An hour’s bird watching at Cape Greco was short and sweet with a Bimaculated Lark and two male Pallid Harrier at Cape Greco and several male Subalpine and Ruppell’s Warbler around plus a male and female Eastern Orphean Warbler. At Larnaca later in the day the highlight was a Little Gull with a large flock of Ruff feeding on a newly harvested field at dusk.
Interesting sightings of the day:
Meneou Beach – Ruppell’s Warbler 2m
Meneou Pool – Greater Flamingo c60
Larnaca Airport Pools South – Greater Flamingo c200, Black-winged Stilt 32, Little Gull 1, Ruff 3, Common Redshank 2
Larnaca Sewage Works fields – Ruff c100 feeding at dusk on field, Cyprus Wheatear 1m, Ruppell’s Warbler 2m, Grey Heron 2 overflying heading E
Cape Greco – Subalpine Warbler 3m, Eastern Orphean Warbler 2, Ruppell’s Warbler 1m, Cyprus Wheatear 2m, Pallid Harrier 2m, Bimaculated Lark 1 flew into field then off inland (possibly in off sea), Greater Short-toed Lark 22
Arriving at Paphos Sewage Works with Rick, who was holidaying in Paphos, we found a flock of nearly thirty European Turtle Dove feeding on the ground and flying into the conifers. We moved on to the plant buildings where several Spur-winged Lapwing could be seen. The area was full of European Bee-eater and Barn Swallow as well as plenty of resident Common Woodpigeon and Hooded Crow – they were seen at all the locations we visited. A Lesser Grey Shrike was on the overhead wires and a couple of juvenile Red-backed Shrike were also seen. A single Cattle Egret was in the alfalfa fields and as we were watching feeding Yellow Wagtail, the first wave of migrating European Honey Buzzard appeared in a ‘kettle’ thermalling up to our east. Once they had gone the next group were more obliging moving southwards over our heads allowing us good views of their varied plumages and enabling us to sort juveniles from adults. At least thirty birds passed over and a minimum of another twenty passed over as we moved on to the nearby Ezousas river bed.
There was still some water in the Soakaways but not as many birds as earlier in the month. We did however see Grey Heron, a Squacco Heron, a couple of Eurasian Hoopoe, many Willow Warbler, some Whinchat, yet more European Bee-eater and two European Roller. Four Red-rumped Swallow flew down in front of us feeding over the water and a Common Kingfisher flew out of the reeds. Two Western Marsh Harrier migrated over and the nearby fields held more Yellow Wagtail. Among the many females and juvenile we found a male Grey-headed (thunbergii) and a couple of male Blue-headed (flava).
At Mandria a single Honey Buzzard flew low over us as we drank our coffee. Seven Eurasian Stone Curlew were in the fields and checking through the Yellow Wagtail flocks in the Mandria fields we found nine Greater Short-toed Lark and a single Tawny Pipit. A Northern Wheatear was in the fields and as elsewhere many European Bee-eater and Barn Swallow were moving over the area. The roadside vegetation held several Willow Warbler.
We only had the briefest glimpse of a Cyprus Warbler behind Asprokremmos Dam but we were luckier with both Spectacled and Sardinian Warbler. We found more Northern Wheatear, several Spotted Flycatcher, another Lesser Grey Shrike and a couple of Red-backed Shrike. We decided to make a short early afternoon visit to Phassouri Reed Beds in the hope of catching some other raptor species.
On first arrival there at about 14.30pm it looked that all we would be seeing were yet more European Bee-eater, Whinchat and hirundines – a few Sand Martin, House Martin and Red-rumped Swallow in with the many Barn Swallow. But after a fifteen minute wait the first group of Honey Buzzard appeared over the eucalyptus trees to the east of the area and during the next hour and a half we had five plus Western Marsh Harrier, one, maybe two, Black Kite, a juvenile Montagu’s Harrier and juvenile Pallid Harrier and more than fifty Honey Buzzard passing over us. We explored the area near to the reeds finding a couple of Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg) and two Common Kingfisher, a few Turtle Dove, three Common Snipe and a European Roller. Returning to check for migrating raptors before finishing our day we were pleased to see an ELeonora’s Falcon heading southwards and then two female Red-footed Falcon and second calendar year male. A good day’s birding, with each location we visited giving us something different to enjoy.
Total species seen – 53
Little Grebe (h), European Shag, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora’s Falcon, Black Francolin, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Snipe, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch.
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
Did some leisurely birding around Larnaca this morning. Not a lot around the Sewage Works side of the Salt Lake, which is virtually dry, though did find a Greater Sand Plover, two Eurasian Stone Curlew, a Masked Shrike and a Common Nightingale in the area as well as three Ferruginous Duck, eighty Black-winged Stilt and over fifty Slender-billed Gull on the Sewage Pools. A female Pallid Harrier and second calendar year male Western Marsh Harrier were migrating over.
Petounta Point was also almost dry. I had another migrating Marsh Harrier as well as a Eurasian Hoopoe, a flava Yellow Wagtail and several Isabelline, Northern and Black-eared Wheatear. I decided to go to Kivisilli fields on the spur of the moment and was glad I did. A female Marsh Harrier was resting on a recently harvested field and a male Pallid Harrier flew over as soon as I drove in. Heading inland I saw several Kestrels around – most of those though were Common. Around 12.15pm a small group of birds gaining height caught my eye – at least ten Lesser Kestrel were in the group together with three female Pallid Harrier, another two female Marsh Harrier and best of all an immature Lesser Spotted Eagle. Was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. In the distance more Kestrels could be seen but it was now too hazy to tell if they were Common or Lesser.
Also in the fields were at least fifteen Greater Short-toed Lark, an Isabelline Wheatear, two Tree Pipit and two Tawny Pipit, a Hoopoe, a Masked Shrike and a Common Nightingale.
Greater Sand Plover Meneou Pool April 5th 2014 (c) Cyprus Birding Tours
Plenty of migrants today at Cape Greco and even my raptor count produced raptors – a European Hobby, a Peregrine Falcon, a female Hen Harrier and at least five Pallid Harrier – two female and three (maybe four) males. Every bush seemed to have something in it and the sound of singing Common Nightingale could be heard throughout the area.
Species around included – Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Ruppell’s Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Tree and Tawny Pipit, Isabelline, Northern, Eastern Black-eared and Cyprus Wheatear, Cyprus and Spectacled Warbler, Masked Shrike, Common Cuckoo, thunbergi Yellow Wagtail, Eurasian Hoopoe, Cretzschmar’s and Ortolan Bunting, Wryneck, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Masked Shrike, Black-crowned Night Heron and Pied Flycatcher.
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