Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 14 Sep 14
Montague’s Harrier at Akhna Dam on 12 Sep
Monday was a day off and we travelled to the Akrotiri area in the hope of some mass raptor passage – well that was a wash out with little happening. Zakaki Marsh was the first stop but nothing earth shattering was present, in fact a lone Pallid Swift was probably the highlight. At Lady’s Mile a few waders were present including a couple of Dunlins and a Curlew Sandpiper, but no sign of the previously reported Broad-billed Sandpiper – the week had not started well. 21 Greater Flamingos flew over Akrotiri Bay obviously departing and looking for more favourable feeding grounds as the salt lake is almost completely dry. We moved onto Bishop’s Pool which looked a little more promising with Turtle Doves flying around as we approached. A Grey Wagtail was heard and then seen and as we walked around to the reed bed in the south west corner a Great Reed Warbler alighted. We were soon treated to the spectacle of 3 Eleonora’s Falcons* (ropey record shot) hunting and drinking which was a treat and of the waders, a couple of Sanderling amongst the Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints was a highlight. A female Marsh Harrier put in an appearance and a Glossy Ibis flew in as we departed. On to Phassouri Reed Beds we saw a Water Rail, a Roller and a couple of Hoopoes with 2 Whinchats being present in the Akrotiri Gravel Pit area.
We travelled through the Episkopi Garrison area noting 4 Eleonora’s at Kensington Cliffs and 7 at Happy Valley along with a Long-legged Buzzard and an unidentified large raptor which looked interesting – albeit being mobbed by falcons as it flew away giving the worst view possible – you can’t win em all? As we approached Asprokremnos Dam a Honey Buzzard flew low over us a Kouklia. At the dam the 4th record for Cyprus was our quarry and we soon located and photographed an Egyptian Goose*. The status of which is as yet unconfirmed but they are not known from collections etc on the island. With nothing else doing we took lunch at Mandria and “ticked” the ever present Shag on the rocks. At Skarinou as we stopped for a coffee at McDonalds, a ringtail Pallid Harrier flew past. The White Pelican was still present at Oroklini with 43 Greater Flamingos* and a Temminck’s Stint was picked out amongst the commoner Little Stints. With nothing else doing we stopped at Akhna Dam where it was all fairly mundane and routine. As we exited I finally spotted a Little Owl in its usual spot. A trip tick and good photos were taken by my sister before it scurried into its hole and out of site once more – it had taken me over a week to catch up with the bird. As we drove through Vrysoulles village several Honey Buzzards were low over the road and finding higher ground we saw at least 30 at close quarters giving views of the yellow eye, grey pigeon like head and the barring on the underside and tail – excellent. So we needn’t have travelled to Akrotiri for raptor passage but the Eleonora’s Falcons are always good to see. A ringtail Montague’s Harrier added to the throng and as we drove around 3 Lesser Grey Shirkes, a couple of Red-backs and 2 Red-rumped Swallows above us made for an interesting half an hour. From the garden a little later another 10 Honey Buzzards were seen high above us heading south east.
On the 9th before heading to the north, 5 Honey Buzzards, 5 Red-rumped Swallows, 8 Sand Martins and a female Marsh Harrier was seen from the garden. At Fresh Water Lake South, Famagusta it was clear that there’d been an influx of birds as the place was heaving. With the water receding this is now an excellent wader site and probably the best on the island. As we scanned I found a single White Stork*, which is not an easy bird to catch up with at times on Cyprus. 49 Greater Flamingo’s were present, we’d probably seen all the Flamingo’s present on the island in the last 2 days. The Avocet remained with 2 Marsh Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshanks and a Curlew Sandpiper being the wader highlights. An impressive 80 Spur-winged Plovers was a good count and another Water Rail was seen briefly in the open under a tamarisk overhanging the water. 2 female Marsh Harriers flushed the waders and a Ringtail Monty’s passed in the distance. My sister asked “What’s this flying in”? and bingo – an Osprey* which was later seen fishing and successfully catching a fish was a great moment. We returned home happy and from the house, to finish the day a Hobby and an immature Bonneli’s Eagle was seen.
On the 10th a pale phase Booted Eagle went high over Ay Nik with a couple of Long-legged Buzzards, 2 Hobbys and many Red-rumped Swallows continued to pass, with a Hoopoe flying through the garden. At Akhna Dam and early Chiffchaff was seen with Willow Warblers and a Common Snipe was the most unusual of the normal waders. A single Glossy Ibis was present and in the fields an Isabelline Wheatear showed its diagnostic tail pattern and posture.
Early on the 11th c20 European Beeaters were over the house and 3 Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were heard. At Ayia Napa Football Pitches Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrikes were still hanging around but the highlight was a female Golden Oriole. Another was present at Ayia Napa Sewage Works and a Honey Buzzard left its overnight roost early to continue its passage. The first 2 Eastern Black-eared Wheatears were seen along with several Isablelline Wheatears and numerous Whinchats. A single Roller flushed and 3 species of Shirke and Spotted Flycathers were ever present. There had obviously been a large fall of Blackcaps with over 20 being obvious – queue the limesticks! A single Lesser Whitethroat and a Common Whitethroat added to the Sylvia fest. Later at Cape Greco although quiet, my first Northern Wheatear and 3 Tawny Pipits of the autumn were seen with a Cyprus and several Isabelline Wheatears also putting in appearances. Sardinian, Spectacled and a Cyprus Warbler were around the picnic site but it was all fairly quiet. We moved onto Ayias Trias via the Protoras McDonalds for a Sausage and Egg McMuffin for breakfast – why else would you go? We continued “all coffee’d up” and at Ayias Trias, a Kentish Plover was with 3 wintering Greater Sand Plovers.
The 12th saw c40 Red-rumped Swallows pass over the house with about 20 European Beeaters that continue their southerly movements. At Akhna Dam there had been an influx of raptors with at least 3 Montague’s Harriers* at the water’s edge with a flythrough Black Kite, female Marsh Harrier, dark phase Booted Eagle and a couple of Long-legged Buzzards. A Whiskered and White-winged Black Tern hawked the water and 2 immature Collared Pratincoles* were new for the month. A couple of Syke’s (beema) wagtails, retaining summer plumage were with the Yellow Wagtail flock although numbers are progressively diminishing. Red-backed and Marsh Shrikes were fairly numerous and a couple of Turtle Doves and a Golden Oriole were well received. The Little Owl was in its usual roost and a migrating male Cyprus Wheatear (not a common bird at Akhna) was sat on a sprinkler head. The Kingfisher remains at the site and was joined by 2 Dunlins although a fly through ringtail Pallid Harrier was unexpected. Another Golden Oriole flew over the road at Vrysoulles as we drove home.
On the 13th I hosted a BBQ, so last minute shopping was the order of the day, however I did get out early to the Ayia Napa Sewage Works area which was rewarding. At the football pitches 2 Rollers sat on the fence as did a number of Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes. A pair of Black Francolins fed on the fields as is the early morning norm. A couple of Tree Pipits called as they flew over and 7 Laughing Doves were present on wires in the nearby housing estate. At the sewage works 4 Shovelers were new for the site and Red-backed Shrikes were numerous followed by a few Masked and 2 Lesser Greys. Whinchats were well represented and 2 Isabelline Wheatears were present as 2 Black Kites flew from their roost and were observed at close quarters before continuing out over Cape Greco. Sylvias were obvious with Spectacled, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sardinian and 3 lateish Eastern Orpheans being present. Circa 20 European Beeaters* passed overhead and several unfortunate Turtle Doves were being shot at. As we drove away from the site a grey backed bird flying across in front of the car perched up and good views of a Wryneck were had before also finding a light throated form of Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. Before the BBQ we visited Fresh Water Lake South which was very hot and where 2 White-winged Black Terns and a female Marsh Harrier were the highlights. A Marsh Sandpiper continued at the site; however the Avocet and White Stork were no longer present.
On the 14th following the BBQ and prior to the airport run, I visited Akhna Dam where sadly the lowlight was a Long-legged Buzzard* that had been shot. The people on this island really are vile and disgusting and it left me very depressed. I reported the incident with photographs to BirdLife Cyprus and the RSPB although nothing ever happens and that is the sad reality of serving in a place like this. I also posted on the Birding Cyprus Facebook page in the hope that some Cypriots will be embarrassed enough to take the right action – if indeed they are listened to either?
21 Night Herons were vocal in the woods behind the house and when they alighted to continue their migration there were 26 of them. Unfortunately the week ended on a bit of a subdued low.
Highlights of the Week: White Stork is not a common bird on Cyprus and the 4th record of Egyptian Goose (status uncertain) was good to catch up with but it’s always pleasing to see raptors on passage especially Ospreys fishing and Montague’s Harriers at rest on the ground.
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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