Army Ornithological SocietyArmy Ornithological Society Blog
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 15 Sep
Black-tailed Godwit at Akhna Dam on 14 Sep
indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view or click on the link
A visit to Troodos gave me the opportunity to catch up with the usual mountain species and I also encountered a Long-legged Buzzard and a Golden Oriole on the way up. At Amiantos Cyprus Wheatears were still present and at least 4 Crag Martins. At the Giant Juniper picnic site 4 Red-rumped Swallows sat on wires and a Crossbill called as it flew overhead. The remainder of the species list was fairly routine although Blackbirds were conspicuous by their absence. On the way down the mountain at Platres Trout Farm a Grey Wagtail was present. A single Whiskered Tern and 3 White-winged Black Terns were at Larnaca Sewage Works which also allowed me the opportunity to add a few wildfowl and 3 juvenile Greater Flamingos to the month list. 3 Shags sat on the usual platforms at Dhekelia Power Station and at the Fire Station 18 Stone Curlews were roosting, which appears to be the beginning of the post breeding winter roost which totalled c200 last year. A Cyprus Wheatear was also present. A brief stop at Akhna Dam revealed 2 Little Owls, the usual collection of Shrikes, however a Golden Oriole was a good bird for the site as was a Wood Warbler, which are not that common in the autumn. A female Whinchat was a new arrival and a Greenshank was also present. On the way home, 3 European Beeaters were on wires in Vrysoulles and another Whinchat sat on a dead snag.
For a number of reasons, operational tempo, no car, mess lunch, trying to sort out a new car, no birding was done on Tue, Wed, Thu or Fri – I can’t remember the last time I was unable to go birding for 4 days in a row. Anyway, although illegal, I took the new car to Akhna Dam on Saturday. Now with 4WD capability I was able to access via a track that I had previously attempted in the old car but was unable to. Many waders were present, most notable being 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and 17 Ruffs. 13 Grey Herons was a good count and 3 Glossy Ibises hid in the reeds. Further around the dam, 3 female Marsh Harriers and a Black Kite spooked the Herons which revealed a Squacco and 3 Night Herons. I then noticed a Great White Egret lurking in the vegetation. I stopped to look at the waders as I left and found 2 Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit* then flew in. Although a regular migrant, they are never seen in any great number. 15 European Beeaters were overhead and I then noticed a pair of White Pelicans – so a pretty good day and back in the saddle.
On Sunday, the first visit to the Ayia Napa area in the new birding mobile. At the football pitches 4 Isabelline Wheatears were present and close scrutiny revealed the presence of a female Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. A Whinchat also fed on the grass and c120 Yellow Wagtails, including 3 feldeggs and a 2 flavas were spread around the complex. A single Red-backed Shrike and a Spectacled Warbler concluded proceedings. I continued onto the sewage works area passing a Spotted Flycatcher and Common Sandpiper on the lagoons. I walked the area and Willow Warblers were in the ascendancy. A single male Eastern Orphean Warbler was typically shy and it was obvious from the numbers present that Sylvia passage appears to be coming to an end. As I rounded the olive grove a stonking male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear was resplendent in summer plumage – surely one of the most pleasing and beautiful birds of the genus? Although not very busy, a Whinchat put in an appearance as I left the site. At Ay Nik (ESBA), a male Lesser Grey Shrike was on the wires, another species reducing in numbers as September moves on.
I visited Akhna Dam once more in the evening and much of what was present on Saturday was still there although Curlew Sandpipers had increased to 9. The 2 White Pelicans were still present, Squaccos numbered 3, c50 Sand Martins headed south and 2 immature White-winged Black Terns fed over the dam. Then – a year tick, a cracking adult Osprey sat on a dead snag and then fishing, a very pleasing end to what was a fairly shocking week from a birding perspective.
Highlight of the Week: The new car and a chance to get out and about. On the birding front a couple of Golden Orioles and a Wood Warbler were notable although eclipsed by an adult Osprey.
Look Forward: A trip to Akrotiri in an attempt to catch some raptor migration and hopefully a seawatching trip to the North.
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 8 Sep
Immature Curlew Sandpiper at Akhna Dam on 8 Sep
indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view or click on the link.
I have nearly recovered from the indignity of having to push my car to the car park followed by wheeling the granny’s shopping trolley from the NAAFI to my house whilst being ridiculed by all. Having conveyed this story to several of my close birding friends in the hope of a sympathetic ear, I was met with laughter and by one with uncontrollable hysteria – but at least it cheered them up! In fact one described it as the “Walk of Shame”, which was disappointing. With my birding life in tatters due to my lack of vehicle access, I moped around Ay Nik, in what is arguably the most birding intensive month of the year. Walking to lunch, c20 European Beeaters were over camp and on the Regimental Football Pitch, 14 Cattle Egrets, 8 Jackdaws, 1 Hooded Crow and a Wood Pigeon were feeding actively. At this rate it’s going to be a lean month.
On Tuesday as I walked to work an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was heard “chacking” and then seen in an acacia above me. In the evening I walked the wooded area and scrub ground behind my house. Surprisingly, it’s amazing what you find when you look. I’m usually rushing off somewhere but since I can’t, I’ve been working the local area inside the perimeter fence with some success. 51 European Beeaters were seen on wires adjacent to the sewage plant whilst on the fence line, 2 Red-backed Shrikes and a Spotted Flycatcher with another in the woods.
On Wednesday evening I repeated the same walk as yesterday and found 5 Golden Orioles, 2 Masked Shrikes, a Red-backed, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and as I walked the scrub, I flushed a Wryneck, Ortolan Bunting and a pair of Willow Warblers chased a Great Tit. Finally, a calling Tawny Pipit flew above me calling as it proceeded south. All within 500 metres of the house – incredible!
I’d been offered a car to go shopping by my office buddy which was much appreciated. He did say not to go to Akrotiri twitching. In any event as I was passing Akhna Dam on the way back it seemed an opportunity not to be missed so I stopped for a walk around for an hour or so. The usual waders were present for this time of year, but a Greenshank, Temminck’s Stint and a Dunlin were the highlights. I flushed numerous Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrikes as I walked around along with a Wryneck. 3 Glossy Ibises flew in and 7 Squacco Herons flew out. An immature Night Heron walked around the reed beds and 7 Turtle Doves landed in a eucalyptus stand. The Little Owl was in its regular spot although the highlight of the day was finding an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler with the Willow Warbler influx. A common enough bird in the Spring, Bonelli’s Warbler is a very tricky and not often occurring (or recorded) species in the Autuimn – description submitted. A single female Marsh Harrier quartered the reed beds as I was leaving.
On Friday, I attended the Mess followed by a leaving function and with no car I had a BBQ at the house with friends on Saturday so drunkenness and no transport produced 5 European Beeaters over the house on Saturday as I ate a pork chop and drank a KEO. I did however, manage to negotiate the use of a car for Sunday morning, although it meant an early rise to have it returned in time. So with a sore head, I visited Akhna Dam where you rarely have a wasted journey. On a small pond as I entered, 13 Little Egrets, 3 Wood Sandpipers and a Spotted Redshank* fed actvively. As I walked the north east bank of the southern arm, 10+ Red-backed Shrikes were obvious as were 2 Masked Shrikes and a lone Lesser Grey. I flushed a Wryneck and photographed 1 of 2 Great Reed Warblers*. 12+ Willow Warblers* were in the area and 3 Sedge, 4 Reed, 2 Eastern Olivaceous and a Cetti’s Warbler were also present. 7 Night Herons rose from the reeds along with a pair of Squaccos and along the waters edge an immature Citrine Wagtail flushed as a Tawny Pipit called and flew south above me. A single Green Sandpiper, 2 Commons and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers ended the morning, although as I was leaving I saw and photographed an immature Curlew Sandpiper*. In the afternoon at Ay Nik, an evening walk produced a Red-backed Shrike, 8 European Beeaters, a Fan-tailed Warbler and 2 Willow Warblers. The week ended with me flaking on the setee.
Highlight of the Week: Compared to last week’s exceptional sightings this week has been very, very, very and a few more verys dull.
Look Forward: A new car – I want it, I need it, as I am loosing my sanity in the Ay Nik area and Deb is fed up with watching such films as Run Silent Run Deep etc.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 1 Sep
River Warbler at Ayia Napa Sewage Works on 26 Aug
indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Monday, a bank holiday and historically something good turns up. I headed to the Ayia Napa area pausing at the football pitch complex before proceeding to the sewage works. At the football pitches a good number of Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrikes were present with a Spotted Flycatcher and some Yellow Wagtails with one feldegg type. A couple of Hoopoes fed on the grass and a pair of Pallid Swifts and 17 European Beeaters were overhead, not too shabby a start to the day.
I continued to the sewage works and as I drove the approach track it was clear from the numbers of Shrikes and Spotted Flycatchers that there had been a sizeable fall of migrants. As I passed the lagoons a female type Garganey was present and a single Common Sandpiper. High on the bluff an adult Long-legged Buzzard rested (my first for several months in the area). 15+ Red-backed Shrikes, 4 Lesser Grey Shrikes and at least 9 Spotted Flycatchers were in the area with at least 3 Isabelline Wheatears. Every bush seemed to be alive with birds with Sylvia warblers being in the majority. As I worked the area, I say my first Blackcaps for the autumn along with 10+ Eastern Orphean Warblers, 5 Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Spectacled Warblers and a single immature Barred Warbler.
As I continued around the area Willow Warblers were everywhere and as I rounded the end of the eucalyptus stand I became aware of a movement. I stopped and saw a plain looking brown bird perched in a tree with few leaves on it. I thought at first it was a Thrush Nightingale but as it moved with streaky breast and white tips to the dark undertail coverts, I couldn’t believe it. A LIFER – River Warbler* and self found, I managed to photograph the bird as it crept along the branch in typical loucustella fashion before it was lost to view. As a bonus as I walked 10 yards into the bush I flushed a Corncrake. Totally delighted, I went home for the day and spent it with Deb knowing that it wasn’t going to get any better than that.
With another day’s leave on Tuesday. I had a text message and email giving me the call for the Demoiselle Crane * passage. There was a large movement from the North and to the West of the island witnessed by many between 2100 – 2200 on Monday evening. Problem, the car is still buggered and needs looking at – do you risk a trip to Akrotiri, of course you do! I departed Ay Nik at about 0700 and arrived at Akrotiri Salt Lake at about 0815. The journey was not without incident as the car kept loosing power so I had to do the journey in 3rd gear for most of the way at about 60Kmh. Having said that, by 0830, I was viewing 3 groups of Cranes. As they departed at about 0845, a little earlier than usual Colin Richardson and I counted 123 birds which is a good number for recent years. With many passing the night before that wouldn’t have stopped, this is likely to be the largest number seen this year although it is likely that a few stragglers will continue into early September. As I was in situ and not wishing to waste the day we continued birding around the salt lake for the rest of the morning, immediately seeing 2 Golden Orioles. On the North side of the lake an adult Saker sat and then hunted whilst being harassed by a Bar-tailed Godwit that was taking its life in its hands. More than 8000 Greater Flamingos* were present with 3 Marsh Harriers and 3 Black Kites.
We moved to the South side of the lake behind Lady’s Mile and found 6 Turnstones, 4 Marsh Sandpipers, 6 Dunlin, 6 Avocet, 3 Gull-billed Terns, 2 immature Whiskered Terns and 2 White-winged Black Terns. A single Ringed Plover and c400 Black-winged Stilts made up the numbers whilst a dark phase Eleonora’s Falcon hawked the reed bed. I departed at 1200 and headed for Ay Nik with the car becoming worse with every mile. I made it back in time to pick up Deb from work and whilst leaving the camp, the car stalled and would not restart so embarrassingly, I had to push it to the Mess car park and abandon it. The next day, it jumped started, so I got it home and rang the gargage. With the throttle going to cost £240 with other work pending, the decision was made to scrap the birding mobile and find another – a sad day indeed, I have seen and photographed many good birds from the birding mobile (not so 4WD vehicle), although it was a fiscal liability. The rest of the day was spent sorting paperwork out for the scrapping.
On Thursday, I had arranged for my Greek birding friend Andreas Kepfalas to pick me up as he’d found a Baillon’s Crake at Akhna Dam. We arrived at about 1800 and saw several Reed Warblers but no Crake, we did however find an immature Citrine Wagtail amongst the hundred or so Yellow Wagtails. As we watched the Cattle Egret roost form which eventually totalled c700+ we saw 15 Night Herons overhead and 10 Glossy Ibises joined the roosting Egrets. Perhaps the total surprise of the visit was a pair of Blue-cheeked Beeaters flying over. Not often seen in the autumn they were an excellent record. Many thanks to Andreas for the evening out and the lift. Friday – no car and no birding as a result. This situation is likely to continue for a few weeks until I sort a new vehicle. I did walk the woods at the back of the house which produced a Little Owl, 8 European Beeaters and 6 House Martins over the house. I test drove a 4WD jeep on Saturday morning and secured the vehicle for payment and collection on 12 September. What am I going to do for 10 days without a car? No birding and more pulling the shopping trolley to the Ermes no doubt – what have I been reduced to? On Sunday morning a pair of European Beeaters continued over the house and later in the day, I heard a Little Owl and a pair of Stone Curlews to start the September month list.
Highlight of the Week: A self found and photographed LIFER, River Warbler, the 14th record for Cyprus, Demoiselle Cranes and an adult Saker – an outstanding week!
Look Forward: Buying a new birding mobile is the priority, without it – I’m screwed at a critical time in the birding calendar.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Comments
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 25 Aug
Glossy Ibis at Akhna Dam on 24 Aug
indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Apologies for the late post this week but a combination of a few days off and a busy period at work for obvious reasons have left me with not much time. Monday and migration is in full swing. Lots of good birds flooding through but still more to find and last week’s successes prove if you get out, you’ll find something. Monday saw me a Lady’s Mile, Limassol, searching for and finding a Broad-billed Sandpiper amongst the throng of Kentish Plovers and Little Stints. A pair of Dunlin were unexpected and a lone Sanderling adult moulting out of breeding plumage was a good year “tick”. Bishop’s Pool was quiet but held a drake Ferruginous Duck whilst on the Salt Lake at Akrotiri, Greater Flamingo numbers were in the thousands with some attempting to breed whilst Slender-billed Gulls numbered c350. At Kensington Cliffs at least 10 Eleonora’s Falcons hawked the hillside and a distant Griffon Vulture, like a flying barn door was obvious. A brief visit to Akhna Dam produced nothing new but at least 8 Hoopoes were impressive and a Little Owl sat in its usual hole.
The heap of a car in the garage on Tuesday in an attempt to rectify a recurring issue doesn’t sound good but I await the outcome. However, it was returned pending the delivery of a part and I was able to meet Colin Richardson at Akhna Dam by 1600. Colin had already had a successful day at Petountas Point, Larnaca Sewage Works and the Ayia Napa Area bagging a few autumn migrants but fortunately our luck was in and more migrants were present. The usual Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers were present but 4 Temminck’s Stint were a good count. Shrikes, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Masked were much in evidence as were a good number of Hoopoes. As we walked the East bank of the southern arm at Akhna we flushed a bird which eventually gave itself up as a Wryneck which was a good autumn record. A couple of Black-winged Stilts were present with about 20 Yellow Wagtails and around the site at least 10 Kingfishers were very vocal. A little further along a Little Crake, my first for the autumn flushed as did a Collared Pratincole which circled for a while and a count of 27 Night Herons was my highest ever for the site accompanied by 3 Squacco Herons. Spur-winged Plover numbers had risen to circa 50 and at the reed bed we observed a couple of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers. We saw the usual Little Owl whilst exiting the site on route to the Cattle Egret roost. As the Cattle Egrets came in they were joined by 9 Glossy Ibises and eventually the roost must have totalled 500+.
I quickly visited Akhna Dam on Wednesday afternoon but nothing was new and on Thursday I had to visit Troodos again. Before leaving Ay Nik a Little Owl was seen. With little time to look around, I saw 7 or 8 Cyprus Wheatears, a couple of Chaffinches and a Jay. A single Masked Shrike continued around the station. I retuned home late and was unable to get out anywhere so ended a fairly unproductive couple of days.
Friday had arrived and I visited the Fresh Water Lake in Famagusta via the “bread shop”. Nothing special was present although a count of 14 Squacco Herons and 42 Grey Herons was good. Waders have started to return as the lake dries out and reveals muddy fringes but surprisingly no marsh Terns were present. A female Black Francolin was new for the site. On Saturday the 24 August I went to the Cape Greco area in the hope of finding some migrants. Ayia Napa Football Pitches held 19 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Lesser Grey Shrikes, 3 Red-backeds and 7 Hoopoes with a Spotted Flycatcher and a single Whitethroat. Later at the sewage works, 47 European Beeaters drifted overhead and the bushes were alive with Sylvia warblers; Eastern Orphean, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Spectacled Warblers and a single juvenile Barred Warbler. 5 Masked Shrikes, a Common Swift, Spotted Flycatcher and a female Marsh Harrier rounded it off. Akhna Dam in the evening was productive with my first Ortolan Bunting* of the autumn. Waders were present in the form of Temminck’s and Little Stints* with a smattering of the commoner Sandpipers, however 2 Common Snipe was the highlight. A single Sedge Warbler was seen as was a Glossy Ibis. I stopped at Vrysoulles on the way home and reassuringly the Barn Owl was still in its usual roost.
On Sunday, at Akhna Dam there was much disturbance and shooting – of European Beeaters unfortunately. It never ceases to amaze me how Cypriots derive pleasure? A very sick and selfish people indeed. Anyway 15 survived to live to fight another day and continued their migration. A handful of Sand Martins passed with the Swallows but there weren’t any additional arrivals from Saturday’s records except for a solitary Ruff. I returned home to cook the BBQ (no women allowed at the grill), which was enjoyable and looked forward to the bank holiday Monday.
Highlight of the Week: Watching at least 10 Eleonora’s Falcons is always enjoyable and a Wryneck in the autumn is always a good bird to get.
Look Forward: The bank holiday weekend and hopefully a working car that will allow me to get to Akrotiri for some migration.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 18 Aug
Red-backed Shrike at Akhna Dam on 18 Aug
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Monday and Akhna Dam. Yellow Wagtails have increased to c40 although waders were in short supply with only 17 Spur-winged Plovers, 1 Wood Sandpiper and 1 adult Black-winged Stilt. Glossy Ibises remain constant at 5 and Squacco Herons at 2. 3 Masked Shrikes were present including a pristine adult male. I found an area to watch a reed bed which revealed 2 Sedge Warblers, a Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Eurasian Reed Warblers, 2 probable Eastern (Caspian Reed Warblers) and a putative adult Marsh Warbler (TBC, tomorrow if it’s still there). A couple of Common Kingfishers called and were seen as I sat by the reed bed and a Grey Heron flew over. The adult Dunlin was seen again and 3 Hoopoes flushed as I drove around the site. On the way home an adult Roller perched in its usual tree on the main road near Avgorou.
On Tuesday a visit to Troodos allowed me to catch up with the mountain specialities plus a few goodies. At Amiantos Asbestos Mine, 4 Crag Martins hawked the screed slopes and up the road at Giant Junipers Picnic Site 2 Red-rumped Swallows flew across the treeline. With most of the mountain species in the bag, after my meeting and lunch I headed back to Ay Nik, catching up with a Grey Wagtail and Wren at the Caledonian Falls Trout Farm in Platres. I visited Akhna Dam in the evening and there had been an influx of Common Sandpipers – 14, but nothing else was new and no sign of the probable/possible Marsh Warbler – so I’ll have to put that one down to experience. A difficult species at the best of times unless singing and add that to the complexity of the Eastern Reed Warbler and you have a recipe for a stringy record without a positive ID and a good photo to look at, as was the case last year.
On Wednesday, since Koprulu in the north is now dry, I reverted to last years plan to visit Ayia Napa Sewage Works mid-week and what a good decision that proved to be. As I walked the area Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were much in evidence and 8 Pallid Swifts hawked over the lagoons along with numerous Swallows. I explored further and saw at least 4 Red-backed, 2 Lesser Grey and 2 Masked Shrikes. Spectacled Warblers were obvious and 3 Eastern Orphean Warblers gave reasonable views, a bit of a skulker and difficult to view at times. As I rounded the end of the Carob grove, a bird sat motionless on a dead snag. I quickly raised by bins and though I knew what it was immediately although several very strident tail cocks with a rufous rump confirmed it was a Rufous Bush Chat or Scrub Robin if you prefer, in any event a view of about 6 seconds confirmed it was of the nominate race Ssp syriacus, which is greyer on the head, nape and mantle than the browner Middle East form – a Cyprus “tick” for me an about as good as it gets these days! It flew into the scrub, (as you’d expect) and I was unable to relocate it for the photo opportunity. As I returned to the car, a Grey Heron gained height and drifted out over Cape Greco and a browner bird flew across me; about the same size as an Orphean Warbler, as it perched in a bush briefly the oversized Garden Warbler looking individual gave itself up as a juvenile Barred Warbler, my first of the autumn. Driving from the area a Common Whitethroat fed on berries. Feeling extremely happy Deb and I stopped for a celebratory ice cream and later a beer where 6 European Beeaters flew over us – the end of a good day.
Larnaca Sewage Works was a bit predictable on Thursday afternoon although added a few month ticks including 5 Little Stints, a juvenile Whiskered Tern with 2 White-winged Black Terns, 4 Northern Shovellers and a Teal. With Oroklini now dry, I returned via Akhna Dam where a Temminck’s Stint was new for the month, a Night Heron passed overhead and Hoopoe numbers had increased to 8. A couple of Sedge Warblers were still present and roosting Yellow Wagtails numbered about 40 whereas Cattle Egrets were in excess of 600. On Friday I attended the Mess and the Horse Racing Night which ended up with not getting out until Saturday evening.
In any event Saturday evening was a great success. There had been a large influx of waders at Akhna Dam and I was attracted to a calling wader, the call of which I didn’t recognise. In profile, it became obvious – a brown looking, immature Terek Sandpiper, a great find for Cyprus and an addition to my Cyprus list. Not seen annually, I scoped it briefly before some cretin on a motor cross bike flushed everything. The bird with Green and Wood Sandpipers flew high to the south and did not return. Sunday morning at Akhna brought my first Willow Warbler of the autumn and 2 Purple Herons whilst later at Larnaca Sewage Works, 2 Avocets and a Ringed Plover added to the monthly total. In the evening at Akhna a good looking although moulting adult Whiskered Tern fed actively. The end of a good week had arrived with the addition of 2 difficult birds to my Cyprus list bringing it to 300 including full species and recognisable sub-species.
Highlight of the Week: A couple of Cyprus “ticks” of course with the sighting of the semi-rare Rufous Bush Chat, the highest count ever for a year is only 3 so any sighting is a chance moment and an excellent, less than annual Terek Sandpiper.
Look Forward: Migration is hotting up and I can’t get out enough but with the Bank Holiday weekend approaching, I’m hopeful of catching up with some Demoiselle Cranes.
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:
