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Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 12 Apr 15
Caspian Plover at Mandria on 11 Mar and a Hooded Wheatear at Cape Greco on 11 Mar.
Bank Holiday Monday and a planned visit to Troodos and Limassol occurred with Caitlin the US birder. We stopped briefly in the Larnaca area but didn’t manage to find any Red-necked Phalaropes. We continued to Zakaki Marsh near Limassol Port and immediately saw a male Little Crake. Numerous Reed, Sedge and Cetti’s Warblers were very vocal and a Great Reed Warbler flew across the front of the hide. 6 Ferruginous Ducks were present and another Little Crake, female was found as we walked along the edge of the reeds next to the road. 8 Slender-billed Gulls were on the pools at Lady’s Mile along with 5 Greenshanks and 6 Black-winged Stilts. Akrotiri Salt Lake was quite quiet with only Black-winged Stilts and Ruffs being present but on the way in we saw a Woodchat Shrike, several Linnets and a Northern Wheatear and on exiting a found an Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. Phassouri Reed Beds produced a Common Buzzard and another female Little Crake but the highlight was a pair of Squacco Herons. A Kingfisher alighted from the reeds as a Hoopoe flew past and numerous Common Snipe rose from the reed beds.
On the way up to Troodos many Cyprus Wheatears were seen along the road and at Amiantos a male Blue Rock Thrush flew up from the ground and landed on a nearby rock. The first stop was Giant Juniper Picnic Site where at least 4 pairs of Masked Shrikes were on territory. Coal Tits were soon seen as were a couple of Jays but Short-toed Treecreepers, although heard remained elusive. A small flock of finches were a mix of Siskins (10+) and Serins but the biggest surprise was Hawfinch perching briefly in front of us. Wrens were also heard but not seen. At Levadia Tou Pasha Picnic Site, more of the same with another Hawfinch but we did manage to see, and Caitlin photographed a Short-toed Treecreeper which was a lifer for her. Chaffinches were numerous but yet no Crossbills were seen at the site which is unusual. In Troodos village we stopped for lunch at the Ben Nevis restaurant (recommended for a kebab) but not before we stopped to see 8 Pallid Swifts weaving in and out of the buildings. More were seen at the Jubilee Hotel after lunch and a Masked Shrike was at the top of Mount Olympus. We left the mountains “Crossbill-less” which was a great pity. On the way down we saw 2 Red-rumped Swallows at Mandria and another 2 at Episkopi but the Griffon Vultures weren’t present unfortunately.
At a small pond at the back of Phassouri Reed Beds at the beginning of the track to Akrotiri Gravel Pits there was a fair collection of waders including a Spotted Redshank, Ruffs, Wood and Green Sandpipers, Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers, Snipe and a few Greenshanks. The Yellow Wagtails were worth a look, containing Blue-headed, Black-headed, a supercilliaris hybrid and my first 2 Grey-headed (thunbergi’s) of the year. There being nothing further and dipping on the Temminck’s Stint that had been in JUMBO drain the previous day, I dropped Caitlin at her apartment after a productive day.
On the 7th, I visited Koprulu Dam in the north – what a fantastic wetland this is turning into! Circa 110 Greater Flamingos were still present and 2 Spoonbills were also typically sleeping, they were later joined by a pair of Great White Egrets. 2 male Red-crested Pochards were skulking in the reeds and although Wildfowl numbers had greatly reduced, c30 Garganeys (mostly drakes) were quite obvious. 16 Glossy Ibises took off from the reeds as a female Marsh Harrier passed overhead and 2 Red-throated Pipits called as they went. 4 Stone Curlews flushed from the fields as I drove by and from the raised bank and reed beds, numerous Reed, Sedge and Cetti’s Warblers could be seen and heard. 3 Great Reed Warblers were heard with one being seen and a pair of Great Spotted Cuckoos chased each other. A Quail called from the field and I watched at least 6 Calandra Larks displaying above the fields. A familiar call alerted me to the passage of 4 Collared Pratincoles, that looked a little like Black-wings in overcast light but a glimpse of some red underwing revealed their true identity. A Spotted Redshank called as it flew over and a female Little Crake was seen on the reed edge. The pools were full of Ruff and Black-winged Stilts and a pair of Gadwalls was a good record to finish with. 2 Flamingos were at Fresh Water Lake North with a Glossy Ibis and some commoner waders as I returned home.
During the afternoon of the 8th I visited the Larnaca area once more. On the airport north pool a collection of waders consisting of Ringed Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Dunlins and Little Stints were present. Once more no Red-necked Phalaropes were present, however on the south pond 41 Greater Flamingos and c20 Ruffs were present with a reduced number of Black-winged Stilts. The sewage works once more had 2 Ferruginous Ducks present and on the adjoining fields 3 male Black Francolins strutted their stuff. Stopping at Oroklini on the way home, the drake Red-crested Pochard was hiding in the vegetation and a single Marsh Sandpiper was visible from the south hide. On the north pool a single Black-headed Gull lingers on with a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull also being present. Akhna Dam was a bit more lively with a good collection of Herons consisiting of 1 Little Egret, 14 Cattle Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Squacco Heron, 10 Night Herons complemented by 38 Glossy Ibises. As I drove around 2 Green Sandpipers flushed, a Lesser Whitethroat moved through the tamarisks and them most obliging Common Cuckoo* I’ve ever come across posed for the camera. At home c50 Common Swifts were very vocal over the quarter area.
On Thursday afternoon in a strong south westerly wind, I headed for Cape Greco. With only a Northern and Isabelline Wheatear with a couple of Yellow Wagtails being around the fields, it felt fairly quiet. That said, I decided to speculate and do a bit of sea watching – usually very frustrating and unproductive on the south coast of Cyprus. My luck was in, after about 10 minutes a pair of unmistakeable shapes, arcing over the waves in bounding loops, getting blown quickly east were a pair of Yelkouan Shearwaters – a year tick and not an easy bird to find at the best of times. Job done, I visited the pines where it was a little less windy. I connected with a male Pied Flycatcher and then a female. A Hoopoe and 4 Tree Pipits flushed and in the pines, in windy conditions a Lesser Whitethroat and Wood Warbler showed briefly. As a good man once said “Not exactly heaving” – John Sanders c1998. I continued to Ayia Napa Sewage Works where it was much the same story. I firstly encountered a Masked Shrike, and then saw and heard 2 Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, which are still hanging on and one was singing. A Tree Pipit flushed from the grass to a nearby bush, perching and drawing my attention to a female Redstart that was nearby. That done, it was over for the day. The wind was increasing and I had to get home and book flights and hotels etc for my forthcoming trip to Turkey, Fethiye, Istanbul, Gallipoli and Troy starting on 18 April and it’s the start of my draw down! Some would say I’ve been doing that for the last year – how dare they?
Late on Thursday the news of a pair of perhaps breeding and coming to drink Black-bellied Sandgrouse, at Akrotiri and a Terek Sandpiper, were good but further news of a male Caspian Plover at Mandria was exciting, however, with work commitments there was no way of getting there on Friday morning. In any event, no new Cyprus birds but difficult year birds, it has to be said – Roll on retirement!
On Friday Akhna Dam held its firs singing Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, tail pumping in the usual way and at Vrysoulles on the way home a Little Owl was present in the usual place which was the first time in a while. In the late afternoon prior to going for dinner with Caitlin, Deb and I visited the Larnaca area briefly. Still no Phalaropes but a breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper with Little Stints was a good year bird. The south airport pool had 7 Marsh Sandpipers amongst the numerous Ruffs and Stilts and at the sewage works there’d obviously been a large movement of hirundines, with c120 Sand Martins, c40 Swallows and c50 Common Swifts all feeding furiously over the lagoons. As I passed the south pool on the way to dinner, 3 Squacco Herons flushed from a small wet area opposite. The surprise on the north pool as I looked again was a breeding plumaged Greater Sand Plover of the Crassirostris (Caspian/Iran) sub-species. This sub-species unlike the regular wintering Columbinus has a very large and obvious bill.
The following day, I rose and left the house about 0900 in an attempt to see the Black Flamingo (apparently the only one in the world) at Akrotiri Salt Lake, in any event it had moved on. However, as I left the house I phoned Colin Richardson who confirmed that the male Caspian Plover* was still present at Mandria. I drove at break neck speed and with empty roads arrived an hour and forty minutes later at 1050. Several people were looking for the bird without luck. Eventually, the bird rose from a furrow on the field and performed perfectly. Usually a confiding species preferring to walk away rather than run, it allowed for some very close photos. Always a good bird to get in Cyprus, as I didn’t see one last year and a cracking male to boot! I continued back to Akrotiri and met Colin Richardson who’d earlier had a Dotterel on the Salt Lake which had left soon after heading north. A small scrape has developed at Akrotiri Gravel Pits which is attracting a good variety of waders. 3 Marsh Sandpipers and 3 Spotted Redshanks (2 in breeding plumage) were amongst the commoner waders and a single Black-tailed Godwit was also present. We watched Little Ringed* and Kentish Plovers* and a single Common Redshank also put in an appearance. A Marsh Harrier cruised by and then out of nowhere a pair of Hobbys were hunting, fresh in from the sea, an excellent moment and the first of the year. We continued around the Gravel Pits finding a Whimbrel*, 4 Short-toed Larks, a Linnet and 9 migrating Baltic Gulls above us. Back at the pond, a couple of Whinchats, a Woodchat Shrike and a Lesser Whitethroat appeared before we moved onto Phassouri Reed Beds. Here, 4 Squaccos, Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets were outnumbered by c25 Glossy Ibises. A Kingfisher called and perched whilst Reed and Sedge Warblers flitted about the reeds and whilst looking a female Little Crake was seen. Perhaps the biggest surprise was a pair of adult Starlings in the reeds before we headed off to Zakaki Marsh to complete the day. On arrival a Common Sandpiper was with Wood Sandpipers and a couple of Squaccos eventually showed. Several Sand Martins were over the marsh and it wasn’t long before we located the target bird below the hide in the reeds – a cracking male Baillon’s Crake, soon followed by a little less exciting male Little Crake. A breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank flew in and a Purple Heron flew over the hide towards Akrotiri Reed Beds. I departed to the song of Reed and Sedge Warblers and arrived home after a pretty good day.
On Sunday, having not visited Cape Greco since Thursday, off I went. On arrival, it was depressing quiet. 7 Red-rumped Swallows flew in off the sea and a Beeater was heard, which didn’t sound quite right – of course it was a Blue-cheeked explaining why it sounded a bit strange for a European. Suddenly, there was a bit of activity and Joe Donaldson, one of the Irish birders was shouting he’d found a Wheatear with a red tail. We rushed over and soon enough we’d relocated the bird and watched it and assumed it was a Red-tailed (Kurdish) Wheatear. Later our mistake became apparent when studying photographs and texts and it became obvious that the bird was in fact a female Hooded Wheatear* – still a great bird though and increased the year list to 231. The pines were fairly quiet but we did find a male and female Pied Flycatcher and a couple of Redstarts. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, the same story, 2 Eastern Bonelli’s Wabler, 4 Ortolan Buntings and a Masked Shrike. As we headed towards Ayia Napa Football Pitches, a Woodchat Shrike sat proudly on a lookout post and a pair of Eastern Black-eared Wheatears (dark throated form) showed well. Paralimni Lake held little to write home about and later in the day 5 Black-tailed Godwits were the highlight at Akhna Dam, ending a very good week.
Highlights of the Week: A good week eventually. 2 Yelkouan Shearwaters and a very posy Common Cuckoo were good moments. However, they were surpassed by a male Caspian Plover at Mandria and a female Hooded Wheatear at Cape Greco.
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 5 Apr 15
Caspian Stonechat at Cape Greco Army Post Cliffs 30 Mar 15.
On Monday afternoon I shot off to Cape Greco after work. I arrived to see c60 Cormorants flying east offshore and good numbers of Northern and Isabelline Wheatears. Pete Wragg, a UK birder alerted me to the presence of a male Caspian Stonechat* which I managed to get acceptable photos of. Whilst doing this I flushed several Cretzschmar’s Buntings and at least 80 Short-toed Larks, I was however unable to find the male Trumpeter Finch that had been seen in the morning. I moved onto the pines area and immediately located a Black and White Flycatcher which turned out to a lovely male Collared – my first of the year. Also in the pines was a Cuckoo and a little further on in the open ground 8 Lesser Kestrels hunted. A few Common Redstarts made a dash for it which drew my attention to a female Semi-collared Flycatcher and shortly afterwards a female Pied Flycatcher. I returned home via Paralimni Lake where there were numerous commoner waders and I flushed my first Purple Heron of the year. A good start to the week!
On Tuesday a brief visit to Akhna Dam revealed the presence of a Hoopoe and numerous Wagtails. Amongst the White and Black-headed Yellow Wagtails was a White-chinned Wagtail*, a several Blue-headed Wagtails* and at least 1 Syke’s Wagtail. On Wednesday I had to go to Larnaca with Deb so took the opportunity of looking at Oroklini Marsh and surroundings. Akhna Dam on the first was equally uninspiring, however I did manage some Blue-headed Wagtails* and many Black-headed including one Supercilliaris. A Hoopoe was the only other bird of note.
On Thursday, a brief, first day of the month visit to Oroklini Marsh produced a few good birds, including a Sanderling a calling male Black Francolin and a singing Nightingale was heard. Akhna Dam’s contribution was a male dark throated Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. Now there is a pitiful tale to tell. On the 2nd it was my Birthday, so shopping for the first BBQ of the year without rain took place. Following that, the Birthday BBQ with much merriment and alcohol – for those of you that are regular followers of the BLOG – ENOUGH SAID. The 3rd was a write off as I had taken drink and was very much under the weather.
On Saturday, I was back on the road albeit feeling a bit fragile, something that the collection of British birders at Cape Greco noticed and commented on – it has to be said, I was not on top form., although still managed to refind the female Desert Wheatear on the cape. Eastern Orphean Warblers were quite numerous although Ruppel’s are reducing. A European Beeater passed high overhead calling as it went. Towards the picnic site a pair of Ortolan Buntings were heard and seen in the company of the reducing, migrating Cretzschmar’s. Nightingales could be heard in good numbers with a few showing briefly. In the pines, a male Collared Flycatcher was the highlight with Tree Pipits being fairly numerous. On a cultivated field opposite the pines with man-made perches and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Cyprus and Isabelline Wheatear were joined by a female Siberian (maura) Stonechat and a Cretzschmar’s Bunting. The regular drive trough Limnara Valley produced a Tawny Pipit as the highlight but this species, in the main appears to have passed through. On the track to Ayia Napa Sewage Works we stopped to look at a Common Cuckoo and Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers once more appeared quite numerous in the bushes opposite to the works fence. Also in here were 2 Collared Flycatcher males and my first couple of Wood Warblers of the year. A Common Restart, Woodchat Shrike and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear added to the enjoyment with a singing male Cyprus Warbler and a couple of Eastern Orpheans rounding it off.
With the 2 Bills along for the ride once more we headed off to Larnaca in an attempt to look for some Red-necked Phalaropes – this failed! There wasn’t much about to be fair save for a few Wheatears and the regular Flamingos and Spur-winged Plovers. We continued to the north side of the salt lake passing the north pool where reasonable numbers of Dunlins, Little Stints and Ruffs were feeding. At the north side of the salt lake 22 Slender-billed Gulls were with c50 Black-headed Gulls but again nothing to get too excited about. As we passed the canal at the north end of the lake a wagtail drew my attention and on closer inspection turned out to be the Black-headed Wagtail, hybrid – xanthrophys with yellow supercillium which is the rarer form of supercilliaris. I bade farewell to the Bills as they were departing on Sunday. Many thanks for your company, lunch and some petrol money and I hope to meet you both again. At Oroklini on the way home, the Avocet was still present as were 2 drake Garganeys and a male Red-crested Pochard. Akhna Dam held a Woodchat Shrike, Hooopoe, Isabelline Wheatear and Greenshank.
On Sunday, I met Caitlin and Karl Proctor at Cape Greco and we found a Woodchat Shrike which was a good start. Several Wrynecks were around the cape with depleted numbers of Wheatears and everything to be honest including British birders. Joe and John, the Irish birders remain but it’s feeling a bit lonely again and with an influx of Swedish, German and Swiss birders the passage of information has reduced. Several Redstarts were also in the pines with Tree Pipits and whilst the Cyprus and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear remained in the fields opposite, the Siberian Stonechat had moved on. 9 Little Egrets were on the rocks at Kermia Beach and at Ayia Napa Sewage Works at least 3 Wood Warblars (a new bird for Caitlin) and 10+ Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers in what has been an exceptional spring for this species. More Eastern Orpheans, Lesser Whitethroats and Nightingales were to follow and we departed to a Wryneck sat on a post.
I took Deb for lunch in the north and afterwards decided to give the Red-necked Phalaropes another go in Larnaca that Pete Wragg had found prior to his departure - a nice farewell gift, although by the time I got to the airport pools in the afternoon they had gone. However, all was not lost, a 1st winter Little Gull was amongst the Slender-billed Gulls and a Curlew gave its migration call last it flew above me. A Sand Martin was with Swallows at the sewage works with a good count of Greenshanks (25) being on Spiro’s Pool. A Tawny Pipit with a few Wheatears ended the excursion. On the way home I stopped at JUMBO drain and finally 4 Temminck’s Stints were present. Oroklini held the same as the previous day so we headed home at the end of a bird and alcohol filled exhausting week.
Now that readers are openly complaining and commenting on my tardiness with getting the BLOG published, my apologies, I’ll try harder and attempt to keep up. But if I’m not out seeing stuff, I’ll have nothing to write about!
Highlights of the Week: A female Siberian Stonechat was a good bird, found by the Joe and John and Wood Warblers are always a pleasure to see.
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 29 Mar 15
Rock Thrush at Limnara Valley on 29 Mar.
With the end of March fast approaching and a posting looming in the summer – where is the year going?
Monday again and lots to do before my departure. I had time to visit Paralimni Lake after work and the Spotted Crake showed well again. A couple each of Sedge, Reed and Cetti’s Warblers were present and once more I heard the Great Reed Warbler, singing on this occasion. Some Yellow Wagtails were amongst the White Wagtails and Little Ringed Plovers but there wasn’t much else happening.
On Tuesday came the news of my posting. I’m off to Uphaven in Wiltshire (soon to become UK’s rarity hotspot – I don’t think) and will depart the island on Saturday 11th of July – so no more BLOGGING! In the afternoon I visited Cape Greco once more. In the pines it was alive, albeit with c100+ Chiffchaffs in the main. A couple of Eastern Bonell’s Warblers remained and at least 3 Eastern Subalpine Warblers were seen. This coupled with Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Common Whitethroats, Common Redstarts and Ruppel’s Warblers made the place very busy. I saw and then heard an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler before a few Tree Pipits flew up from the grass. I flushed a Great Spotted Cuckoo as I made for the car to continue onto the cape. On the cape Wheatears was the flavour of the day with 4 species being present but not much else. At the picnic site a Cretzschmar’s Bunting and an Ortolan Bunting were the highlights before I drove around the sea caves on route to Limnara Valley where more Wheatears were present. A Tawny Pipit was amongst the rocks and the 2 Audouin’s Gulls continued to loaf at Kermia Beach.
At Ayia Napa Sewage Works at least 15 Cretzschmar’s Buntings were present with a male Masked Shrike providing a flash of colour. At least 5 Eastern Bonelli’s and 2 Eastern Orphean Warblers were in the bushes with several Ruppel’s Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats. A female Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush was with 2 Blue Rock Thrushes and 2 Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were with their Northern and Cyprus cousins. I finished the day at Paralimni Lake where I eventually saw the Great Reed Warbler and found the male Citrine Wagtail that had been previously reported. At least 500 Ruffs were present with smaller numbers of Green and Wood Sandpipers. As I watched an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, 6 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret were overhead. A Water Pipit was in the reeds but perhaps the biggest surprise was a male Reed Bunting which concluded proceedings. As I drove home I passed a Long-legged Buzzard perched on a telegraph post just outside Freneros.
On Wednesday, I managed to get to Cape Greco for a couple of hours. A couple of Common Redstarts and an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler were in the pines and Chiffchaff numbers had reduced significantly from yesterday. A bird dashing through the trees finally perched and turned out to be a Common Cuckoo and several Tree Pipits flushed from the grass and perched in nearby pines. I continued onto the cape where many of the commoner migrants were still present in smaller numbers. Tipped-off regarding the presence of a Bimaculated Lark – which I didn’t find, a beautiful male Pallid Harrier appeared and cruised along the rocky outcrops. It’s Always a joy to see one of these in the spring and my 200th bird of the year. I continued around the cape but didn’t relocate the Lark. Driving past the sea caves and onto Limnara Valley, 6 Greater Short-toed Larks alighted along with a Tawny Pipit. The hillside contained Northern, Isabelline, Cyprus and a lovely dark throated Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. The bushes contained Lesser Whitethroats, Ruppel’s Warblers and Blackcaps along with a handful of Chiffchaffs. A bird flying from the undergrowth to a pylon caught my attention and it was a cracking male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. A Hoopoe and 2 Audouin’s Gulls at Kermia Beach rounded off the day – but no Bimaculated Lark! I attended a Silver Lunch in the mess in the afternoon, but I’m not planning a heavy session.
Not planning a heavy session – failure! Still feeling a bit ropey I headed off to Akhna Dam where the highlight was an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and onto Paralimni Lake. The Spotted Crake showed again and a female Marsh Harrier flew over. 3 Temminck’s Stints were with a single Kentish Plover and on the lagoons, a Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and numerous Ruffs. Several Little Egrets and Grey Herons were also present but it wasn’t a huge haul of species.
On Friday I visited Cape Greco in the morning. Much of the same was still present in the area with Wheatears and Sylvia warblers being in the ascendency, although a couple of Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers were still in the pines. Pallid Harriers continue to come in from the sea and they’re a fantastic site. In the afternoon I visited Koprulu Dam in the north which is a fantastic wetland. Species not found anywhere in the south of the island at the moment are still present including Gadwalls, Pochards and Wigeon. My first 3 Sand Martins of the year were over the water and a Great White Egret flew in and landed next to 5 Common Cranes. A few Common Shelducks remain and a breeding plumaged Black-necked Grebe was a surprise. A few commoner waders were present all continually harassed by 4 or 5 female Marsh Harriers. At Fresh Water Lake North 2 Marsh Sandpipers were with c110 Black-winged Stilts and many Ruffs including a Spotted Redshank and 3 Common Redshanks. Another pair of Gadwalls were present and amongst the Teal a fine male Garganey. At the south lake a Glossy Ibis roosted with the c600 Cattle Egrets with c85 nests being noted. 5 Cormorants remain at the site and a drake Ferruginous Duck flew by as I watched. 5 Garganeys were present here (3 Drakes and 2 Ducks) and another pair of Gadwalls were present.
On Saturday, an early morning start at Cape Greco and a bit of a sea watch which produced 24 (2 groups of 12) Common Cranes flying East along with several Baltic Gulls and an Armenian Gull. 3 Audouin’s Gulls headed east and Pallid Harriers came in from the sea. I soon moved to the picnic site, alerted to the presence of a Savi’s Warbler. I wandered around with the 2 UK birders I’d met – Bill2 (both called Bill which made it easy for me) and soon the Savi’s started to reel intermittently and showed in flight briefly. We continued around the cape area and found many of the usual commoner migrants including Ruppel’s Warbers, Eastern Orpheans, Cretzschmar’s Buntings and 4 species of Wheatear. Greater Short-toed Larks were fairly numerous and at Limnara the male Rock Thrush continued to show well. A Great White Egret came in off the sea further down the coast before we headed of to Ayia Napa Sewage Works.
At the works, more of the same but a cracking male Ehrenberg’s Redstart showed in the open for a change and aside from the Warblers and the Wheatears, good numbers of Red-rumped Swallows were above us and contained a pair of Alpine Swifts. 8 Black-crowned Night Herons were seen to the east coming in from the sea, which was a year tick for me. At Paralimni Lake a Spotted Crake showed briefly, with a Lesser Whitethroat and Cretzschmar’s Bunting showing well as another couple of Red-rumped Swallows passed overhead. Then came the news of a couple of good birds in the Larnaca area and a large movement of passerines. We were off to Spiro’s beach. Driving as fast as my car would carry me we arrived at Spiro’s at about 1215. A short walk on the beach and there it was – a near mythical bird for me in Cyprus an Oystercatcher*. I don’t think the Bills had ever seen a UK birder get so animated about an Oystercatcher – but a Cyprus “tick” does things for you after a while. We continued to Larnaca Sewage Works where careful searching revealed 2 Collared Pratincoles in the ploughed field with a Stone Curlew, Greater Short-toed Larks, a couple of Red-throated Pipits and many Ruffs and Wood Sandpipers. On the raised area separating the lagoons a few Armenian Gulls remained with a Yellow-legged Gull and amongst the Black-headed Gulls was an adult Gull-billed Tern. On the lagoons 5 Garganeys and 2 Ferruginous Ducks was the highlight. A male Black Francolin called from a fence post, giving excellent views before we left. Another flew across us at Pervolia fields as we watched a pair of displaying Calandra Larks, (members of the AOS will remember this site as the “drive by” Calandra Lark site. A brief stop at the north airport pool produced a Redshank, 5 Ringed Plovers, 8 Little Stints and 10 Dunlins with 3 Sanderlings also being present. 30 or so Slender-billed Gulls spiralled overhead and on the salt lake there were c400 and 8 Black-necked Grebes with c900 Shovelers. I left the 2 Bills here and arranged to meet them at Cape Greco the following day. Thanks for your company throughout the day and the 50 bucks for a few beers, some petrol and a bite to eat.
Turning into an epic day, a Water Pipit was in JUMBO Drain with some Black-headed Yellow Wagtails and a Green Sandpiper. At Oroklini 53 Slender-billed Gulls were with a handful of Black-heads and a male Red Crested Pochard skulked in the undergrowth. A final visit to Paralimini Lake in the evening saw the Spotted Crake show once more and a Sedge Warbler added to the day list. A Citrine Wagtail also showed with at least a 1000 Ruffs being present along with other commoner waders. Standing with Joe and John we saw 3 sad GROWN MEN? Shoot a Black-winged Stilt and we saw it fall into the water – what a waste, pointless, stupid and f…ing annoying – It is these events which make me glad I am leaving Cyprus in July. The Irish birders were shocked and stunned having never seen this sort of thing before but sadly, I had a resigned look on my face and it was another species added to the list of those that I’ve seen shot pointlessly over the last 3 years. The following day although I wasn’t present, another couple birding in the area had the back window of their hire car put through with stones. So much for “What a lovely place Cyprus is”? The day ended on a high with a flyover Peregrine.
The following day, Sunday I headed to Cape Greco again and met the 2 Bills once more. A bit of early morning sea watching revealed a surprise bird with a pale phase Arctic Skua chasing 2 Gulls as it headed east. Several Red-rumped Swallows were in off the sea and 4 Baltic Gulls passing east concluded the watch and with the weather coming in, it was time to move on. 2 newly arrived male Pallid Harriers were over the picnic site area and a Nightingale was heard but other than that the same migrants were still around from yesterday. Our first find in the pines was a Wryneck closely followed by a Redstart and at least 5 Eastern Orphean Warblers. 2 Masked Shrikes eventually gave themselves up amongst the more familiar species. At the Sea Caves, I paused to photograph a male light throated Eastern Black-eared Wheatear* as 5 Greater Short-toed Larks passed overhead calling. The male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush* remained in situ which was again a pleasure to see. We continued to Ayia Napa Sewage Works where our first find was a Tawny Pipit. A couple of Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers and a female Ruppel’s added to the day list amongst a sea of various Wheatears. Perhaps the surprise of the day was a pair of dark phase Booted Eagles, harassed by a Kestrel as they thermalled northwards. A female Blue Rock Thrush ended the session here but another Masked Shrike was seen on the way to the football pitches.
Onto Akhna Dam where another Wryneck was seen with many Black-headed Yellow Wagtails amongst which was a Water Pipit, Supercilliaris hybrid and a Syke’s (bema) Wagtail. I finished the day at Fresh Water Lake South in the north. 6 Cormorants remained, a count of the Cattle Egrets revealed c650 with c85 nests and 31 Glossy Ibises flew in towards dusk. The surprise and end to another fantastic week was a flythrough Blue-cheeked Beeater.
Highlights of the Week: A Cyprus “tick” and MEGA – Oystercatcher at Spiro’s Beach!!!! My 319 Cyprus’ species. Migrants are still pouring through and the diversity remains if not the numbers. A male Pallid Harrier and another male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush are always enjoyable moments.
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 22 Mar 15
Semi-collared Flycatcher at Asprokremnos Dam on 21 Mar.
The weekly BLOGs are becoming a bit delayed due to the fact that I don’t have the time due to too much birding – if that’s possible.
On Monday, a day’s leave and I headed to Cape Greco. Wheatears were very much in evidence with 5 species being present. In the pines, the male Ehrenberg’s Restart* was still present with 2 Common Redstarts and the Great Spotted Cuckoo (or a different one) continued its stay. Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, although reduced in numbers are still present with at least 4 being in the pines. Blue Rock Thrushes and Hoopoes appear to be everywhere still. A few Black Restarts and Stonechats remain from the winter but they continue to decrease in numbers. A Wryneck was still present in the antennas area as were several Tawny Pipits. Cretzschmar’s Buntings continue to pass through in good numbers and a few Nightingales have begun to sing from hidden perches. 2 Audouin’s Gulls continued to loaf at Kermia Beach and that moved me quickly onto the Ayia Napa Sewage Works area. In the area Cretzschmar’s Buntings were obvious as were more Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers. My first 2 Masked Shrikes of the year were seen and Whreatears were also well represented. 4 male Ruppel’s Warblers were noted and Blue Rock Thrushes continue to populate the bluff.
In the afternoon I visited Larnaca and at Dolphin Rocks, 7 Sandwich Terns were present with 64 Black-headed Gulls and 2 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls. Oroklini Marsh still holds 35 Greater Flamingos and a Reed Warbler was heard. A Marsh Harrier flew over the marsh and disturbed and Avocet and 5 Snipe. Whist watching I noted 2 adult Baltic Gulls, a 2nd winter Armenian Gull but perhaps the surprise of the day was a male Penduline Tit. I visited Akhna Dam before returning home but a few Wheatears were all that was of interest.
On Tuesday at Akhna Dam Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers were present with Reed Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Cetti’s Warblers also being fairly obvious along with c20 Spanish Sparrows. On the 18th, I picked up Caitlin at Paralimni for an early morning start at Cape Greco. The pines held much the same with a Great Spotted Cuckoo still being present with Hoopoes. A late Robin was heard from the undergrowth but we moved on to the Cape to see what was happening. No real change here with lots of Sylvia Warblers and Wheatears being present. An Eastern Orphean Warbler was a good find but typically didn’t show for very long. 9 Tawny Pipits were at Limnara Valley and a Nightingale sang sweetly. More of the same at Ayia Napa Sewage Works but we did manage to photograph an obliging Eastern Black-eared Wheatear and Greater Short-toed Lark*. As we passed Avgorou on the way to Akhna Dam I spotted a Long-legged Buzzard* perched on a small cliff which we took time to admire, but soon enough we were at Akhna. Several Black-headed Yellow Wagtails were present including Supercilliaris and melanogrisea (White-chinned Wagtail) forms. Some more Greater Short-toed Larks8 posed for the camera and Caitlin took time to photograph Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers. A Tree Pipit was seen briefly as it called and 4 Water Pipits were also present. With nothing else for it we stopped at Stelios snack bar for a mega Cyprus mixed sandwich – the birding food of choice. At Oroklini 6 Sandwich Terns were present with the 2 1st winter Med Gulls, c50 Black-heads and 1 Armenian. The marsh still held the Avocet and a couple of Black-winged Stilts. A female Mallard had 11 ducklings in tow and a Marsh Harrier rose in the distance. JUMBO drain held a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpipers and 3 Spur-winged Plovers. I dropped Caitlin off and continued to the Larnaca area before waiting for “H” hour when Deb would land at Larnaca on the famous BA662 arriving at 1825. On the south airport pools, 31 Black-winged Stilts were joined by a Spotted Redshank, with good numbers of Greater Flamingos and 5 Common Shelducks still being present. Nothing much else was in the area but I did manage to scope a calling male Black Francolin at Pervolia. I drove to Petounta Point for the first time this year and sadly it’s been drained and is a shadow of its former glory. A Hoopoe, Meadow Pipit and Common Redstart flushed as a Reed Warbler sang from the reed bed and 13 Baltic Gulls passed the point. A male Ruppel’s Warbler showed well but that was it. The Larnaca Salt Lakes were fairly boring with nothing much of interest and by this time “The Eagle Has Landed”, so it was time to pick Deb up and finish the day with a curry at the Balti House on Larnaca Strip (I can recommend it)!
On the 19th I visited Paralimni Lake where I heard and saw my first Sedge Warbler of the year which kept the year list on target. An Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers was active near a Blackcap and a Black-winged Stilt called as it went. At Cape Greco Pines, another 3 Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, a Common and Ehrengerg’s Restart wer present and a Hoopoe flushed from underfoot. At the Cape, still good numbers of Ruppel’s Warblers, Blue Rock Thrushes and Wheatears, with a Tree Pipit being heard. A Sandwich Tern cruised west as I watched and several Tawny Pipits and a Cretzschmar’s Bunting were quite vocal as they flew over. The same species were present all over the cape area and 2 Audouin’s and a Yellow-legged Gull remained at Kermia Beach. I walked around Ayia Napa Sewage Works noting good numbers of the same species that were present earlier on the cape. I had been walking for a while when a raptor rose over the escarpment. Going through the data base of species in my head and after a bit of thought and confusion (that was the key) a worn pale phase Booted Eagle was added to the year list which was quite unexpected, although previous record show that there is a small spring passage at about this time. In the afternoon I visited the north which was quite unproductive for a change. The highlights were a Great White Egret and a Glossy Ibis amongst the c500 Cattle Egrets at Fresh Water Lake South.
On Friday after work we headed to Troodos for a dinner, stopping on the way in atrocious weather to see 4 Crossbills at Levadia Tou Pasha, 2 of which were immatures. As I left on Saturday morning in the snow, I noted a late Mistle Thrush and at the Caledonian Falls 7 Siskins. On the way down the Dhiarizos River Valley on route for an overnight stay in Paphos, Kidasi held a Northern and Cyprus Wheatear but no Finsch’s as the AOS discovered last year. The wintering birds appear to depart by the 2nd week in March from this site. I met Colin Richardson and Bill Stacey at Anarita Park where at the entrance at least 4 Lesser Kestrels* hawked over the fields. Moving on 2 Blue Rock Thrushes performed well for the crowd and a little later on male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush* was and excellent bird to see for the year, it was joined by a Northern and Cyprus Wheatear before a magnificent adult Bonelli’s Eagle flew over flushing a couple of Meadow Pipits. It was then that Colin received a text from a visiting birder (Jim Wilson) alerting us to several Semi-collared Flycatchers in the pine woods above Asprokremnos Dam. With no time to waste a semi-twitch was on. As I arrived I soon located a female Semi-collared* feeding actively and flushed several Hoopoes, A pair of Garganeys landed briefly below us on the dam and it took a while to find another female flycatcher and eventually the male. The male Semi-collared Flycatcher* fed actively flying to the ground and showed well as we watched and photographed it. The least numerous and most difficult of the black and white flycatchers to see was in the bag!
At Mandria 78 Cormorants headed out to see and Northern and Isabelline Wheatears were common. I checked in at the hotel, dropped Deb and headed off to the headland. I walked along seeing 3 Common Redshanks, 3 migrating Spur-winged Plovers and a late, migrating Greater Sand Plover. The surprise was eventually (this year) catching up with the only winteriing Whimbrel* on the island, a bird I thought I’d missed for the year. At least 12 Yellow-legged Gulls passed to roost as I walked to the car. The usual trip to Armou Village near Colin’s house produced 2 Cyprus Scops Owls and that was it for the day except for watching the rugby, a few beers and an excellent Steak and Kidney Pie in Tramps Bar.
On Sunday, we departed earlyish and stopped at Mandria. Much the same here but a flock of c800 Yellow Wagtails – mostly feldeggs was amazing. From the same field I flushed a Quail and a few Tawny Pipits and Greater Short-toed Larks were also present. At Kouklia Soakaways, a Long-legged Buzzard was over the hills as were a pair of Alpine Swift with many Common Swifts and House Martins. Onward to Episkopi where another 4 Alpine Swifts and 3 Griffon Vultures were seen. At Akrotiri Gravel Pits, a Marsh Sandpiper was with c20 Ruff and a Water Pipit showed briefly amongst the Yellow Wagtails. A late Hawfinch was near Phassouri Reed Beds as a Marsh Harrier went about its business. At Zakaki Marsh from the hide I caught up with 2 Little Crakes, a male and a female whilst Sedge and Reed Warblers were active in the vegetation. A Kingfisher was the last bird I saw in the area before heading to Larnaca and 2 Lesser Kestrels passing over the car at Kivisili. Akhna Dam held nothing new so after stopping at home for a cup of tea and to sort out some dirty washing admin, I drove to Paralimni Lake to end the week.
On arrival I quickly saw a Spotted Crake in front of the reeds and after watching for an hour or so it was chased by a Water Rail as another swan close by. As I scanned the reed bed another Crake appeared – an adult male. All grey on the front with obvious barring on the flanks reaching the legs – BAILLON’S, my first of the tour – RESULT, and a good decision to visit, the hybrid “dombrowski” (Romanian Wagtail) nearly when unnoticed in the excitement. As I watched the reed beds, a couple of Sedge, Reed and Cetti’s Warblers were very active. Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs chased each other and then the familiar deep croaking and grating of a Great Reed Warbler which remained hidden. A great end to another productive week.
Highlights of the Week: Another superb week’s activity, culminating in Rock Thrush, Semi-collared Flycatchers and 3 species of Crake.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsSPTA West
This week there is live firing on the west all week so quite understandably there is no access. Over the last 4 weeks I have visited Norfolk and Somerset whilst in between I have looked at various sites in Wiltshire and even strayed into Hampshire. On the Plain the winter birds are leaving. On a walk last Sunday there were still some Fieldfares and Redwings. There were some last week on the Centre. I have started to carry out surveys there as well and a new BBS square is in the middle of the impact area! Birds seen over the last period include Snipe and Woodcock as well as raptors including Short-eared Owl, Merlin and Red Kite. There are plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits about though some cold winds seem to hampen their singing. I have put up 18 bird boxes arond Imber Village and 8 re-furbished boxes along Gurkha Track. It will be interesting to see what nests in them as they are all at shoulder height so I can look in without a ladder. On area R there was a Chiffchaff and there is a pair of ravens with a nest nearby. They are nesting in the quarry as well. There are lots of tits and Chaffinches all over the place. In a flock of Chaffinches near Z Range there were 2 Brambling. Unfortunately I have not found any others. Corn Buntings remain by famland though Yellowhammers are moving about in more central areas. There are plenty of Stonechat pairs. The Spring migrants are on their way so hopefully they will stop and hang around the Plain for a while so I can note where they are, once I can get back on.
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