Long-legged Buzzard | Cyprus Birding Tours

April 2, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Day’s Guiding Zakaki and Larnaca, 2nd April 2015

Picking Bob up in Limassol for a day’s birding in Larnaca we decided to check out Lady’s Mile and Zakaki Marsh before heading east. We found a Squacco Heron on the marsh together with at least six Little Egret, three Ferruginous Duck and a male Garganey. We could hear several Eurasian Reed Warbler singing in the reeds while at least two Sedge Warbler could be seen. On Lady’s Mile we found a selection of waders including Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Little Stint.

On arrival at Oroklini we were pleased to receive a fly pass from a very pale Long-legged Buzzard. There were many Black-winged Stilt here as well, plus several Spur-winged Lapwing, a Common Snipe, some Little Stint, nearly fifty Ruff and a Wood Sandpiper. A male and female Northern Pintail were also present. The water was very deep on the main lake where we found a lone Greater Flamingo and some late Eurasian Teal and Northern Shoveler. A European Coot already had several quite large young.

The water level was also very high on the main Larnaca Salt Lake but in the north east corner we found nearly three hundred Greater Flamingo, at least eighteen Purple Heron, two Cattle Egret, around thirty Black-winged Stilt and three Spur-winged Lapwing. A flash of yellow moving between the mud and the reeds caught our eye and we were really pleased to find a male Citrine Wagtail. A Water Pipit and Woodchat Shrike were also seen and a Western Marsh Harrier quartered the area.

The other side of the airport close to the sea we found more Greater Flamingo and Black-winged Stilt as well as four Common Greenshank. Near to the coast a Gull-billed Tern was flying along the shore as were several migrating Barn Swallow. We found another Woodchat Shrike and plenty of Northern and Isabelline Wheatear on a ploughed field together with a small flock of Yellow Wagtail – both flava and feldegg races. As we were leaving the area we caught site of a Little Gull on the Airport Pool South and we spent some time watching it flying over the water – almost tern like.

We had had enough of the wind so headed inland to Kiti Dam. The trees there were quite quiet although we did manage to find at least three Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and a Blackcap. A Little Egret also flew out of the trees much to our surprise and two Eurasian Hoopoe were feeding on the track as we drove up. Our final stop was Kivisilli fields where we were pleased to find at least three Lesser Kestrel (and a couple of Common) as well as the usual Isabelline and Northern Wheatear plus eight Tawny Pipit.

On our return to Limassol in failing light we made for the Zakaki Marsh hide again where we were treated to great views of one of the male Little Crake currently there. We may not have seen great numbers of birds but we had seen some quality species.

Number of different birds seen – 65

Little Grebe, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Western Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Black Francolin h, Little Crake, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Little Stint, Ruff, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Water Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting

Kivisilli Fields 2nd April 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

March 28, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Three Day’s Guiding Paphos and Akrotiri 24th, 26th and 27th March 2015

Three days out with Alan and Marilyn gave a good opportunity to catch up with many different resident and migrant species. They wanted the chance to get as many photos as possible and although not all the birds we saw were photo-friendly we found a wide variety of species and ended up with a three day total of 107 different birds: 59 on 24^th, 51 on 26^th (when the afternoon was very quiet at the sites we visited) and 71 on 27^th.

Highlights of each location were:

Tuesday 24^th March:

Paphos Headland – Red-throated Pipit 10+, Common Nightingale 2h, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Common Whitethroat 4, Subalpine Warbler 4m, Rüppell’s Warbler 1f, Cretzschmar’s Bunting 6

Paphos Sewage Works – Spur-winged Lapwing 4, Sardinian Warbler, European Serin c50

Lower Ezousas River – Great Egret 2, Purple Heron 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Tree Pipit 1, Rüppell’s Warbler 2m, Black-headed Wagtail 3m

Mandria – Eurasian Hoopoe 3, Greater Short-toed Lark c20, Isabelline Wheatear 12, Northern Wheatear 16+, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 2, Hawfinch 2

Asprokremmos Dam area – Common Quail 1h, Chukar 2, Little Owl 1, Common Cuckoo 1, Eurasian Hoopoe 4, Tawny Pipit 2, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 2, Spectacled Warbler 1, Cyprus Warbler 1m and 1f, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 2, Cretzschmar’s Bunting 2

Thursday 26^th March:

Anarita Park – Bonelli’s Eagle 1 immature, Lesser Kestrel 4, Great Spotted Cuckoo 4, Little Owl 1, Wryneck 1, Red-rumped Swallow 1, Tawny Pipit 2, Common Stonechat 2, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush 1m, Cyprus Wheatear 2m, Cyprus Warbler 1m, Corn Bunting 12+

Tsada Hills – Hen Harrier 1m, Long-legged Buzzard 1, Spectacled Warbler 1, Cyprus Wheatear 2, Cretzschmar’s Bunting 1

Mavrokolympos Dam – Long-legged Buzzard 2, Chukar 3+, Cyprus Wheatear 3, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Common Whitethroat 1

Akoursos Valley – Eurasian Scops Owl 1h, Common Nightingale 1h, Cyprus Warbler 2m

Cape Drepanum – Great Cormorant 4, European Shag 3, Yellow-legged Gull 30+, Greater Short-toed Lark 4, Barn Swallow 30+ migrating N along coast, Subalpine Warbler 1m

Friday 27^th March:

Zakaki Marsh – Little Egret 1, Little Crake 1m, Eurasian Reed Warbler 2+h, Sedge Warbler 1h

Phassouri Reed Beds – Squacco Heron 2, Cattle Egret 1, Purple Heron 3, Western Marsh Harrier 1, Common Crane 3 flying over heading N, Black Francolin 1+h, Common Quail 1h, Black-winged Stilt 1, Spur-winged Lapwing 1, Common Nightingale 1, European Blackcap 3

Flooded Phassouri old rabbit farm area – Great Egret 1, Black-winged Stilt 1, Little Ringed Plover c10, Kentish Plover 1, Ruff c50, Common Snipe 1, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Sand Martin 1, Yellow Wagtail inc Black and Blue headed and ‘dombrowski’ intergrade, Masked Shrike 2

Akrotiri Gravel Pits and coast – Great Egret 3 in from sea over area, ‘Baltic’ Gull 1 migrating with 10 Yellow-legged Gull offshore, Common Black-headed Gull c60 in bay, Eurasian Hoopoe 4, Common Redstart 1f, Desert Wheatear 1m, Cyprus Warbler 1h, Masked Shrike 1, Ortolan Bunting 1

Bishop’s Pool – Black-crowned Night Heron 3, Ferruginous Duck 2

Lady’s Mile – Black-winged Stilt 29, Kentish Plover, Greater Sand Plover 1+ flew with flock of Kentish Plover, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Common Greenshank 4, Slender-billed Gull 8

Anarita Park – Lesser Kestrel 6, Woodchat Shrike 1, Spanish Sparrow c30

List of all 107 birds seen:

Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, European Shag, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Quail, Little Crake, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Common Crane, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, ‘Baltic’ Gull (Lesser Black-backed Gull), Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl h, Little Owl, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, ‘dombrowski’ Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Nightingale, Western Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler h, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Rüppell’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Hawfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Corn Bunting

Black-winged Stilt, Phassouri Reed Beds 27th March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Squacco Heron Phassouri Reed Beds 27th March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Common Crane 2 Phassouri Reed Beds 27th March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Great Egret Akrotiri Gravel Pits 27th March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

March 21, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Two day’s Guiding Akrotiri and Paphos 6th and 20th March 2015

Two days out with Pauline and Michael over again on holiday in Cyprus. Despite the two weeks difference between them, both days out were characterized by strong winds which affected the number of species seen. However, we managed a total of 53 on 6^th March visiting Germasogeia Dam, the Akrotiri Peninsula, Petra tou Romiou and Kouklia Soakaways; and 54 on 20^th March when we visited Cape Drepanum, Mavrokolympos Dam, Tsada Hills, Episkopi (Paphos), Mandria, Asprokremmos Dam and Anarita Masts. Over the two days we saw a total of 74 different species. The final bird we saw was a Eurasian Pied Flycatcher which surprised us as we said our goodbyes in the car park at Paphos Harbour!

Highlights were:

6^th March

Germasogeia Dam – Common Quail

Akrotiri Gravel Pits – Kentish Plover, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodlark, Eurasian Hoopoe

Akrotiri Salt Lake – Greater Flamingo

Lady’s Mile – Armenian Gull, Caspian Gull

Kouklia Soakaways – Long-legged Buzzard, Hawfinch

Petra tou Romiou – Alpine Swift

20^th March

Cape Drepanum – European Shag, Eurasian Skylark

Mavorkolympos Dam – Alpine Swift, Isabelline, Northern and Cyprus Wheatear, Common Whitethroat

Episkopi (Paphos) – Long-legged Buzzard

Mandria – Greater Short-toed Lark, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (light throated form)

Asprokremmos Dam area – Little Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail – feldegg, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (dark throated form), Cyprus Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Rüppell’s Warbler

Anartia Mast area – Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Tawny Pipit, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (dark throated form), Blue Rock Thrush

Paphos Harbour carpark – Eurasian Pied Flycatcher

Total species seen – 74

Little Grebe, European Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Quail, Common Moorhen, Kentish Plover, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, Armenian Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Rüppell’s Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Hawfinch, Corn Bunting

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Anarita Mast 20th March (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Tawny Pipit, Anarita Mast 20th March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

March 14, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Morning around Paphos 14th March 2015

It was good to meet up again with Lesley and Bill who I had taken out previously in November 2011. The idea was that I would take them to a few new sites this morning that they could visit again during their holiday. They already knew the Headland, Mandria and Paphos Sewage Works so we spent some time at Kouklia Soakways, behind Asprokremmos Dam and Anarita Park. After the flurry of activity of newly arrived migrants over the last few days we found the sites we visited much quieter and were pleased to finish before heavy rain hit the Paphos area.

Highlights: Kouklia Soakaways – A Long-legged Buzzard flew over the area low and close to us giving an impressive flying display. Two Common Buzzard were in the area and we had good views of singing male Sardinian Warbler.

Asprokremmos Dam – We found three singing male Cyprus Warbler – all of them out on the tops of bushes letting us see them well. We spent some time watching a flock of Serin and also found an Isabelline Wheatear, a male Ruppell’s Warbler, a Eurasian Hoopoe and two singing male Spectacled Warbler.

Anarita Park – There were many singing Corn Bunting and we had good views of a female Blue Rock Thrush, a male Cyprus Wheatear, another Isabelline Wheatear and a flock of Spanish Sparrow. A surprise find was a lone Common Starling on the wires near the masts.

Total number of species – 38

Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, European Robin, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Ruppell’s Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting

March 3, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report: Two mornings around Paphos, 2nd & 3rd March 2015

Two good mornings’ birding with Ann and Peter, continuing on from our day in Akrotiri two weeks ago. We visited a selection of sites in the Paphos area. Migrants not around yet in great numbers but we caught up with two male Finsch’s Wheatear at Anarita Park, two singing Cyprus Warblers at Asprokremmos, a soaring Long-legged Buzzard at Tsada and several Isabelline Wheatear at Mandria. Large flocks of finches especially Serin were at most of the sites we visited and at least thirty Woodlark were at Anarita. We also saw two Eurasian Hoopoe at Asprokremmos Dam, three Spur-winged Lapwing at Paphos Sewage Works, several large flocks of Corn Bunting and Spectacled Warbler at both Asprokremmos and Tsada.

Cyprus Warbler Asprokremmos Dam 2nd March 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

Total number of species – 47

Great Cormorant, European Shag, Cattle Egret, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Finsch’s Wheatear, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting

February 26, 2015
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Some decent weather at last, 26th February 2015

With no rain forecast, for the first time in days, I headed out with first stop Agios Sozomenos on the outskirts of Nicosia. There was still a male Finsch’s Wheatear present. Two sub-adult Bonelli’s Eagle, a Peregrine Falcon and a Long-legged Buzzard flew over and at the water treatment plant there were two Ferruginous Duck. Blackcap could be heard singing from many bushes as could several male Spectacled Warbler. I also saw two Long-legged Buzzard flying over Panagia Stazousa on the way to Larnaca. A single Isabelline Wheatear and Eurasian Hoopoe at Petounta Point showed that migration continues to stutter into gear. On the beach there were four Kentish Plover. Nine Eurasian Curlew were near the Larnaca Sewage Pools and at least eight Calandra Lark were in the fields outside Pervolia.

Eurasian Hoopoe Petounta Point 26th February 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

February 17, 2015
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Limassol area, 17th February 2015

First trip out of the new season was around Limassol with Ann and Peter. We visited Germasogeia Dam, Phassouri Reed Beds, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Zakaki Marsh, Lady’s Mile and Kensington Cliffs. A windy day still mainly dominated by winter visitors although we found a Eurasian Hoopoe at the Gravel Pits and Barn Swallows and Common House Martins at Germasogeia Dam. We had good views of a juvenile Caspian Gull and adult and juvenile Armenian Gull at Lady’s Mile with other highlights – a Ferruginous Duck on Zakaki; Woodlarks at Akrotiri Gravel Pits; a male and a female Black Francolin in flight at Phassouri Reed Beds and a Long-legged Buzzard at Kensington Cliffs.

Days species – 57:

Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Shag, Little Egret, Greater Flamingo, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Ferruginous Duck, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Chukar, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Curlew, Common Black-headed Gull, Baltic Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, Armenian Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting

February 14, 2015
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Spring and winter visitors today, 14th February 2015

The nine Ruddy Shelduck were still at Paralimni Lake this morning where there are still around two hundred Greater Flamingo. I heard two Water Rail and there were eight Ruff feeding. A couple of Barn Swallows were in the area together with a single Alpine Swift. Only winter visitors though at Agia Trias – one Sandwich Tern, one Greater Sand Plover and one Golden Plover.

As Cape Greco was hosting a car rally – not exactly the best use for a Natura 2000 site I would have thought – there was no access there so I had a walk from the east of Agia Napa and found one of the earliest Isabelline Wheatear of the year (the first had been found at Avagas last Saturday).

On the beach at Oroklini there were still many Black-headed Gull with just one Mediterranean Gull, two Sandwich Tern, a couple of Armenian Gull and at least one Caspian Gull. On Oroklini Marsh there were hunting Western Marsh Harrier and Long-legged Buzzard which put up three Common Snipe. As well as the overwintering Greater Flamingo, Northern Shoveler and Eurasian Teal there were at least fifty Barn Swallow and probably more House Martin flying around the area and just one Common Swift. A flock of over a hundred Common Starling were also seen.

Grey Plover Agias Trias 14th February 2015 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

November 14, 2014
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Agios Sozomenos, Nicosia this afternoon 14th November 2014

Taking a break from paperwork this afternoon, I visited Agios Sozomenos outside Nicosia and ended up seeing five different species of bird of prey as well as three male Finsch’s Wheatear and a male Blue Rock Thrush. A juvenile Peregrine Falcon was perched near the road side and a male Hen Harrier was quartering the area. But at least seven Common Kestrel were causing a commotion and mobbing a large raptor. Knowing that Long-legged Buzzard are usually around I looked up expecting to see one of those. I was surprised to see that it was an immature Bonelli’s Eagle instead, which I hadn’t seen on any previous visits there. The Bonelli’s flew away for a while but when it returned, much to the annoyance of the Common Kestrel again, a Long-legged Buzzard also flew close by and attracted the attention of the Kestrels. A good spectacle.

Also seen were Western Black Redstart, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Common Starling, Corn Bunting, Spectacled Warbler, Common Stonechat, European Robin

Peregrine Falcon juvenile Agios Sozomenos 14th November 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours

November 2, 2014
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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

October 29, 2014
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report, Morning Guiding around Cape Greco 29th October 2014

A couple of hours around Cape Greco with John and his family produced some late migrants and numerous Common Stonechat taking up their territories. We found plenty of other winter visitors in the area – Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Skylark, European Robin and just one Western Black Redstart. We spent some time trying to find the Cyprus Warbler and were finally rewarded with one singing male out in the open and another flitting from bush to bush. We also found Spectacled and Sardinian Warbler as well as a couple of Spanish Sparrow and a flock of around 20 Corn Bunting.

A migrating flock of Common Crane flew over us at around 11.00 am and at the same time two European Bee-eater also passed over heading SE. A few minutes before them we had seen a male Eurasian Sparrowhawk circling up and then an Elenora’s Falcon. At both the Cape and around the Agia Napa Sewage Works we found several Eurasian Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat as well as some Willow Warbler and just one Chiffchaff. Other late migrants included an Isabelline Wheatear two Northern Wheatear, a Red-backed Shrike, some migrating Barn Swallow, a Sand Martin and one Red-rumped Swallow.

As we finished our morning out a Long-legged Buzzard quartered the rocks at the back of Agia Napa Sewage Works. A majestic bird to watch and a good way to end our brief trip around the Cape Greco area.

Thirty six species seen:

Little Grebe, Mallard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Common Crane, European Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting

October 23, 2014
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Cyprus Birding Tours Trip Report – Day’s Guiding Nicosia and Akrotiri, 23rd October 2014

Picking up Pat from her hotel in Nicosia we headed south east to the abandoned village of Agios Sozomenos. In the fields we heard and saw a few Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Red-throated Pipit. Hundreds of Western Jackdaw were on the cliff face and we were really pleased to find two Cyprus Wheatear still present and a migrating Whinchat in with the many Common Stonechat that were setting up territories. A smart male Western Black Redstart stood out and we also had good views of Zitting Cisticola, Chukar and Spectacled Warbler. The target species for the area was the Finsch’s Wheatear that spends the winter in the area. I wasn’t sure if they had arrived and at first it seemed we were too early but then I heard one singing and we located a very smart male. We were then pleased to locate another further along the road. We were also treated to fly-bys from a Long-legged Buzzard, a Peregrine Falcon and a Western Marsh Harrier.

The sky looked very threatening and we drove through a heavy rain storm to Limassol and Phassouri Reed Beds. As the rain was stopping our timing was just right, and we saw a male and juvenile Red-footed Falcon circling up together with a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Two European Honey Buzzard were also gaining height as were at least two Western Marsh Harrier. We heard a Common Kingfisher, a Water Rail and several Cetti’s Warbler in the reeds but the best bird there was a Moustached Warbler that we saw moving around at the base of the reeds. Akrotiri Gravel Pits held many Common Stonechat and we also found a flock of Common Linnet, Sardinian and Spectacled Warbler.

There were only a few Little Stint on Lady’s Mile and the water levels had risen at Zakaki Marsh but we still had close up views of a Common Kingfisher and two juvenile Yellow Wagtail. A couple of Little Egret were feeding in the mud and at least fourteen Grey Heron were present. A lone Sand Martin was perched on the electricity wires

We decided to finish the day at Kensington Cliffs and we arrived there at around 4.30pm. Here we were treated to an aerial display by several Eleonora’s Falcon – in fact when we looked in the distance we counted at least forty birds – but five were flying and calling over our heads, catching insects and avoiding Hooded Crows and Yellow-legged Gull. As the sun got lower seven Griffin Vulture came into view and flew over the cliff opposite us to their nearby roost. A spectacular sight to round off a great day.

Fifty seven species

Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, European Honey Buzzard, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Stint, Common Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, European Robin, Western Black Redstart, Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Cyprus Wheatear, Finsch’s Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Linnet

Cyprus Birding Tours

Offering guided bird watching tours around Cyprus

Tag Archives: Long-legged Buzzard