Army Ornithological SocietyBlog Category | Overseas Birding
Cyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 5 Jan 14
Stonechat at Larnaca Salt Lake North on 1 Jan
* Indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
On the 30th, I went out with a UK Birder - Simon Buckingham - in a quest to get a handful on the wish list. As it was we found 4 of the 5 required species including a mal Finsch’s Wheatear at Anarita Park, Moustached Warbler at Bishop’s Pool, a pair of Bonelli’s Eagles at Asprokremnos Dam with a year tick for me in the form of 3 Great Crested Grebes and numerous Armenian Gulls on Lady’s Mile.
A Reed Bunting was a good Cyprus wintering species at Phassouri Reed Beds as was a female Pochard at Bishop’s Pool. A couple of Sandwich Terns loafed at Lady’s Mile and a male Blue Rock Thrush was at Anarita Park. We quickly stopped at Kensington Cliffs on our return to Limassol in the hope of a chance Wallcreeper but as is the norm it was unproductive. We did however see a couple of Long-legged Buzzards, 4 Griffon Vultures and a Sparrowhawk,. Thanks to Simon for a good day out – it’s always nice to go out birding with a like minded individual rather than being on your own.
I stopped at Larnaca Sewage Works on the way back, where the Greylag and White-fronted Geese remained with the usual Black-necked Grebes. 5 Curlews on the Airport Fields were a surprise as they have been quite scarce so far this winter. On New Years’ Eve, I visited Akhna Dam briefly where 5 Great White Egrets was a good count and at Ay Nik, a Little Owl was the last bird of the year. The year closed with a list of 268 including all identifiable sub-species and forms (Wagtails & Bluethroat). More are possible as I missed some note-able and fairly easy birds – the Near Year beckons.
New Year’s Day! The race was on and the day ended in a fairly respectable 71 species as opposed to 74 last year. All the usual common species were in their regular haunts but 3 Pintails at Oroklini was as good find, whilst a Marsh Sandpiper at Larnaca Sewage Works was exceptional. Circa 250 Golden Plovers and a male Hen Harrier were at Larnaca Airport Pools South and on the North pool, 28 Dunlin and 5 Pintails. The Geese and wildfowl remained at the sewage works with the Greylag being a good one to get on the ’14 list. At the north end of Larnaca Salt Lake, 3 Reed Buntings were a good sighting with c30 Common Snipe being expected and a single Jack Snipe being a bonus. With nothing else to photograph, I succumbed and grabbed a shot of a nice male Stonechat* for the BLOG. Gulserin Pond in the north held good numbers of Dunlins and Little Stints but nothing exceptional but a Common Gull amongst the Yellow-legs, Caspians and Black-headed Gulls at Fresh Water Lake South was a great find.
On the 2nd, I visited the coast at Ayia Thekla racking up Greater Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Common Sandpiper and on the way a flock of 32 Stone Curlews in ploughed fields. At Kermia Beach a lone adult Audouin’s Gull kept the total ticking over. At Cape Greco Army Cliffs, a female Finsch’s Wheatear was a result, a male Blue Rock Thrush sang and the usual resident sylvias were present but alarmingly no Cyprus Warbler which was a surprise.
Having missed a couple of Great Black-headed Gulls already, I did a tour of the local haunts. None were present at Larnaca Sewage Works or salt lake although the first Siberian (Heuglin’s) Gull of the winter was a consolation. 8 Mediterranean Gulls were roosting on the salt lake with 1 2nd winter and 6 Ruffs were amongst the Lapwings at the sewage works. I drove to Limassol for a look but only Armenian Gulls were present. I met up with Colin Richardson and we did a tour of the Limassol sites, seeing Moustached Warbler, Water Rail, Pochard, Ferruginous Ducks, Grey Wagtail and an immature Bonelli’s Eagle at Bishop’s Pool. A Sparrowhawk flew over the road on the way to Phassouri Reed Beds which were fairly unproductive whilst I was there. Colin stayed around for a couple of hours and had some luck seeing a Bittern, Common Crane and an amazing sighting of a Great Snipe which was probably the first January record!
Saturday the 4th and an early morning visit to Gulserin Pond in the north produced an adult and a 1st winter Common Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls. Common Gull is a difficult species in Cyprus and always good to catch up with as it is by no means an easy species to see every year. At Akhna Dam a Greenshank, Greenfinches, Spanish Sparrows were additions to the list whilst another 2 Ruffs appeared to indicate that a small movement of the species had taken place. The 3 Wigeon (1 drake) remained in situ. With still no Great Black-headed Gull in the bag I visited the coastal sights again where I added a Curlew at Silver Beach in the North and another 9 at Larnaca Sewage Works in the afternoon. 3 Gadwall and a Grey Plover were on the lagoons and a female Hen and Marsh Harrier harassed the wildfowl. The first week of the year ended on 96 species, 4 less than last year – note to self, “Must Try Harder”!
Highlight of the Week: A good start to the 2014 list and good to find the first Siberian Gull of the winter with Common Gulls in the north.
Look Forward: I’m desperate to catch up with a Great Black-headed Gull and a few outstanding wintering species.
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 29 Dec
Greylag Goose at Larnaca Sewage Works on 25 Dec
* Indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site.
I visited Akhna Dam on Monday and a drake Gadwall was unusual. A Sparrowhawk was the first for the month, as was a Long-legged Buzzard. With Deb at work, I visited the North to have a look at Koprulu, which was very dry with few birds present. I did see several Golden Plovers on route and 4 Wood Larks were feeding with Meadow Pipits, Crested Larks and Corn Buntings. I drove the fields around Gulvercinlik and this produced large numbers of Calandra and Skylarks, with Calandras becoming difficult in the south, they were a good find. On the way to Gulserin Pond, which now has water, I stopped at Clapsides Beach. In the surf were 2 Audouin’s Gulls, an Armenian Gull, several Yellow-legged Gulls, a Sandwich Tern, Grey Plover and a Curlew. A lone adult Greater Flamingo in the sea was a bit of an odd sighting. At Gulserin Pond a Spotted Redshank was good to see, with good numbers of Dunlin and Little Stint. A Sparrowhawk flushed everything a couple of times but an adult Armenian Gull was obvious. Later in the day at Akhna, a good number of Red-throated Pipits were in the fields behind the dam with c80 Corn Buntings and 4 Great White Egrets were scattered around the dam.
Unlikely as it seems on Christmas Day, I twitched a Greylag Goose* at Larnaca Sewage Works. Only in Cyprus would you do such a thing, but with an addition to the Cyprus Year List and the first record since 2005, it was a “must see” bird. Safely in the bag along with 13 Greater White-fronted Geese* and a superb male Hen Harrier with 224 Golden Plovers on Spiro’s Pool, Christmas Day could continue.
On Boxing Day we ventured over to the North as the shops were open and we needed some bread rolls. Silver Beach held 27 Golden Plovers and 4 Shelduck, whilst Clapsides had a Wigeon which was unusual. A shave at the barbers followed because I’m on leave and was too lazy to do it myself. The 27th at Akhna Dam was fairly dull, although the Buff-bellied Pipit was still present with Meadow Pipits and a single Water Pipit. Hung-over on the 28th, bad head stopped play!
On the 29th amidst a huge thunder storm which seemed to be island wide and following an earthquake which was of a 5.9 magnitude (and yes, the earth did move for me), I drove to Larnaca Sewage Works. It was all a bit of a washout and seldom do I sack birding in Cyprus because I can’t hold my scope still or see through the rain. Anyway, from what I did see, 2 Black-winged Stilts and a Redshank were on the lagoons with 11 Black-necked Grebes and 5 Shelducks. As I drove past the Salt Lake returning home, it was good to see 68 Greater Flamingos returning to the lake and at least 80 Shelducks on the mud at the edge of the lake. I returned home and it rained for the rest of the day.
Highlight of the Week: The Greylag Goose of course and the first record since 2005, although I had seen them in my previous tour in 1998, 99 and 2000 – they used to be more regular.
Look Forward: A New Year is looming and so to the beginning of a New Year list – childish I know, but it keeps you interested and going out.
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 22 Dec
Ruddy Shelduck Larnaca Sewage Works on 21 Dec
* Indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
So commenced another week of not much activity due to other commitments. On Monday we returned from Istanbul late in the evening and went straight to bed when we got home. On 17th, Tuesday I was waiting-on at the Juniors’ lunch and had no time to do anything. On Wednesday, the dreaded man flu struck and I went to bed for the day and finally on Thursday, I managed to get to Akhna Dam. Amongst the Meadow Pipits was the Asian Buff-bellied Pipit* again. A couple of Water Pipits were present and a Marsh Harrier was present with a pair of Wigeon making an appearance. 3 Great White Egrets were amongst good numbers of Grey Herons and a Blackbird was unusual. At Ay Nik, 2 Little Owls called to each other and sat on top of the Christmas tree (nice)! On Friday, I ventured over the north, and Gulserin Pond had some water in it attracting Shovellers, Little Stints and Dunlins. 5 Armenian Gulls were amongst the Black-headed Gulls. At Clapsides Beach, a Grey Plover was the highlight whilst at Silver Beach, 5 Golden Plovers were present with a lonely drake Wigeon and a Cetti’s, Sardinian and Spectacled Warbler made appearances. 2 adult Night Herons were at the Fresh Water Lake South with 15 Cormorants and the usual 300 or so Cattle Egrets came to roost.
On Saturday, I rose early and headed to the Larnaca area. On the airport pool south, 4 adult Armenian Gulls were harassed by female Hen Harrier and a male Black Francolin flew for the cover of the scrub as I drove by. On the lagoons, a Ruddy Shelduck*, 13 Greater White-fronted Geese, a drake Gadwall, 8 Greater Flamingos, a Sanderling, 11 Black-necked Grebe and a 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull. On Spiro’s pool 32 Golden Plovers and on the beach, a Grey Plover, Redshank and Ringed Plover were present. Larnaca Salt Lake held at least 500 Shelduck and at the northern end, I was greeted by the sight of a Wryneck – which is unusual for December. The marshy area held good numbers of Snipe, Teal, a single Temminck’s Stint and 4 female type Reed Buntings. 3 Marsh Harriers patrolled the area and good numbers of Dunlins and Little Stints were present on the salt lake. Oroklini Marsh (which has a new hide), held little of interest but a Peregrine and a Common Buzzard flew over and 12 Greater Flamingos were new. A little further along the coast at Dolphin Rocks, 4 Sandwich Tern, a Caspian Gull, and a 2nd Winter Med Gull was the highlights. Wigeon had increased to 4 at Akhna Dam and a drake Pintail was also feeding actively.
On Sunday, Deb and I went for a drive to the Cape Greco area and had lunch. A pair of migrant Common Buzzards headed out over the sea. Sardinian Warblers were much in evidence and very vocal, a female Finsch’s Wheatear was below the Army Camp cliffs, a single Chukar looked pathetic and a male Black Redstart was at the Cape Greco Pines area. 3 Audouin’s Gulls and a Little Egret were at Kermia Beach and on the way home after some searching 2 Greater Sand Plovers, a Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were found amongst the Kentish Plovers at Ayia Thekla. Another adult Audouin’s Gull loafed on the rocks at Potomas Liopetri and a Sandwich Tern was nearby.
So ended a fairly uneventful week but it got me back into the swing of it after the holiday in Istanbul.
Highlight of the Week: The Ruddy Shelduck and another sighting with photograph of the Buff-bellied Pipit.
Look Forward: With Christmas upon us predictions are low so it’s case of getting out when I can and seeing what turns up.
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 15 Dec
Alexandrine Parakeet at Gulhane Park Istanbul on 15 Dec
* Indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
On Tuesday I visited the north to get some Turkish Lira prior to the trip to Istanbul. At Clapsides Beach, 2 Curlew, 4 Grey Plover numerous Dunlins and Kentish Plovers were of interest and at Silver Beach, 4 Golden Plovers were new. I moved onto the Fresh Water Lake South and watched 304 Cattle Egrets come into roost. Whilst watching I saw a lone Great White Egret, 8 Cormorants, 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Night Herons and an adult Armenian Gull washing amongst the Black-headed Gulls but nothing very unusual.
Unseasonal poor weather across the Levant produced a rare event – an un-birdable day, very rare in Cyprus. In any event I stayed in and packed for the trip to Istanbul. On Thursday we flew to Istanbul arriving to snow and very cold conditions. Throughout the visit birds were scarce save for the ubiquitous Yellow-legged* and Black-headed Gulls. I did see 2 Sandwich Terns patrolling the Bosphorus and Cormorants and Shags were well represented with Starlings sat on the Galata Bridge. Visiting Topkapi Palace and Gulhane Park, there were the usual common woodland species with a, what appeared to be a mixed breeding colony of Alexandrine* and Ring-necked Parakeets. I was unaware that Alexandrine Parakeets had a breeding population in the Western Paleactic and although I have seen them elsewhere they did represent a European and WP “tick”, albeit from introduced stock. The usual Hooded Crows*, House Sparrows* and I was surprised to see Palm (Laughing Doves)* around the city. However in Gulhane Park, despite searching for a Syrian Woodpecker as I had heard one, I think numbers are reduced probably due to the Parakeet population taking the nest holes. There were also nest boxes for them in the park, so their expansion will be excessive. A couple of Common/Steppe Buzzards were over the Palace but generally birding was at a low and unfortunately shopping was at a high. When you arrive with a 12Kg case and leave with a 17 Kg case, you can work out for yourselves what went on!
Istanbul is a fantastic place and well worth a visit. I plan to visit again in September to catch some raptor migration across the Bosphorus.
Highlight of the Week: A mixed colony of Alexandrine* (WP “tick) and Ring-necked Parakeets in Gulhane Park, Istanbul.
Look Forward: Many species have been pushed south due to the poor weather coming down from the Arctic across the Black Sea, through Turkey and towards the Lavant so something good should turn up.
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 Dec
Female Little Bustard at Geri (Buffer Zone) on 4 Dec
* Indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
As is the norm there was no possibility of birding on Monday although going to lunch a Great Tit was present in the camp area. On the morning of the 3rd, a Black Redstart was present near to the accommodation blocks. On Tuesday afternoon which was pretty miserable and windy, I visited Akhna Dam. Water Pipits seem to have declined in numbers and the Buff-bellied Pipit was nowhere to be seen. In the fields a single Red-throated Pipit, complete with red throat was amongst c60 Corn Buntings but there wasn’t much of interest. At the dam, the now regular female Hen Harrier spooked what waders were present which included 5 Redshanks, 1 Greenshank and a Dunlin. Good numbers of Spur-winged Plovers are wintering and a single Teal flushed from the water’s edge. Meadow Pipits and Wood Larks were well represented and a male Black Francolin flew in and quickly hid in the undergrowth. On the way home at Vrysoulles, no Barn Owl but a Little Owl was present in the regular roost. I received an email late on Tuesday informing me that there was a Little Bustard in the buffer zone near a town called Geri – south of Nicosia, but no more details. It had been found by a local naturalist and photographer, George Chris.
On Wednesday at work, I received an email from Colin Richardson, informing me that access had been arranged to see the Bustard and where I had to be and at what time. As soon as I’d finished work I drove to the “twitch” – with 3 of us there that’s as big as it gets in Cyprus for the 3rd record of Little Bustard. As we drove to the area a female Hen Harrier flew over the fields, whilst several Larks and Stonechats were also present. Suddenly there was the Little Bustard*, a female not 10 yards from the car. Feeding actively and very tame, we edged closer taking some great shots and looking at its cryptic plumage in detail – a fantastic bird for Cyprus. I fear for its well being, as it is so tame and seemingly having no fear, I would have thought that the likelihood of it being shot is high. As we left the area we saw a male Finsch’s Wheatear and Black Redstart. On the way home I stopped at Larnaca Sewage Works – shame to miss an opportunity and as it’s the first visit of the month, caught up with some good species for the monthly checklist. 3 Gadwalls was a good count, 5 immature Greater Flamingos were feeding and 3 Black-necked Grebes were predictable. Shellducks have increased to 76 and Greater White-fronted Geese have reached 12. Waders represented were 1 Ruff, 5 Redshanks and 4 Little Stints. A single adult Mediterranean Gull loafed with c700 Black-heads, but generally it was all rather predictable. Spiro’s Pool held 136 Golden Plovers and the Airport fields another 31 and an adult male Peregrine Falcon. On Spiro’s Beach, 1 adult Ringed Plover and 4 Kentish Plovers was at that was available. Still, a great day out with superb views of the Little Bustard which were the best I’ve ever had anywhere in the world.
Thursday was the promotion board results and as I was unsuccessful, I got drunk anyway. On Friday, I took Deb to Nicosia before proceeding to Troodos for the station Christmas Ball. In Ledra Street, Nicosia a Grey Wagtail called and flew above me which was unexpected. The weather was horrendous in the mountains and with visibility down to about 5 metres, no birding was done. A patch of clear weather on Saturday morning allowed me to catch up with most of the mountain endemics an in the village of Omodos, several Sardinian Warblers and Serins showed periodically. A single Grey Wagtail was at the Caledonian Falls Trout Farm but with the cloud cover coming down once more that was it for the day.
On Sunday, returning home I stopped at Oroklini Marsh where a large group of Lapwings had gathered along with a single Starling. At the nearby Dolphin Rocks, a single Caspian Gull joined c170 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Sandwich Terns. Continuing the coastal theme, at Dhekelia Power Staition, at least 13 Shags had gathered. I dropped Deb at home and returned to Akhna Dam where it was very quiet, however I re-found the Asian (japonicus) Buff-bellied Pipit* and got a bit of a ropey photo for recording purposes.
Highlight of the Week: The 3rd record of Little Bustard for Cyprus, showing down to 5 metres.
Look Forward: Christmas is upon us but next weekend we are off to Istanbul to celebrate Deb’s Birthday, so birding highlights may be a bit sparse.
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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