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SPTA West
The Roar of the Wind
It has been very quiet on the Plain with only the rush or roar of the wind creating any noise besides the occasional cackling of corvids. There are large flocks of Starlings often with Fieldfares mixed in scatterd across the area. The Starlings still roost in their hundreds of thousands on the Larkhill Impact Area but I have still yet to see the whole body swarm around rather than just the initial arrivals. Woodpigeons are scarce as huge flocks have migrated to farmer's fields on the the valleys around the Plain. It is therefore rather bare except for the herds of cows and sheep in the temporary pens. This is all about to change as today was the last access day until mid March by which time the Plain should be alive with birds setting up their territories. There are still two Hen Harrier surveys to do and we have been given permission to do one this month during a small window of opportunity when we will not be mistaken for being shady characters! Not that I have found any "characters" in any Chaffinch flock which have been studied with care. The only highlight was when I was approaching a Vedette driving home tonight. A small bird was flying fast right to left to my front low across the ground. Following the dual action of an emergency stop whilst raising my binos, I latched onto a Merlin. Unfortunately it seemed to be on a mission and a few seconds later had crested the brow not to return. My return is now on hold and the re-opening will be celebrated with an organised walk. Other locations will have to be visited in the meantime starting with Blackburn Meadows tomorrow! (Dad's taxi being resurrected).
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 10 Feb
Female Reed Bunting at Akhna Dam 9 Feb - not an easy wintering species to see
Monday hailed our second day in Paphos and we started on the Headland after being met by Colin Richardson. , with the current recorder and the previous recorder, John Sanders, surely the day would be productive? The usual suspects were present including 3 Greater Sand Plovers, 2 Tunstone and 51 Golden Plover. We moved onto Paphos Sewage Works where a couple of Spur-winged Plovers and many Serins were present. A Hen Harrier and Common Buzzard skirted the area. There seems to be a larger number of Buzzards present throughout the island this winter. Ayia Varvara brought a bit of a surprise when I found the first Wryneck of the year and a male Finsch’s Wheatear is always a pleasure to see, a first winter male / female was also present. Numerous Woodlarks flew above us and a Cyprus Warbler showed briefly. Anarita Park held no Wheatears but John found a nice male Blue Rock Thrush high up above the valley floor. Mandria was alive with Skylarks and Linnets but sadly no early migrants. We finished the day at Armou village where at least 10 Hawfinces were present along with another good year tick – 5 Siskins including 2 showy males.
On our return east on Tuesday we stopped at Kensington Cliffs and found the target quite quickly as 2 Griffon Vultures soared in the distance. The species has taken a dramatic decline on Cyprus due to poisoning and there appears to be a reintroduction programme underway but unless behaviours and attitudes change (unlikely) those birds are also being sentenced to a horrible death. Anyway, onwards to Phasouri but despite extensive searching – no Bittern. A couple of Snipe flushed and several Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were over the reed bed. At the back of the reed bed amongst the antenna field, the immature Bonelli’s Eagle continued its stay and we flushed a single Curlew, a ringtail Hen Harrier also surveyed the area. Once more at Bishops Pool the Smyrna Kingfisher was seen along with a Hen Harrier and 2 female Pochards. The Orchid glade gave an opportunity to get some more photos before proceeding to the Larnaca area.
Larnaca Sewage Works produced a pair of Gadwalls, 6 Black-necked Grebes and a pair of Red-throated Pipits eventually gave themselves up as they called. A Baltic Gull was a welcomed surprise amongst the commoner Armenians and Caspians. A single Shag was atop the buoy at Spiros Beach so we proceeded to Oroklini. Dropping the girls at the now famous Jumbo was an inspired idea as we headed off to the marsh via “Dolphin” Rocks on the Larnaca Sea Front. A collection of gulls produced a couple of adult Armenians and 2 Sandwich Terns flew offshore. At Oroklini we added a Water Rail, with a beautiful Audouin’s Gull also staying for a while as it washed. 2 Bluethroats were the first for the week but little else was unusual.
Wednesday was a very rainy affair and indeed the only rains of John and Val’s week which was very lucky for this time of year. We headed to Akhna Dam initially and fortunately I immediately heard and then we saw the target species – a male Penduline Tit. Onward to Paralimni Lake where the highlight was 5 early House Martins and in the Ayia Napa Sewage Works Area, an early Quail – migration had begun! Cape Greco produced very little but 3 Blue Rock Thrushes and several Black Redstarts were nice to see.
In the afternoon we headed for the Famagusta area adding 2 Grey Plover, and 13 Stone Curlew to the list which were strangely standing on the beach at Clapsides. 2 Turnstones were also present and at Silver Beach we added a single Little Stint with a Lapwing sleeping which turned into a bit of a mystery bird competition. On returning to Gulserin before buying some excellent freshly baked rolls for tomorrow’s packed lunch we saw 16 Greater Flamingo which has been unusual this winter.
On Thursday we headed to the North to visit Bellapais Abbey and St Hillarion Castle. That achieved on our return we managed to find Kouklia Reservoir or Kuprulu Dam. This fantastic wetland is one of the oldest dams on the island but is usually dry. This year it’s a fantastic wetland site. During our stay there we saw c4000 Shovellers, c5000 Teals, 11 Wigeon, 15 Pochards, a few Shelduck, a female Red-crested Pochard, 10 Ferruginous Ducks , 3 Black-necked Grebes – one beginning to show breeding plumage, at least 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (a male and female) and several Common Buzzards. The final new bird of the day was a female Sparrowhawk. We returned home via the Pergamos crossing (you can come and go via any, as they are linked by a network) and then we were stopped by the very efficient SBA Police for a routine check – great value for money, but inconvenient. No hint of sarcasm intended.
On Friday it was off to the Larnaca area which did not disappoint, we added 11 birds for the week taking John’s total for the trip to a respectable 114, I am on 115, as John couldn’t motivate himself enough to “twitch” a Robin, which for a British birder, is understandable. At the salt lake, c1000 Shelduck and c8500 Greater Flamingo filled the lake proper whilst in the north west quadrant, 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 being adults and 1 1st winter. On the marsh 5 Jack Snipes were flushed with 11 Common Snipe, a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper were also present. At least 3 Moustached Warblers sang and 4 Bluethroats were also present. 5 Water Pipits flushed and flew into cover with one posing for the scope. A single Swallow sat on wires and a Cettis’s Wabler sat and sang in the open for a change. We proceeded to Larnaca Sewage Works as Kiti Dam was empty although there was another Swallow present with 2 Common Buzzards. At the Sewage Works the 8 White-fronted Geese put in a brief appearance but that was about it, except for the usual wildfowl. As we were leaving we spotted a gathering of larger gulls on Larnaca Airport Pools South; a walk across the side of the salt lake and in doing so, a Lesser Short-toed Lark was flushed and called as it flew. The Gull roost revealed 6 Siberian Gulls, about 15 Armenian Gulls and c450 and 150 Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls respectively. We returned home via Oroklini Marsh adding 6 Black-winged Stilts to the trip list.
As the end of the holiday approached we went for a migrant round at Cape Greco. Sadly no early migrants were found but 3 Blue Rock Thrushes, 3 singing male Cyprus Warblers and the relocation of the male Finsch’s Wheatear after several months was compensation. We went to the North for lunch and then onto Koprulu Reservoir. 2 Pintail were new, the 2 Greater Flamingos were present and amongst the 5 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (male and female) was an adult female Pallid Harrier that must have wintered in the area. I thought I had seen it the other day but wasn’t sure but with both of us having it in the scope and seeing the white collar, buoyant flight and slender wings it was fairly obvious. 10 Swallows were an early migrant which was pleasing to see. Incidentally, John did recover the Robin he was missing without too much difficulty at Cape Greco.
The final morning of the holiday and a visit to the Famagusta coastal sites was interesting although not very productive but 32 Curlews , a Lapwing and a Swallow were at Silver Beach, with 2Grey Plovers, 7 Shelduck and a Sandwich Tern at Clapsides Beach. Finally 2 1st Winter Little Gulls and a Great White Egret were at Gulserin. The holiday ended with John’s trip total on a respectable 117 in 8 days, a few unexpected birds were seen and a few expected ones missed – as usual. We had a very enjoyable week and a good recce for Roger’s visit later in the month. The year list now stands at 132 and with migration in the air it should increase considerably in the near future.
For birds with an * please follow the following links:
- Cyprus Warbler at Cape Greco Picnic Site
- Curlew at Silver Beach
- Great Cormorant (sinensis) at Clapsides Marsh
Other Interesting Finds: Several new Orchid sites but no new species and the discovery of a very full and productive wetland site at Koprulu Reservoir. The horrendous Pine Processionary caterpillars are out in force.
Highlight of the Week: A wintering Pallid Harrier and signs of early migrants in the form of Wryneck, Quail and House Martins. The relocation of a male Finsch’s Wheatear a Cape Greco could save me a few miles in the future.
A Look Forward: Back to work of course but migration, migration, migration!
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 3 Feb
Chaffinch at Troodos Village 30 Jan.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
A quick look at Akhna Dam on Monday was very productive. I finally connected with a pair of Penduline Tits which were in the only remaining suitable habitat. The dam is now completely flooded to excess which has killed all of the reed beds. Also present were 3 Reed Buntings – only seen singly until now, 3 Bluethroats, 2 of which were of the White-spotted (cyanecula) form, the other being Red-spotted (sveica). Good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Corn Buntings were also around and a Common Buzzard flew overhead. 2 Chiffchaffs were singing and a Spectacled Warbler performed display flight – Spring seems to be in the air, but with rain forecast for the week, how long will it last?
Rain stopped play on Monday afternoon and with Deb having some major dentistry carried out – que the faithful husband, caring and sharing. Anyway, some very positive news. Through Roger Dickey, the AOS Website and the BLOG, I was contacted by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), an organisation proactively doing something about poaching, hunting and other forms of bird persecution. You can read about their exploits and organisation on their web page: http://www.komitee.de/en/homepage . Incidentally, this is the same organisation that Josh Marshall wrote about in the recent Adjutant. I will be actively contributing whilst in Cyprus in whatever way I can with a view to taking part in future expeditions. Their work is carried out not only in Cyprus but also in Sardinia, Italy, Spain and France by volunteers who regularly experience considerable personal danger in trying to protect the things that we all love. A really worthwhile organisation that can only carry out its work that will ultimately save tens of thousands of birds, through charitable contributions. If anybody feels so inclined and wishes to contribute to this great work please read their web page where you will find the following link: http://www.komitee.de/en/donations/membership.
On Tuesday afternoon not much time was available for birding but as we were heading to the north, I managed a couple of sites. At Silver Beach, 19 Curlews was impressive with 4 Golden Plovers and 5 Lapwings. As I moved to the Clapsides Beach area, 2 Kingfishers chased each other, 2 Grey Plovers rested on the rocks and a couple of Kentish Plovers, Redshanks and Spur-winged Plovers fed actively. I ended up at Gulserin Marsh where 3 relatively scarce gulls were present; a 1st Winter Little, adult Slender-billed and 1st Winter Common all rested on the water with 5 Black-winged Stilts and 4 Spur-winged Plovers along the muddy fringes. A Chiffchaff caught flies in the reeds and I flushed a Water Pipit. So onward to Famagusta to waste some daylight shopping!
On Wednesday, I had to head up to Troodos to carry out some MS activities as part of my Troop Commander duties which allowed me a little time to have a look around. The snow was falling heavily so not much birding or indeed birds about. However, I did manage to photograph a male Chaffinch* in the snow with 6 House Sparrows. 2 Great Tit and 3 Coal Tit was seen and a chip-chip call of a Crossbill gave itself away sat high in a Black Pine sheltering from the snow – 121 for the month and year.
I returned to Ay Nik on Thursday morning but not before an interesting drive down the mountain in 8 inches of snow. Shopping in the afternoon put paid to any birding, which was a bit of a disappointment. On Friday with my first batch of visitors for the year arriving in the early evening, plenty of prep was necessary. However, I still managed to fit a bit of birding in over the North. Gulserin Pond held 3 Black-winged Stilts, a Heuglin's Gull, 3 Armenian Gulls and an Audouin's Gull. The highlight at the Fresh Water Lake was a Grey Wagtail.
On Saturday we attended my first KUSKOR field trip in the north. Being met in Famagusta we headed off to many seldom visited wetlands and ponds in the north. Despite many of the areas being dry, an impressive 8 Calandra Larks with 2 in display flight was pleasing at Akova. Whilst at a lake in the southern foothills of the Kyrenian Mountains, a male Finsch's Wheatear was very smart and with females being mainly in the south this winter it was a good sighting. Later at Clapsides Beach 4 Audouin's Gulls was a good count but 13 Stone Curlews on the beach was a strange sight. 4 Sandwich Terns with the gulls was the highest count yet. The immature White Pelican was back at Fresh Water Lake but 657 Cattle Egrets and 5000+ Starlings coming to roost was quite a spectacle.
Sunday had arrived and an earlyish start saw us heading west toward Paphos via Limassol, Lady’s Mile and the south side of the salt lake. A Water Pipit was out in the open at Akrotwri Salt Lake but no waders were present. A pair of Shelduck on the lake were set against a backdrop of a huge amount of Greater Flamingos - at least 8000. In excess of 200 Grey Heron was also noteable. At Bishop's Pool we bagged the White-throated Kingfisher, with 5 beautiful Ferruginous Ducks and 3 Common Pochards also being present. Bitterns at Phasouri Reed Beds provided a dip once more but I did photograph a Cattle Egret* doing what Cattle Egrets do. We did stop at a well known Orchid site at Akrotiri and this didn't disappoint with at least 5 species being out early. At Episkopi as we drove towards Paphos a single Peregrine Falcon soared high above us. Before arriving at the hotel we made a quick detour to Armou village as Colin Richardson had tipped us off that a number of Hawfinches* were in the area. As it was we saw one atop a tree. We retired to the hotel for a well earned beer. The trip list was off to a good start. Did I mention one of my visitors is a very keen birder - or did I need to?
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Hawfinch at Armou.
- Cattle Egret at Phasouri Reed Beds.
- Finsch's Wheatear at Gecitkale Dam.
- Pintail at Oroklini Marsh.
Highlight of the Week: Two Penduline Tits were a good find at Akhna Dam, although they’ve been reported all month on and off, I’ve found it difficult to connect with them.
Other Interesting Finds: 5 species of Orchid at Akrotiri Salt Lake: Green-winged Orchid - Orchis syriaca, Ophrys elegans, Carmel Orchid - Ophrys flavomarginata, Yellow Ophrys - Ophrys serica & Ophrys levantina, a Tree Frog was also present.
Look Forward: With a couple of days in Paphos, a trip to the North and birding at Cape Greco and Akhna Dam, the coming week could be very productive especially if the recent warm weather brings in some early migrants.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
SPTA West
Hen Harrier Survey and Waxwings
The snow finally arrived last Friday which curtailed the Hen Harrier survey on Sunday afternoon. In the end 3 of the 4 main locations were manned by 1 person each though I did have to walk in to get a view of area by the junction of Tinker's Track and Berril Valley. The other 2 sites (New Zealand Farm and Imber Clump) were accessible by 4x4 vehicles. No-one saw a Harrier though there are a few around. I followed the bourne in the Berril Valley and was rewarded with a flock of 53 Lapwing plus a Snipe and Short-eared Owl. These owls are becoming very common on the Plain! Unfortunately I had to cancel a planned walk last Wednesday as the snow prevented cars from getting into the centre of the Plain. This afternoon I went back to the Berril Valley and waded through the bourne and the snow. This time the Lapwings numbered 100+ and they were mixed in with a flock of 500+ Rooks, Jackdaws and Starlings in a catttle graving area. In the bourne there were 4 Mallards and I had excellent views of 5 Stonechats feeding on the flattened grass. In the woods on the valley side a Goldcrest called and there were two large flocks of 16 Long-tailed Tits and 40+ Goldfinch as well as a range of other woodland birds. Walking across the snow covered grass I disturbed a fox and 5 Roe Deer.
Berril Valley Bourne
Midweek I did go on a twitch as I was determined to see a Waxwing. Fortunately this one of 3 was only 15 minutes away. I also stopped at Hiperton Marsh were there was a large flock (100+) of Fieldfares and Redwings plus a Bullfinch pair and 2 Yellowhammers.
Waxwing at Jewson's Trowbridge.
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 27 Jan
1st Winter Little Gull at Gulserin Pond on 26 Jan 13.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
I had a day’s leave on Monday to attend a Dragonfly Group meeting in Paphos, so I travelled back via Limassol which wasn’t very productive and Oroklini Marsh was a bit dull but did hold 27 Pintails which was the highest count this winter.
On Tuesday afternoon I went to the North and at Silver Beach the Golden Plovers have increased to circa 450 with 14 Dunlin and 6 Little Stints being present. A little further down the coast at Clapsides Beach, a couple of Kingfishers were in the marsh with 2 Redshanks and I flushed a male Black Francolin. On the beach, a Sandwich Tern – not that common, 3 Turnstones, uncommon and circa 80 Kentish Plovers. At Gulserin Marsh the Little Gulls have increased to 3, all first winters and the 1st Winter Common Gull was still present. 3 Black-winged Stilts and 4 Spur-winged Plovers were the highlight amongst the masses of commoner wildfowl. Dusk at Fresh Water Lake South, brought a Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher whilst c3000 Starlings made for the roost and as usual herons were much in the ascendancy with c650 Cattle Egrets. 17 Little Egrets, 5 Great White Egrets, 4 Grey Herons and a single Night Heron. Interestingly the immatures, present for much of the winter appear to have departed.
Wednesday afternoon and a difficult decision to be made. With Deb now up and about after her prolonged illness, it was over the North once more for a bite to eat and some shopping – well, for her anyway. Clapsides Marsh held a Kingfisher and 2 Little Egrets and the beach before some lunatic flushed everything, had 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Audouin’s Gulls, an adult Slender-billed Gull, a Sandwich Tern and 3 Grey Plovers and whilst leaving 6 Ringed Plovers appeared on the marsh. Gulserin Pond, a little to the west was quiet save for a 1st winter Slender-billed Gull, 3 1st winter Little Gulls* remained and 4 Black-winged Stilts.
I had a day’s leave on Thursday and guided 2 members of KUSKOR (The Turkish Group) around the Larnaca sites. The Sewage Works area was decidedly quiet with only a couple of Marsh Harriers, 5 Black-necked Grebes and a single but scarce nonetheless male Pochard. We moved to Larnaca Salt Lake which is where most of the wildfowl appear to have moved to. The water is obviously cleaner than the sewage works and is preferred at this time. A lone Ruddy Shelduck sat on the shore and on the lake c700 Shovellers, c659 Shelduck, 15 Black-necked Grebes and 5 Redshank. On the North West side of the lake we flushed 11 Jack Snipe at least 20 Snipe and heard and then saw a female-type Reed Bunting – not an easy winter visitor to see. As we scanned the reeds 2 Bluethroat and 5 Water Pipits were seen but sadly not the wished for Penduline Tit. Waders were in evidence in fair numbers but nothing exceptional jumped out at us.
On Saturday morning I visited the Cape Greco area as I hadn't been there for a while. 3 Blue Rock Thrushes were still present - 2 males and 1 female, several Black Redstarts, a couple of Song Thrush - nice to see some have survived the "hunting" season. The highlight was at least 4 male Cyprus Warblers in full song and display flight. Butterflies were much in evidence with a few early emergers, probably due to the last weeks good weather; at least 8 Mallow Skippers*, 6 African Grass Blues* and a Small Copper*. Later at Ayia Napa Sewage Works, a single Black-necked Grebe, a Buzzard and 3 Long-legged cousins. Keeping the year list ticking over, a Peregrine put in a fly by appearance. In the afternoon we went over the North with the 3 Little Gulls being still at Gulserin Pond and 4 Curlews at Silver Beach along with a Grey Plover was noteable. Before going home we visited the Fresh Water Lake in Famagusta. The highest count of Great White Egrets yet with 7 being present and unbelievably after a bit of an absence the immature White Pelican has reappeared.
The Sunday market visit saw me heading to a very empty Larnaca Sewage Works although 3 Black-necked Grebes and the 8 White-fronted Geese were still present. An immature Marsh Harrier flushed what wildfowl remained and disturbed the male Pochard which would have gone unnoticed otherwise. At the salt lake nothing was exceptional, although a brief walk around the picnic area in search of Orchids allowed me the opportunity to photograph my first Red Admiral* for the year. A butterfly not usually seen by the touring visitors as it's a winter species in Cyprus.
So with the Mess requiring refurbishment it was my turn to chip in with a bit of painting which put paid to the week's birding adventures.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Mallow Skipper, Small Copper and African Grass Blue at Cape Greco.
- Red Admiral at Larnaca Salt Lake.
Highlight of the Week: A flyby Peregrine was a new bird for the year but in a generally quiet week it's always nice to see Blue Rock Thrushes and the beginnings of Spring with displaying Cyprus and Spectacled Warblers.
Other Interesting Finds: The emergence of some early Butterflies was interesting.
Look Forward: With Spring in the air, surely this week must bring some welcome surprises?
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
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