Army Ornithological SocietyArmy Ornithological Society Blog
Cyprus 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
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Weekly Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 20 Jan
Greater Sand Plover at Paphos Lighthouse 20 Jan 13
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
As is the norm, no birding on a Monday unfortunately. A combination of a “long day” and the light fading by 1700 ensures there is no time to get out until the clocks go forward. On walking to work on Tuesday, I first heard and then saw my first Serin of the year in full song from a conifer on camp.
With a Bittern being reported from Paralimni Lake, I headed off there in the afternoon. Impossible, a vast area with lots of suitable habitat and no Bittern – becoming a bit of an problem child this one. Anyway, 2 Great White Egrets, waders of a Dunlin and Kentish Plover persuasion and circa 600 White Wagtails with a flock of about a 1000 Starling, a single Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard was the sum total of my efforts.
As I walked to work on Wednesday a Blackcap was calling and then seen briefly in next door’s garden. I ventured over to the North in the afternoon. I firstly stopped at Gulserin Marsh where the 1st Winter Little Gull continued to fly around tern like plucking insects from the water. Also there was a nice adult Slender-billed Gull, several Armenians, Caspians and Yellow-leggeds with a lone adult Heuglini. An immature Marsh Harrier flushed the Teal, 4 Black-winged Stilts and 21 Spur-winged Plovers. A White Pelican flew overhead heading east toward Salamis. I progressed to Silver Beach Marsh where c400 Golden Plover rested but little else. A little later at Clapsides Beach, I looked at a single Curlew with a Grey Plover and flushed 2 Redshanks from a drainage channel. 2 adult Audouin’s Gulls were present along with good numbers of Armenians, Caspians and Yellow-leggeds, again Heuglins were present but in the minority. Finally, at Fresh Water Lake South, the immature White Pelican was still present with 3 Great White Egrets. 2 Kingfishers chased each other and as dusk was falling, as is their habit, 5 Night Herons revealed themselves calling with 1 being an adult. As I left the site a single Black Redstart perched in front of me.
So to Thursday and with a leaving lunch in the Mess I don’t give much for my birding chances in the afternoon.
On Saturday, I departed for Paphos via Akrotiri and saw a female type Reed Bunting at Phasouri Reed Beds and several Marsh Harriers, Buzzards and a ringtail Hen Harrier. I did flush a White-throated (Smyrna) Kingfisher which proved that at least 2 have over-wintered in the area. Later at Lady’s Mile, much the same but 2 Common Gulls were present and also an adult and 1st winter Slender-billed Gull*. I stayed in a hotel in Paphos and met Colin Richardson the recorder on Saturday. On Sunday, At Paphos Lighthouse, 4 Greater Sand Plovers*, 3 Turnstone* 2 Common Sandpipers and a wintering Whimbrel* was a good haul with 94 Golden Plovers adding to the occasion. We headed to Anarita Park a famed area for Finsch’s Wheatear. Rather worrying only 1 presumed old female or 1st winter male was present. The year has been odd with many wintering males appearing to have departed early or perished. Only 1 female at Marathounta hills the previous day confirmed this. However, large flocks of very early passage Serins were noted at the coast. In the hills the first Orchids of the year are appearing with Fan-lipped* and Giant* being the present.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Turnstone at Paphos Lighthouse.
- 1st Winter Slender-billed Gull at Lady’s Mile.
- Griffon Vulture at Kensington Cliffs.
- Belated Marsh Harrier at Larnaca Sewage Works.
- Whimbrel at Paphos Lighthouse.
- Record shot – Little Gull at Gulserin Marsh.
Highlight of the Week: A White-throated Kingfisher at Phasouri Reed beds, a Whimbrel at Paphos Lighthouse and Finsch’s Wheatears as a year tick.
Other Interesting Finds: Especially for Tim Cowley, Fan-lipped Orchid (Ochris collina) & Giant Orchid (Barlia robertiana).
Look Forward: Migration has begun with the appearance of large flocks of Serins, hopefully next week will bring something interesting.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Comments
SPTA West
A Mumuration of Starlings
While the rest of the country shivers, here there is glorious sunshine. It was days like this last week that saw me out and about. We have our own mumuration of Starlings that gather near the COTEC site on the Larkhill impact area. They can be seen from the public road near Gore Cross (best viewpoint is 3rd flag from the crossroads). My first visit was to this viewpoint where there was quite a swirl in the sky as the initial birds gathered but as like most occasions they soon settled and awaited the mobs from other parts who arrived in the tens of thousands going straight in to roost. The second viewing was from 5km away. There were 2 clouds visible with the eye before the birds settled and again it was just the initial rush as soon others came streaming in with long lines of up to a kilometre long. They kept coming from all directions including over my head for the next half hour. It is difficult to estimate numbers but there must be over half a million if not more. This is an amazing display and I am still waiting for the Pergrine to fly through once most have gathered.
The other spectacle at this time of year are the numbers of Short-eared owls quartering the ground. From one spot deep in the training area with the car parked on American Road, I saw 5 owls in 3 different grid squares. There was a pair getting to know each other and 3 others all hunting, flying backwards and forwards across the ground with the occassional dive into the rough grass. The Plain was devoid of troops and the only noise was the wind and the call of corvids. There was a noisy interuption as a Merlin tried to grab my attention but I had my bins focussed below the machine to see what birds the RAF would disturb; more corvids! He soon left and I took a slow drive down to Bridge Crossing 3 where a lonesome Lapwing stood forlorn in the mud without a friend nearby. This year there are very few Lapwings around and I have only seen one small flock of Golden Plover. I the stopped near Stripwood to observe the Starlings and wait for any raptors flying over the ridge of which of course there were none. As an aside when I was driving home across the Plain last Wednesday I spotted a rare sight of some CR2 tanks actually training; the shrimps will welcome their return.
Comments
Follow us:
