Army Ornithological SocietyBlog Category | Overseas Birding
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 15 Feb 15
House Martin at Paralimni Lake on 11 Feb
9 Ruddy Shelducks were amongst c230 Greater Flamingos at Parllimni Lake late on Monday afternoon. Little Egrets had increased to at least 10 with 1 Great White and several Grey Herons. 28 Ruffs were present with 1 Wood Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Swallows numbered at least 200 and a female Marsh Harrier cruised over the Lake. I awoke on Tuesday morning to find a Serin singing in the garden on my way to the gym – shock, horror – yes it does happen!
On Tuesday, I invested time at Gulserin Pond in the hope of finding a Common Gull. Without luck, the things you invest time in whilst in Cyprus – remarkable! Anyway as I watched the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls coming to roost, an Audouin’s Gull flew in briefly and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls rested. 2 Penduline Tits emerged from the reeds and 8 Black-winged Stilts were flushed. 4 Pintails remained but there wasn’t much else happening. Of interest amongst the 20 or so migrating Swallows were a couple showing characters of the Levantine Sssp transitive – a liitle larger and redder on the underside.
With a gale force wind blowing on Wednesday, I headed to Cape Greco, but even in this blow nothing was doing. A Sandwich Tern fished in heavy seas and a couple of Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls drifted by. At Paralimni Lake on the way home c300 Barn Swallows were present with c250 Greater Flamingos, however the Ruddy Shelducks appear to have moved on. On the wires amongst the Swallows were my first House Martins* of the year. 21 Ruffs, 3 Redshanks and a Black-winged Stilt were on the north side of the lake, where a Black Francolin could be heard calling.
In the morning as I walked around camp, a Serin sang from some conifers, a Black Redstart quivered on the tennis court fence and I flushed at least 4 Wood Larks as I headed down to the admin office. The weekly JUMBO excursion provided me a little time in the Oroklini area. At JUMBO Drain, 8 Spur-winged Plovers had taken residence, with a Moorhen and several Black-headed Gulls. The site may be coming into its own again but it’s still a far cry from the excellent site it was a year ago. At Oroklini Marsh, at least 8 Chiffchaffs were very active and above me an influx of at least 50 Common Swifts with some hirundines mixed in provided the next year tick. A pair of Red Crested Pochards were in the reeds as 2 female Marsh Harriers cruised above them. A male Pintail remained and at least 10 Armenian Gulls* were present amongst the Black-heads with a 3 winter Yellow-legged Gull*. 89 Greater Flamingos were still present and a lone Black-winged Stilt was with the Spur-winged Plovers. At the coast 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls were loafing at the back of a raft of Black-heads and were complete with black hoods.
A Serin sang once more outside the house on Friday morning as I went to work. I didn’t manage to get out on Friday afternoon and with Valentine’s Night in the Mess in the evening, I stayed in and watched the Rugby on Saturday. On Sunday I visited Cape Greco in the hope of some early migrants – which failed. However, a female Finsch’s Wheatear was with a cracking male, 2 Blue Rock Thrushes were in the area with several Black Redstarts, but perhaps the surprise were 2 Mistle Thrushes with the commoner Song Thrushes. A Long-legged Buzzard headed off the cape and out to sea whilst a Yellow-legged Gull loafed offshore. I moved onto Ayias Trias where 9 Grey Plovers were on the rocks with a Little Egret.
Paralimni Lake held 9 Ruddy Shelducks once more amongst the c250 Flamingos and a pair of Avocets was a surprise. In the afternoon we headed to the north where the highlight was an Audouin’s Gull at Clapsides Beach. I returned home early as there was not much occurring and watched the rugby.
Highlights of the Week: The arrival of Swifts and House Martins but migration seems to be a bit behind last year perhaps because of the unsettled weather in the last week.
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 8 Feb 15
Female White-headed Duck at Mia Milia Sewage Works on 7 Feb
February has arrived, Swallows are well and truly in and a couple of Swifts have also been seen – migration is underway! A singing Serin and a mobile Black Redstart on camp brightened the day and in the evening, with the light improving, I managed to get to Fresh Water Lake South for half an hour. That said, there wasn’t much there. 5 Swallows passed overhead, 53 Cormorants came to roost and along with the c350 Cattle Egrets, the 2 Glossy Ibises remained faithful and roosted with them. The significance being that I’ve seen Glossy Ibises in every month of the year of Cyprus; they are not usually known to overwinter. A couple of Cetti’s Warblers were very audible, however that was about it for the day.
A bit of shopping in Paralimini on Tuesday allowed me to visit the lake and Ayias Trias. At the coast, 2 adult Audouin’s Gulls* loafed and posed for the camera. What a beautiful Gull they are! Anyway, there were no Plovers on the rocks surprisingly so we went and did the shopping before looking at Paralimni Lake. The 9 Ruddy Shelducks were still present amongst the c150 Greater Flamingos and 1 Great White Egret fed on the fringes. Circa 30 Swallows were hawking over the lake – they have arrived! 18 Ruff flew over the lake and as I scanned I saw 4 Wood Sandpipers, obviously early migrants and a Common Snipe. 3 Water Pipits and 2 Meadow Pipits flushed and I could hear several Cetti’s Warblers. A single Black-winged Stilt appeared and before I left the Grey Herons numbered 11 and the Little Egrets 6.
A mid week visit to Cape Greco provided 2 female Finsch’s Wheatear in their usual wintering haunts by the sea caves and under the Army Post Cliffs. 2 male Blue Rock Thrushes were also there along with 1 Black Redstart. A male Sardinian Warbler was vocal as was a male Peregrine that passed overhead, pausing briefly above the cliffs. Chukars were much in evidence as were Song Thrushes – good to see and surprised there are any left alive after the recent round of mindless Cypriot slaughter. On to Ayia Thekla and after much searching and 2 Little Egrets, I found my quarry in the form of 9 Greater Sand Plovers, the largest count this winter.
On Thursday, dropping Deb in Larnaca and picking up the US birder I headed off to the usual sites. 4 Black-necked Grebes on the sewage works were of interest but nothing much else was doing. 6 Ruffs were on the Airport Pool South and several Swallows passed overhead. On the main salt lake a nice adult Slender-billed Gull was with the many Black-heads. At the north end of the lake, Water Pipits, Meadow Pipits, a female Marsh Harrier and the usual waders and although a wintering Green Sandpiper was present the Marsh Sandpiper had moved on.
On Friday, a quick visit to the north produced 14 Pintails at Gulserin Marsh with c150 Greater Flamingos and at Silver Beach a Greenshank and 17 Shelducks. On to Fresh Water Lake South where a single drake Ferruginous Duck loitered and 8 Yellow-legged Gulls passed overhead on the way to roost. With it being fairly quiet I left before the roosting birds started to appear.
Saturday was a KUSKOR field trip and we met at Five Finger Mountain (Besparmak (TU) or Pentydactylos (GR)) – so many names for 1 place – crazy but that’s the politics of birding in Cyprus. We continued to what is known as Kyrenia Rock, a viewpoint at Alevkaya. Here we first heard and then saw the pair of breeding Ravens – a rare sight indeed these days and they were joined by a male Peregrine. In the nearby conifers, a Great Tit, 2 Goldcrests and a pair of Sardinian Warblers. I also saw my first 2 Cleopatras of the year. We met the remainder of the group at Demirhan Roundabout and continued to the nearby pools. The fields contained Corn Buntings, Skylarks and at least 8 Calandra Larks. A Bluethroat was near a muddy, wet semi-pond and was joined by a singing Chiffchaff and a lone Song Thrush. As Fan-tailed Warblers displayed, a stunning male Hen Harrier quartered in the distance. Erecting a couple of Roller nest boxes, a male Peregrine passed overhead at Mia Milia Sewage Works. The lagoons contained the usual wildfowl with good numbers of Pochards being present – not common in the south. We came to a lagoon that contained what appeared to be the majority of wildfowl. A pair of Gadwalls, several Shellduck, Pochards and many Mallards. In amongst the Shovelers, I paused to see a female White-headed Duck – amazed, I got the rest of the group onto it and took some record shots as it was a little distant for my camera – all the same the images saved me a thousand words on the rarity report. Submitted, it turns out that it’s the 15th record since the 1980s of a species that has become increasingly scarce in recent years. Happy with that I heard a Moustached Warbler singing and as I left the site 4 Spur-winged Plovers took flight. As I drove the road to the Fresh Water Lakes, I passed a Great White Egret in a flooded field at Pirhan.
I stopped at the north lake first and 22 Redshanks were present with c60 Spur-winged Plovers, amongst them were 2 Ruffs. A Great White Egret alighted with 2 Grey Herons and my first female Sparrowhawk of the year passed to my left. I once again rejoined the group at the south lake where a couple of Marsh Harriers flew to roost. With good numbers of Cattle Egrets coming to roost, they were soon joined by 62 Cormorants, c2500 passing overhead and the last to arrive the pair of Glossy Ibises. 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and a Reshank were on the far bank and a pair of Spur-winged Plovers appeared to be looking to nest.
On Sunday a brief visit to Akhna Dam before going shopping produced a Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, c30 Corn Buntings and the regular Little Owl. On the platforms off Dhekelia Power Station 5 Shags loafed. The end of a productive week which finished with a roast dinner and my first beer of 2015 – Dry January was extended due to its success, but alas the draw of a cold KEO became irresistible!
Highlights of the Week: A Female White-headed Duck and 9 Greater Sand Plovers was a good count with Audouin’s Gulls always being a treat when posing for the camera.
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 1 Feb 15
Common Buzzard -Phassouri Reed Beds 31Jan.
So, the end of the first month of 2015 and the year list stands at a very respectable 134 – 7 better than last January and 14 better than 2013, so a good start, although I’ll only be here for half a year and miss the autumn migration. I was unable to get out on Monday but a visit to the polyclinic in Limassol allowed me a quick look at Zakaki which held a Marsh Harrier a Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. There were plenty of Armenian and Caspian Gulls at Lady’s Mile but nothing remarkable. On Tuesday afternoon I visited Paralimni Lake and the 9 Ruddy Shelducks were still in residence. Great White Egrets numbered 3 amongst the commoner Grey Herons and Little Egrets. Ruffs had increased to 11 and 2 Common Snipe flushed. With Greater Flamingo numbers at 137 and a couple of Marsh Harriers flying around, which concluded the day, save for a mixed flock of Dunlins, Little Stints and Kentish Plovers.
Wednesday’s visit to the North was eventful. At Silver Beach, my first Greenshank of the year was with a pair of Redshanks, a Curlew flew in and 3 Shelducks were on the lagoons. 14 Flamingos were present before I carried on to Clapsides Beach which was quiet. A Little Egret was on the rocks with many gulls which were hiding beyond the rocks and were unidentifiable. I did however see a pair of Turnstones and although I’ve seen them there in early 2013, they are usually only reported from the Paphos Headland. At Gulserin 125 Flamingos were present with good numbers of wildfowl including 7 Shelducks, 52 Shovelers, 28 Pintails and c200 Teal. With not much else happening I finished the day at Fresh Water Lake South. The pair of Glossy Ibises continue to roost with the Cattle Egrets, 3 Mash Harriers flew to roost at the north lake and a lone Ferruginous Duck appeared from the reeds. Starling numbers were much reduced and I waited to count 55 Cormorants flying to roost in the eucalyptus trees.
On Thursday, I took a US birder out for the day in the Larnaca area. Since she’d not birded in Europe previously, it was an eventful day for her with some good sightings. 5 Curlews and a female Black Francolin were at the sewage works, with Wigeon and Black-necked Grebes on the lagoons. Another Curlew was at the airport fields and 3 Black-winged Stilts were on Spiro’s Pool. Opposite on the beach 4 Dunlins, 3 Little Stints and c50 Kentish Plovers were all lifers for Caitlin – I envy those who have just started birding – they still have it all to see! Shelducks, Shovelers and numerous Flamingos were on the main salt lake and at the north end, the Marsh Sandpiper was still present and a Spotted Redshank flew over calling. I got a 1st winter Med Gull in the scope and several adults were a little further out. A Marsh Harrier was overhead which flushed a solitary Green Sandpiper and some Song Thrushes.
At Oroklini coast we stopped for some lunch and viewed 7 Sandwich Terns and another adult Med Gull which added to the adult Slender-billed Gull that I’d seen earlier before the pickup. An adult Baltic Gull flew by heading purposefully west and an adult Armenian Gull and 2nd winter Caspian Gull were on the nearby Oroklini Marsh – a good day for Gulls. Pintails were on the marsh and a walk around the south end produced a Bluethroat, Grey Wagtail, female Reed Warbler, several Water Pipits and 3 Black-winged Stilts. 2 pairs of Red-crested Pochards are now in the area with the 40 or so Lapwings and several Spur-winged Plovers also proving to be popular. We stopped in Larnaca for a coffee before I departed and stopped at Akhna Dam on the way home which is still proving to be very unproductive. 2 Redshanks, 2 Grey Herons and a Great White Egret were all that was on offer on the water’s edge. Try as I may, as I scanned 10s of Chaffinches, Corn Buntings and Serins, I couldn’t find a Brambling.
On Saturday we journeyed to Troodos to stay the night via the Limassol and Akrotiri sites. There weren’t really any highlights at either location so we continued to Troodos. The snow was still lying and the cloud cover was very low and it was raining. The only new bird for the year that I saw was a couple of Coal Tits. We settled down for a night of DVDs and I typed up some records for the KUSKOR annual bird report. Sunday was a glorious day, it couldn’t have been more of a difference from Saturday. After breakfast we got out early and I had not gone more than 200m from the camp when a flock of birds flew past me calling. A sizeable flock of Yellowhammers. With yellow markings and rufous under tail coverts, I couldn’t managed to find a Pine Bunting but it’ll be worth another look later this month. Knocking around the various Troodos sites, I found, several Jays and Short-toed Treecreepers but no Wrens or Crossbills. A Goldcrest was a good find at Giant Juniper Picnic Site and a Mistle Thrush was heard at Levadi Tou Pasha Picnic Site. I retraced my tracks to where I’d started but there weren’t as many Yellowhammers as there had been previously. I drove a track that I hadn’t been on before and came across a large flock of Chaffinches. I watched them feed on the side of the road and in the bare patches between the snow. Amazingly, there it was, a male Brambling and a Cyprus “tick” for me – my 4th this year! I secured good views of this much sought after winter visitor but with the birds being very flighty, I couldn’t get a photo of the birds before they took flight and disappeared over a nearby ridge. A good moment though!
We continued down the mountain via Limassol but again there was nothing really to write home about. I did stop and photograph a Buzzard which was perched on a post before moving on. Stopping at Larnaca Sewage Works, a Black-necked Grebe was the highlight with 2 drake Wigeon also being note able. 3 Black-winged Stilts were on Spiro’s Pool and on Larnaca Airport Pool South a huge number of large Gulls. Mostly 1st winter Caspians but many adult Armenians and amongst them an adult Siberian and Baltic Gull. 6 Ruffs flew in whilst I was departing. At Larnaca Salt Lake, Shelducks and Shovelers were present in good numbers and I then spotted a flock of 24 Black-necked Grebes – the highest this winter. At Oroklini on the way home I saw my first to Swallows of the year and a female Marsh Harrier. The end of a fairly productive week had arrived.
Highlights of the Week: A fine male Brambling bringing my Cyprus list to 317.
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 Jan 15
Crimson-winged Finch at Mandria on 20 Jan.
It’s still not quite bright enough to get out after work on a Monday but next week it could be a possibility. So Tuesday, a day’s leave and another early departure for the Crimson-winged Finch at Mandria near Paphos. I am getting sick of seeing the full-frame images of this bird. It seems Me and Bill Stacey are now the only birders not to have managed to connect with the bird! I picked Bill up on the way at Limassol and proceeded to Mandria arriving at about 0730. 2 other birders were already in situ with cameras at the ready. With us spread out looking in different areas, I received a phone call from Colin Richardson saying he’d found it! I rushed to his location only to find the bird had flown. About 20 minutes later Matt Smith said he could see the bird on a rock about 200 meters away. Scope on it – BINGO, a male Crimson-winged Finch*. The bird stayed on view for about a minute or so and then flew towards the beach. I found it again on a small mound. Later with at least 6 people looking the bird was found again foraging on the beach – with a female. We continued to watch gaining some photos*.
We relocated to Asprokremnos Dam and looked for the reported Goldcrest – not an easy bird on Cyprus. We found at least 2 with a Black Redstart, a couple of Great Tits and several Sardinian Warblers in the area with a Long-legged Buzzard passing overhead. On the opposite side of the dam, we saw a couple of Cyprus Warblers briefly before returning to Mandria. At Mandria the Crimson-winged Finches were soon relocated feeding on some seed heads. That was a relief with only my 3rd lifer in Cyprus in the bag – I had found the other 2 myself so this was really the only serious twitch during my time on the island so far.
Bill and I returned to Limassol via Happy Valley at Episkopi where we saw 6 Griffon Vultures – a good count these days. At Zakaki Marsh, it was fairly quiet but a male Penduline Tit was a bonus with a couple of Water Pipits, a Kingfisher, a Snipe and a Green Sandpiper putting in appearances. I dropped Bill off (the journey home was much more enjoyable today having not dipped) and proceeded to Larnaca and Oroklini Marsh. 104 Flamingos and 214 Cattle Egrets was a good count but I soon found a year tick with 1 Drake and 3 Red Crested Pochard females slowly drifting into the reeds and out of site. I returned home and Deb was also delighted that I’d seen the Finch, bearing in mind that she’d suffered me dipping twice previously. A great kebab at the local grill and it was the end of a great day!
In the late morning on Wednesday I visited Akhna Dam briefly where a pair of Great White Egrets were with a Grey Heron and a Marsh Harrier quartered the reed bed, flushing at least 7 Reed Buntings. With nothing else happening I carried onto Paralimni Lake and the group of 9 Ruddy Shelducks were present with 117 Flamingos. Another 2 Great White Egrets were with several Little Egrets and Grey Herons. Careful scanning with the scope brought a single Lapwing and a year tick in the form of a group of 7 Ruff.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was a trip over the north. At Silver Beach a single Curlew. Lapwing and Redshank were seen. A single Shelduck remained and 2 Snipe were flushed. At Clapsides Beach 3 Curlews were in the surf and amongst the many Caspian, Yellow-legged and Armenian Gulls were 2 adult Siberian Gulls. Moving along to Gulserin Pond, c150 Greater Flamingos were feeding and amongst them were good numbers of wildfowl including c20 Pintails. 2 Penduline Tits called from the reeds and 9 Shelducks were present on the water with 5 Black-winged Stilts feeding along the water’s edge. Fresh Water Lake South was fairly standard with 4 Ferruginous Ducks and a Great White Egret coming to roost with the Catle Egrets, Grey Herons and the remaining, over wintering pair of Glossy Ibises.
Thursday brought another visit to the north but this time a little further afield at Koprulu. On route I saw a Lapwing on a muddy flash, several Corn Buntings, Stonechats and a ring tail Hen Harrier. Arriving at Koprulu, the site was still looking great with the water being retained. Consequently there were thousands of wildfowl and not having the time to do a count I concentrated on the less numerous species. 3 Black-necked Grebes were amongst the hundreds of Coots as were 13 Pochards including 2 drakes. As I continued to scan I found 4 Ferruginous Ducks, 13 Wigeon and 10 Shelducks amongst the throng of Shovelers, Mallards and Teal. As I counted the Greater Flamingos which numbered 107 in the background I noticed 2 birds that I had not recorded for the site previously, with 2 Greater White-fronted Geese being present. At least 5 female type Marsh Harriers were in the area and finally I spotted 2 drake Pintails. I travelled back via Fresh Water Lake North and managed to find another area near to the water where I saw numerous White Wagtails, a single Redshank and Green Sandpiper. As I departed a hand full of Spur-winged Plovers alighted noisily.
Friday afternoon and with some shopping due I worked in a visit to Ayia Napa Sewage Works, although only a Common Sandpiper and 3 Song Thrushes were seen. Of note were the first Orchids of the year with Barlia roberitiana (Giant Orchid) and Orchis collina (Fan-lipped Orchid) being in flower with the rare Orchis papillionacea palistina (Caspian Butterfly Orchid) having the green plant leaves well established. I carried on to Paralimini Lake where at least 2 Great White Egrets and the 9 Ruddy Shelducks remained. Circa 120 Greater Flamingos remained and a few Grey Herons were dotted about.
With news of a large flock of Black-bellied Sangrouse being reported from the north at Cape Kormakiti, Saturday was set aside in an attempt to see them. Obviously brought in by the weather system that brought the Crimson-winged Finches and Little Swifts, seeing 1 Sandgrouse in Cyprus is hard enough so this was an opportunity not to be missed. My friends from KUSKOR (special thanks to Birtan – who found the birds), had provided me with a Google Earth map of the area with pins in the places where the birds had been seen in the past 2 weeks. Deb and I set off at about 0630, crossed the border at Astromertitis and drove through Morphou before reaching Kankanli Dam. Here the highlight was 133 Pochards – a good count, several Wigeon and a Black-necked Grebe. 9 Gadwalls were present and a female Marsh Harrier passed by. However, no Sangrouse – 1 had been seen in the area a week before and over the past couple of years this has been a popular site for them. Alas, onto Cape Kormakiti. I drove through Sadrazamkoy and onto the Cape. At the lighthouse, 52 Golden Plovers were present but not much else. I then saw a car full of Turkish and Greek Cypriot photographers including Birtan. They said they’d seen the flock of Sandgrouses about 10 minutes ago and showed me some distant video footage – so they were still in the area. We both drove various tracks and as the other car rounded a hill, a large flock of Black-bellied Sandgrouses took flight. We followed them around trying to relocated them and as I was walking up the hillock, they took off again about 20 meters in front of me, allowing for cracking flight views. The birds landed in a field about 200 meters away briefly and then took to the sky again flying around and landing in a distant field out of view. They then took off again and couldn’t be relocated. But a very pleasing Cyprus “tick” with exceptionally close flight views. A ringtail Hen Harrier flushed a Song Thrush before I departed for Nicosia’s IKEA and a celebratory meat ball lunch – what else? I paused at Oroklini Marsh on the way home, where 2 female Red-crested Pochards were with 2 Gadwalls and 58 Greater Flamingos remained. At Dolphin Rocks – Oroklini Coast an adult Med Gull was with the Black-headed Gulls and a 1st winter Caspian Gull loafed nearby.
On Sunday I left home at about 0900 heading for the Larnaca area. The sewage works was fairly dull with 2 Black-necked Grebes and 4 Wigeon being notable. 23 Greater Flamingos were on Spiro’s Pool as were 2 Black-winged Stilts. The beach held a few Dunlins, a Little Stint and a couple of Kentish Plovers as a Sandwich Tern flew by at sea. I decided to visit the north side of Larnaca Salt Lake where I had seen a bit of a Gull roost forming. As I walked the foreshore of the lake, I flushed a Green Sandpiper, several Meadow Pipits and a Water Pipit. As I looked amongst the Dunlins, Ringed Plovers, Little Stints, Kentish Plovers and Redshanks a very white wader drew my attention. I quickly had the scope on the first Marsh Sandpiper of the year – a nice winter plumaged adult. 2 pairs of Spur-winged Plovers were very vocal as 2 Marsh Harriers soared above me. I got to a position to view the Gulls and to my surprise the majority were Mediterranean Gulls with 10 adults, 1 2nd winter and 2 1st winters being present. As I drove away from the area past the aqueduct, a bird called from the damp drain which proved to be a smart looking Grey Wagtail. After the obligatory KFC for lunch I walked the south end of Oroklini Marsh where 40 Lapwings remained. A Ruddy Shelduck and 6 Common Shelducks were a surprise but the pair of Red-crested Pochards were expected. 3 Black-winged Stilts were still present and a small group of Dunlins and Little Stints were flushed by the restless Redshanks. At Dolphin Rocks a pair of Sandwich Terns rested but that was all so I carried on the finish the day at Akhna Dam. The Little Owl was back in its usual roost site and I saw my fist Black Francolin of the year, scurrying underneath the tamarisks. I returned home after a very productive week and the year list resting on 126, 1 short of last year’s January haul.
Highlights of the Week: Naturally a LIFER – a pair of Crimson-winged Finches at Mandria and 35 Black-bellied Sandgrouse was an exceptional number at Cape Kormakiti – the year has started well, although I expect to be back in the UK in Aug, so I need to get my skates on, if I am to reach 220 for the year by then.
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 18 Jan 15
The Long Staying Striated Heron at Zakaki Marsh on 15 Jan.
As is the norm no birding on a Monday at this time of year. On Tuesday the 13th I visited Paralimni Lake where 9 Ruddy Shelducks were new arrivals. Greater Flamingos numbered 43 and were supported by Grey Herons, Little Egrets and a single Great White Egret. I flushed a Green Sandpiper which was a year tick and 4 Common Snipe. A female Marsh Harrier flushed the waders that were present and when they rearranged, 2 Ringed Plovers and c20 Dunlins were noted as a Song Thrush flew from the tamarisks.
Visiting Paralimni early on Wednesday on route to Cape Greco revealed that the Ruddy Shelducks were still present with the Flamingos and 4 Lapwings hid in the grass, A Common Shelduck was new as were a pair of Shovelers but there was little else of interest. Onward to Cape Greco and as it was a bit windy the Cyprus Warblers were keeping low. However, Spectacled and Sardinian Warblers were quite conspicuous. Song Thrushes were present in large numbers as were Stonechats although a female Blackbird was a surprise in a lowland location. 8 Yellow-legged Gulls passed by in the windy conditions and a couple of Black Redstarts kept low. At the Sea Caves, my first visit in a long time, I quickly spotted a female Finsch’s Wheatear and Crested Larks were numerous. I drove to Oroklini where 3 Armenian Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls were present with 4 Gadwalls (unusual for the site) and 45 Greater Flamingos. A Black-necked Grebe was notable but otherwise if was fairly mundane.
As I passed Kiti Pools in Larnaca, c400 Greater Flamingos were feeding and across the road on Larnaca Airport Pool South I could see a good number of large Gulls roosting. Walking across the fields to get to a point where I could scope the birds, I flushed a female Marsh Harrier. As I scoped the mainly Armenian Gulls, I noted at least 9 Caspians and then came across a bird sleeping with a partial diffused black hood and white eyelids. I watched further and as the bird stood up, with its posture, head shape, bill colouration and size, it was clear that it was a 2nd winter Great (Pallas’) Black-headed Gull. 11 Flamingos were on Spiro’s Pool which is looking very full and deep, however there was nothing else visible. At the sewage works 2 Black-necked Grebes consorted with a Great Crested Grebe* but it was fairly unremarkable. I drove to Parthenitis Dam, a seldom visited site, where I flushed a Green Sandpiper from the pig slurry pits (not a particularly enjoyable experience) but by far the most interesting sighting of the day so far was an immature Black Kite being mobbed by a couple of Jackdaws at it headed purposefully east. At Dolphin Rocks, Oroklini another adult Mediterranean Gull* was present which posed for the camera but was just a bit too far away for a crisp image. Akhna Dam was predictably birdless which is becoming rather to frequent, but again several Hooded Crows mobbed a Black Kite – sure the same one that was seen earlier at Parthenitis Dam. I left the site with a couple of year ticks under the belt. As I drove the back road to the Dam, I noticed several grey pigeon like birds in the fields. Without much trouble, as the birds took off, of which there were 5 – A Cyprus tick and a difficult bird to catch up with – Stock Doves*.
After hearing the news of a Crimson-winged Finch (2nd for Cyprus) at Mandria near Paphos on my return home, there was only 1 option for Thursday as it was too late for me to get there on Wednesday and have light left. So, on Thursday, I departed for Mandria at 0500 arriving on site at just after 0700. Immediately, there was a large flock of Linnets and Finches. Scanning through the birds, a bloody dog walker and a yappy shit of a dog dispersed the flock. This coupled with another bloody dog walker and from that moment onwards it was all over. I did however add a year tick with a single Red-throated Pipit being seen and heard amongst the commoner Meadow Pipits. Despite several people looking for the bird, it wasn’t to be. It didn’t show and I DIPPED! It didn’t show for the whole day but with the current weather system over Cyprus, it’s unlikely that it will depart so hopefully it’ll be re-located. I returned hope with that all too familiar depression that results from twitching and dipping – I really is the pits! I stopped at Zakaki Marsh seeing a Kingfisher and a female Marsh Harrier and then met a visiting birder – Bill Stacey and together we saw the Striated Heron* sitting in the open once more. I took bill to Finikaria at the head of Germasoiga Dam where 2 Crag Martins were present and soon, on cue an adult Long-legged Buzzard appeared. With nothing else doing, I dropped Bill at his hotel and returned to the Larnaca area for a look at Oroklini Dam. At the dam 48 Lapwings were above me flushed by a male Peregrine and 2 female Marsh Harriers. A male Reed Bunting called from the reeds and a couple of Chiffchaffs flitted about with a Black Redstart. 3 Black-winged Stilts were present still and a Stone Curlew flushed from the marsh. The single Black-necked Grebe remained and that was it for the day.
On Friday I visited the North . Gulserin Pond had filled somewhat with 18 Pintails, a couple of Shovelers, many Teal and Mallards being present. 8 Black-winged Stilts were present, probably relocated from Fresh Water Lake North and amongst the 114 Flamingos, 7 Shelduck were feeding. Clapsides beach was interesting with 7 1st winter Caspian Gulls with 3 adult Armenian Gulls and close scrutiny revealed and adult Siberian (Heuglin’s) Gull with them. The rocks had a Sandwich Tern and 3 Shags resting and a Kingfisher, Little Grebe and Little Egret were in the channels from the beach to the marsh. On to Silver Beach where another 8 Shelducks were feeding with Teals and 29 Flamingos. A Snipe and Redshank flushed and a Grey Heron hid amongst the vegetation. At Fresh Water Lake North, viewing was difficult once more but it’s a reliable place for Wigeon of which there were 20 or so with c120 Flamingos also being present. The highlight at Fresh Water Lake South was a calling and flying Penduline Tit – they’ve been scarce this winter and it was my first for the year. The pair of Glossy Ibises remained faithful to the Cattle Egret roost and a single drake Ferruginous Duck was amongst the many Coots. A female Blackbird was unusual for the site and a couple of Marsh Harriers flew over heading to the north lake as the usual Cormorants flew in the opposite direction to roost in the eucalyptus trees. Returning home, I found that the Crimson-winged Finch had been seen again – Arrrgghhhhh, with a full-frame picture to boot!
On Saturday it was an early start for Mandria once more picking up Bill Stacey at Limassol on the way. All aboard, we arrived at Mandria at about 0730 where another birder was already in attendance. 6 hours of looking – NO BLOODY FINCH AGAIN!!!!! – THAT IS ALL. I did however photograph a male Sardinian Warbler* as it sang – scant consolation! A Sandwich Tern flew by and an immature Shag was in its usual place on the rocks, whilst 35 Golden Plovers were in the fields. We finished at Anarita Park where a nice male Finsch’s Wheatear continues to winter along with a male Blue Rock Thrush. At Lady’s Mile, 4 Dunlins were with 19 Little Stints. The long depressing journey home seemed to take a while for some reason.
I visited Paralimni Lake early on Sunday morning where the 9 Ruddy Selducks had been joined by a Greater White-fronted Goose. 101 Greater Flamingos were present and a single Great White Egret was with 11 Grey Herons and 2 Little Egrets. Stopping at Ayias Trias fishing shelter, 3 each of Grey and Greater Sand Plovers were on the rocks with a Kentish Plover. After lunch we visited the north for a shave and haircut and concluded the week at Fresh Water Lake South, Famagusta. Ferruginous Ducks were not at 3, The 2 Glossy Ibises roosted with the Cattle Egrets, not so many Starlings flew to roost and a couple of Marsh Harriers flew over. Song Thrushes and 2 male Blackbirds were conspicuous and at least 6 Chiffchaffs caught flies from the reeds.
Highlights of the Week: A Penduline Tit was a good find and seeing the long-staying Cyprus 1st was also a good year tick.
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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