Army Ornithological SocietyArmy Ornithological Society Blog
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 26 May
European Roller at Tatilisu TRNC on 26 May * indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
After last week’s shoddy effort, I decided to make more of an effort to get out this week. On Monday morning a Golden Oriole was calling from the woods at the back of the house, but I didn’t manage to see it. After work, I headed down to Akhna Dam, where 4 Hoopoes were present. Having not seen any for a while, there must be some movement going on. A Roller also flew over and 5 Little Egrets flushed. As we sat by the water’s edge, we heard and then saw a pair of Spur-winged Plovers and a Little Bittern flew across in front of us. A single Squacco Heron was feeding on the far bank and several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were heard. Finally, a male Red-backed Shrike today to add to yesterday’s late female.
A curry night in the Mess gave me little time to get out but I managed to get to Oroklini to conduct the dragonfly survey. Whilst there, 3 Little Terns were seen along with a single Ruff, and 2 surprising Sand Martins amongst the House Martins. Black-winged Stilts were well represented and several Reed Warblers were heard but little else amongst the masses of Mallards and Coots with young.
On Wednesday, I managed to get to Cape Greco for the first time in about a month. I checked the Pines area first and surprisingly, there are still migrants passing through albeit in small numbers. A Willow Warbler caught flies as did 2 Spotted Flycatchers. However, the biggest surprise of the day was a cracking male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (light throated), that was very active and quite showy. We stopped at the “Schnelly” wagon and purchased a couple of Cyprus Special Sandwhiches as we had missed lunch. Surely, the food of the gods and the ideal solution to a birders’ day out. The contents being, Ham, Halloumi, Bacon, Pork, Spicey Sausage, Chicken, Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato and Mayo, (contents may vary – other sandwiches are available – you seem to here this everywhere else, so just to safeguard the AOS), all washed down with a can of diet Sprite – compensatory reduction. Anyway, with 2 days worth of calories consumed in a single sitting, we continued to the Picnic Area. Here, a couple of male Cyprus Warblers, a Spectacled Warbler and a singing male Black-headed Bunting. As I proceeded to the point, a male and female Red-backed Shrike was noted. With nothing else about, I visited Ayia Napa Sewage Works and saw another female Red-backed Shrike, Spectacled Warbler and singing male Black-headed Bunting. The lagoons held 6 Little Grebes and a single Coot. So that was it for the day and it was good to find the time to be able to get out.
On Thursday, with a phone bill discrepancy to sort out (always a painful experience), that took a fair bit of my time, getting billed twice always upsets me, but the Cypriots don’t seem to get too excited about it, hence their “relaxed” approach to solving the issue, which is one of the main reasons why it takes so long to deal with. That sorted, we returned via Sotira Pond, to conduct the monthly Dragonfly survey and whilst there saw 14 breeding Spur-winged Plovers and a single Stone Curlew. Being pretty quiet, we returned home for a BBQ and a few beers.
Booked into a hotel in Bogaz for a couple of days over the bank holiday, should give me opportunities to explore some sights in the North. Before arriving, we journeyed via the Fresh Water Lake South and Famagusta Wetlands. Not much was present although a single Beeater drifted overhead. Onward to the Exotic hotel in Bogaz, I thought it was the Erotic, so needless to say I was disappointed. A few beers, a massage and a good meal and the day was over.
On Saturday and Sunday, I had arranged to meed Eddie John (Cyprus Butterfly Recorder) and Dave Sparrow (Drgaonfly Recorder), for a day out in search of a few sought after species. We headed off to Kantara with Red-rumped Swallows abouve us. We descended the Northern slopes but not before connecting with a Large Wall Brown* in the village. Along a track were numerous Strawberry Trees and bushes and it didn't take long to find the target - a cracking male Two-tailed Pasha*, what a beauty, we saw 4 in all. We covered the Kantara range stopping along the way, seeing a 3 Ravens, a breeding pair of Peregrines, a Little Owl and a pair of Hobbies. Numerous Cyprus Graylings, Eastern Rock Graylings, Cyprus Meadow Browns and a couple Oriental Meadow Browns were seen.
On Sunday we visited the Fresh Water Lake South where the highlights were a Squacco Heron and 2 Night Herons, although the biggest surprise was a Grey Wagtail. Searching the reeds we found 3 Small Redeyes* - a difficult to see Damselfly which was a result. We continued to Korprulu where a female Marsh Harrier was present and the usual breeding Stilts and Spur-winged Plovers, but little else.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Two-tailed Pasha at Kantara.
- Large Wall Brown at Kantara
- Grass Jewel on the North Coast near Kyrenia
- Small Redeye at Fresh Water Lake South
Highlight of the Week: The sighting of a Two-tailed Pasha and a couple of Small Redeyes.
Other Interesting Finds: As per the highlights with few birds around this week.
Look Forward: A work visit to Troodos and hopefully the car back in working order.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
AOS Eastern GermanyTrip
The intrepid travellers met at Hannover Airport and were soon heading east in their trusty Ford Transit to the old border zone and the Dromling nature reserve area. There were two stops in the afternoon in fabulous wet meadow habitat. Though we never found the target species of Grasshopper and Barred Warblers there were some other birds besides Mallard and Red-backed Shrike. As we walked down the first track Black Redstart and Tree Sparrow sat on the path ensuring all features were picked up. We saw plenty of White Stork and a Black Stork did a slow fly by. Common Cranes played hide and seek in the grass fields. Nightingales regaled us from too many bushes and good views were had. Cuckoos called all around us allowing us to see them. A Golden Ori0le called from a belt of trees, a Marsh Warbler flitted and a River Warbler sang. There were plenty of Chifchafs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps as well as Buzzards, Red Kites and Marsh Harriers. Our final bird was a Corncrake calling near the minibus and then it was a drive south in the rain to our hostel at Braunlager in the Harz. A total of 44 birds for the first afternoon was a respectable tally. A few beers helped our dinner go down.
CommentsSPTA West
Whitethroats, Whinchats et al
It has been a few weeks since I updated you on SPTA West. We are well into surveys and and monitoring. The expectant summer visitors have arrived with Whitethroats once more dominating the scattered bushes. Whinchats have returned and this year we are checking the valleys rather than random grid squares. Practically every valley has had a bird reported and in some there are several pairs. Our PhD researcher has been busy with her experiments this year though at times she has been battling the elements. All our scrapes have reported sightings of Stone Curlew and we are using the same nomenclature as the RSPB to ensure no confusion. We have been checking some Schedule 1 land on the northern side for Corn Buntings which was missed in a previous survey and quite a few singing males have been recorded. In the Warminster Danger Area, Nightingales have been recorded in dense scrub though not yet in the grid square that is managing habitat for them. During the surveys up to 3 Short-eared owls were seen so we hope that they indicate a least one breeding pair on the west. Also recorded across the area was Grasshopper Warbler, Redstart, Wheatear and Willow Warbler. Our nesting Peregrines are doing well with 2 nests found though initial reports on owl boxes suggest many birds are breeding slightly later than normal. During my walks I have also been recording Fairy Shrimps and Toad spawn. I found a Common Newt in one puddle in a valley off Tinkers Track. Butterflies have been scarce and plants seem to be late. Unfortunately due to commitments of leaders there is no walk this month but hopefully in June we will find orchids, butterflies and and plenty of young birds.
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 19 May
Crested Lark at Vrysoulles on 19 May.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Probably the worst week I’ve had in a year! It was far from a memorable week with few photos to show for a fairly inactive period. A lack of motivation and since the week has been a fairly slow affair for a number of reasons, a few stats. To date this year, I’ve recorded 240, species, sub-species and identifiable forms (Wagtails/Bluethroats) and in the rolling year since Jun 10 has seen me record 259. With more than half the year to go and an Autumn migration to look forward to, which can be more interesting with greater variety than Spring, I should reach at least 250 for the year. With numerous issues at work, courses, car in the garage and “other stuff”, I was unable to get out in the early part of the week. That said, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler continues to sing behind the garden and there has been a continuous stream of Beeaters going over the house for the last couple of days.
On Wednesday afternoon I visited Akhna Dam for a couple of hours. As I arrived on the approach track at least 7 Beeaters were sat on wires. At the Dam several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were singing and 2 Little Bitterns were flushed. A Glossy Ibis flew into join the 5 or so Little Egrets that were present and as I was departing 3 White-winged Black Terns flew through. A lone Spotted Flycatcher flitted from bush to bush but it was fairly quiet with only a few Spur-winged Plovers being noted to represent the waders.
In the village of Vrysoulles we stopped to do some shopping and several Beeaters* were also sat on wires. In the evening a large group of Beeaters were very noisy behind the house as they roosted. They were consequently heard the next morning as I awoke. With the car back in the garage, I don’t hold out much hope of any birding on Thursday afternoon. As predicted, that’s how it turned out.
On Friday night there was Mess Dinner Night, so not only was Friday afternoon a write off but so was Saturday. On Sunday, I visited the North and at Fresh Water Lake South, the Glossy Ibises have chicks and most of the Cattle Egret chicks have fled. A Peregrine flew over and 3 Alpine Swifts drank from the lake with Common Swifts. I proceeded to Koprulu Lake and on the way a pair of adult Bonelli’s Eagles was a fantastic site low over the fields in the village before Koprulu. 2 Whiskered Terns and a White-winged Black greeted me at Koprulu and were good to see as was a drake Garganey. 2 drake Ferruginous Ducks were present and a pair of Red-crested Pochards look set to breed. Calandra Larks were seen in the surrounding fields and 4 immature Greater Flamingos were still present.
Later at Akhna Dam in the south, a Hoopoe and a late female Red-backed Shrike was a surprise and a Roller flushed from a tree. An adult Little Bittern in the open is always a good find and a lone Wood Sandpiper was the only wader present except for a pair of Spur-winged Plovers. With no photos to show, in desperation, I stopped to photograph a Crested Lark*.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Beeater at Vrysoulles.
Highlight of the Week: A pair of close Bonelli’s Eagles is always a fantastic encounter.
Other Interesting Finds: Nothing to Report – although a number of interesting Dragonflies have been seen at the other end of the island so a trip down there is in order.
Look Forward: A work visit to Troodos and hopefully the car back in working order.
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 12 May
Zitting Cisticola at Akhna Dam on 6 May.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view
A bank holiday Monday and an extra day’s leave on Tuesday is always a good start to the week. We departed Troodos Station to the sounds of Swifts overhead and made our way down the river valleys towards Paphos, stopping on the way to look for butterflies and seeing the ubiquitous Cyprus Wheatears and hearing a Cretzchmar’s Bunting, in its familiar V for Victory song. Without much to talk about we continued onto Kensington Cliffs where a single Griffon Vulture was seen with 4 Eleonora’s Falcons also being noted – Year “tick”. Pausing once more at Lady’s Mile, 23 Little Stints, a Ruff and a Ringed Plover was all that was present with a White-winged Black Tern over Zakazi Marsh. We continued home and ate our dinner in the north which consisted of some excellent, traditional Turkish fare – Iskender Kebab.
On Tuesday, I visited Akhna Dam early and managed eventually after months of trying to get a good picture of a Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Warbler, if you prefer). Also present were a few Wood Sandpipers, Ruffs, a Roller, a Little Bittern and several other commoner passerines. We visited the Fresh Water Lake South in the North noting another Little Bittern, a couple of what appear to be breeding Glossy Ibises and a few Squacco Herons amongst the Cattle Egret colony. Clapsides highlight was a Greenshank and 1 lone immature Greater Flamingo remained at Gulserin Pond. Before returning to work on Wednesday it was the traditional trip to the Turkish Barbers for the full monty. Feeling young and refreshed, we had lunch did some last minute shopping and returned home. At the border crossing point I photographed a Swallow* that was nesting for the gallery. I then decided to drink too much with my sister which resulted in Wednesday being a write off after returning from Troodos. Similarly, on Thursday it was a Silver Lunch in the Mess – need I say more, however I did manage to steel an hour to go and photograph and see an Oriental Meadow Brown* which was a new butterfly for me.
With the family departing on Friday, I was tied up with the emotional farewells etc but managed to get to Akhna Dam in the evening to console myself. Interestingly a Golden Oriole has been calling in the mornings behind the house for about 2 weeks now – so more investigation required. At Akhna Dam a couple of extravert Little Bitterns*, at least 8 Little Egrets, 5 Ruffs, 4 Wood Sandpipers, a single Little Stint and 2 Curlew Sandpipers* were present. On the way home I visited a rocky outcrop in the local village where a Barn Owl had been reported. As I arrived at c50 Beeaters rested on wires and the 4 Kestrel chicks were still present although a lot bigger than previously and looking like they were ready to fledge. In another crack in the rocks, the Barn Owl* was present in a potential nest hole. The Barn Owl is a very nocturnal species in Cyprus and rarely seen during daylight, so to get any sort of record shot was a real bonus. I have only ever previously seen the species as fly overs when I’ve been in the car.
Saturday was a bit grim with not much happening, but Beeaters were still around the house and a Golden Oriole with an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler could still be heard from the house. As we drove to Larnaca for an Inidan, (curry not person), 17 Purple Herons were over Akhna Dam. On Sunday, a few Beeaters were on wires in the village and after completing some shopping, I did the Dragonfly survey at Akhna Dam and flushed a Little Bittern and saw a pair of Black-winged Stilts, 3 Spur-winged Plovers and at least 7 Little Egrets. I checked a site for Small Desert Blues on the way home but none have emerged yet. With a thunder storm looming and not much moving we had a BBQ for dinner and that concluded the week.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Swallow at Black Night Border Crossing – Famagusta.
- Barn Owl at Vrysoulles (record shot in poor light).
- Little Bittern at Akhna Dam.
- Curlew Sandpiper at Akhna Dam.
- Oriental Meadow Brown at Ayios Kendeas Monastery.
Highlight of the Week: Hmmm – struggling at the moment, but the Barn Owl was an interesting and unexpected find.
Other Interesting Finds: The Oriental Meadow Brown very similar to the Cyprus Meadow Brown was interesting to finally ID one and note the differences.
Look Forward: With no visitors planned for the summer – if you want a last minute holiday, now’s the time, settling back into the routine will be difficult.
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:
