Army Ornithological SocietyBlog Category | Overseas Birding
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 14 Jul
Audouin’s Gull at Potomos Liopetri.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
In what can only be described as a work and drinktastic week there was little time for birding. On Monday evening, I did manage to get to Akhna Dam where 5 Green Sandpipers was a good count. Several Hoopoes were present, a couple of Common Sandpipers and a pair of Pallid Swifts was a surprise. The Barn Owl remained in its hole at Vrysoulles and a roost of 80 Jackdaws at Avgorou was a good count. I had to visit Episkopi and Akrotiri on Wednesday and another pair of Pallid Swifts were over Episkopi Garrison with a Cyprus Wheatear. On the salt lake at Akrotiri I could see at least 300 Greater Flamingos but little else from a distance. A late return and a dinner in the mess left no time to get out further. On Thursday, I accompanied a visitor to Troodos Station and on the way up at Platres saw a male Blackbird. On the station a juvenile Coal Tit was interesting and a mixture of Pallid and Common Swifts were overhead.
We proceeded to Mount Olympus where at least 500 House Martins was a spectacle with 3 Cyprus Wheatears along the fence line. The biggest surprise was a lone Alpine Swift over the Raydome. Another late return home and the COs dining out on Friday evening ruled that day out as well. Inevitably Saturday was a write off but all was not lost as I watched the first Ashes Test all day and felt sorry for myself.
Determined not to waste a whole week, I rose early on Sunday and headed for Cape Greco. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler numbers are increasing after the breeding season and a female Cyprus Warbler posed a momentary ID challenge. On the lagoons were a pair of Common Sandpipers and 51 Little Grebes and a Common Swift drank briefly. I moved along to Cape Greco Pines where it was quiet but I did managed to get some good photos of a family of Cyprus Wheatears*, including 2 juveniles*. Attempting to get a month tick, I drove along the coast to Ayia Thekla and although there was much disturbance by the fishermen, I eventually managed to locate 4 Greater Sand Plovers. I moved further along the coast as I hadn’t driven along to Potomos Liopetri for months and was surprised to find the bird that I hoped would be there. Albeit not an adult the 3rd Summer Audouin’s Gull* posed for the camera and presented a rare close opportunity to get some good shots. Not always an easy bird on Cyprus in the summer, it’s the BLOG cover photo this week as I know you’re all probably missing the winter “Gullfest”.
Having had some success, I trooped across to Akhna Dam where at least 5 Hoopoes* were present and eventually after just over a year of waiting, I managed to capture a shot of a bird with its crest raised – result. 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Squacco Herons were present and I managed to get a better picture of a juvenile Masked Shrike* to replace last years ropey effort – so migration is occurring.
Deb and I headed to the North after breakfast and I conducted the Dragonfly survey at Fresh Water Lake South. The Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis breeding colony has now dispersed preferring the larger trees that surround the lake and 9 Squacco Herons was a good count. A lone Black-winged Stilt and 3 Spur-winged Plovers remained along with a single Little Grebe. Home in time to watch the end of the first test and a BBQ for dinner rounded off a not particularly productive week. It is worth noting that no day out in Cyprus is wasted if you have your camera with you.
Highlight of the Week: Audouin’s Gull is not an easy species on Cyprus and finding one close enough to get photos was a bonus.
Look Forward: Migration is picking up but remains with the vanguard at present.
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 7 Jul
Hoopoe at Akhna Dam – a common autumn migrant.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
July already and migrants are already starting to appear. Waders are coming through in good numbers and mountain breeding species such as Masked Shrikes and Hoopoes are beginning to appear in lowland sites once more. On Monday I went to Akhna Dam after work and saw my first Wood Sandpiper at the site this autumn along with a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover. Spur-winged Plovers totalled 5 and a female Masked Shrike hunted along the water’s edge in tamarisk bushes. 3 Hoopoes was a good count, Spanish Sparrows numbers are increasing with a sizeable flock being present, 2 Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were restless but were eventually seen briefly and Cattle Egret numbers have increased to about 50. Returning home via Vrysoulles, the Barn Owl didn’t let me down for a month tick and 3 Rollers – 1 immature were present in the adjacent orange grove. 2 Swift remained in the Ay Nik area, although the breeding colony appeared to have left on mass on the 25th to 26th of June.
I visited Troodos with some work visitors on Tuesday and saw 3 Jays, 2 Chaffinch and c20 Common Swifts in the Station along with several Cyprus Wheatears nearby. After getting home on the 2nd at Akhna Dam a Greenshank was new as was a Little Egret, another Hoopoe or one of the same ones was seen and commoner passage waders remained in situ.
On Wednesday I went Tuna fishing off Cape Greco and predictably saw no seabirds but did catch a reasonable Tuna along with the others which provided the focal point for the BBQ and a few beers that evening. On Thursday we had friends visiting so we took them to the North for dinner. Despite every effort to take in a few “scenic” spots, Deb was fairly persistent that I was not to visit any birding areas – I had been told!
On Friday I was snowed under at work although did get to Akhna Dam briefly where 11 Green Sandpipers was a good count as was 11 Magpies. The tally concluded with 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Spur-winged Plovers, a Hoopoe and a Common Sandpiper. A juvenile Greenfinch was the first for the month. Saturday and I watched the Rugby and had a few beers to celebrate. On Sunday, I did whirlwind tour of sites. 22 Little Terns, 35 Glossy Ibises 2 Redshanks and a Wood Sandpiper were the highlights at Oroklini whilst at Larnaca Sewage Works, 7 female Red-crested Pochard and a female Shoveller were notable. Retuning via Akhna Dam a Hoopoe was the only species of any notoriety. 7 Shags stood on the platforms off Dhekelia Power Station. We headed over the north in the afternoon as I needed some male pampering – Mehmet the barber obliged and all was good with the world. Gulserin Pond is no longer a pond as it’s totally dried up – leaving a huge number of beer bottles in the sand – very depressing and no birds. At Koprulu which has also dried dramatically, c50 Glossy Ibises were present and at least 150 Black-winged Stilts and c350 Cattle Egrets. A 1st Calendar Year (1CY) male Marsh Harrier was an interesting sighting along with a Common Sandpiper and 5 Green Sandpipers. Continuing the Heron theme at Fresh Water Lake South, 6 Glossy Ibises were present along with 7 Squacco Herons and a single 1 CY Night Heron.
Highlight of the Week: Errmmm – struggling and I’m tempted to say a Bridled Tern at Cresswell Pond - my local patch when I visit Deb’s parents in the North East.
Look Forward: No mass migration yet but the annual autumn raptor fest should soon be underway.
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 30 Jun
Little Ringed Plover at Akhna Dam 24 Jun.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
After a fairly depressing week last week, things are definitely moving. With no cricket to watch, I went to Akhna Dam after work. Several returning wader species were evident with 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Little Ringed Plovers* as well as the resident Spru-winged Plovers. 3 Cattle Egrets and a showy Squacco Heron* were obvious and as I drove around a Hoopoe flushed. A 1st Calender Year (1 CY) Masked Shrike was hunting which was surprisingly early in the lowlands and does signal that some movement of breeding visitors is already taking place. As I departed the area, 2 European Rollers sat on telegraph lines and I paused to photograph a juvenile Swallow*.
Tuesday and a visit to the local shops in Paralimni offered the opportunity to conduct the bi-monthly Dragonfly survey of Sotira Pond. There were not many Dragonflies in evidence and even fewer birds but a lone Stone Curlew and female Black Francolin were noteworthy as a Cetti’s Warbler worked its way along the rank vegetation. The Long-eared Owl continued to call from the woods behind the house and appears to be getting closer.
On Thursday afternoon I conducted a Dragonfly survey of Oroklini Marsh. Something has obviously changed here with the water becoming perhaps too stagnant as there was not a single Dragonfly of any species present, which says something in itself. The Dragonflies might not like it but the noisy breeding Stilts and Spur-winged Plovers obviously do and 19 Little Terns was the highest count this year. Red-crested Pochards have obviously had a good year with 8 immatures and 6 females hiding amongst the vegetation. All in all though, June continues to live up to its billing. We returned home via the mooring buoys at Dhekelia where 8 Shags sat. With not much else doing, we returned home and finished for the day.
Friday came and went and on Saturday we visited the North. Gulserin is all but dry with only 3 Black-winged Stilts and 2 Spur-winged Plovers. Meanwhile and Koprulu, the site still looks excellent. 64 Glossy Ibises rose from the reeds and amongst them 3 adult Spoonbills. Circa 1000 Coots remain with lesser numbers of Mallards and the Black-winged Stilts appear to have increased to about 200 with the Cattle Egrets numbering about 400. Of the waders, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank and 5 Ruff were present. As I left the area, I flushed a lone Stone Curlew from a ploughed field. At Fresh Water Lake South, I conducted the Dragonfly survey and noted at least 5 Squacco Herons, 1 Little Egret, c20 Cattle Egret and 2 Glossy Ibis. A European Beeater was heard over Ay Nik (ESBA) and at Akhna Dam a Great Spotted Cuckoo and Hoopoe were migrants with a few waders remaining in the form of a couple of Green Sandpipers and Common sandpipers. At Vrysoulles village the Barn Owl continued to roost and 2 Rollers were in the orange grove.
On Sunday I visited the Larnaca area and at the North side of the salt lake which is now completely dry 8 Little Egrets flew in from the north and were probably migrants. At the sewage works a pair of Shovellers remain with 3 ducklings whilst Little Grebe numbers have increased to 41 and Mallard to C60, three female Red-crested Pochards were of interest. A Greenshank and Common Sandpiper were present amongst the more numerous Spur-winged Plovers and Black-winged Stilts. On Spiro’s Pool Yellow-legged Gull numbers are building again with 16 being present. Although 2 Little Swifts had been reported from the Limassol area, I saw none in the East of the island. As I returned home, 2 Rollers were on the wires at Xylotymbou and later at Akhna Dam a pair of Hoopoes*, a juvenile Masked Shrike, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover* and a Green Sandpiper. As I was leaving 2 superb adult White-winged Black Terns did a flyby and kept going south. At Ay Nik, 4 European Beeaters and 3 Common Swifts (the majority of the breeding colony left on the 25/26 Jun) were seen, which concluded the week.
For the first time in a year (excluding last June), I recorded less than 100 species, which just proves what a dire month June is in Cyprus. Even if I had hit all of the summer breeding sites I would still have fallen short. There are few migrants in June and obviously no winter visitors so birding is hard work for few rewards.
Highlight of the Week: A Great Spotted Cuckoo and White-winged Black Terns at Akhna Dam.
Look Forward: The month of July offers some good wader migration and towards the end some Warbler species should start to return, if you can brave the heat.
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 23 Jun
Little Owl at Koprulu TRNC.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Following the long weekend in Troodos, we departed on Monday morning stopping off at a few stops on the way down the Nicosia side of the mountain on route to the dreaded IKEA – guaranteed to have the bank manager raising and eyebrow. We stopped at Amiantos view point, overlooking the disused asbestos mine. Here, a couple of surprising Linnets*, a Cyprus Wheatear* and a couple of Wood Pigeons amongst the numerous House Martins*. After a lengthy walk around IKEA and the obligatory Swedish meat-ball lunch we stopped at Delikippo – Gabion. A small site and not well known, it always throws up a surprise. This occasion was no exception when I first heard and then saw a European Beeater* which is obviously breeding in the area as they are normally passage migrants during May. A couple of Dragonfly species ended the visit here and so we continued to Akhna Dam, where a pair of Rollers and a Squacco Heron was seen. As we continued home at Avgorou another Roller* flew across the road in front of us. With the car in the garage for the powered steering belt to be fixed nothing happened on Tuesday and with the ICC Cricket semi-final on Wednesday, I had the day planned out. I did however see a Little Owl* sat on a dead tree in the garden as we returned home from dinner out and heard a Long-eared Owl from the woods behind the house for the first time this year.
On Saturday I ventured over to the north and saw my first 2 returning Redshanks at Gulserin Marsh with a single non-breeding Slender-billed Gull*. The breeding Black-winged Stilts had 3 juveniles and the Spur-winged Plovers* remained active, Clapsides Marsh was much the same and the beach area was heaving with tourists so not chance to look at the gull roost. I travelled to Koprulu Dam and what a fantastic site this has been this year. Although the west side is now dry, muddy fringes are appearing which is already attracting return autumn passage waders. 4 Greenshank, 11 Green Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper and a Marsh Sandpiper were seen. Glossy Ibises totalled c30 and 8 Ferruginous Ducks and a female Red-crested Pochard was present. 3 Marsh Harriers were noted and an early Montague’s was a surprise. In Famagusta at the Fresh Water Lake South, 4 Squacco Herons, 8 Glossy Ibises and 3 Night Herons were amongst the still heaving Cattle Egret colony.
Early on Sunday morning, I thought I’d better give the Cape Greco area some attention. Travelling via the coast at Ayia Thekla 5 Greater Sand Plovers, some still in semi breeding plumage were present along with a single Kentish Plover. The birds only appear to be away from the island for the month in May when they disappear to breed. It always amazes me that they are back on station so quickly. I progressed to Cape Greco via Ayia Napa – what a sight this is at about 0630, rubbish everywhere, literal and the human form, drunks being sick, stumbling around on the roads – it’s a sight to behold and very entertaining. Anyway, onwards and as I approached Cape Greco pines in a ploughed field on the right, a Shrike caught my eye. It was an adult male Lesser Grey*, an unusual June record and ironically sat on top of a scarecrow. The pines held several Spectacled Warblers including 2 juveniles, a Cyprus Wheatear and at least 2 elusive, calling Eastern Olivaceous Warblers. At the picnic site, more Spectacled Warblers* and Cyprus Wheatears and briefly a churring male Cyprus Warbler* – they can sometimes be tricky having just bred and certainly they were not as obvious as they usually are in this location. Ayia Napa Sewage Works was a fairly dull affair with more of the same although Little Grebe numbers are on the way up with c30 being present. After returning home for a bacon butty, I visited Akhna Dam, conducted the Dragonfly survey and saw 5 Black-winged Stilts* including 3 fully fledged and flying immatures, a Common Sandpiper*, my first of the autumn, a Green Sandpiper and 4 Spur-winged Plovers. I returned home to not watch the cricket final and amazingly then heard 2 European Beeaters at the back of the house. First indications are that autumn, southward migration may be starting early? I was frustrated by the cricket all day and eventually ended up being totally deflated by an English defeat – having said that, India did look the best team throughout the tournament. I went outside at about 2330 to hear at least 2 Long-eared Owls calling, the end to a fairly slow week – but it is June and the paucity of images this week says it all!
Highlight of the Week: The returning Greater Sand Plovers and an unseasonal Lesser Grey Shrike.
Other Interesting Finds: Meatballs at IKEA.
Look Forward: With wader migration picking up and signs of some passerine movement, it’s about getting out and finding something.
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 16 Jun
House Martin at The North Face Ski Lift, Mount Olympus on 16 Jun.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view or click on the link.
With no chance of any birding on Monday although Swift numbers have increased over Ay Nik, Tuesday quickly followed. Monday 10th June – a year to the day since I arrived and saw my first House Sparrow. The rolling year produced 262 species and identifiable forms (Yellow Wagtails and Bluethroats). A good total with 18 new species added to the Cyprus list and 1 life bird; a Saker, which was the only predicted lifer I expected to get during the tour. The current year list stands at 241 and so far I haven’t seen less than 100 species in any single month. With some good photographs of many scarce and infrequent visitors to the UK and range restricted species in Europe – it’s been a productive year. Added to that I’ve seen 26 species of Dragon and Damselfly, 43 species of Butterfly and 35 species of Orchid. All in all a busy year which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed except for the mindless poaching and hunting which continues unabated.
On Tuesday I was unable to get out so I visited Akhna Dam on Wednesday and it remained very quiet. A Roller was seen as I arrived along with 2 Little Egrets, a Squacco Heron with 2 Eastern Olivaceous Warblers being heard. As I drove around the site – it has now dried out sufficiently, I found a Green Sandpiper, that was perhaps an early returning migrant. With little else on offer I returned home. With Deb at a partners’ lunch on Thursday, after dropping her off, I watched the cricket. With the powered steering belt snapping on the car, life was turning decidely "crappy".
On Friday afternoon we travelled to Troodos for a 24 year dining out, which was an excellent dinner with Beef Wellington - my favourite. Washed down with lots of Red and some decent Port, I did manage to resist over indulding as I had a meeting on Saturday at 1000 to look for some Orchids. Saturday arrived and with a bit of a fuzzy head we mangaed to find Dense-flowered Helliborine (Epipactis condensata) in bud, Cyprus Helliborine (Epipactis troodi) in bud and 3 very difficult to find Crimean Orchids (Dactylorhiza iberica). The usual Troodos specialities were seen with Jays * being very obvious and vocal in stark contrast to the first few months of the year. A calling Turtle Dove was also heard although the Scops Owls have now stopped calling. On Sunday we had arranged to meed Dave & Ros Sparrow, the Cyprus Dragonfly Recorder and his wife in an attempt to find a Dragonfly that I really wanted to see. In the Dhiarizos Valley we firstly saw many Indigo Dropwings *(Trethemis festiva), a new one for me which was a very good looking species. Then, eventually the target, a cracking male Small Pincertail * or Green-eyed Hooktail (Onychogomphus forcipatus), with its impressive claspers what a cracking looking species. Also in the valley a juvenile Wren and 2 adults representing a range extension. As we drove back via a different route, a Cretzchmar's Bunting flew across the road which is obviously breeding on the lower slopes of the Troodos range and a singing male Black-headed Bunting near to Ayios Nikolaos in the Troodos range. At Prodromos Dam a family party of Spotted Flycatchers, with 3 newly fledged and begging for food juveniles and a juvenile Crossbill. Serins and Coal Tits were well represented and 2 Black-tailed Skimmers and an ovipositing Lesser Emperor * was also seen. A good meal in the Skylight restaurant in Platres rounded off a varied and enjoyable weekend. For the purists, June is without doubt the worst month for birding in Cyprus, so its best to invest time elsewhere to maintain sanity.
Highlight of the Week: At least 6 Small Pincertail Dragonflies - what a fantastic specimen.
Other Interesting Finds: Breeding Wrens in the Dhiarizos River Valley represents a range extension, a probable breeding Beeater site and a couple of new Orchids.
Look Forward: Hmmm - I don't really know, but June is without doubt the worst month for birding but I'm hoping to turn something decent up.
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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