Army Ornithological Society(6) Blog Posts Made in February 2013
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 24 Feb
Cyprus Warbler Male, ringed on 24 Feb 13 by the Chairman.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
I headed to the Famagusta on Tuesday and at Fresh Water Lake South, at least 25 Cattle Egrets were on the nest, a Kingfisher called and flew past me with 4 Great White Egrets also putting in an appearance. A real surprise at Fresh Water Lake North was 17 White-fronted Geese, the highest count this winter. At Silver Beach 4 Curlews continued and a reduction in Golden Plover numbers was evidient. On the rocks at Clapsides, 3 Audouin's Gulls, 2 Armenian Gulls and a Grey Plover. 289 Greater Flamingos were at Gulserin Pond and an adult Siberian Gull was good to see. Gull numbers are beginning to decrease so not long left to grill these species.
On Thursday, Ayia Napa Football Pitches held c120 Serins but little else. At Cape Greco Rubbish Tip, 3 Song Thrushes and Black Redstarts were skittish as was a distant Isabelline Wheatear. Friday was JUMBO day so for me it was Oroklini Marsh where I flushed a Water Rail, Bluethroat and noted a large influx of Swallows, at least 80. 4 Black-winged Stilts were amongst the wildfowl and Spur-winged Plovers with an increase in Snipes being noted.
Saturday and a quick recce of the Cyprus Warbler site for Roger also produced Cyprus, female Finsch's and Isabelline Wheater, along with numerous Black Redstarts and 3 Blue Rock Thrushes. When I arrived at home I found a new butterfly and the first for the year - a Lang's Short-tailed Blue. After some shopping the airport run. Roger arrived on time in the most horrendous electrical storm. I hoped that it wasn't the shape of things to come as it was the heaviest rain for about a month. Anyway, that put paid to any birding on arrival so we made for Ay Nik, dinner at a local restaurant and a few beers. The Cyprus Meze was its usual self - a week's worth of food in 2 hours which left us all feeling satisfied, a couple of KEOs later and we were ready for bed prior to an early start tomorrow, leaving the house at 0600 to go ringing with a local Cypriot ringer from BirdLife Cyprus.
We arrived early of course and were met by Thomas Hadjikyriakou. The nets were soon in place and ringing was underway. Not knowing what to expect, I was delighted for Roger when the first bird in the bag was a cracking male Cyprus Warbler. Posing, smug looks and photographs complete we carried on. The tally of ringed birds was 6 Cypurs Warblers, 4 males and 2 Females, a male Sardinian Warbler and a new bird for Thomas with a Song Thrush. Not a massive total but quality and 2 of Roger's most wanted. Many thanks to Thomas for his knowledge and time and we look forward to meeting him in Troodos for round 2 later next week. We progressed to do some birding (hoorahh) and moved to Oroklini Marsh, where a Bluethroat, Spur-winged Plovers, Black-winged Stilts and 3 Red-crested Pochards were present including a stonking male. Disappointingly, a Penduline Tit was heard but would not reveal itself. We drove to the North West edge of Larnaca Salt Lake where we flushed 5 Jack Snipe, c80 Snipe and saw good numbers of Water Pipits, alpina Dunlins, Little Stints and about 4000 Greater Flamingos. As we scanned the numerous Shelducks we were surprised with a drake Ruddy Shelduck and a ringtail Hen Harrier also put in an appearance. Another surprise was a single Green Sandpiper. The pressure is however as the Moustached Warbler failed to materialise so we headed to Larnaca Sewage Works. There has obviously been some passage as at least 35 Slender-billed Gulls were present in pink breeding plumage which was impressive. Also there was the largest gathering of Gulls this winter. With Black-headeds being in the majority although 5 Mediterranean Gulls and a number of larger gulls were also present. It allowed time to grill them and distinguish between adult Armenian, Caspian and Yellow-legged. A scan of the lagoons revealed 4 Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage and in the surrounding fields an Isabelline Wheatear, Chukars, Spectacled Warblers and a fly by Red-throated Pipit called as it went, but scope views required by the Chairman - there's just no pleasing some people!
- Song Thrush in the hand at Dheklia Garrison.
- Male Sardinian Warbler in the hand at Dekelia Garrison.
- Roger & Thomas, with Roger receiving some education regarding Cyprus Warbler DNA testing at Dhekelia Garrison.
Highlight of the Week: The arrival of Roger of course. But seriously, migration is underway and the sight of 35+ pink Slender-billed Gulls was very pleasing .
Other Interesting Finds: A new butterfly for me in the form of a Lang's Short-tailed Blue photographed at Ay Nik on Saturday, just prior to Roger's arrival - so I'm glad I didn't have to bore him with that .
Look Forward: The week's tour of Cyprus with Roger as a forerunner and recce for the AOS trip next Spring.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsSPTA West
Hen Harrier Survey
Currently there is no non-exercise movement allowed on the Plain. This threatend to cancel the monthly Hen Harrier survey the Conservation Group conducts each winter. Fortunately we were given one window of opportunity last night as troops moved back into their main bases. It turned out a nice evening with blue skies and a fantastic sunset with red splashed around the cloudless sky. I was able to deploy 5 point surveys from the Conservation Group though only one saw any Hen Harriers. Most groups did see Short-eared Owls that had been missing since the snow arrived. The snow is long gone and the owls are back with 7 being seen. I located myself near a large Rook colony and the most notable birds were 2 Yellowhammers; it was very quiet in my location except for MAN trucks and Mastiffs. The Starlings, 7 km to our north put on a fantastic display and there must have been between 500,000 and a million birds in the sky forming equisite patterns before roosting in the scrub. This is the first time that I have seen them all up this winter. Unfortunately I cannot get close until mid March as the red flags are constantly flying until then.
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 16 Feb
Male Cyprus Wheatear at Cape Greco 13 Feb
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Following the departure of our guests and the closing of a great week’s birding the mood was sombre in the Easterbrook household. Anyway with an additional day’s leave on Monday there was no time to waste. Did someone once write “Tell me why I don’t like Mondays”, or is that a distant memory that isn’t valid? So it was that I visited Gulserin Pond in the North, sighting 64 Greater Flamingos and a 1st winter Little Gull. I then had an appointment with Mehmet my Turkish barber in Famagusta. Great, the monthly haircut and bit of male pampering was excellent save for the cheek hair “threading” which was its usual excruciatingly painful affair – nice to see consistency, I like that. A cup of Turkish coffee without sugar was strong to say the least, (I’m informed that to have sugar in it is regarded by many as less than heterosexual) but enjoyable and part of the experience – you can have beer if you prefer (Roger). However, I had arranged to meet Tony Hutchinson in the North at Hisarkoy about an hour and a half away, where he was going to take me to Cape Kormakiti in an attempt to twitch the Gannet (a Cyprus tick), that’s been hanging around. We met successfully and at the Cape it was blowing a “hooley” with a strong westerly wind. No Gannet was seen unfortunately but as we left c25 Stone Curlews and a ringtail Hen Harrier was encountered. It did bring back memories of nearly getting blown off my feet with a flailing tripod at Strumble Head once, and to blow a fairly svelte me off my feet, it was a pretty hefty blow.
We returned to his house for part 2 of the visit – an Orchid hunt. Tony leads Orchid walks and is a renowned expert in the north of the island and a very good contact. As we walked c20 Woodlarks flushed from the vegetation and this was closely followed by a sighting of a Brown Bee Orchid (Ophrys iricolour)* which was a good looking specimen. We continued and soon came across the second new species which was a lovely looking Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys mammosa)*. After another 10 minutes or so, Tony said “Look down there”, just below me in a sheltered area was a spectacular site and without doubt the most impressive Orchid I have seen to date – a Punctulate Orchid (Ochris punctulata)*. I never thought I’d ever say this but it was more than compensation for missing the Gannet – am I losing it? This Orchid is threatened and only exists in southern Turkey and parts of Cyprus; threatened through agricultural practices it would be a great pity if it disappeared.
Tuesday and a return to an overflowing inbox and several appraisals pending ensured that I had my work cut out to finish within normal working hours. After work, it was off to order some heart shaped Helium balloons – (ohhh, ahhh – I hear you say)? That said, I managed to look around Akhna Dam which due to the number of Carp and the amount of water held very little except for a Cormorant, 3 Song Thrushes and a Chiffchaff in the bushes. I looked in an area known for migrants but to no avail. At Ay Nik, I drove around the back of camp and apart from another 2 Song Thrushes, I found a plantation set up for at least 10 mist net lanes. The tyres with concrete at the bases and breeze block supports were obvious, so I reported it to the CABS member with a Google Maps reference. The trapping does not end after migration. Species are targeted all year around and indiscriminate slaughter of unwanted birds is relentless and is getting worse. Do not believe what you hear and that “Everything possible is being done to end this activity” – this is smoke and mirrors as it largely goes un-policed and a blind eye is turned to this illegal and barbaric poaching activity.
With Spring in the air and a bit of a southerly breeze, I made for Cape Greco in the afternoon. Not much was present under the cliffs apart from a pair of displaying Kestrels* at a probable nest site and a flyby male Peregrine. Black Redstart numbers appear to have reduced and the Blue Rock Thrushes weren’t seen, At the rubbish tip there was immediately a good number of birds present with a good looking male Black Redstart, Serin and several Meadow Pipits. I saw a Wheatear above the tip and then another, in exactly the same place as last week’s Finsch’s, however they looked odd and unlike Finsch’s. I looked more closely as I manoeuvred for a photo – yes, the first 2 Cyprus Wheatears* of the year, a pair of males. With an Isabelline being reported from the other end of the island at Cape Drapernum, the vanguard of Spring migrants appear to be moving.
I repeated the same circuit on Thursday afternoon, the majority of the birds remained unchanged although only 1 male Cyprus Wheatear was seen at the tip and further on an Isabelline Wheatear was seen. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, the Black-necked Grebe remained and was joined by a Common Sandpiper on the same lagoon. Paralimini Lake had a collection of Herons including 5 Greys, 11 Little Egrets and 1 Great White Egret.
Friday and in my role as President of the Officers’ Mess Entertainments Committee (a committee of me and Debs), I found myself in the mess with Debs decorating for Valentine’s Night – joy. With red hearts and pink fluffy things abounding, I left feeling replete with romance if not wondering what migrants I was missing. The night was a suitably messy affair and Saturday was all but a write-off as usual.
Desperate to see a few early migrants I headed off to Cape Greco on Sunday. In any event none were present but the first Long-legged Buzzard of the month was seen at Ayia Napa Sewage Works. The Cape had a male Blue Rock Thrush, a couple of Black Redstart females and 2 Serins. The first Swallowtail* of the year was seen, but so a fairly mundane week drew to a close.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Eastern Jackdaw at Famagusta Walled City.
- Kestrel at Cape Greco.
- First Swallowtail of the year.
- Punctulate, Early Spider Orchid and Brown Bee Orchid at Hisarkoy.
Highlight of the Week: With birds in short supply and missing the Gannet at Cape Kormakiti, it has to be said that the Punctulate* Orchid was a pretty impressive beast.
Other Interesting Finds: Along with the Punctulate Orchid another 2 new species were added to the rapidly growing Cyprus list in the form of Ophrys mammosa (Early Spider Orchid)* and Ophrys iricolour (Brown Bee Orchid*).
Look Forward: The week before Roger’s visit and ringing and accommodation is all teed up so another week of island wide birding is looming with an anticipated trip list of 130 species.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsSPTA West
The Roar of the Wind
It has been very quiet on the Plain with only the rush or roar of the wind creating any noise besides the occasional cackling of corvids. There are large flocks of Starlings often with Fieldfares mixed in scatterd across the area. The Starlings still roost in their hundreds of thousands on the Larkhill Impact Area but I have still yet to see the whole body swarm around rather than just the initial arrivals. Woodpigeons are scarce as huge flocks have migrated to farmer's fields on the the valleys around the Plain. It is therefore rather bare except for the herds of cows and sheep in the temporary pens. This is all about to change as today was the last access day until mid March by which time the Plain should be alive with birds setting up their territories. There are still two Hen Harrier surveys to do and we have been given permission to do one this month during a small window of opportunity when we will not be mistaken for being shady characters! Not that I have found any "characters" in any Chaffinch flock which have been studied with care. The only highlight was when I was approaching a Vedette driving home tonight. A small bird was flying fast right to left to my front low across the ground. Following the dual action of an emergency stop whilst raising my binos, I latched onto a Merlin. Unfortunately it seemed to be on a mission and a few seconds later had crested the brow not to return. My return is now on hold and the re-opening will be celebrated with an organised walk. Other locations will have to be visited in the meantime starting with Blackburn Meadows tomorrow! (Dad's taxi being resurrected).
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 10 Feb
Female Reed Bunting at Akhna Dam 9 Feb - not an easy wintering species to see
Monday hailed our second day in Paphos and we started on the Headland after being met by Colin Richardson. , with the current recorder and the previous recorder, John Sanders, surely the day would be productive? The usual suspects were present including 3 Greater Sand Plovers, 2 Tunstone and 51 Golden Plover. We moved onto Paphos Sewage Works where a couple of Spur-winged Plovers and many Serins were present. A Hen Harrier and Common Buzzard skirted the area. There seems to be a larger number of Buzzards present throughout the island this winter. Ayia Varvara brought a bit of a surprise when I found the first Wryneck of the year and a male Finsch’s Wheatear is always a pleasure to see, a first winter male / female was also present. Numerous Woodlarks flew above us and a Cyprus Warbler showed briefly. Anarita Park held no Wheatears but John found a nice male Blue Rock Thrush high up above the valley floor. Mandria was alive with Skylarks and Linnets but sadly no early migrants. We finished the day at Armou village where at least 10 Hawfinces were present along with another good year tick – 5 Siskins including 2 showy males.
On our return east on Tuesday we stopped at Kensington Cliffs and found the target quite quickly as 2 Griffon Vultures soared in the distance. The species has taken a dramatic decline on Cyprus due to poisoning and there appears to be a reintroduction programme underway but unless behaviours and attitudes change (unlikely) those birds are also being sentenced to a horrible death. Anyway, onwards to Phasouri but despite extensive searching – no Bittern. A couple of Snipe flushed and several Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were over the reed bed. At the back of the reed bed amongst the antenna field, the immature Bonelli’s Eagle continued its stay and we flushed a single Curlew, a ringtail Hen Harrier also surveyed the area. Once more at Bishops Pool the Smyrna Kingfisher was seen along with a Hen Harrier and 2 female Pochards. The Orchid glade gave an opportunity to get some more photos before proceeding to the Larnaca area.
Larnaca Sewage Works produced a pair of Gadwalls, 6 Black-necked Grebes and a pair of Red-throated Pipits eventually gave themselves up as they called. A Baltic Gull was a welcomed surprise amongst the commoner Armenians and Caspians. A single Shag was atop the buoy at Spiros Beach so we proceeded to Oroklini. Dropping the girls at the now famous Jumbo was an inspired idea as we headed off to the marsh via “Dolphin” Rocks on the Larnaca Sea Front. A collection of gulls produced a couple of adult Armenians and 2 Sandwich Terns flew offshore. At Oroklini we added a Water Rail, with a beautiful Audouin’s Gull also staying for a while as it washed. 2 Bluethroats were the first for the week but little else was unusual.
Wednesday was a very rainy affair and indeed the only rains of John and Val’s week which was very lucky for this time of year. We headed to Akhna Dam initially and fortunately I immediately heard and then we saw the target species – a male Penduline Tit. Onward to Paralimni Lake where the highlight was 5 early House Martins and in the Ayia Napa Sewage Works Area, an early Quail – migration had begun! Cape Greco produced very little but 3 Blue Rock Thrushes and several Black Redstarts were nice to see.
In the afternoon we headed for the Famagusta area adding 2 Grey Plover, and 13 Stone Curlew to the list which were strangely standing on the beach at Clapsides. 2 Turnstones were also present and at Silver Beach we added a single Little Stint with a Lapwing sleeping which turned into a bit of a mystery bird competition. On returning to Gulserin before buying some excellent freshly baked rolls for tomorrow’s packed lunch we saw 16 Greater Flamingo which has been unusual this winter.
On Thursday we headed to the North to visit Bellapais Abbey and St Hillarion Castle. That achieved on our return we managed to find Kouklia Reservoir or Kuprulu Dam. This fantastic wetland is one of the oldest dams on the island but is usually dry. This year it’s a fantastic wetland site. During our stay there we saw c4000 Shovellers, c5000 Teals, 11 Wigeon, 15 Pochards, a few Shelduck, a female Red-crested Pochard, 10 Ferruginous Ducks , 3 Black-necked Grebes – one beginning to show breeding plumage, at least 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (a male and female) and several Common Buzzards. The final new bird of the day was a female Sparrowhawk. We returned home via the Pergamos crossing (you can come and go via any, as they are linked by a network) and then we were stopped by the very efficient SBA Police for a routine check – great value for money, but inconvenient. No hint of sarcasm intended.
On Friday it was off to the Larnaca area which did not disappoint, we added 11 birds for the week taking John’s total for the trip to a respectable 114, I am on 115, as John couldn’t motivate himself enough to “twitch” a Robin, which for a British birder, is understandable. At the salt lake, c1000 Shelduck and c8500 Greater Flamingo filled the lake proper whilst in the north west quadrant, 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 being adults and 1 1st winter. On the marsh 5 Jack Snipes were flushed with 11 Common Snipe, a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper were also present. At least 3 Moustached Warblers sang and 4 Bluethroats were also present. 5 Water Pipits flushed and flew into cover with one posing for the scope. A single Swallow sat on wires and a Cettis’s Wabler sat and sang in the open for a change. We proceeded to Larnaca Sewage Works as Kiti Dam was empty although there was another Swallow present with 2 Common Buzzards. At the Sewage Works the 8 White-fronted Geese put in a brief appearance but that was about it, except for the usual wildfowl. As we were leaving we spotted a gathering of larger gulls on Larnaca Airport Pools South; a walk across the side of the salt lake and in doing so, a Lesser Short-toed Lark was flushed and called as it flew. The Gull roost revealed 6 Siberian Gulls, about 15 Armenian Gulls and c450 and 150 Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls respectively. We returned home via Oroklini Marsh adding 6 Black-winged Stilts to the trip list.
As the end of the holiday approached we went for a migrant round at Cape Greco. Sadly no early migrants were found but 3 Blue Rock Thrushes, 3 singing male Cyprus Warblers and the relocation of the male Finsch’s Wheatear after several months was compensation. We went to the North for lunch and then onto Koprulu Reservoir. 2 Pintail were new, the 2 Greater Flamingos were present and amongst the 5 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (male and female) was an adult female Pallid Harrier that must have wintered in the area. I thought I had seen it the other day but wasn’t sure but with both of us having it in the scope and seeing the white collar, buoyant flight and slender wings it was fairly obvious. 10 Swallows were an early migrant which was pleasing to see. Incidentally, John did recover the Robin he was missing without too much difficulty at Cape Greco.
The final morning of the holiday and a visit to the Famagusta coastal sites was interesting although not very productive but 32 Curlews , a Lapwing and a Swallow were at Silver Beach, with 2Grey Plovers, 7 Shelduck and a Sandwich Tern at Clapsides Beach. Finally 2 1st Winter Little Gulls and a Great White Egret were at Gulserin. The holiday ended with John’s trip total on a respectable 117 in 8 days, a few unexpected birds were seen and a few expected ones missed – as usual. We had a very enjoyable week and a good recce for Roger’s visit later in the month. The year list now stands at 132 and with migration in the air it should increase considerably in the near future.
For birds with an * please follow the following links:
- Cyprus Warbler at Cape Greco Picnic Site
- Curlew at Silver Beach
- Great Cormorant (sinensis) at Clapsides Marsh
Other Interesting Finds: Several new Orchid sites but no new species and the discovery of a very full and productive wetland site at Koprulu Reservoir. The horrendous Pine Processionary caterpillars are out in force.
Highlight of the Week: A wintering Pallid Harrier and signs of early migrants in the form of Wryneck, Quail and House Martins. The relocation of a male Finsch’s Wheatear a Cape Greco could save me a few miles in the future.
A Look Forward: Back to work of course but migration, migration, migration!
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 3 Feb
Chaffinch at Troodos Village 30 Jan.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
A quick look at Akhna Dam on Monday was very productive. I finally connected with a pair of Penduline Tits which were in the only remaining suitable habitat. The dam is now completely flooded to excess which has killed all of the reed beds. Also present were 3 Reed Buntings – only seen singly until now, 3 Bluethroats, 2 of which were of the White-spotted (cyanecula) form, the other being Red-spotted (sveica). Good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Corn Buntings were also around and a Common Buzzard flew overhead. 2 Chiffchaffs were singing and a Spectacled Warbler performed display flight – Spring seems to be in the air, but with rain forecast for the week, how long will it last?
Rain stopped play on Monday afternoon and with Deb having some major dentistry carried out – que the faithful husband, caring and sharing. Anyway, some very positive news. Through Roger Dickey, the AOS Website and the BLOG, I was contacted by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), an organisation proactively doing something about poaching, hunting and other forms of bird persecution. You can read about their exploits and organisation on their web page: http://www.komitee.de/en/homepage . Incidentally, this is the same organisation that Josh Marshall wrote about in the recent Adjutant. I will be actively contributing whilst in Cyprus in whatever way I can with a view to taking part in future expeditions. Their work is carried out not only in Cyprus but also in Sardinia, Italy, Spain and France by volunteers who regularly experience considerable personal danger in trying to protect the things that we all love. A really worthwhile organisation that can only carry out its work that will ultimately save tens of thousands of birds, through charitable contributions. If anybody feels so inclined and wishes to contribute to this great work please read their web page where you will find the following link: http://www.komitee.de/en/donations/membership.
On Tuesday afternoon not much time was available for birding but as we were heading to the north, I managed a couple of sites. At Silver Beach, 19 Curlews was impressive with 4 Golden Plovers and 5 Lapwings. As I moved to the Clapsides Beach area, 2 Kingfishers chased each other, 2 Grey Plovers rested on the rocks and a couple of Kentish Plovers, Redshanks and Spur-winged Plovers fed actively. I ended up at Gulserin Marsh where 3 relatively scarce gulls were present; a 1st Winter Little, adult Slender-billed and 1st Winter Common all rested on the water with 5 Black-winged Stilts and 4 Spur-winged Plovers along the muddy fringes. A Chiffchaff caught flies in the reeds and I flushed a Water Pipit. So onward to Famagusta to waste some daylight shopping!
On Wednesday, I had to head up to Troodos to carry out some MS activities as part of my Troop Commander duties which allowed me a little time to have a look around. The snow was falling heavily so not much birding or indeed birds about. However, I did manage to photograph a male Chaffinch* in the snow with 6 House Sparrows. 2 Great Tit and 3 Coal Tit was seen and a chip-chip call of a Crossbill gave itself away sat high in a Black Pine sheltering from the snow – 121 for the month and year.
I returned to Ay Nik on Thursday morning but not before an interesting drive down the mountain in 8 inches of snow. Shopping in the afternoon put paid to any birding, which was a bit of a disappointment. On Friday with my first batch of visitors for the year arriving in the early evening, plenty of prep was necessary. However, I still managed to fit a bit of birding in over the North. Gulserin Pond held 3 Black-winged Stilts, a Heuglin's Gull, 3 Armenian Gulls and an Audouin's Gull. The highlight at the Fresh Water Lake was a Grey Wagtail.
On Saturday we attended my first KUSKOR field trip in the north. Being met in Famagusta we headed off to many seldom visited wetlands and ponds in the north. Despite many of the areas being dry, an impressive 8 Calandra Larks with 2 in display flight was pleasing at Akova. Whilst at a lake in the southern foothills of the Kyrenian Mountains, a male Finsch's Wheatear was very smart and with females being mainly in the south this winter it was a good sighting. Later at Clapsides Beach 4 Audouin's Gulls was a good count but 13 Stone Curlews on the beach was a strange sight. 4 Sandwich Terns with the gulls was the highest count yet. The immature White Pelican was back at Fresh Water Lake but 657 Cattle Egrets and 5000+ Starlings coming to roost was quite a spectacle.
Sunday had arrived and an earlyish start saw us heading west toward Paphos via Limassol, Lady’s Mile and the south side of the salt lake. A Water Pipit was out in the open at Akrotwri Salt Lake but no waders were present. A pair of Shelduck on the lake were set against a backdrop of a huge amount of Greater Flamingos - at least 8000. In excess of 200 Grey Heron was also noteable. At Bishop's Pool we bagged the White-throated Kingfisher, with 5 beautiful Ferruginous Ducks and 3 Common Pochards also being present. Bitterns at Phasouri Reed Beds provided a dip once more but I did photograph a Cattle Egret* doing what Cattle Egrets do. We did stop at a well known Orchid site at Akrotiri and this didn't disappoint with at least 5 species being out early. At Episkopi as we drove towards Paphos a single Peregrine Falcon soared high above us. Before arriving at the hotel we made a quick detour to Armou village as Colin Richardson had tipped us off that a number of Hawfinches* were in the area. As it was we saw one atop a tree. We retired to the hotel for a well earned beer. The trip list was off to a good start. Did I mention one of my visitors is a very keen birder - or did I need to?
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Hawfinch at Armou.
- Cattle Egret at Phasouri Reed Beds.
- Finsch's Wheatear at Gecitkale Dam.
- Pintail at Oroklini Marsh.
Highlight of the Week: Two Penduline Tits were a good find at Akhna Dam, although they’ve been reported all month on and off, I’ve found it difficult to connect with them.
Other Interesting Finds: 5 species of Orchid at Akrotiri Salt Lake: Green-winged Orchid - Orchis syriaca, Ophrys elegans, Carmel Orchid - Ophrys flavomarginata, Yellow Ophrys - Ophrys serica & Ophrys levantina, a Tree Frog was also present.
Look Forward: With a couple of days in Paphos, a trip to the North and birding at Cape Greco and Akhna Dam, the coming week could be very productive especially if the recent warm weather brings in some early migrants.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
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