Army Ornithological SocietyBlog Category | Overseas Birding
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 16 Dec
Little Owl at White River Cliffs - Akamas
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
The week started slowly with the year total on 219 and the month total on 105. Numerous thunderstorms and heavy downpours have rendered many areas too muddy to explore and decidedly dodgy for vehicle access. Nonetheless, I attempted Akhna Dam on Tuesday afternoon before going shopping at the Bratwurst and sauerkraut centre of Cyprus – Lidl. The dam still held the 7 Tufted Ducks and a Great Crested Grebe accompanied by 8 Cormorants but there was little else apart from 2 Long-legged Buzzards. An evening outing looking for Barn Owls was unproductive in Dhekelia. There are many disused ex-military storage buildings that are becoming derelict which are obviously to the Owls’ liking and whilst every non-birder on the unit sees them and enjoy “gripping me off”, I seem to be unable to – typical.
On Wednesday morning a Sparrowhawk flew past the kitchen window as I ate my banana and toast. The first of the twice weekly visits to the North took place on Wednesday afternoon. At Fresh Water Lake South the usual Herons, but a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail provide a flash of colour. I was surprised by a summer plumaged adult Whiskered Tern which was very unseasonal as it perched on submerged twigs in the lake. As I was leaving I saw a strange bird in flight but distant. I got my bins on it and immediately thought Sandgrouse. It was flying toward the area known as the Meseoria Plain in the North, and although in decline for sometime, that area is the most likely for the species. More of a gut feeling that it was a Sandgrouse, I have not formally submitted the record as the question “Are you a 100% sure”, must be a no. The small muddy fringe had a feeding Snipe and the first Common Sandpiper of the month.
Onward to Gulserin (Neopollis Pond). Here, 14 Greater Flamingos, containing 4 immatures, 7 Dunlins, 6 Black-winged Stilts continue and the usual Redshanks and Spur-winged Plovers. The small reed bed appeared to be very busy so I overlooked it for 10 minutes adding a male Bluethroat, cyanecula (white-spotted), a singing Moustached Warbler, an extravert Cetti’s Warbler and a real delight atop a reed head – a feeding Penduline Tit. With the light fading and no encounters with the local law enforcement agencies, I decided to quit whilst I was ahead and take Deb to buy some Christmas Tree decorations in an attempt to subdue her passion for the festive period – It was unsuccessful, although we now have additional “things” hanging from the tree.
Thursday, Akhna Dam, not much doing; It was all about the numbers of birds roosting with 264 Cattle Egrets, 12 Cormorants, c50 White Wagtails and c170 Starlings being harassed by a Long-legged Buzzard. The Great Crested Grebe remained, 2 Moustached Warblers were in the usual reed bed and later a female Reed Bunting paused briefly before roosting elsewhere. A Little Owl was seen in Ay Nik and that concluded the day.
We travelled to Paphos for a long weekend to celebrate Deb’s birthday. On Saturday I ventured to Paphos Headland seeing several Linnets – not easy in the East of the island, 4 Greater Sand Plovers and 16 Golden Plovers. I then met Colin Richardson and at his house had my first 2 Siskins of the year. We visited the hills above his house finding a male Finsch’s Wheatear, male Peregrine, 3 Long-legged Buzzard, a Little Owl and 24 Wood Lark. On the way to Armou Hills and Village we saw a female Blue Rock Thrush. The Hills above Armou held little but a ringtail Hen Harrier did make an appearance. We stopped in the village to see more Siskins and then a good number of Hawfinches appeared with at least 10 being present. As we watched them atop a tree 8 large soaring birds came into view. Obviously Pelicans but with a plain underwing, they could be nothing else apart from Dalmatians – a very rare bird in Cyprus.
On Sunday, we went to Avgas Gorge and White River Cliffs in an attempt to nail a Wallcreeper that proved unsuccessful. In attempting to find one we saw a lovely Little Owl*, Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, an immature White Pelican, 3 Blackcaps, numerous Sardinian Warblers and Chiffchaffs, 7 Golden Plovers and an out of place Cattle Egret.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Yellow-legged Gull at Coral Bay.
- Yellow-legged Gull in flight at Coral Bay.
- Female Kestrel at Spiro’s Beach.
- White-fronted Geese at Larnaca Sewage Works.
Other Interesting Finds:
Highlight of the Week: A mountain Goat in Avgas Gorge*.
Look Forward: With Xmas coming and a very busy period approaching, I don’t expect to be doing much birding but I have a Saturday trip to the Akrotiri area planned, to sweep up a few year ticks hopefully..
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 9 Dec
Great White Egret at Fresh Water Lake South Famagusta
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
On Monday, I took a day’s leave to visit the areas in the east of the island and to take my car to the menders (sucking of teeth – this is going to be expensive). No Greater Sand Plovers were present in their usual Ayia Thekla spot although 3 were present at Kermia Beach along with 37 Kentish Plovers and a solitary Redshank. As I drove to Cape Greco numerous Stonechats were seen along the way. At the Cape underneath the Army Camp, at least 11 Black Redstarts, several Sardininan Warblers and 2 male Blue Rock Thrushes. As I scanned the area I eventually found my quarry a wintering male Finsch’s Wheatear*, looking resplendent. I attempted to creep up on it and get some photos, but a very shy bird gave me the run around for about an hour and I only managed record shots. I stumbled upon a Pygmy Skipper at Cape Greco, usually on the wing until November, so a good late record of a sometimes difficult to see species.
At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, 21 Little Grebes on the lagoons were overlooked by a couple of Chiffchaffs and a female Chaffinch. As I scoured the hillsides a singing male Cyprus Warbler was a treat as it struggled to compete with the more strident songs on the Sardininian Warblers. I returned via Sotira Pond which held a Water Rail, 6 Chiffchaffs and 4 Mallards. I eventually saw a Cetti’s Warbler and 3 Snipe and a calling Green Sandpiper flew to a pond on the adjacent Paralimni Lake, which is beginning to flood a little. As I scanned, I spotted a dark perched falcon that alighted and proved to be a female Merlin.
The car safely in the garage I returned home. A visit to the garage revealed a cost of 210 Euros for a broken coil. Actually, deep joy as I thought it might be more serious and conversely no joy as it will mean I will not be able to do any birding for the next 2 days. The mechanic came up trumps and I picked up the car on Wednesday morning, (whilst cycling to the garage a Wood Lark flew up from the road side), meaning that the regular visit to the North could take place in the afternoon.
At Fresh Water Lake South it was heron-tastic, with 4 Great White Egrets*, 7 Little Egrets, 4 Cattle Egrets and 10 Grey Herons. Cormorant numbers were back up to 4 and the immature White Pelican was again present having commuted across town from Gulserin where I headed for next. At the seasonal lake, waders were evident once more with a lone Black-tailed Godwit continuing its stay, a Temminck’s Stint, 19 Little Stints, 8 Dunlins, 78 Redshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 17 Spur-winged Plovers, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Black-winged Stilts, 3 Wood Sandpipers, a Ruff and a Water Rail. I raced back across the border so that I was able to visit Akhna Dam before last light. I was greeted by 2 Cormorants flying by, a Moustached Warbler in the reeds, a flushed Kingfisher, and a Great Crested Grebe on the water. The sight of c700 Starlings coming to roost was equally as impressive as the 208 Cattle Egrets having the same idea.
Prior to a visit to the physio in Dhekelia, I visited the Stone Curlew roost which I have to drive past. 114 were present along with a feeding flock of c120 Serins. The beginning of the crazy Christmas period was upon me with Deb’s works function so it only allowed me a little time in the afternoon so I headed for Akhna Dam. Not much was going on, however the Great Crested Grebe, a bit of a scarcity was still in the middle of the water. I flushed a very late immature Little Crake and a female Hen Harrier flew over me to roost, apart from that, it was generally quiet.
It was the Christmas run to JUMBO on Friday afternoon, so I visited a very boggy Oroklini Marsh, in an attempt to find a skulking Dunnock - which incientally ended in complete failure and me covered in mud. The marsh did hold good numbers of Shovellers and Teals with a couple of Pintails. The highlight was a flock of 69 Spur-winged Plovers accompanied by a flock of 58 Lapwings. A couple of Cattle Egrets made an appearance and an immature Marsh Harrier drifted by overhead.
On Saturday I visited Akhna Dam and then went to meet a couple of visiting birders from the other end of the island at Larnaca Sewage Works. At Akhna a Bluethroat was the highlight of the svecica Ssp (red-spotted). Before reaching the sewage works I stopped to view a good number of larger loafing gulls on the Larnaca Airport Pools South. The group contained 17 Black-headed Gulls, a 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull, an adult and 15 immature Caspian Gulls, 4 Adult Armenian Gulls and the first 2 Siberian (heuglini) Gulls of the winter. The group also contained a single Sandwich Tern. At the sewage works, 2 Black-necked Grebes, a single drake Ferruginous Duck and single Ruddy Shelduck. Numerous Shovellers, Teals, Mallards, 7 Pintails and 15 Wigeon. A female Black Redstart was present with a couple of unseasonal female type Yellow Wagtails with 3 Cattle Egrets following the sheep in the nearby field. One of the visiting birders picked out a pair of Slender-billed Gulls which was a surprise and a Common Buzzard flushed the 3 Green Sandpipers, 7 Redshanks and 14 Lapwings. The 8 White-fronted Geese did a disappearing act and 3 Cormorants appeared from nowhere.
We stopped on the way to Akhna Dam and apart from a calling Moustached Warbler and a couple of Pintails the marsh was fairly unproductive. I paused at the Dhekelia Stone Curlew roost where once again c120 birds were present and Serins also fed in the field. At Akhna Dam, 19 Spur-winged Plovers, 7 Tufted Ducks, one being a drake, A Great Crested Grebe, another Common Buzzard mobbed by Hooded Crows and in the reed bed a couple of Stonechats another Bluethroat of undertermined sub species (only a flight view), 4 Chiffchaffs and a playing hard to get Moustached Warbler. As we left the dam area a ringtail Hen Harrier cruised across the fields.
I had arranged to meet the visiting birders at 0800 at Cape Greco, however I left early in order to check Ayias Trias for gulls. None were present although in Konnos Bay an Audouin's Gull circled, several Greenfinches flew over and many Sardininan Warblers called and showed. Under the army camp 3 Blue Rock Thrushes, 2 males, many Black Redstarts and Stonechats with a couple each of Spectacled and Sardinian Warblers. The Finsch's Wheatear was as elusive as ever and remained unseen.
After Cape Greco we visited the Ayia Napa Sewage Works area which was very quiet but another female Blue Rock Thrush showed well enough. Concluding the area we departed for Ay Nik to drop a car off, pick up Deb for some retail therapy before heading across the border to the 2 wetland sites in the North. First we stopped at the Fresh Water Lake South where the usual suspects were present including a Great White Egret but 7 immature Night Herons was a good record.
We dropped Deb off and went to Gulserin Marsh which was its usual interesting self. No new waders were present but the Black-tailed Godwit looks set to over winter. The Gulls were of most interest with a Siberian, 3 Armenian, 4 Yellow-legged and 2 Caspians being present before we were treated to an inquisition by the Turkish CID and several other agencies. In any event after about half an hour, all ended well and we were not detained further and informed that we could continue to visit the site (opposite an Army camp) as long as we did not take any photographs. This was a pity as when we resumed scanning the marsh 3 spanking adult Audouin's Gulls had flown in during our interrogation - so a good result eventually. On the cessasion of birding we drove into the walled city of Famagusta for a bit of culture and lunch, and to find Deb and described our near "Midnight Express" experience. We headed back over the border, the guests departed for Paphos and that concluded the week.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
Male Finsch’s Wheatear at Cape Greco – Record shots only.
Other Interesting Finds: A Pygmy Skipper* photographed at Cape Greco on 3 Dec was a late record for the species and the first record this decade in the 5Km recording square.
Highlight of the Week: Siberian and Audouin's Gulls.
Look Forward: Next weekend in Paphos where I will hopefully see a Wallcreeper.
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 Dec
Male Crossbill at Troodos Village
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
On Tuesday, I needed to visit Troodos for an operational visit which allowed me a little time to look at Troodos Village and Prodromos Dam. At the dam the usual mountain suspects were present; Coal Tits, Short-toed Treecreepers, Great Tits, Wren and Crossbills. A pair of Goldcrests was a surprise but they are after all winter visitors. In the village, more Crossbills* and a male Blackbird. I then visited the Giant Juniper Picnic Site, where 4 Song Thrushes took to the wing, another Wren sang and a Jay made its way through the conifers. Perhaps the biggest surprise was a Hawfinch in flight.
Wednesday afternoon saw me visiting the North once more for a spot of birding and a pizza – half the price of the South! At the Fresh Water Lake in Famagusta the juvenile White Pelican looks settled. A Snipe was digging around in the mud, a Cormorant fished and a Little Egret loafed but little else was present. At Gulserin Marsh on the other side of town (for political reasons you may also find this referred to as Neopolis Pond), 121 Greater Flamingos had arrived. The Black-tailed Godwit was back, the Wood Sandpipers have increased to 5 and the Spotted Redshanks 3 amongst the commoner Redshanks that numbered 88. I flushed a Water Pipit from the water’s edge and located a Moustached Warbler by call eventually. A single Ruff and Snipe with 83 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Armenian Gulls completed the tally.
Akhna Dam on Thursday produced a couple of Bluethroats one of the cyanecula (white spot) form, 9 Cormorants and my first female Reed Bunting of the campaign. A female Sparrowhawk chased the Chiffchaffs, a male Black Redstart caught flies and a Moustached Warbler called from the reeds and showed itself whilst the Reed Bunting looked on. On the coast at Ormidia, I caught up with another year tick as a pair of Sandwhich Terns plunged dived and headed East. A Kingfisher sat on the rocks and further out 3 Shags sat on the mooring platforms.
In the afternoon a drive around Ayia Napa Football Pitches saw 5 Meadow Pipits feeding on the grass and a large number of Stonechats but little else. The Ayia Napa Sewage Works complex was a little more interesting with a Sardinian Wabler, Song Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart. Driving from the football pitches to the sewage works around the back tracks, I came across what must be a first winter male Finsch’s Wheatear. Females do not normally winter on the island. This bird has now been present since the 2nd week in October, so must be wintering although it can be elusive. Described in many field guides as a shy and retiring species – it’s not surprising really is it?
The month ended with 532 records being submitted detailing 123 species. The year list has increased to 215 and the Cyprus list to 277.
A field trip with Birdlife Cyprus to the Troodos area produced some interesting sightings on Saturday. Deb and I stayed at the station overnight to avoid the very early start and drive to the mountains from Ay Nik. At Giant Juniper Picnic Site numerous Blackbirds and Song Thrushes and 2 Hawfinches. The mountains contained the usual mountain species but few of the expected winter specialities. Crossbills were very vocal throughout the range and 2 Grey Wagtails* were at Prodomos Dam.
On Sunday we returned via Larnaca where the Sewage Works revealed an adult Mediterranean, Armenian and Caspian Gulls. The White-fronted Gesse have increased to 8, Wigeon 19 and a surprise Greenshank. On Spiro's Pool, the Golden Plover flock has increased to 149 and the usual Skylarks and Fan-tailed Warblers were present. Retuning via Akhna Dam, I saw the 7 Fem/Juv Tufted Ducks that had been reported and a single Cormorant was also prsent. Returning home to pick up the passports to visit the sites in the North, we passed a female Hen Harrier at Avgorou.
In the North the Famagusta Fresh Water Lake had 2 immature Night Herons, 2 Great White Egrets, 7 Cattle Egrets and 2 Little Egrets. 32 Spur-winged Plovers and a Cormorant were present but not a lot else. At Gulserin Marsh on the other side of town, a different story. The immature White Pelican* had relocated and was joined by 63 Greater Flamingos*. The marsh held many waders including Temminck's Stints, Black-winged Stilts, Redshanks, Spur-winged Plovers and single Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Dunlin with 6 Snipe skulking in the undergrowth.
The week drew to a close with an Iskender Kebab at our newly found favourite Turkish restaurant.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Male Crossbill at Troodos Village
- Immature White Pelican at Gulserin Marsh
- Greater Flamingo at Gulserin Marsh
- Grey Wagtail at Prodomos Dam
- Goldfinch at Larnaca Salt Lake
Highlight of the Week: A Hawfinch and Goldcrests in Troodos and remarkably the female Reed Bunting at Akhna Dam.
Look Forward: Wallcreepers have been reported at the other end of the island so I’m going to try and catch up with one as it’s a new Cyprus bird.
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 25 Nov
Immature Caspian Tern at Akhna Dam
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
On Tuesday, I visited the Cape Greco area. This proved to be worthwhile, finding the previously reported wintering male Finsch’s Wheatear, at least 7 Black Redstarts, numerous Spectacled and Sardinian Warblers, several Robins, a single male Blue Rock Thrush and Song Thrush. At Ay Nik in the evening, I heard a calling Barn Owl.
Having not visited Akhna Dam as much as I should have over the past couple of weeks, I thought I’d put a bit of time in. Upon entering I flushed 4 Woodlarks* and then manoeuvred the car into a position to get some photographs. I carried on driving and a Black Redstart gave itself away in a flash of red. The dam was fairly quiet with only 7 Cattle Egrets and a Hen Harrier dive bombing the Coots being present. I went for a walk and several Stonechats fled from a female Sparrowhawk. As I searched the reeds for a Moustached Warbler which I eventually found, my attention was drawn to a large white bird flying behind the reeds. I initially thought it was a gull species but it was flying oddly, when it turned a large looking “carrot” on the end of it’s face had me becoming very animated. A Caspian Tern and my 276 Cyprus bird and 13th addition this year. I couldn’t remember if it was a description species, although that wasn’t going to be difficult, I quickly got out the camera and managed a bit of video and a couple of record shots albeit not the best in all the excitement. The bird fished for about 5 minutes between 1600 and 1610 caught 2 fish and then proceeded to head off South and away from the dam. As I drove home 71 Corn Buntings roosted on telegraph wires over the fields behind Akhna and at Ay Nik, I flushed a Black Redstart and a Little Owl.
The immature Caspian Tern continued fishing at Akhna Dam on Thursday and a male Sparrowhawk and female Hen Harrier continued to harass the wildfowl. At Sotira Pond a late Swallow was present and a Green Sandpiper remained but there was little else of interest. In the afternoon I visited the Turkish half. I had previously visited a site in the southern areas of Famagusta and had been told that with the recent rains it had filled up and there were some waders there. I drove to Gulserin Marsh and the mud flats were alive with waders. As I scoped through them, Dunlins, Little Stints, numerous Redshank, 4 Greenshank, a lone Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, common Spur-winged Plovers and a lone Black-tailed Godwit. Not surprisingly a Sparrowhawk was present and soon I came across several large gulls. 4 of them were Caspian and the other an adult Armenian Gull, so increasing the year list by 3 species.
I then went to the north of the city and to the Fresh Water Lake South, dropping Debs at the China Bazaar – the North’s equivalent of JUMBO, but even cheaper – HOOOORAAAHHH. The lake itself had 11 Cormorants present, 4 Great White Egret a single juvenile White Pelican, presumably the same one as last week, 2 Kingfishers, a pair of Shovellers and 312 Cattle Egrets coming to roost.
On Friday, I dropped Deb at JUMBO in Larnaca and visited Oroklini Marsh to conduct the monthly count. Although nothing unusual was noted, I saw my first Water Rail of the month. On the way home a Peregrine landed on the chimney at Dhekelia Power Station and 6 Shags were present on the mouring platforms. The Dhekelia Stone Curlew roost held 134 - a good count.
On Saturday, Akhna Dam still had the Caspian Tern present along with 4 Meadow Pipits, a couple of Song Thrush and a Black Redstart. Over the North the newly found Gulserin Marsh had a Temminck's Stint, numerous Redshanks accompanied by a single Spotted Redshank, several Little Stints and Dunlins. On the north of Famagusta the fresh water lake held the immature White Pelican with 2 Great White Egret, 2 Little Egret and 5 Cormorants.
On Sunday, Larnaca Salt Lake now holds c1600+ Greater Flamingo whilst the sewage works allowed me to photograph an Armenien Gull*. The lagoons held 21 Ferrruginous Duck, 8 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, c800 Shoveller and 2 new wildfowl species for the year, a male Pochard and 2 Gadwall. Spiros Pool now has 105 Golden Plover present but little else except for numerous Skylarks.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Armenien Gull at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Caspian Tern at Akhna Dam
- Caspian Tern fishing at Akhna Dam
- Wood Lark at Akhna Dam
Other interesting finds:
Highlight of the Week: Finding a Caspian Tern at Akhna Dam, a difficult bird in the country and one that many residents haven’t managed to catch up despite many years of chasing. Having not seen the species in Cyprus previously this was an unexpected addition to the Cyprus list.
Look Forward: I really must make an effort to nail a Reed Bunting for the year and visit a few more sites in the North of the island.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Weekly Highlights for the Week Ending 18 Nov
Adult Bonelli's Eagle at Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA)
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site.
On Tuesday, I managed some birding in the Larnaca and Limassol areas. At Larnaca Sewage Works the first Wigeon at the site for the winter was a year tick. The pair of White-fronted Geese and 4 Mediterranean Gulls were present – an adult, 2 2nd winters and 1 1st winter. Also of interest was the arrival of 3 Cormorants and a male Black Redstart* fed around the fence line. In the fields, at least 120 Skylarks, 8+ Calandra Larks, at least 6 Red-throated Pipit, 3 Meadow Pipit and a Corn Bunting all fed actively. Whilst on Larnaca Salt Lake, c250 Greater Flamingos, 8 Shelducks and in the scrub about 30 Stone Curlews. Spiro’s Pool also held 38 Golden Plovers an increase of 35 from the last visit.
At Lady’s Mile, Limassol at least 350 Black-headed Gulls loafed and a surprise Avocet fed amongst them. A Little Crake was at Phassouri Reed Beds along with a Starling and 2 Marsh Harriers. Akrotiri Salt Lake and surrounding areas held a good number of Stonechats, a couple of Chaffinches a Cetti’s Warbler and a late juvenile Red-backed Shrike. A Common Buzzard flew over the trees and Robins could be heard in almost every bush. As I retuned home a Little Owl called near the house and flew into a nearby tree.
On Wednesday afternoon I visited the Fresh Water Lake South in Famagusta as I wanted to visit Johnny Rockets for a Chilli Dog. Anyway before the American 50s fest a juvenile White Pelican surprised me at the lake as did a Grey Wagtail. Great White Egret Numbers have increased to 4 and Cormorants to 5. A pair of late juvenile Whiskered Terns hawked the lake and I flushed a Snipe whilst walking around. Wildfowl numbers have increased slightly to 3 Shovellers and 2 Teal.
As I walked to work on Thursday 2 Song Thrushes passed overhead heading towards the tape lure that was playing which was annoying, I reported the event to the Police but I don’t know if any action was taken. I had received a report of a Black Stork at Akhna Dam so I got there as quickly as I could after work. In any event I couldn’t locate the Stork but spent a few hours. As I was driving in, a small Falcon flew over me chased by a Kestrel. As it sat in a ploughed field, I was delighted, as I thought, to be looking at a female Merlin. My first of the winter and not an easy bird to find in Cyprus. The dam itself has filled significantly since the rains so I was unable to drive around. As I approached a now submerged reed bed, I heard a loud ticking and at this time of year it could only be a Moustached Warbler, 2 were present and good views were had. I flushed a nearby Bluethroat and then heard and eventually located a single male Penduline Tit. 48 Starlings were also present and a female Hen Harrier hawked the reed beds. 3 Song Thrush were attracted by a “hunter” – POACHER – CRIMINAL with a tape lure who attempted to shoot them, I’m glad to say without success on this occasion. 2 Snipe flushed from the water’s edge and several Chiffchaffs were noted flitting about the reeds.
I drove around the Ay Nik area when I left work and there were many Skylarks* and Meadow Pipits but the highlight was an adult Bonelli's Eagle (above). On Sunday I visited the Larnaca area. I was fortunate enough to connect with a Ruddy Shelduck that was reported 2 days ago. The 2 White-fronted Geese remained and a pair of Slender-billed Gulls joined the Black-headed Gulls*. 3 Wigeon remained but there was little else of note except for 6 Lapwing. The Salt Lake still held c250 Greater Flamingo including 13 juveniles.
Akhna Dam has more water in and although it was very quiet it has attracted at least 3 Water Pipits. A ringtail Hen Harrier was harrassed by a Kestrel and a single Pintail alighted shortly after my arrival. I also sadly witnessed a Grey Heron* being shot for no particular reason other than the locals amusement - what a sad people! I photographed it and have submitted the details to the game fund.
In Famagusta the Fresh Water Lake had 4 Cormorants, 2 Great White Egrets and a juvinile Whiskered Tern which is staying for a very long time.
For pictures of birds please click on the following Flickr links:
- Black Redstart at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Black-headed Gull at Spiro’s Beach
- Skylark at Larnaca Airport Fields
- Grey Heron shot at Akhna Dam
Other interesting finds: 11 Painted Ladies at Larnaca Salt Lake.
Highlight of the Week: A Ruddy Shelduck, 4 Med Gulls of differing ages and the first Wigeon of the year for me.
Look Forward: Now is the time to look for Dotterel and a rarity such as Steppe Grey Shrike or Great Grey Shrike along with unusual wintering wildfowl.
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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