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Cyprus Weekly

10th Nov 2012 | Posted in: Overseas Birding | Comments (0)

Highlights for the week ending 11 Nov

Red-necked Phalarope at Bishop's Pool - 9 Nov 12.

* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.

A busy week at work coupled with the fact that it’s now dark by 1700 has meant that little birding was done in the early part of the week.  However, during a visit to Famagusta and on the way home in the darkness a Barn Owl flew over the city walls, towards Verosha (the dead city) which was an interesting sighting, no doubt roosting in the derelict buildings that remain under military control.

I took a day's leave on Friday so travelled to Akrotiri in the hope of achieving something from a fairly dismal week's birding.  After dropping Deb at work (hoorahh - some monies entering the BFBF - Big Fat Birding Fund), I arrived at Akrotiri at about 0830.  Noting immediately that the Greater Flamingos had increased to about 8000.  The recent heavy rains have transformed the salt lake, although access is now difficult with it not being as dry and driveable.

After noting a Black Redstart I proceeded to Bishop's Pool passing a couple of Stonechats and Spectacled Warblers.  On arrival at the pool I scanned the area quickly and didn't see much although a pair of Marsh Harriers were overhead.  On observing more closely, I picked out a Red-necked Phalarope that has been present for about 2 weeks but I thought it would have gone by now.  So a bonus to the Cyprus year list, I have previously seen one on Larnaca Salt Lake in 1999 - anyway a good bird.  I decided to walk around the pool and flushed a covey of Chukar and a Grey Wagtail.  I got into position and managed a not bad shot of the Phalarope (above).  The bushes were alive with Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps as I carried on around the pool.  As I reached the next hide and stopped a bird flew from the reeds.  With a dark blue back and obvious white flashes in the wings it was a White-breasted (Smyrna) Kingfisher.  Having seen the bird in September and with reports being sporadic, I think this was the first sighting since early October.  To be honest I was surprised it was still present - perhaps it will over winter?

After that success I went to the Akrotiri Environmental Centre where a few other birders had congregated.  One a Cypriot named Thomas, I recognised and this was fortunate as he is taking Roger ringing in February when he visits so I sorted that one out.  Then an RSPB chap named Doug Radford noticed my AOS polo shirt and said "Do you know Richard Sargeant"?  I thought is there no escape? and said "Never heard of him", only joking, so we shared some tails of stringing and the like.  The views from the centre brought a male and female Hen Harrier, Bonelli's Eagle, Sparrowhawk, 5 Common Cranes and numerous Slender-billed Gulls and Flamingos with a lone Whiskered Tern making an appearance.  The waders were too distant to confidetly identify although 6 Lapwings were obvious.

Driving to Larnaca in a deluge and heavy thunder storm, the forked lightening was very impressinve, lighting the skies pink, which is normal at this time of year.  On the Larnaca Salt Lake c250 Greater Flamingos had gathered (the first sizeable flock of the year) and the Stone Curlew flock was in its regular place.  Sprios Beach and fields was full of Skylarks and Crested Larks accompanied by several Chukars, a single male Black Francolin and Red-throated Pipit.  As I scanned the fields I picked out 3 Golden Plovers - my first for the year taking the Cyprus year list to 199.  Larnaca Sewage Works held nothing new but the 2nd Winter Meditteranean Gull, 2 Ferruginous Ducks, 2 Greater White-fronted Geese and a female Red-crested Pochard were still present, along with a couple of Dunlins and Redshanks, although there was no sign of the Shelducks.  An increase in Meadow Pipits was noticeable as I flushed at least seven whilst walking the the hide.  I returned home and the rain continued. 

On Saturday we visited Famagusta for a bit of shopping, lunch and a shave - more of that later.  Prior to this I visited the pond to the north east of Famagusta known as the Fresh Water Lake South.  Here 3 Great White Egrets and 5 Little Egrets were outnumbered by the 63 Spur-winged Plovers.  A juvenile Whiskered Tern flew about but the highlight strangely, was 2 Cormorants and admitidly they weren't that exciting but they did represent my 200th species achieved in Cyprus this year in exactly 5 months to the day - so not a bad effort.

I had a haircut and wash, double shave, eyebrow threading, nose hair clipping, ear hair burning, hot Vic towelling and a Turkish coffee for 20 euros.  Great value and a must for any visitor.  It took at least 10 minutes off me, anyway I'll look my best for Remembrance Sunday!

Sunday and of course Remembrance Parade, although being my usual organised self (?), I did manage to get to the Ayia Napa area prior to attending the parade and obligatory curry lunch.  Ayia Napa was hopeless, I've never seen so many shotguns in one area; there must have been 30 "hunters" in an area of about a mile square, so finding any birds was impossible - one can only hope that they do what they usually do and shoot one another.  I carried onto Ayia Thekla in the hope of recording a few species for the month.  On the rocky shore a Common Sandpiper which appears to be overwintering was quickly followed by 11 Greater Sand Plovers on the usual stretch of rocks along with 34 Kentish Plovers.  A lone Golden Plover* was a surprise and a Cormorant flew west over the sea.  A few beers at the curry lunch put paid to any afternoon birding, so a fairly mundane week drew to a fairly mund

For pictures of birds with * please click on the following Flickr links:

Highlight of the Week:  Finding the White-throated Kingfisher again and seeing my second Red-necked Phalarope on Cyprus

Look Forward:  More winter visitors and hopefully a few 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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Cyprus Weekly

4th Nov 2012 | Posted in: Overseas Birding | Comments (0)

Highlights for the Week Ending 4 Nov

One of Six, Lesser Short-toed Larks at Larnaca Airport Fields


* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.

At the end of October the Cyprus list stands at 275 an increase of 13 species and the year list stands at a respectable 197 for only 5 months birding. 

Monday, my last day’s leave post Deb’s parents departing.  I decided to visit the Larnaca area once more.  I firstly checked on the South Airport Pools, the first 2 Flamingos (1 juvenile) and 10 Redshank.  In the surrounding scrub a pair of male Black Francolins and 63 Stone Curlews.  I proceeded to the Sewage Works and scanned with the scope.  The pair of Shelducks remained along with a pair of Ferruginous Ducks that I hadn’t picked out on Sunday.  Black-headed Gull numbers had increased to 144 and amongst them the first Mediterranean Gull of the winter with a 2nd Winter bird being present.  The fields adjoining the works held numerous White Wagtails, circa 30 Red-throated Pipit and at least 3 Water Pipits.  I drove onto towards Spiros Pool and the Airport Fields.  The corn crop has just been harvested and the birds have obviously found a good food source in the newly ploughed fields.  Numerous Skylarks fed with the Red-throated Pipits but the highlight were 6 Lesser Short-toed Larks* feeding on the grass and waste ground next to the fields.

On the way home, Oroklini Marsh held nothing noteable, however, it has had some water let into it which may prove attractive to wintering wildfowl.  A stop at Akhna Dam was productive where 2 Marsh Harriers quartered and an Osprey continued to fish.  The now resident Sparrowhawk female was harassed by Hooded Crows and a 2 Kingfishers were behaving very territorially.  The highlight was a juvenile Pallid Harrier* first hunting and then landing for a drink at water’s edge.

I returned to work  on Tuesday (very large groan) and with lots to do and many things to catch up on at home, the prospect of getting out in the afternoon didn’t look too promising.  Tuesday afternoon and with the clocks going back an hour there is little time to waste as it now gets dark at about 1730.  I visited Akhna Dam, however it was fairly uneventful.  A pair of Marsh Harriers and a female Hen Harrier were present and 6 Chaffinches were obviously newly arrived since they were the first record for the site this autumn – no doubt part of the big influx of finches noted last week at Cape Greco.  A Great White Egret was the highlight of the afternoon.  The strategy at the moment is to scan the ploughed fields at the rear of Akhna Dam for endless hours in an attempt to find something different.  The activity produced a field full of Corn Buntings and White Wagtails, accompanied by 2 Red-throated Pipits, 2 Skylarks and several Stonechats.  October ended with a whimper, I didn’t go birding as I was completing my monthly records for submission to the recorder.  I submitted 784 records detailing 143 species in the month.  Not a bad effort bolstered by some late migrants and the arrival of some early winter visitors.

Thursday the 1st of November and the beginning of a new monthly list and hopefully the arrival of some more speciality winter visitors like Moustached Warbler, Penduline Tit and Reed Bunting.  However, Oroklini Marsh and Akhna Dam presented no such opportunities and although the first monthly counts were undertaken the highlight at Akhna Dam was a pair of Marsh Harriers.

Friday and Trafalgar Night looms, oh dear, the chances of birding tomorrow look decidedly poor and I was unable to go out before the function as I had too much going on elsewhere.  On Saturday I managed a couple of hours in the afternoon at Sotira Pool and Akhna Dam.  2 Green Sandpipers were a surprise at Sotira although little else showed itself apart from my very bad headache.  As I continued to Akhna, I saw a ringtail Hen Harrier over Avgorou and a Snipe in a rain filled puddle.  At the dam itself another 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, a drake eclipse Pintail, 2 Lapwing and a Kingfisher were the pick of a fairly talentless bunch.

On Sunday, I visited the fresh water lake on the Turkish half of the island near Famagusta in an attempt to twitch a Caspian Tern - in any event I dipped.  The lake did hold a juvenile Whiskered Tern which is quite late, 3 Great White Egrets and a juvenile Night Heron.  I then proceeded to Larnaca Sewage Works where a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese had arrived, the pair of Shelducks remained and 2 drake Pintails were also present.

We then drove to Kornos and a site to see the first Orchids of the season; Autumn Lady's Tresses*.  We were successful and also managed a photo.  The site also held a Kingfisher several Chaffinches, a Robin, Cetti's Warbler and a new Dragonfly - Blue-eyed Hawker or Southern Migrant Hawker a pair of Winter Damselflies, which were also new and Deb gripped me off when she showed me a picture of a Pygmy Skipper that I didn't see!

For pictures of birds with * please click on the following Flickr links:

Other interesting finds: At Gambion Dam, definitely the first Orchids of the year – Autumn Lady’s Tresses, several Blue-eyed Hawkers (Southern Migrant Hawkers), a pair of Winter Damselflies and a Pygmy Skipper.

Highlight of the Week:  The discovery of 6 Lesser Short-toed Larks at Larnaca and the arrival of 2 White-fronted Geese also at Larnaca.

Look Forward:  Everything is slowing down but there are the arrivals of wintering wildfowl to watch out for.

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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Cyprus Weekly

28th Oct 2012 | Posted in: Overseas Birding | Comments (0)

Highlights for the Week Ending 28 Oct

Male Sardinian Warbler at Cape Greco Picnic Site - 28 Oct

Male Sardinian Warbler at Cape Greco Picnic Site - 28 Oct

The pace of life has definately slowed.  Not a bad thing, giving me more time to explore areas that others do not regularly visit.  Winter visitors have been slow to arrive whilst southbound migrants have certainly reduced significantly.

A Monday afternoon visit to JUMBO with the in-laws resulted in a visit to Oroklini Marsh and although not eye watering a Temminck's Stint was noteable and I managed to photograph a Water Rail* that proved to be quite an extravert.  On the return to Ay Nik, I treated the family to views of 10 Shags on the mouring platforms at Dhekelia and a roost of 51 Stone Curlews opposite Dhekelia Fire Station.

An early morning visit to the Ayia Napa area produced 4 Red-throated Pipits, 77 White Wagtails and 3 Yellow Wagtails on the football pitches and a late Black-headed Wagtail  (feldegg).  Driving the rough tracks to the east of the football pitches, I was searching for a wintering species that I had found there during my last tour.  I eventually found a Female/1st winter Male Finsch's Wheatear which looked like it was going to hold terrtitory for the winter, only time will tell.  The Sewage Works area produced a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, female Redstart, 6 Blackcaps and a female Blue Rock Thrush.  At Konnos Bay, Cape Greco I saw my first Audouin's Gull of the autumn with an adult circling the bay, a couple of Cyprus Warblers also showed well.
 

Prior to travelling to Troodos for a 2 night stay I visited Akhna Dam.  2 Ospreys were present and a Sparrowhawk was mobbed by a couple of Hooded Crows.  I flushed a Meadow Pipit and 2 Lesser Whitethroats were unusual for the site.  On the way home a late Whinchat was at Avgorou with the now common Stonechats.  We travelled to Troodos stopping on route at the Caledonian Falls in an attempt to record some mountain specialities.  I found a Wren, Chaffinch and a Blackbird so the attempt to see the moutain species had started well.  I also recorded my first Robin of the tour and winter.  Stopping at Troodos Village for some retail therapy - yes even here!  I walked around the park seeing and photographing an obliging Short-toed Treecreeper*, Coal Tits, another Wren, and 10 close Crossbills*.

The following day we awoke in Troodos Station and I noted another 4 Crossbills.   We travelled to a local village called Omodus, which is at a slightly lower elevation and hence although primarily a touristy day out, it did allow some birding opportunities.  Whilst the family went shopping, I stole half an hour and noted a considerable number of Blackcaps and Sardinian Warblers along with a few more Robins, a flyover Serin and several Chiffchaffs that have just arrived.  Unusually, I also heard a Cetti's Warbler at such a high elevation.

On Friday we returned to Ay Nik via Lefkara (famous for its lace and Silver).  As we descended the mountail I stopped near Trimiklini for a photo stop where a Grey Wagtail flew over me and Sardinian Warblers called from the scrub below.  I also heard another Cetti's Warbler.  After returning home and dropping off the family I visited Akhna Dam.  Since we were going for a monster protein Mezze for dinner, I had nothing to do except contemplate how much I was going to overeat.  The visit to the dam was a great decision.  After recent thunderstoms and unsettled weather there had obviously been a displacement of migrating species that resulted in some interesting sightings.  An adult male Little Crake* showed well and in the open, along with a Water Rail.  As I scoped them I saw a quick movement that caught my eye and although I had my suspicions I could not confirm what the bird was.  As I sat patiently (can you believe that?), eventually the bird moved into the open once more and began feeding, typically bobbing up and down as if on a spring - fantastic views of a difficult to see well Jack Snipe*.  I can remember seeing one this well at Willington Gravel Pits in Bedfordshire in about 2002 but in recent history they have been fleeting flight views.  2 Green Sandpipers were late as were a couple of Sedge Warblers.  A pair of juvenile Whiskered Terns made a brief visit and a Great Reed Warbler moved noisily through the reeds.  As I drove home via the cultivated fields behind Akhna Dam, I heard a singing Corn Bunting which alerted me to the presence of 18 sat on a telegraph wire.

I visited Cape Greco and Ayia Napa early in the morning before going to Famagusta for a shave at my local Turkish barbers - it's a great day out!  Anyway, the cape produced some good migrants with a lovely male Black Redstart, 4 Song Thrushes and good numbers of Corn Buntings and Sardininan Warblers.  The ploughed fields also held a Red-throated Pipit.  Later at Ayia Napa Sewage Works a pair of ringtail Hen Harriers broke the routine and I relocated the Finsch's Wheatear at the same site as previously.  Saturday afternoon at Akhna Dam wasn't as exciting as yesterday but an Osprey remained and some other interesting birds were good finds.  A Robin eventually showed itself and above me a pair of Marsh Harriers and a Pallid Harrier.  As I walked I flushed a Hen Harrier, my third of the day and in the fields behind the dam a field full of White Wagtails and Red-throated Pipits.

On Sunday prior to taking Deb's parents to the airport I visited Cape Greco again for another early morning round.  The ploughed fields were alive with Corn Buntings and finches including 5 Serin - there appears to have been a large influx of finches.  A male Redstart showed well and eventually I found 9 Skylarks which were a year tick.  Around the corner at the Picnic Site, I managed to photograhph a cracking Male Sardinian Warbler*

There appears to have been a huge influx of these in the last 2 days and they appear to be setting up winter territories - not good news for the Cyprus Warblers.  Sardinians are more aggessive than its Cyprus cousins and are less habitat specific.  This is believed to be one of the reasons for the spread of Sardnians and the decline of Cyprus Warblers.  On leaving I photographed a nice male Blue Rock Thrush* in its usual wintering site.

After the airport run I visited the Larnaca area where the ploughed fields produced circa 50 Red-throated Pipits, a Water Pipit, 24 Skylarks, 3 Calandra Larks and a single Ringtail Hen Harrier.  The Sewage works held a Whiskered Tern, about 70 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Pintail and 2 newly arrived Shelduck, which was a good year tick.  A female Bluethroat nearly caught me out but it's characteristic tail cocking gave it away.

Photos of the following species are availble via flicker, please click on the link:

Other interesting finds:  A large number of Hummingbird Hawkmoths in Troodos - one in the Chalet*.

Highlight of the week: Finding my own Finsch's Wheater at Ayia Napa.

Look Forward:  Still missing a few Larks and Pipits to be searched for with more wintering species.

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Barnes WWT

20th Oct 2012 | Posted in: UK Birding | Comments (0)

A record breaking turnout and a fine day to boot.  The site total was about 46 and, despite a fly over by a female Marsh Harrier, the bird of the day for most was the Bittern which gave good views perched in the top of a tree!

Those that stayed on for an afternoon visit into Surrey were also treated to a Ring Ouzel.

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Cyprus Weekly

15th Oct 2012 | Posted in: Overseas Birding | Comments (0)

Highlights for the Week Ending 21 Oct

Male Spannish Sparrow at Oroklini Marsh on 16 Oct 12

The Monday evening visit to Akhna Dam was fairly productive with the reemergence of a pair of Ospreys.  A Sparrowhawk drifted over the dam and a number of waders were present with the highlight being the first Spotted Redshank for the site this autumn.  Sedge Warblers have reduced to 3 whilst Lapwings increased to 8.  A pair of Stonechats were present but it has to be said that migration has slowed significantly.

Deb and her parents visited Jumbo today.  I didn't.  I visited Oroklini Marsh where a lone Marsh Sandpiper and Redshank were present with 4 Spoonbills, a Marsh Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and a Marsh Harrier.  With there being nothing out of the ordinary being present I decided to attempt to photograph a Spannish Sparrow*.  I was successful and was very pleased with the result.  I also managed to photograph a Hooded Crow, which are normally quite skittish, due to the fact they get shot as frequently.  A Stonechat once again managed to avoid the camera.

Wednesday morning was started with a visit to the market at Ayia Thekla allowing me time to see 6 Greater Sand Plovers, 9 Kentish Plovers and a single Common Sandpiper and Little Egret.  In the afternoon Akhna Dam was very quiet, although 3 Ospreys were present and a single Beeater.

Early on Thursday I visited the Ayia Napa and Cape Greco area.  Migration has certainly almost finished with only 3 Red-throated Pipits, a Hobby and many Stonechats being present.  A resident Peregrine was also noted being mobbed by a Kestrel at Cape Greco.  A female Sparrowhawk with a bird in its tallons was an interesting observation.  A late Wryneck at Ayia Napa Football Pitches was noteworthy.  In the evening at Akhna Dam which has had a large amount of water pumped into it, making it less attractive to many birds.  A single juvenile Red-backed Shrike was present along with 2 Ospreys and a Marsh Harrier.  Only a single Sedge Warbler was seen and Willow Warbler numbers have reduced significantly.

Friday was a family day, although 39 Wood Pigeon at the back of Ay Nik was exceptional, given the amount of "hunting" in the last month. Friday was nearly a disaster, but we'd planned a family BBQ, and given the weather - SCORCHIO - you can always count on the BBQ in Cyprus without fear!  Anyway, as the night drew on, the bird luring tapes grew louder.  I had been winging and complaining without response for the last week.  My in-laws had noticed, and being in their late 70s and deaf - enough was enough. I went to the SBA Police who acted immediately and seized 3, 50 foot mist nets, a couple of car batteries, an MP3  player and 4 dics.  Should anyone want 4 disks named "Gold -  Ambeloupoulia Mixed",  please let me know - should there be anyone else in the world that wishes to  eat Blackcaps in a barbaric, medieval type way.  Sorry, I forgot, it's a cultural, traditional activity - come on, wake up Cyprus, you take European money you must obey European laws!

Saturday evening and Akhna Dam produced a couple of Ospreys, 3 Common Cranes, a single Sedge Warbler and Lapwing and 3 Marsh Harriers.  Other than that, it was very quiet.  The same was true on Sunday although a visit to Ayia Napa Football Pitches held 3 Northern Wheatears and circa 30 Stonechats.  A visit to the North of the island for a hair cut and shave allowed me to visit the ruins at Salamis where there was a Cyprus Warbler.

Photos of the following species are availble via Flickr, please click on the link:

Other interesting finds:  A couple of Gecko species that were new for me.

Highlight of the week:  A difficult task, as there were few highlights to speak of but a late Wryneck at Ayia Napa was still nice to see.

Look Forward:  Migration has definately stalled, probably due to the storms over Europe.  Next week must see the arrival of Black Redstarts, Robins and Water Pipits - we shall see.

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