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Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 10 May 15
Broad-billed Sandpiper at Lady’s Mile on 6 May
Another week and I was unable to get out on 4th May so on Tuesday, I visited the Cape Greco area. Not much on the Cape except for a female Red-backed Shrike but the pines were very busy. A late Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler with 2 Willow Warblers was a surprise as was a Wryneck. As I continued to walk a pair of Red-backed Shrikes were confiding and a pair of Common Redstarts, less so. 2 Lesser Whitethroats were with a Common Whitethroat and as I walked, Spotted Flycatchers became obvious. Turtle Doves flushed regularly and the place was alive with large groups of Greenfinch and Goldfinch. 3 male Black-headed Buntings sang from wires in the open as I headed towards the sewage works. Here more Turtle Doves and 2 Black-headed Buntings with a male Cyprus Warbler also obligingly singing in the open. As I drove via the football pitches on the way home, I flushed a female Northern Wheatear.
On Wednesday, I had to take Deb to the polyclinic in Limassol. I dropped her off at about 0900 and picked her up at 1100 which allowed me 2 hours around the Limassol area. The first stop was Lady’s Mile. A good decision as between the Little Stints and Kentish Plovers were 2 Broad-billed Sandpipers*, sometimes not an easy wader to catch up with. Also in the area were a Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and several Ruffs. A female Red-backed Shrike perched on the scrub as did a Linnet and a Spectacled Warbler. As I drove to the salt lake a male Sardinian Warbler flew close to the car. The salt lake was alive with birds and I quickly spotted 5 Gull-billed Terns with 4 White-winged Black Terns and at least 8 Little Terns. The 2 1st winter Little Gulls were a bit of a surprise and at c40 Greater Flamingos remained along the east side of the lake.
On Thursday Fresh Water Lake South was fairly quiet but the Cattle Egret colony continues to thrive and 13 Yellow-legged Gulls were of interest. Later at Akhna Dam at least 45 Wood Sandpipers were present. A Roller provided a flash of colour and a single female type Yellow Wagtail was with 2 Temminck’s and a Little Stint. As I returned home via Vrysoulles, a pair of Little Owls were in the usual site and I flushed 3 Golden Orioles, 2 males from the nearby orange grove.
On Friday before the Spanish Night at my house, I managed to get to Cape Greco whilst doing some last minute shopping. On the way to the cape, near to the Ayia Napa Football Pitch complex, a pair of Laughing Doves perched on telegraph wires – my first for sometime. Stopping at the Pines was a good decision as there’d obviously been a late mini fall of migrants. 3 male Collared Flycatchers were present with at least 2 females and 3 female Pied Flycatchers. A couple of Willow Warblers flitted about and a male and female Blackcap was obvious as were a pair of Common Redstarts. 2 Woodchat Shrikes were a bit late and I flushed at least 10 Turtle Doves as I walked around with a flyover Ortolan Bunting.
On the 9th in the evening, I visited Akhna Dam, where a Roller greeted me and a Purple Heron flushed. A pair of Whinchats were new arrivals and 2 Collared Pratincoles rested with Ruffs, Wood Sandpipers, Little Stints and at least 10 Temminck’s Stints (a good count). A couple of Beeaters perched on wires before I drove home around the back of camp, finding 3 Rollers, 9 Beeeaters and a pair of Spanish Sparrows.
On the way to Cape Greco early on the 10th, 3 Beeaters were on the wires at Limnara Valley and 2 male Black-headed Buntings sang from the wires near to the pines. The pines were once more productive, with a male and female Collared Flycatcher* being present with a couple of Whinchats and a pair of Redstarts. A Squacco Heron flew over the sea at the cape and a couple of Cyprus Wheatears sang from wires. A Common Whitethroat was perched on a bush as I left the are on route to Ayia Napa Sewage Works. A couple of Spotted Flycatchers were seen first and then a female Northern Wheatear. As I walked the area I heard 3 Black-headed Buntings* and saw 2 with Spotted Flycatchers being present in good numbers along with a single female Pied Flycatcher. 4 Night Herons came in off the sea, a Beeeater perched on a wire and a Red-throated Pipit flew over calling. As I drove towards the football pitches a male Red-backed Shrike was in the open with a female Whinchat nearby. At Koprulu in the afternoon after visiting the barbers for a haircut and a shave (Owwch, the threading of my cheek hair smarted a bit after an absence of a month), a few interesting birds were present. 4 Spoonbills remained with 52 Greater Flamingos and 34 Glossy Ibises. A good count of 23 White-winged Black Terns was impressive and 6 Collared Pratincoles also hawked the water. A few Marsh Harriers continually flushed the c200 Ruffs and as I walked the embankment, 2 Ferruginous Ducks flushed and a male Red-crested Pochard was with a drake Garganey and a pair of Teal. A pair of Calandra Larks sang in the field nearby and a Great Spotted Cuckoo flushed from the reeds. As I left the area a Little Owl was perched on wires near the housing estate.
Highlights of the Week: Golden Orioles were a year tick recovery and Broad-billed Sandpipers are always a good find. Late Collared Flycatchers were good to see and photograph.
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 3 May 15
Little Bittern – Akhna Dam on 3 May
On 27th April we were picked up at our hotel in Istanbul and headed off to the Gallipoli peninsular. With an early morning start not much birding was done from the coach as I snored my way south. On arrival at Ecearbat we had lunch, booked in and headed off to ANZAC Cove in the early afternoon. Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were once more the common species with many singing Nightingales. Yellow-legged Gulls were offshore and Red-rumped Swallows were above us as we took in the sombre scene. A Long-legged Buzzard hovered above the Sphinx and we were soon photographing a Green Hairstreak. At the final site of the day Chanuk Bair (The NZ memorial) an Eastern Subalpine Warbler was in song flight along with a Tree Pipit and another couple of Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were also present.
On Tuesday we had booked a private excursion to the Helles Battlefields and in particular Lancashire Landing. From the Helles Memorial I could hear a Quail and a Corn Bunting and the ubiquitous Nightingales sang as the thousands of names looked on. Moving onto the Mehmetcic Turkish Memorial which is a very impressive 41.7 metres and can be seen from everywhere, I looked into the Dardanelles Straits and was astonished to see hundreds of Yelkouan Shearwaters. At “V” Beach – the Irish landings, more of the same and a few Red-rumped Swallows above us. We drove the track to “W” Beach – The Lancashire Fusiliers landing and passed a male Black-headed Bunting and a few more Wheatears. On the track to the beach 2 Nightingales flushed and on the beach a Ortolan Buntings were paired up. More Yelkouan Shearwaters were offshore as I walked the beach and tried to imagine the scene and destruction that must have gone on here a hundred years ago- very sobering and sad. We passed Twelve Tree Copse cemetery and a Syrian Woodpecker flew from one on the pines.
In the afternoon we visited Troy on the Asian side of the straits. As we crossed “The Narrows”, it allowed for great close views of Hundreds of Yelkouan Shearwarters* (I’ve never seen so many) and a few ropey photos – the birds were too fast moving for the capabilities of my camera. At Troy, an interesting and well preserved place for its 3000 year age, all things considered, we saw a Little Owl* perched on the Temple of Athena – very apt and a male Common Redstart caught flies from a nearby tree. Visit complete we began the 5 hour ride back to Istanbul. This time more alert, from the bus on the way back in the Gallipoli area I saw a pair of White Storks, a couple of Woodchat Shrikes, 1 Masked Shrike, a Common Cuckoo and several Starlings with some other commoner species. Arriving at our hotel at 2330 it was time for a shower and bed. We rose early the next day and at least 30 Alpine Swifts were above the hotel once more with several Ring-necked Parakeets. We left the hotel at about 1330 and arrived at the airport in plenty of time to catch our delayed flight back to Cyprus getting home at about 2200. A very eventful week.
The next evening I visited Akhna Dam where a Great Snipe was with a Common Snipe and c30 Wood Sandpipers with a few Ruff scattered around. A Purple Heron and Black-tailed Godwit were also present and 3 Turtle Doves came in for a drink. As I was leaving, I spotted a male Little Bittern* desperately trying to hide as I manoeuvred the car for a photo and in the nearby stubble fields a pair of Stone Curlews* were present.
Now a sad tail – an outbreak of Mugabbe’s Revenge, had me bedded down until Sunday afternoon in between running to the toilet every 15 minutes or so – Enough said and I’ll spare you all the graphic details. Going a bit stir crazy, I ventured across to Koprulu in the north and eventually got a year tick with 3 Whiskered Terns being present. A host of other birds were also there including 7 Spoonbills, c130 Greater Flamingos and 2 Great White Egrets. 2 Calandra Larks sang from the fields and c130 Glossy Ibises rose from the reeds as one of the many Marsh Harriers flew over. A Common Cuckoo was a surprise and I eventually saw a male Ferruginous Duck. On the way home at Fresh Water Lake South, the breeding colony is now well on its way with about c120 Cattle Egret nests all with an average of 3 chicks. 3 pairs of Glossy Ibises looked to be sitting and a pair of Squacco Herons also had a nest. A lone drake Gadwall was an unexpected sighting and as I watched and approached a Little Bittern flushed from the reeds. As I left I could hear a Water Rail calling.
Highlights of the Week: A couple of year ticks with a Little Bittern and Whiskered Tern kept the year list ticking along. Great Snipes are always good to find.
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 26 Apr 15
Cirl Bunting at Babadag on 20 Apr
Continuing in Turkey, on Monday I visited the area around my friends house in Ovacik, near the tourist resort of Hisarinou. I heard and then found a pair of Syrian Woodpeckers although, skittish, I was unable to photograph them but a male Cirl Bunting sang and posed for the camera. A Masked Shrike was singing and the most common bird remained the Jay. In the afternoon, I drove to Dalyan and visited the Kaunos rock tombs and ruins. Once more Western Rock Nuthatches were very evident and a pair of White Storks were overhead. As we walked the ruins and the lake side, at least 100 Little Egrets were present and overhead a Short-toed Eagle and Common Buzzard performed well. In the same area Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were common and a few Woodchat Shrikes were seen. A pair of Purple Herons chased each other over the marsh before landing and the only Cormorant of the trip was seen along the Koyciez River before we did a bit of shopping. Stopping at Chalis Beach, Fetihye, was not very impressive but a pair of Gull-billed Terns were present and a Great Reed Warbler was heard.
On the 21st, I retuned to Babadag and the meadow I’d visited on Sunday. Most of the Serins had moved on along with the Red-fronts. However, a few good birds were seen with a male Finsch’s Wheatear and the Whinchat still being present. Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were once again common as were Cretzschmar’s Buntings. A male Ruppel’s Warbler was singing as was a Cirl Bunting and a couple of Mistle Thrushes flushed. A pair of Masked Shrikes were present and I eventually saw a Treecreeper. Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers were very vocal and a Coal Tit appeared briefly. In the Fetihe Fish Market for lunch the last bird of the day was a Grey Wagtail in the canal that runs through the town.
On Wednesday, I headed for the Korkoutelli Hills area as mentioned in the Gosney guide. Many of the roads had expanded which changed the environment and possibilities for stopping easily but we pushed on. At Seki the usual farmland birds were present, Crested Larks, Corn Buntings and Starlings. A couple of Feldegg Yellow Wagtails were on the wires and a Calandra Lark flew across the road. Spanish Sparrows were seen and Finsch’s, Northern and the ubiquitous Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were well represented. Stopping for a comfort break a male Eastern Orphean Warbler sang and showed nearby. At the Essenkoy junction a Rock Sparrow and several Linnets were seen and at the Cavdir drinking trough, the habitat and layby had changed dramatically from what I remembered and seemed less appealing to the birds. A highlight here however was an adult Golden Eagle drifting above the hillside, a Hobby and an Eastern Subalpine Warbler. Calandra Larks were common on the farmlands towards Sogut and a European Roller was seen perched on roadside wires. Long-legged Buzzards were along the road to Korkoutelli as were Woodchat Shrikes and Calandra Larks. In the Korkoutelli area Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were once again common and a few Western Rock Nuthatches were seen. With the search for the target bird proving difficult (early in the season) we went for a mixed kebab in the town. Luckily, I met a group of visiting birders and asked if they’d had any luck with a White-throated Robin, fortunately they spoke English and said they’d seen one on the opposite side of the road to where I was looking. I made for the area about 4Km east of Korkoutelli on the road to Emali. I watched any area of rocky scrub noting Cretzchmar’s Buntings, Eastern Orphean Warblers and a pair of Black-eared Wheatears. The male then chased a bird which once it settled back down was a crack male White-throated Robin, which fed underneath me in the open for about 5 minutes. I went for the camera but it had retreated. Probably and early arriving male, I was lucky to see it as it wasn’t singing. When I visited the area in May 07, the species was probably the most common and obvious in the area. At Seki lake on the way home, a Little Ringed Plover and Great Crested Grebe were present with 4 Grey Herons flying above me.
The 23rd of April – St George’s Day and our 27th Wedding Anniversary and yes, you do get less for murder. Firstly as Saklikent Gorge – well worth a visit, several Crag Martins were above us and I also saw a Beautiful Damselfly and a Green-eyed Hawker. A Grey Wagtail was also in the gorge. After this we visited a few Lycian sites with our friends stopping for lunch at Tlos which is an impressive set of ruins complete with large amphitheatre. Here nothing new with Cretzschmar’s Buntings and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears being the order of the day. A Short-toed Eagle was above the hills and several butterflies were seen with the highlight being a Chapman’s Blue.
On Friday, we were on our own so we drove to the other Lycian sites at Letoon, Xanthos and Petara. All very interesting and impressive places which are worth a visit but Petara probably being the pick of the bunch. At Letoon, finally some waders a Wood Sandpiper and a Common Snipe were near to the Terripin and Tortoise pools and 6 European Beeaters flew through calling as they went. At Xanthos more Eastern Black-eared Wheatears, a Whinchat, Masked Shrike, Sand Martins and a fly through Hobby. Woodchat Shrikes were the order of the day at Petara although I did see a Squacco Heron and a Black-winged Stilt. A Calandra Lark and White Stork were seen as we travelled back to Fetihye and in the evening I visited the woods at Hisarinou seeing another Kruper’s Nuthatch and a couple of Long-tailed Tits.
The following day, I had asked Clive if he knew of any coastal marshes. He said he had “Hashed” around one – On On! So he took me there. Just west of Fetihye on the D400 towards Dalaman is a sign for Yaniklar. On the way Alpine Swifts were numerous over the Chalis Beach area. Take the exit and head under the road. On the left as you rise over the hill there are some seasonal pools and these were excellent for a short impromptu look which yielded a few good species. At least 4 Little Bitterns were here with a Little Egret, Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron. A female Little Crake appeared briefly and at least 4 Wood Sandpipers were obvious with a Little Ringed Plover. We proceeded to the coastal marsh which had good numbers of Little Egrets on it. As we walked around a female Marsh Harrier quartered the marsh and a few Long-tailed Tits were in the trees. I noticed some perched birds and I couldn’t believe it when I saw 12 Pygmy Cormorants perched on snags in the water. Not an easy bird in Turkey but it does appear to be increasing in coastal wetlands in the west. A couple of Greenshanks called as they went with some Wood Sandpipers and a Purple Heron rose from the reeds. As we walked I heard but couldn’t locate a reeling Savi’s Warbler and on the way back to the car, I was bitten by a F---ING dog. A scrawny little shit of a thing, smaller than a poodle sidled up growling and then just bit me! Drawing blood, and biting through my trousers, I wasn’t happy and the stupid Cloggy owner didn’t even look apologetic which incensed me and she was lucky I didn’t drive back in the car and run her and her little shit of a dog over. The only thing that stopped me was the very large dog that was with them which would probably have taken my leg off. NOT BLOODY HAPPY!!!! My friend then took me to the vets? for some iodine and antiseptic cream. Anyway, a burger and a great coffee later, I had recovered my composure. Deb and Carol just laughed when they were informed, which once more caused what I think is referred to in Officer Circles as “visible irritation”.
On the 26th we flew back to Istanbul from Dalaman at 0755 arriving in the city at about 1130. Alpine Swifts were above the hotel and obviously breeding in the area as were Laughing Doves. A few Shags were seen flying along the Sea of Marmara with numerous Yellow-legged Gulls. A walk in Gulhane Park in the afternoon saw the Tulips in bloom which was impressive and in the park Ring-necked and Alexandrine Parakeets were obvious. As I sea watched from the hotel window at least 4 Bottlenose Dolphins in a small pod were seen crossing the bay. The end of a fantastic week. Thanks to Clive and Carol for putting up with us and sharing our Wedding Anniversary celebrations.
Highlights of the Week: A White-throated Robin is always a special bird but the Pygmy Cormorants were also and unexpected addition to the Turkish List – “It’s All About The List”
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 19 Apr 15
Dotterel at Akhna Dam on 13 Apr
Walking back from being CDT’d for about the 10 time this year, a Red-rumped Swallow flew over my head on camp. A long day on Monday but now that it’s light until about 1915, I had time to get to Akhna Dam which proved to be a wise choice. As I drove in from the southern arm, the water levels had risen once more (pumped in from other dams on the island which are full due to a very wet winter), the first bird I encountered in a newly wet area was a Great Snipe* feeding actively – great result! It was very confiding and allowed for some excellent close photos. It suddenly looked skywards and ran into the grass crouching, as I looked up, another year tick, and Osprey was overhead being mobbed by Hooded Crows, number 233 for the year! It was a great decision to visit Akhna Dam today. Anyway as the Osprey circled a female Marsh Harrier flew up to meet it and as a result the rest of the birds flushed. 31 Glossy Ibis, the 5 Black-tailed Godwits from yesterday and 4 Wood Sandpipers with a number of other Egrets. That over as the Osprey continued north and left the dam things settled down again. I photographed a Common Sandpiper and flushed several as I walked around. Finally, a Snipe rising from a reedbed with no white trailing edge and no distinctive call as it rose was another Great Snipe. I headed home content with a good start to the week.
On Tuesday I visited the Larnaca area in the hope of finding some of the birds that had been reported yesterday. As I arrived at the Larnaca Airport Fields – 4 Dotterels, 2 Males and 2 Females with a couple of Kentish Plovers. I observed the birds for about 15 minutes and was then moved on by an over zealous Policeman as it was facing the airport and no photographs were allowed, I explained that it was not a camera but a telescope to no avail and was unceremoniously moved on. So at the sewage works a dozen or so Sand Martins were still around with a couple of feldegg Yellow Wagtails. A Collared Pratincole flew over the lagoons but there wasn’t much about until 15 Gull-billed Terns flew through. On the Airport Pools South, a couple of Greenshank and Marsh Sandpipers were amongst the Ruffs and Black-winged Stilts with a single Common Sandpiper on the fringes. As I looked at the c450 Greater Flamingos, there it was standing out like the proverbial sore thumb – the “Black Flamingo”*, which had obviously relocated from Akrotiri. Assumed to be the only one of its kind in the world it was a novelty more than anything. As I looked at it I noticed two small birds on the surface of the water amongst the Flamingos which, once scoped proved to be 2 Red-necked Phalaropes – “tick” for the year.
At Akhna Dam several fisherman were present (illegal – but never mind the law – as usual), with nobody enforcing it and the Cypriots being like naughty schoolboys, unless they are continually corrected and monitored they begin to push the boundaries until somebody does something – which is very rare. In any event as a result I was unable to relocate the Great Snipe, if indeed it was still present. I did however manage to photograph a very vocal and fairly obliging Great Spotted Cuckoo* before returning home. As I drove, my first Whinchat for the site this spring was in the fields along with a Fan-tailed Warbler.
Taking Deb to Limassol for an appointment, I managed a bit of birding in the area – shame not to. The area was generally quiet with only a pair of Ferruginous Ducks and 2 Glossy Ibises being present at Zakaki Marsh, that were of any note. We returned via Larnaca where the Dotterels* were a little closer to the track allowing for some acceptable photos. 4 Collared Pratincoles* were in the field adjacent to the hide at the sewage works and on the south pool Red-necked Phalaropes had increased to 4 but were a little far away for a photo. After returning from the Poly Clinic in Limassol with Deb, we headed to the north for some last minute fancy dress shopping and I managed a couple of hours at Koprulu. Again, an excellent site which soon produced a year tick with 2 White-winged Black Terns hawking the water and a female Montague’s Harrier in the fields behind with a 2 female Marsh Harriers. Circa 50 Glossy Ibises were present and 4 Squacco Herons flushed from the vegetation. 3 Great Reed Warblers sang and 2 were seen whilst the site remains the only place in the east to see Gadwall and Pochard with good numbers of Garganeys also being present. Several Calandra Larks were in the surrounding fields and a pair of Stone Curlews called as they came into land.
On Thursday it was an overdue visit to Cape Greco. I arrived at about 1400 and looked in the pines first. It wasn’t particularly busy but a female Pied Flycatcher and male Common Redstart were immediately visible. 11 or so Tree Pipits flushed from the grass and perched in nearby trees and a female Pallid Harrier* was on the open ground opposite the pines. Cape Greco was empty save for the 2 on territory, singing Cyprus Wheatears. I carried on to Ayia Napa Sewage Works where 2 Masked Shrikes and a male dark throated Eastern Black-eared Wheatear where near the approach track. A lateish Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was calling and feeding in the bushes along with a female Redstart. An Ortolan Bunting flushed from the undergrowth and a Lesser Whitethroat showed itself as I walked around. A Hobby and Lesser Kestrel passed overhead together and the usual Spectacled Warblers went about their business. As I was leaving a bird perched on the works fence was my first Red-backed Shrike of the year – a cracking male. Later in the afternoon, I visited Akhna Dam where a Greenshank was with 7 Wood Sandpipers and 4 Common Sandpipers flushed from the water’s edge. Herons were well represented with Grey, Squacco*, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets and a showy (for a change) Purple Heron*. A female Marsh Harrier cruised around and my first Turtle Dove of the year, made for the eucalyptus stand. A drive around the back of the camp at Ay Nik produced a Great Spotted Cuckoo.
On Friday, before attending the Mess I managed to get out for a few hours and visited the Famagusta wetlands in the north. A Spotted Redshank was present and an Osprey was mobbed by Hooded Crows. At Clapsides a Great White Egret* was with Little Egrets and a lone Gull-billed Tern was with 3 Slender-billed Gulls on the rocks. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the large number of Armenian Gulls that were roosting. 2 Greater Flamingos were at Gulserin Pond with 4 Spur-winged Plovers and 8 Black-winged Stilts. My final stop in the north was a Fresh Water Lake South where 6 pairs of Glossy Ibises were in the Cattle Egret* colony and a 2nd CY Night Heron flushed from the reeds. A female Marsh Harrier flew over as I was departing. In the late afternoon I visited Akhna Dam where a Great Reed Warbler was heard and not seen. An Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was singing on territory, chased by a Cetti’s Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat was in the tamarisks. A pair of Rollers* were my first for the year as was a fleeting glimpse of a Turtle Dove. A couple of Common Sandpipers were flushed with a Greenshank and a Squacco Heron as a female Marsh Harrier flew over.
On Saturday morning, following a Back to School fancy dress in the Mess (images on Facebook), I slept in and in the afternoon we flew to Dalaman via Istanbul for a bit of a Turkish adventure before we depart the island. Arriving late on Saturday I didn’t manage to get out birding until early on 19th when I visited Kayakoy Ruins. Many of the species that had passed through Cyprus last month were present with a singing male Cretzschmar’s Bunting* and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. At least 4 pairs of Rollers were on territory and in display flight and a Common Buzzard passed overhead. Alpine Swifts and Red-rumpled Swallows were numerous as were Serins and the most common Wheatear was the Eastern Black-eared. I finally located the bird I’d come for and photographed a Western Rock Nuthatch*. The most common butterfly was the Eastern Festoon with Eastern Dappled White also being present. In the woods nearby I saw a Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and a surprising Rock Sparrow. I soon heard the distinctive call of another target bird and managed to photograph an obliging Kruper’s Nuthatch*. Returning to the car 2 Common Buzzards and a Long-legged Buzzard were over the hills. Jays were the most common bird and eventually I saw a calling Coal Tit. In the afternoon we visited Babadag (where the para scenders leap off for Olu Deniz beach). We climbed to 1900 metres but unfortunately no Ascenters were present and once more the most common bird was the Eastern-black Eared Wheatear with a single Northern also being present. We descended to the 1200 metre area where our friends new of a plateaux. I had specifically asked if there were any such habitats and they took me to it. Things looked promising – an alpine meadow and perfect habitat to speculate about a potential lifer. Serins and Cretzschmar’s Buntings were common and a couple of Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers and Cirl Buntings were also seen. A Cuckoo was heard along with at least 2 Green Woodpeckers and a single Whinchat was also obvious. As I scanned the hillside I was struck by a flash of red in a tree. It must be! Yes – a male Red-fronted Serin – LIFER what a result! I watched as the birds came down and fed on seeds with the more numerous Serins. Creeping forward; the birds were quite tame and confiding, I photographed a cracking male Red-fronted Serin* as it fed. The end of a perfect first day!
Highlights of the Week: 2 Great Snipe at Akhna Dam and an Osprey on the same day were good finds. Dotterels are rare in Cyprus so to find and photograph 4 was quite an event.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsAscension Island 2015
For some great photos from this April's expedition to Ascension see Rich Mooney's photo set on Flickr.
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