and a couple of Common Shelduck which we looked at through the telescope despite the haze. More than forty Ruff were feeding on Lady’s Mile and we also found some Little Stint, Kentish Plover and a single Common Ringed Plover.

The rather unattractive looking Zakaki Marsh produced better birds than we expected. There were four Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe as well as a couple of Black-headed Wagtail. A Western Marsh Harrier flew over and then we saw the star birds there – a beautiful male Citrine Wagtail and a Eurasian Spoonbill. This meant we stayed there longer than intended and the sun was setting as we reached Kensington Cliffs. We didn’t see any Griffon Vulture but we did see at least ten Alpine Swift and another Long-legged Buzzard which was mobbed by Common Kestrel and Western Jackdaw as it flew across the Bay. A quick visit to the Stadium close by added European Robin to our day list.

Thanks to David for a great day out with a real variety of species.

Birds seen – eighty six:

European Shag, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill. Greater Flamingo, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Quail, Water Rail, Eurasian Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Ruff, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Water Pipit, Tawny Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Bluethroat, Western Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Masked Shirke, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European  Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting


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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Kouklia and Limassol 14th March 2014

Out with Harry and Jacky again who were over here for their annual spring visit. As usual they wanted to visit new locations and were especially keen to see birds of prey.  We went to Kouklia Soakaways where we found Long-legged and Common Buzzard and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. On to Germasogeia Dam where the highlights were a ring tail Hen Harrier, a singing male Cyprus Warbler and on the water a drake Northern Pintail together with two male and a female Garganey.

Around the Akrotiri Peninsula we visited Phassouri Reed Beds and the Gravel Pits. We saw the juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle that has been in the area most of the winter, several Western Marsh Harrier, another Hen Harrier and a couple of Common Buzzard. We also had Water Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, Ruff, Eurasian Curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Blue Rock Thrush and best of all were treated to a singing Subalpine Warbler at the church.

We ended an enjoyable day at Kensington Cliffs where we watched several Alpine Swift and heard another Cyprus Warbler.

Sixty one species –

Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Ruff, Eurasian Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared, Rock Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet