Army Ornithological SocietyArmy Ornithological Society Blog
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 16 Mar 14
Laughing Dove at Limassol Port Canal 16 Mar
Visiting Akhna Dam for the first time in a while paid dividends with my first Montague’s Harrier – a female of this years campaign. A female Marsh Harrier was also present along with a couple of Green Sandpipers and a Redshank. 4 Ruff flushed and drew my attention to a rocky area which contained 11 Little Ringed Plovers. 1 Cormorant and a reduced number of Grey Herons were present and a fairly dull looking Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was actively fly catching from a nearby bush. As I returned home via Vrysoulles, a Little Owl was in its favoured roost site.
On Tuesday I went to Cape Greco via Ayias Trias, at the fishing shelter a lone Sandwich Tern flew east however the Greater Sand Plovers and Grey Plovers appear to have departed. I continued to Cape Greco where at the pines, 3 Hoopoes flushed and several Chiffchaffs called. Further down onto the Cape, 4 Isabelline Wheatears, 1 male Northern* and a female Finsch’s were present. There had obviously been an influx of Chiffchaffs with at least 6 being in one bush. A male Blue Rock Thrush sang from below me and a couple of Song Thrushes called as they went. Towards the picnic area, a Woodchat Shrike* obligingly posed for the camera but it wasn’t exactly heaving with migrants. At the Cape Greco Tip area, a pair of Cyprus Wheatears appeared to be on territory and a Yellow-legged Gull did a fly-by. I continued to Kermia Beach but again no Greater Sand Plovers to be seen and continued quickly on to Ayia Napa Sewage Works. Again, numerous Chiffchaffs and the harsh “Zit” call revealed a feeding Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. Several Spectacled Warblers sang in the open and a flighty male Ruppels Warbler gave itself away with its conspicuous tail feathers as it flew across in front of me and perched briefly. A male Blue Rock Thrush and a Black Redstart were also present and a local gave me some wild artichoke to taste as she picked them – quite tasty in a Bear Grylls type way.
Pausing at Paralimin Lake as I returned home was not a wasted trip. A Sedge Warbler sang, a Quail called and a Black Francolin also remained hidden as it called. 3 Temminck’s Stints were the highlight amongst Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed, Kentish and Ringed Plovers and 2 Snipe called as they passed overhead.
On Wednesday the duty visit to JUMBO gave me the opportunity to cut around the Oroklini area briefly stopping at the now famous JUMBO drain. In the drain, 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Temminck’s Stints, 2 pairs of Spur-winged Plovers, a Snipe, a Black-headed Yellow Wagtail, a flyover Little Egret and 18 Black-headed Gulls – so a good start. The new hide at Oroklini, just in time for the AOS trip is excellent and in the right place for a change. As I worked my way through the gulls 6 Slender-billeds were amongst the Black-heads. Wildfowl was still well represented with c340 Shoveller, 6 Pintails, 5 Red-crested Pochards and several other commoner species. 11 Greater Flamingo remain at the site and as I scanned through amongst the Black-winged Stilts a Black-tailed Godwit. As I watched I heard a Penduline Tit calling and when I scanned the reeds, a nice male was in full view. As I watched the reed bed, a Reed Warbler was singing and was then chased by another and a male Bluethroat showed briefly. At the south end of the marsh, 2 Water Pipits were still present, Redshanks flushed and a pair of Great Tits carried food. I returned via Oroklini coast (Dolphin Rocks), where 4 Slender-billed Gulls were amongst the numerous Black-headed Gulls with 3 Sandwich Terns also being present. An adult Mediterranean Gull with partial breeding hood also stood on the rocks and a Hoopoe flew over the road as I departed. I also shopped for victuals for the impending AOS tour and all is going to plan!
On Thursday, I took a day’s leave and visited Petounta Point and the Larnaca area. Although not very impressive Petounta produced a couple of Isabelline Wheatears, a Black-headed Yellow Wagtail, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Bluethroat and a Snipe – with another Black Francolin, heard only. I drove back via the coast road to the Pervolia area. Along the road another Isabelline Wheatear, a Hoopoe and hundreds of hirundines and Swifts coming in off the sea, also reported by many at various locations across the island. The throng included at least 25 Red-rumped Swallows, there seems to have been a large movement of this species today. I stopped sharply overlooking a cereal field to confirm my first male Pallid Harrier of the year which is a fantastic bird. At Pervolia, I heard another Black Francolin* which was determined to play hide and seek. Being fed up with heard only records, I eventually won the battle, another Red-rumped Swallow passed overhead. At the Larnaca Airport Fields, I flushed 4 Whimbrels and at the sewage works which has had a mass exodus of wintering wildfowl, a breeding plumage Black-necked Grebe, male Pintail, a pair of Ferruginous Ducks and a lone male Garganey were the highlights. Apparently c1000 Garganeys were sat off Akrotiri in Curium Bay during the day with Shovellers etc. This is a known migration pattern in the spring, so my chap appears to have fancied a stop over and departed the group.
Shellduck and Greater Flamingos were present on the salt lake but Slender-billed Gulls, in pink plumage were represented in good numbers. At the north end of the salt lake a couple of Water Pipits in breeding plumage were nice to see and a little further out, lots of Ringed and Kentish Plovers with 4 Ruff, a Redshank, 3 Dunlin and 2 Little Stints were flushed by a passing Common Buzzard. A brief stop at Oroklini revealed all the same as the day before save for a newly arrived Spotted Redshank and I paused to photograph the Red-crested Pochards* that were on a pool close to the road. Akhna Dam was productive with a Marsh Sandpiper*, accompanied by 5 Green Sandpipers, a Redshank and 7 Ruff. A Great Crested Grebe was still present and with 10+ Water Pipits (obviously migrants), numbers were up. The “zit, zit” revealed the presence of a very active Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and a couple of Chiffchaffs also fed. 3 Serin “jingled” away and flew revealing their yellow rumps and a female Marsh Harrier caused havoc with the Coots.
In the afternoon I headed over to the north to do some more AOS provision’s shopping – I hope you appreciate the loss of birding time? I stopped at the Fresh Water Lake South and unbelievably the drake Goosander* had returned, a little closer, I fired off a few shots. The Cattle Egret roost numbered c400 and 8 Glossy Ibises were now in situ. A Great White Egret continued its stay and Little Ergets had increased to 3. The Cormorant roost remains at a constant 25, a Reed Warbler sang and 2 Teal flushed.
After a heavy night on Friday, Saturday and heavy drinking stopped play. On Sunday, I headed to Limassol to see 2 new Orchids, more of that later stopping at a few sites. At Larnaca Sewage Works, the drake Garganey was still present and 2 late Wigeon were seen. A year tick came with a lone Avocet and 4 Red-throated Pipits were heard and then flushed from the grass by the hide. At Pervolia a pair of Calandra Larks displayed (a site recce for the AOS trip), for the month. Checking Petounta Point revealed a late Lapwing – my first March record and at least 7 Black-headed Yellow Wagtails and a “supercilliaris” hybrid. 2 late Skylarks went out to sea a Hoopoe came in. As I drove to Limassol a Common Buzzard and a Long-legged Buzzard were over the motorway at Moni and as I drove past Limassol Port hoping to see the lingering Pied Kingfisher, unsuccessfully I did see a Laughing Dove*. This species is probably from as escaped population but now growing fast and extending in the Limassol area, it’s self supporting so by all accounts “tickable”. The hide a Zakaki Marsh has been finished and is now accessible – very timely, as this will be an excellent site with the AOS group arrive. On Lady’s Mile amongst the numerous Dunlins, Little Stints and Kentish Plovers, 3 unexpected Sanderling were present and a little further along a pathetic looking singleton Flamingo looked a bit lost, whilst 13 Grey Herons came in off the sea. Akrotiri Gravel Pits didn’t hold much apart from a Hoopoe and Isabelline Wheatear and a Curium Beach 38 Cormorants flew in formation, purposefully north east.
I met my Orchid buddies at Anoygra and was seen photographing a White Naked Man Orchid* and Green-winged Orchid* and further down in the valley 2 new species in the form of Monkey* and Dense-flowered Orchid* – reducing the wants list to 10 on the Cyprus list. A bye product was a calling and showing well Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. On the way home I stopped at Oroklini Marsh where 12 Greater Flamingos were present along with the Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Red-crested Pochards (4 spanking males). I returned home and went to the local village restaurant to book a table for the AOS’ last night Meze and to ensure that it was still up to standard.
Highlights of the Week: A Laughing Dove was a good one to find if not a little plastic but it’s good to see migrants arriving in reasonable numbers.
A Look Forward: 1 week to go until “The Eagle Has Landed” – the AOS tour of Cyprus – I hope the weather improves!
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 9 Mar 14
Goosander at Fresh Water Lake South 9 Mar
Before I departed for the UK, I checked the assignments signal and guess what? I’ve been extended for a year in post – I know , but someone has to do it!
As you know I’ve been in the UK on compassionate leave, but all is stable and I even had time to write the BLOG despite thinking I wouldn’t be able to. In between bouts of “TAXIing” etc I managed to get out in the UK on most days. So a bit of a busman’s holiday this week but seeing common British birds that don’t occur in Cyprus was a real joy from a Cyprus birder’s perspective. When I’m in the UK I do a lot of birding in the North East so I’m no stranger to the sites. In the morning, in the garden I got a nice image of a singing Dunnock*.
My first day out was Sunday and the highlight were 7 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks at Seaton Sluice, although lots of Oystercatchers* (a scarcity in Cyprus) was also good to see. I photographed some Eiders* at Amble – well who wouldn’t whilst eating fish and chips. I also “twitched” the long staying Siberian Lesser Whitethroat* at 9 Tynemouth Place, Tynemouth and after confirming the features – brown extending up the nape, indistinct face mask, long tail etc, managed a distant record shot.
On Tuesday, more of the same but I managed to photograph some Purple Sandpipers* at St Mary’s Island, Whitley Bay along with Sanderlings and Redshanks. The Fulmars gliding over the cliffs, now on nest sites was a bird I’d forgotten about (20 months is a long time in birding) and the fields were full of Curlews. Rock Pipits were good to see again, noting the differences between the very common Water Pipits that occur on Cyprus. At North Shields Fish Key, no good gulls but I photographed a Carrion Crow*. Tuesday had arrived and I gave East Chevington another whirl. What a result, with a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Slav Grebes, 3 Long-tailed Ducks and a Black-throated Diver* all being present. Photographing Tree Sparrows* at Hauxley Nature Reserve was very pleasing and seeing Blue Tits was unusually exciting!
On Wednesday, I travelled to Cleveland and Saltholme RSPB. No sign of the roosting Long-eared Owls or the Green-winged Teal but I added some other wildfowl to the list and a flock of 40 or so Twite was unexpected. The highlight here for the locals was a Little Egret judging by the amount of shutters clicking. A little further on, at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park – (Ah Cowpen Bewley reminds me of a manic “twitch” with Tim Cowley some years ago – Glaucaus-winged Gull), common woodland birds but striking male Yellowhammers are always good to see. I returned via Rainton Meadows, Durham Wildlife Trust to find numerous Bullfinches* around the feeders. The male was nearly picture of the week as a tribute to fantastic UK common birds but was surpassed at the last minute. A couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen here – no Woodies on Cyprus unfortunately. 3 Redwings were unexpected and a male Sparrowhawk over the reserve was predictable. Later at Big Waters Nature Reserve, I saw 3 Goosanders (a male and 2 females) and a singing Song Thrush – they wouldn’t dare do that in Cyprus, they wouldn’t last 2 minutes before being blown apart by a shotgun.
On Thursday, I returned to the East Chevington and Widdrington area. I met a local birder here that I’ve known for sometime and provided me with some useful Int. Anyway at Widdrington Moor Lake, a female Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzards were hanging around and 7 Whooper Swans with another 13 flying in the distance was a good moment. Along the tree line c2000 Pink Feet noisily flew by and in the fields by the pool a pair of Stock Doves, another pleasing bird to see and missing from my Cyprus list. Following the Int I’d received I went to East Chevington and made my way to the beach and “Burn” mouth. On the beach amongst the seaweed were 5 Snow Buntings* with 4 of them being ringed. 5 Ringed Plovers also displayed and Sanderlings ran along the tideline. I moved along the coast to the Cresswell area and on the rocks, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits* were amongst the Oystercatchers and a single Grey Plover was a bonus bird. At Beacon Hill, a flock of 80 or so Fieldfares and in the trees a Treecreeper and 2 Nuthatch (none of them on Cyprus either)
I departed Newcastle at 1000 on Friday, stopping in Bedfordshire to have lunch with Jim Porter which was very enjoyable and a welcome break. Jim being unable to lay on a rarity or addition to my UK year list, I moved on down the A421 through Milton Keynes on route to Brize Norton. In Ampthill, Beds, Debs spotted a pair of Red-legged Partridge incrementing the week list close to 100. At Bicester, a Red Kite passed over the A4421 which was my last UK bird with the list for 6 days ending on 97 – not a bad effort despite everything.
On Sunday morning it was an early start trying to catch up with some of the early migrants that I’d missed. It was fairly productive with the first bird I saw being a Hoopoe. Cyprus Warblers, Sardinians and Spectacleds were all in good voice as was a male Blue Rock Thrush at Konnos Bay. The winter visitors are still hanging on with Stonechats, Song Thrushes Black Redstarts and Robins all being present. 2 Red-rumped Swallows came in off the sea with a House Martin and 2 Sandwich Terns flew east. I moved onto the Rubbish Tip and Sea Caves area with a feeling of anticipation. On the open rocky area, a Cyprus Pied Wheatear, 2 Isabelline, 3 Northern and a female Finsch’s were present. A couple more Hoopoes and 5 Tawny Pipits aided the recovery of missed species. However, last week included Black-eared and Desert Wheatears, none were present and the Desert can be difficult if the initial influx is missed – we shall see. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works 2 Common Sandpipers and c40 Little Grebes were on the lagoons. As I moved up the slope, Chiffchaffs were singing and at the top a Northern and Isabelline Wheatear were in attendance. As I walked the area a cracking male Eastern Subalpine Warbler revealed itself, typically briefly before disappearing once more into the scrub. The Caspian Butterfly Orchid* is now in flower and Serapia levantinas are now out in good numbers although the Yellow-bee Orchids are all but over. I walked to the eucalyptus stand and saw a male Cyprus Warbler and a Chiffchaff. I then heard a call that I recognised and fly-catching were a pair of Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers complete with bright yellow rumps, yellow panels in the wings and plain grey head – result.
Later at Paralimini Lake, a pair to Black-headed Yellow Wagtails (felldegg), 3 Green Sandpiers and a Greenshank along with 2 Little-ringed Plovers and 6 Kentish Plovers. Badly in need of a haircut and shave, I went to the north and the barbers. Stopping at Gulserin Pond first, 9 Little Stints and 28 Dunlin were present and at Clapsides Beach, 2 adult Armenian Gulls “hung in there” after the winter stopover. After some “man love” at the barbers I went to the Fresh Water Lake South where 2 Great White Egrets were present along with the usual Cattle and Little Egrets. A female Sparrowhawk passed overhead and I noticed a white bird on the water to my right through the gloomy rain. As I watched, I thought this is familiar to earlier in the week. I waited as the bird slept. It awoke and sure enough, it was a drake Goosander*, a very rare bird in Cyprus, only the 7th record and a great find on my first day back in the saddle - it was 1610. I reached around for my camera – no camera! I drove like a maniac to get to Deb at the shop that I’d dropped her at. 2IC twitching recovered; we headed home, across the border, collected the camera, back across the border, arriving at the site at about 1630ish. The bird was still present, although much more active. I managed some record distant shots through the gloom to attach to the rarity report thus easing acceptance of the record. After about 10 minutes of frenetic activity, with a stretch of the neck, a flap of the wings the 7th record for Cyprus was off over the trees heading in a northerly direction. Twitching my own find was a first. Note to self in a Top Gun type way – never ever leave you camera.
Highlights of the Week: Great to see some common birds in the UK that don’t occur in Cyprus, but finding the 7th record of Goosander for Cyprus on my first day out since returning was a real bonus
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 2 Mar 14
Cream-coloured Courser at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on 26 Feb.
Monday and the standard trip to Akhna Dam as there’s not enough light yet to do anything else. Anyway, 3 Green Sandpipers and a Redshank were still present although a Ringed Plover was new in situ. A Common Buzzard flushed them and around the corner 2 Great White Egrets lurked amongst the 8 Grey Herons. 4 Moorhens was my largest count for a while and a Bluethroat called and showed briefly. A Water Pipit was overhead calling and as I watched, 137 Cormorants were in formation flying NE – a recognised migration pattern for this time of year. 8 Teal are hanging on but there wasn’t much to talk about.
On Tuesday I ventured to the Cape Greco area and although the weather looked promising, there was little about. The male Blue Rock Thrush was still present as were 2 Black Redstarts and several Stonechats. 2 male Cyprus Warblers were present along with a few Sardinians and a single Song Thrush. It appeared that many species had thinned out including the female Finsch’s Wheatear. I continued to Ayia Napa Sewage Works where 46 Little Grebes were on the lagoons and in the area 7 Song Thrushes, a Common Buzzard but little else. The rare Ochris papillionacea palestina (Caspian Butterfly Orchid) is in bud and should be in flower when the AOS are here. I also photographed Yellow Bee Orchid and a good stand of Giant Orchids. That was about it as nothing much of interest was at Sotira Pond and Paralimni Lake but the area is looking good for migrant waders in a few weeks.
On Wednesday, with late news of a Cream-coloured Courser* at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on Tuesday evening , I successfully twitched a very obliging and confiding individual that positively ran at the camera! A superb bird and Cyprus “tick”; the Courser family always gives me pleasure! At Larnaca Sewage Works the Geese made an unexpected appearance 12 Lesser Whitefronts and a Greylag. 2 Gadwalls were also present and on Spiro’s Pool, 11 Ruff. Several resplendent pink Slender-billed Gulls were amongst the Black-heads at the Salt Lake and c850 Shelducks were still present. I returned home as quickly as I could to find that I was subject of a Comp B and was homeward bound.
Due to the fact that I have to fly to the UK on compassionate leave with Debs at 2200 on Thursday, that’s the enforced abridged version of this week’s BLOG. For the first time in 20 months, there will be no BLOG next week – apologies.
Highlights of the Week: The immaculate Cream-coloured Courser – what else?
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 23 Feb 14
Steppe Grey Shrike (palidiostrostis) at Pervolia on 18 Feb.
On Monday, I drove to the north after work and at Fresh Water Lake South, 2 Great White Egrets, nesting Cattle Egrets (c400) and a Common Sandpiper were the highlights. The Cormorant roost had increased to 52, the best count so far. Then something strange happened, Deb and I were invited into the stables next to where I stand by the Turkish owners. In the back there is a BAR. We were wined and dined and the owner offered a BBQ and some beers when the AOS visit if I contact him – an option for sure. Even if we just have a beer. I will be talking to him and sorting out some sort of arrangement. As I had a beer and tried to decline another, I mentioned that I had to drive, he replied “Don’t worry, I’m a policeman, just give me a call” – I thought Oh no – what could possibly go wrong?
On Tuesday, I had to take Deb to the polyclinic in Limasol and stopping at Agia Trias once more, I was unsuccessful with the Margansers. I did however stop in the Larnaca area on route and at the sewage works, 5 Black Francolins strutted their stuff (3 males) and I saw my first Slender-billed Gulls of the year (5). I scanned the water’s edge finding 8 Ruff and 3 Black-winged Stilts and on the water 5 Black-necked Grebes (greatly reduced), a pair of Gadwalls (still hanging on), a female Marsh Harrier and over 150 Little Grebes. The nearby airport fields held a Red-throated Pipit and a Meadow Pipit. I met the recorder Jane Stylianou and purchased a couple of 2012 bird reports as I was “Mentioned In Despatches” a couple of times. She also said she’d show me where the Steppe Grey Shrike* was. I drove to the area, got out of the car and there it was sat atop a bush. Not as tame as the one I saw in Lincolnshire several years ago that many will attest to but it did allow a fairly close approach for some relatively good images. The third I’ve seen in Cyprus and it’s probably been over-wintering in an area that isn’t watched very much – in the middle of a housing estate – very bizarre but perfect habitat for it. I dove to Limasol stopping at Finikaria where a Grey Wagtail was in the stream, a Common Sandpiper was on a muddy island and a cracking adult Bonelli’s Eagle drifted over the nearby hills. As I returned to Ay Nik at break-neck speed an adult Long-legged Buzzard was over the motorway at Zygi.
I had driven as fast as I could because I’d been informed that the Margansers were usually present from 1530 – 1630, which would explain why I hadn’t connected with them previously. I eventually got to Agia Trias at about 1615 and after seeing 5 Grey Plovers, a Greater Sand Plover and a Yellow-legged Gull on the rocks, I eventually found 4 female Red-breasted Mergansers floating on the sea a distance away. I drove to another bay, only to see the birds flying to the area where I’d previously been scanning them. Flushed by a fishing boat, I returned to scope them and attempted to move closer, when a fisherman flushed the birds giving me flight views. I drove along the coast and the birds alighted once more heading toward Cape Greco and were lost to sight. I returned to the car muttering about being given the run-around and chasing what are common British birds. However, they were a Cyprus “tick” for me and after Debs commented “STOP Winging”, I thought she did have a point.
In the morning as I walked out of the house a Blackcap was singing as was a Chiffchaff – the first I’ve heard singing this year. In work at least 1 pair of House Martins have returned to last year’s nest. I walked around Cape Greco in the afternoon but sadly there were no early migrants. 2 female Finsch’s Wheatears* were present along with a male Blue Rock Thrush. Several Black Redstarts and 3 Linnets were to be found and Stonechats numbered 8. A couple of Meadow Pipits hung around and a lone Swallow passed through. I checked Agia Trias once more but only the 5 Grey Plovers, 1 Greater Sand Plover, coming into breeding plumage and 1 Yellow-legged Gull was present with no sign of the Mergansers.
On Thursday afternoon I visited Oroklini Marsh, stopping on the way at Dhekelia Power Station where 2 Shags were sat on the mooring buoys, at Dolphin Rocks, Oroklini Coast, 2 Sandwhich Terns were amongst the Black-headed Gulls with 1 adult Common Gull, an adult Armenian Gull and 3 Caspian Gulls. At the manmade JUMBO Drainage Channel, 3 Temminck’s Stints were still there with 6 Spur-winged Plovers and 6 Little Ringed Plovers. At Oroklini Marsh, finally, a year tick with 2 male Penduline Tits, first heard calling ant then seen in the reeds. On the water were 4 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake), 3 drake Pintails, 9 Greater Flamingos and 3 Black-winged Stilts. At the south end of the marsh, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshanks, 11 Shelduck and a displaying Fan-tailed Warbler. I returned home via Akhna Dam, where a Great White Egret perched in the tamarisks and a Black Francolin male called from a raised mound of earth. 2 Redshanks were vocal and there had obviously been a small movement of Green Sandpipers as 5 were present.
On Friday morning, the Blackcap in the garden continued to sing its little face off amongst the morning fog. If only there is fog like this in a month’s time when the AOS tour is on – there will surely be a big fall to work through, I live in hope. On Friday afternoon at Akhna Dam, the 2 Great Crested Grebes had returned, Bluethroats were seen singing as were Blackcaps and with Fan-tailed Warblers in display flight, Spring had certainly arrived. 3 Great White Egrets were present and a Marsh Harrier passed overhead. As I returned home 5 Common Swifts, my first of the year passed over the house.
On Saturday I attended a KUSKOR field meeting, taking in a few new sites, but there wasn’t much doing although at Konyeli on the beach, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls were with 3 Caspians and a 2ND winter Audouin’s, with 6 Swifts over the house. I did see my first Cleopatra butterflies of the year and a Red Admiral at Merchinlik Dam. Silver Beach on the way home held 48 Greater Flamingos and at Gulserin a Common Gull was a surprise but 2 Slender-billeds less so amongst the Black-heads. 2 Little Stints and a Dunlin fed actively, whilst 8 Ringed Plovers were amongst the Spur-winged Plovers. On Sunday, I had arranged to meet a friend to conduct the first Orchid hunt of the season. A little later than last year, I need to get my skates on to catch a few early ones I missed previously. On route to the Orchid Glade at Akrotiri, I stopped in the Larnaca area, where 8 Ruff and 4 Black-winged Stilts were on the sewage works lagoons with a Marsh Harrier. At least 3 Black Francolins were heard calling and a Red-throated Pipit flew over calling. At the airport fields, my first Isabelline Wheatear of the year put in an appearance. I moved onto Petounta Point – this looks like an excellent migrant spot for the AOS trip! To prove the point, my 2nd Isabelline Wheatear of the year showed well.
At Phasouri Reed Beds, 2 Penduline Tit were in the open and a rather more skulky Bluethroat sang from the reeds. Marsh Harriers were above the reeds and Song Thrushes flushed from them. A female Blackcap put on a show and a Common Buzzard flew from its perch. Along the road 15 Shelducks were on Akrotiri Salt Lake. I met Lynne at the orchid glade and the hunt began, quickly adding Orchis funerea* which I’d missed last year. As we walked around we saw at least 6 species and as we returned to the car, my first Great Spotted Cuckoo* flushed and then unusually sat in the open for the camera – a great moment as I’ve wanted to photograph one since being here, a truly spectacular species. That over we drove to Anoigya in the hills above Episkopi where we passed 3 Griffon Vultures and a Black Redstart. In the Anoigya and Agia Thomas area orchids were everywhere and I soon caught up with Orchis quadripuctata (Four-spotted Orchid)*, a delicate species and another I’d missed last year. We continued the searching and racked up a few more species eventually finding Ophrys sintenisii* and Ophrys transhyrcana* (2 types of Spider Orchid), which I’d also failed with last year. By the end of the day, we’d seen 17 species of orchid – not a bad count and 4 new species. On the way home over the motorway at Zygi a Long-legged Buzzard drifted effortlessly. Stopping at Oroklini Marsh briefly revealed 2 Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and a 1st Winter and at the coast at Dolphin Rocks, 10 were present including 8 adults (2 in complete breeding plumage), a 2nd winter and a 1st winter – the biggest count this year, with a single Sandwich Tern also being present.
Highlights of the Week: A Cyprus “tick” with 4 female Red-breasted Mergansers and a Steppe Grey Shrike – my 3rd for the island, with news of migrants moving, Isabelline Wheatears and a chance encounter with a cracking Great Spotted Cuckoo.
Look Forward: Migrant hunting and preps for the AOS Tour.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 16 Feb 14
Monk Parakeet at Athens National Garden-14 Feb 14
I managed to get out after work on Monday for the first time this year, it’s getting lighter and birding opportunities are improving. Akhna Dam held a Great White Egret, Redshank, 4 Snipe, a couple of Song Thrush and a Cetti’s Warbler, whilst on the way home a Little Owl had returned to its roost site in Vrysoulles. On 11th I visited the Larnaca area and at the sewage works found a lone drake Ferruginous Duck amongst 500 or so Coots. A pair of Wigeon were still present but wildfowl had reduced considerably. With 3 Black-winged Stilts and a female Marsh Harrier with 24 Black-necked Grebes, that concluded the interesting sightings for the site. In the airport fields, a lone Lapwing fed and was flushed by a female Hen Harrier. 2 Cormorants were offshore but little else was present except for c250 Golden Plovers on Spiro’s Pool. At the north airport pool, 5 Stone Curlews were unexpected with 4 Redshanks being amongst the numerous Black-headed Gulls. I progressed to the north end of the salt lake as I hadn’t visited for a while. Shelducks had increased to c900 making quite a site and Greater Flamingos only numbered about c150. As I waded about in my wellies, I heard and then located a singing Moustached Warbler – always nice to hear but usually means that they’re not going to be around much longer. Certainly seeing one in the last week of February is unusual. A Reed Bunting responded to a bit of “pishing” but the 6 or 7 Water Pipits flushed along with a Bluethroat. Snipe were numerous and 8 Spur-winged Plovers were very noisy and must be breeing. A Green Sandpiper flew from the reeds calling with Redshanks as 3 Swallows and a Marsh Harrier were overhead. As I returned to the car c4500 Starlings in mermeration made quite a spectacle before they roosted in the reeds.
On Wednesday I had to visit Troodos for a meeting which ended at about 1500. I walked to the village seeing many of the common mountain species along with my first Jay of the year. 5 Crossbills were nice to see as was a close Short-toed Treecreeper. As I continued to walk the area a large flock of birds flew up from the ground and perched in the surrounding pines, I got onto a few and they were Yellowhammers - a difficult bird in Cyprus. As I followed them around there must have been 20+ in the area. Several perched in a pine in front of me and I was struck by a brown and white bird lacking any yellow undertones with a brownish/grey head and an obvious whitish supercillium. I soon realised that it must be a female 1st winter Pine Bunting – probably annual in the Troodos range but rarely recorded. I have submitted a description pending the adjudication from the Cyprus sub-rarities committee.
On Thursday morning we flew to Athens although, a House Martin was a Larnaca Airport before we left and a Black Francolin was calling. We arrived in Athens to warm sunshine and the first birds were House Sparrows, Magpies and Kestrels. We walked around in the early afternoon and many of the usual city and park birds were present including an obliging Starling*. On 14th, Friday we visited the Acropolis where Yellow-legged Gulls and a Peregrine were overhead. As we descended the slopes and walked around, a Robin* posed for the camera as did a Blackbird*. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were singing and seen as was a male Sardinian Warbler. Finally, a female Black Redstart* sat up for the camera. Song Thrushes were dashing between the trees and after watching the “changing of the guard” at Syntagma Square – the Presidential Palace (not sure this drill or dress will catch on) we moved to the city’s National Garden. I was extremely pleased to catch up with…… wait for it a Blue Tit*, having not seen one for 20 months since leaving the UK, it was a good moment. Commoner birds like Magpies* posed for the camera and Blackbirds were everywhere singing. I photographed a sign* which in Greek and English, a Greek Cypriot would surely understand and yet at the same time have absolutely no comprehension of. It reminded me when I saw common birds behaving like they do in the UK what a detrimental effect a destructive culture like the Cypriots have on the environment and wildlife. As seems to be the norm in Southern European cities now, the ubiquitous Parakeet colonies – this time Monk Parakeets* with several Ring-necked Parakeets*. I also photographed a Grey Wagtail* in the park and in the nearby Temple of the Olympian Zeus, I photographed a Serin which was one of about 15 feeding on the grass with Chaffinches.
As we walked around Athens in the evening, I heard a pair of calling European Scops Owls and a Little Owl. My final bird before leaving Athens on Sunday afternoon was a Hawfinch at the Acropolis flying into an area of old oak trees. A respectable 24 species on my newly started Greek List. We returned to Cyprus at 1815 and it was dark. I opened my email to find that Bramblings in Troodos, a Steppe Grey Shrike at Pervolia and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers at Ayia Trias had been seen in my absence.
Highlights of the Week: A 1st Winter Female Pine Bunting amongst Yellowhammers (description submitted – awaiting acceptance by the Sub-rarities committee).
Look Forward: A hunt for a reported Steppe Grey Shrike and the rarity chase.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Comments
Follow us:
