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Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 9 Nov 14
Robin at Akhna Dam – a regular common winter visitor.
The week started slowly again and no birding was done on Monday. On Tuesday I got to Akhna Dam briefly and 19 Starlings flew over me. A Great White Egret was in the water with the usual commoner herons whilst nearby a Greenshank and 3 Redshanks were feeding. An immature Yellow Wagtail was a surprise and as I left the site the Little Owl was in its regular roost site, however it’s the first time I’ve seen it for a number of weeks.
On the 5th at Fresh Water Lake South, Famagusta 4 late Barn Swallows were over the lagoons and 4 Great White Egrets were in various parts of the lagoons. 9 Greater Flamingos were still present and a Spotted Redshank was with 9 Common Redshanks. A lone Common Sandpiper and a Black-winged Stilt added to the waders and 4 Common Snipe flushed and flew overhead. 7 Night Herons ( 4 adults and 3 1 CYs) roosted and 2 Glossy Ibises came to roost. Obviously the same birds as last month and my first November record for the species in Cyprus. A Water Rail was heard, a Chiffchaff flitted in the tamarisks and a single Starling flew to roost.
With visitors and doing the touristy things, there was no more birding for the week until Sunday up at Troodos, Kakopetria where I saw a Grey Wagtail and a Robin. Black Restarts are numerous around the quarter and camp areas but generally there’s hasn’t been much happening. The Striated Heron continues to show in the Zakaki area but is becoming more elusive as time goes on and the news came of 3 Wallcreepers in Avagas George with a number of Rock Sparrows also being present. Finsch’s Wheatears are now well established in their wintering areas which all bodes well for the forthcoming AOS long weekend.
Highlights of the Week: Difficult, but wintering Night Herons and the 2 Glossy Ibises are a good 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 2 Nov 14
Striated Heron at Zakaki Marsh on 29 Oct – 1st Record for Cyprus but unfortunately not found by me.
A fairly short one this week for a number of work and weather related issues.
The week started slowly due to work commitments so there was no birding on Monday or Tuesday, although whilst on the way to Troodos on the 28th a late European Beeater flew over the A1 motorway at the Kivisili junction. On Monday evening I had received an email alert regarding the first record for Cyprus of a Striated Heron (Thanks to Colin Richardson – Chairman of the sub-rarities committee and Jane Stylianou – the Cyprus recorder). Also known as Mangrove or Little Green with the US form being known as Green-backed. In any event, I couldn’t get to Zakaki Marsh on Tuesday so I thought Wednesday could be a possibility.
I left home at 0430 on Wednesday morning and drove to Zakaki Marsh in Limassol, arriving at first light at about 0550. No sign of the Heron but a Bluethroat and a couple of Kingfishers were in the area. I sat in the car and waited. At 0615, fearing the worst, I walked around the side of the sump/sluice that the bird had been seen in. It appeared! It jumped from a sunken drain up onto the wall and stood motionless. Grabbing a few shots, I watched as the bird was flushed by some (Fu**!!)ing feral dogs. It flew to another ditch across the road and as I watched, it flew into the reeds at Zakaki Marsh. Anyway – RESULT! I spent a few minutes at Zakaki noting a number of calling and then flying Penduline Tits, a Reed Warbler and my first Water Pipit of the winter. A late Sand Martin flew through and then the bloody dogs arrived and flushed everything. With nothing else for it, I drove back to Ay Nik, showered and got to work, only a little late. Stone Curlews numbered 26 in the Dhekelia roost – a little disappointing as numbers should be increasing. At Akhna Dam all was fairly quiet with only a couple of Redshanks and a Little Stint being at the water’s edge. An Osprey performed well which is getting quite late and a Water Pipit was with White Wagtails. As I drove home through the fields 5 Corn Buntings were sat on wires, the first for the site in some months.
On Thursday, unusually rain stopped play and on Friday, I was unable to get out, so the week and month ended with a bit of a whimper. Considering 169 species were seen last October and only 127 this year, it was a pretty poor October with slim pickings.
Highlights of the Week: The 1st Record of a Striated Heron (Little Green/Mangrove Heron) for Cyprus.
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 Oct 14
Greater Sand Plover at Ayias Trias on 21 Oct
A new week and it was decidedly cooler today. The recent storms have cleared the humidity and a cooler front is upon us. It will soon be time to put the quilt on but for now a pair of long trousers and a sweatshirt will do for birding. I visited Fresh Water Lake South after work and it was a lot quieter than it has been with very few waders present. A Spotted Redshank and 3 Common Redshanks were obvious with the Green and Common Sandpipers being least so. 14 Greater Flamingos remained at the site as did a Great White Egret which was joined by 3 others as dusk approached and 2 Night Herons became active. The Cattle Egret roost is increasing and numbered c250 with a handful of Little Egrets and Grey Herons. The 2 Glossy Ibises also roosted once more and this represents the latest occurrence in Cyprus for me, having never seen one this late in October before. Circa 40 Swallows also came to roost but on this occasion no Crakes were seen but a Water Rail was heard.
On Tuesday, I met up with Neville Weston once more, as after following a fairly unproductive morning at Cape Greco on the 19th due to bad weather, I felt I owed him a bird – Cyprus Warbler. We met up at about 1330 and first went to see a pair of Greater Sand Plovers* at Ayias Trias; they should have been present the other day but the sea was too rough and the rocks were awash. In any event they were there today with a Kentish Plover and a Common Sandpiper. Moving to Cape Greco Picnic Site area, we passed a Cyprus Wheatear and searched for a Cyprus Warbler. 2 were heard and about 6 Sardinian Warblers were seen along with a Song Thrush and a 1st calendar year Night Heron heading out to sea. Ominously – no Cyprus Warbler was seen so we visited a couple more sites before returning. Under the Army Camp cliffs (where AOS members will remember the Hooded Wheatear), we walked for a while seeing nothing but Stonechats. I paused in the favoured wintering site for Finsch’s Wheatears and BINGO! The first female of the light throated form for the winter at the site and an excellent and unexpected “tick” for Nev. I have seen them as early as the 15th of the month so it was spot on time. We continued to the Ayia Napa area passing through a housing estate and we lucked in again as a Laughing Dove was sat on the telegraph wires – lifer number 2. This site has become the reliable place for this species, now a self supporting small population that is not surprisingly growing. On to Ayia Napa Sewage Works where several Willow Warblers and Spectacled Warblers were present. Notable was a late Lesser Whitethroat which cause a bit of initial confusion. With nothing much else happening we drove around the football pitches adding only an immature Red-backed Shrike.
Returning to the Cape Greco Picnic Site, more bloody Sardinian Warblers and Spectacled Warblers. We added a female Blackcap and then at the death at about 1730, with the sun beginning to drop, I heard a Cyprus Warbler in the same bush as our previous visit. Suddenly it appeared on an exposed perch and began to sing in the sun. A result, I was beginning to get nervous about the bird with my 100% strike rate looking like it was about to go down the pan. It dropped and then reappeared in better light, where all the relevant ID features could be seen more clearly. Any way, with victory clutched from the jaws of defeat, Nev had his final and much sought after lifer. Having said that, I thought bird of the day was the female Finsch’s Wheatear which was a good find.
The regular trip to JUMBO in Larnaca on Wednesday resulted in a very uninspiring trip to Oroklini Marsh where a lone Greater Flamingo was accompanied by 24 Little Stints, 2 Dunlins and a Ringed Plover. Circa 80 Mallards were in the fields and a male Black Francolin fed on the edges in the vegetation. Birding poor but the buying of Halloween paraphernalia excellent (hoorahh), a cup of coffee at Oroklini Coast – Dolphin Rocks, resulted in the first 2 Black-headed Gulls of the winter for the site and a Little Egret. Pausing at Akhna Dam was equally dull, but 2 immature Red-backed Shrikes remained as did a pair of Redshanks. Grey Herons, Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets were present and a Fan-tailed Warbler moved amongst the reeds. I finally got a picture of a European Robin*. They are extremely timid in Cyprus (I wonder why)? That was about it for the day which was particularly disappointing.
Thursday and the monthly Ops visit to Troodos. Rain! Twice in a week, “What’s happening”? So much for a sunshine tour! On the way up I stopped at Giant Juniper picnic site and managed to see the mountain species in quick succession including the usually difficult Wren and Crossbill. I was drawn to a large flock of birds and several were perched – a year tick – Hawfinch, at least 10 perched and several flying with Chaffinches. Prodromos Dam held a Grey Wagtail and White Wagtail and on the back to Ay Nic, Trimiklini Dam also held a Grey Wagtail.
On Saturday I visited Fresh Water Lake South in the afternoon, where 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank and a Common Redshank were present. 9 Greater Flamingos held on and a female Marsh Harrier flew through briefly. 5 late Swallows passed overhead and 3 Night Herons were roosting. On Sunday Akhna Dam was equally dull with only a Redshank being present with some commoner Herons. The highlight was a Great White Egret and a Eurasian Teal, just to prove how very quiet it was. With winter well and truly setting in, migration appears to be over, so it’s a search for scarce winter visitors and the AOS long weekend in November to look forward to.
Highlights of the Week: Hawfinches are never easy in Cyprus and the first returning Finsch’s Wheatear at Cape Greco with the company of a another UK birder – Thanks Nev
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 Oct 14
Mourning Wheatear in Jordan at Petra on 16 Oct.
On Monday I chose to go to Fresh Water Lake South as Akhna Dam is losing it’s attraction for birds. At the lake a handful of Greater Flamingos arrived and a Great White Egret was present. The Little Crake was located once more and drake Wigeon and Gadwall were present once more. The Spotted Redshanks continued their stay and several Kingfishers chased each other. Commoner waders were present, but there wasn’t much to get excited about.
On the 14th we flew to Jordan for a short break arriving in the late evening. As we passed Akhna Dam on the way to the airport an Osprey was perched on a telegraph pole next to the Turkish observation post. On the 15th at Mount Nebo, a Yellow-vented Bulbul and Spotted Flycatcher* were present with the ubiquitous Palm Doves. As we continued to Karak and the castle, at Al Haydan, I saw a Southern Grey Shrike on wires and a Red-rumped Swallow above me. On ward to Wadi Al Mugib and the dam where another Yellow-vented Bulbul posed and a Pale Crag Martin (Rock Martin) hawked above us. A Red-backed Shrike was seen and as we continued up the valley, 3 Blackstarts chased each other. Approaching Karak, 2 Tristram’s Grackles passed in front of the car and at Karak, 5 Alpine Swifts and more Pale Crag Martins were visible. Walking around the ruins, several Sardinian Warblers were heard and as I looked above a Lesser Spotted Eagle headed south west and a Long-legged Buzzard hovered over the hillside. Typically I found 3 Blue Rock Thrushes* around the ruins and as we departed for a lunch stop my attention was caught by a strange call that I didn’t recognise immediately. Realising that the birds were no ordinary House Sparrow, I got onto 3 of them perched on the castle walls, proving to be Rock Sparrows*. On route from Karak to Petra along the King’s and Desert Highways where many Mourning Wheatears and a Northern Wheatear were seen we stopped at Jerusalem Rest House near the Hisa Highway intersection where a Mourning Wheatear* fed on flies attracted to some rubbish bags (who said fly tipping isn’t useful)? Prior to this near the intersection a bird was in flight across the desert which initially lucked like a goose or duck, with long neck and brown colouration, I was delighted to see a McQueen’s Bustard. 2 Tristram’s Grackle’s were also near the rest house with a couple of White Wagtails nearby. We continued to Petra passing Ash Shawback where a Long-legged Buzzard was over the road. In Petra near the hotel another Yellow-vented Bulbul was heard and that was it for the day before a good Bedouin meal and an evening candlelight walk through the Siq to the Treasury (who said romance is dead in the Easterbrook household)?
On the 16th was the guided visit to Petra but before this at first light, I walked around the town, noting more Yellow-vented Bulbuls, Palm Doves, a couple of Greenfinches and a female Common Redstart. During the visit around Petra, it gave me the opportunity to get a very close picture of a Mourning Wheatear*, with about 6 being seen and a Blackstart* perched in a 500 year old pistachio tree above me. 3 Desert Larks* were seen and a noisy flock of Tristram’s Grackles. Yellow-vented Bulbuls were numerous, however, last time I visited, some 16 years ago, I saw good numbers of Sinai Rosefinches later in the month. None were seen during this visit, assuming that I was a week or two early to connect with their seasonal movements. As we left Petra a Spotted Flycatcher was near the visitor centre, which we couldn’t visit as King Abdullah was officially opening it and with guards and police aplenty there was no way a scruffy pair of Brit tourists with sunburn were getting anywhere near. Driving back through Ash Shawback again, the Long-legged Buzzard was in the same place and I’d stop counting Mourning Wheatears. At Hisa once more a flock of 6 Brown-necked Ravens was a surprise. Along the highway Barn Swallows were seen and as we neared Amman a Jay flew across the road.
On the 17th we returned home and the last bird I saw was a Common Mynah at the airport. I wondered if this was range expansion for this destructive, intrusive species but it was confirmed by OSME that they are indeed in Jordan now with the airport being one of the two locations. A particularly nuisance species (as AOS members will justify to regarding their behaviour on Ascension Island), there seems to be way of stopping their spread.
Arriving home early and having withdrawal symptoms, I headed for Fresh Water Lake South in the afternoon to catch up. Little had changed with Flamingos numbering 10, although a Red-footed Falcon passed overhead and 2 Black-winged Stilts were present. 2 Redshanks and 2 Spotted Redshanks were quite vocal with several Dunlins and 2 Temminck’s Stints making appearances. As I scanned I found a Little Crake again and a male Wigeon and Gadwall were also present. A Great White Egret flew in to join the Cattle Egrets.
On the 18th I was leading the KUSKOR (Turkish, conservation group) on a short tour of the southern wetlands in the east. First stop Larnaca Sewage Works where a drake Common Pochard was present – not something to get excited about you might say – but a fairly scarce winter visitor in the south of the island. An immature Whiskered Tern was still present along with 2 Shelducks and 2 Black-winged Stilts. 4 Ruffs were around the lagoon edges and on wires a lone European Beeater. 86 Greater Flamingo were on the lagoons and in the area a male Marsh Harrier and Long-legged Buzzard. A couple of immature Red-backed Shrikes were also on telegraph wires and in the airport fields 5 Skylarks were new wintering arrivals. In the fields at Pervolia, good numbers of Yellow Wagtails and Red-throated Pipits were easily flushed. With 5 types of Blue feeding in the Alphalfa and a Banded Argiope spider being photographed, the group needed to refocus. On the way to Akhna Dam, Oroklini was fairly disappointing with only a Common Snipe being of note amongst the numerous Spur-winged Plovers. At Dhekelia Fire Station the group was impressed by the Stone Curlew roost numbering c60. Another Whiskered Tern was a Akhna Dam with a couple of Redshanks and a Greenshank but the highlight was a pair of fishing Ospreys, which put on a great display.
On Sunday the 19th, I had arranged to guide a visiting UK birder, Neville Weston, picking him up at 0730 in Protaras. In the morning the whether was atrocious (rain, what’s happening). The rain didn’t help in the hunt for a Cyprus Warbler and Blue Rock Thrush, which were both a disaster. We did however manage a couple of lifers, connecting with 3 Cyprus Wheatears and many Chukar. An adult Audouin’s Gull flew past the cape with 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and newly arrived Robins were very active. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, a few immature Red-backed Shrikes were still present and driving towards the football pitches an female Northern Wheatear and the first Black Redstart of the winter was seen. Continuing to Ayia Thekla and lifer number 3, 5 Greater Sand Plovers with Kentish Plovers for comparison was closely followed by number 4 – a flock of Spanish Sparrows with several well marked males, making ID easy. The only Common Sandpiper of the day was also seen on the coast. At Dhekelia Fire Station the Stone Curlew roost was well received and at the Power Station 8 (including 1 immature) Mediterranean Shags were seen.
Next stop Oroklini for the next lifer with 80 or so Spur-winged Plovers being seen at very close range. A surprise was a calling and then seen in flight Penduline Tit. At Larnaca Sewage Works the immature Whiskered Tern, Shelduck and Common Pochard were still present and were joined by my first, winter plumaged, Black-necked Grebe of the winter. Black-headed Gulls had increased to 13 and the 2 Black-winged Stilts were also seen. In a newly flooded area next to the desalination plant, good numbers of Ringed Plovers, Little Stints and Dunlins were feeding with 2 Ruffs also alighting and flying high north. At the salt lake north side, the only Marsh Harrier, a female was seen as was a fleeting glimpse of a Cetti’s Warbler. Akhna Dam was fairly quiet where only a Kingfisher was added to the day list. Another Red-backed Shrike was at Vrysoulles as we passed on the way to Famagusta. Arriving at Fresh Water Lake South at about 1600 we stayed until 1800 although it was a lot quieter than it has been. Searching produced a Temminck’s Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks and a pair of Green Sandpipers. A Great White Egret flew in and amongst the reeds 2 Water Rails and the final lifer of the day, an immature Little Crake was seen. A Red-footed Falcon passed overhead and at dusk, a flock of 60 or so Starlings and 2 Glossy Ibises arrived to roost as an adult Night Heron woke up and perched in the open. With the addition of 3 late birds it took the day total to a respectable 70, considering the poor start due to inclement weather conditions.
Highlights of the Week: A trip to Jordan refreshing a few species and a first Penduline Tit and Black Redstart of the winter.
Other Interesting Sightings: Another Plain Tiger butterfly at Akhna Dam whilst leading the KUSKOR group on 18th.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsSPTA West
I have missed 2 months! I spent August in Canada and the USA. September passed in a blur when I hosted a journalist writing an article for Bird Watching magazine about Wiltshire plus a ringing course on the Isle of Wight. This month I have had the opportunity to get out. On 2 Oct a Barred Warbler was ringed on Westdown (by my trainer) as it was only the 2nd record for Wiltshire. I was allowed to look on queuing up behind four 'A' ringers. This week I have seen 1 House Martin and 4 Swallows as well as 76 Golden Plover. We therefore have the last of the summer migrants departing and the winter visitors arriving. I was having to provide an update for the Imber Conservation Group and I have recorded 96 birds on the West this year. This is something of a surprise but when I analyse the results it should be standard for most years. There are still quite a few Chiffchaffs about though at the beginning of the month there were no Stone Curlews around (they had been congregating near Stonehenge). I have seen no Great Bustards on the West however I can report that all birds released this year are still alive and doing well. Birds have commuted to France, Holland, Suffolk and Somerset before returning to the area. I also did not find any of Wiltshire's Montague's Harriers hunting on the West but they had occasionally been seen. This was the last year of the summer fieldwork by our PhD student on Whinchats. Next year she has to write up her results. Currently data suggests that the Plain has the highest density in UK. There is more armour about on the Plain and thus sometimes areas are out of bounds. With such a large area there is always a grid square to survey. Birds are forming large flocks and hopefully will be easier to see now that the leaves are turning. Meadow Pipits and Skylarks are still calling in numbers and of course corvids are plenty. Even Ravens are to be found about the place; I saw 2 at Copehill Down yesterday. Tit flocks are forming though I have only seen Goldcrest with them. Other large flocks of Goldcrest and Linnet are moving around. Every trip out this last week I have seen at least 1 Jay; I cannot remember when I have seen so many Jays. This year has been good for owls and raptors with plenty of food. Roughly 2 out of 3 Barn Owl pairs have had a second brood that fledged though Little Owl remains on the decline. I am now looking forward to seeing our winter visitors.
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