Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 9 Nov 14
Robin at Akhna Dam – a regular common winter visitor.
The week started slowly again and no birding was done on Monday. On Tuesday I got to Akhna Dam briefly and 19 Starlings flew over me. A Great White Egret was in the water with the usual commoner herons whilst nearby a Greenshank and 3 Redshanks were feeding. An immature Yellow Wagtail was a surprise and as I left the site the Little Owl was in its regular roost site, however it’s the first time I’ve seen it for a number of weeks.
On the 5th at Fresh Water Lake South, Famagusta 4 late Barn Swallows were over the lagoons and 4 Great White Egrets were in various parts of the lagoons. 9 Greater Flamingos were still present and a Spotted Redshank was with 9 Common Redshanks. A lone Common Sandpiper and a Black-winged Stilt added to the waders and 4 Common Snipe flushed and flew overhead. 7 Night Herons ( 4 adults and 3 1 CYs) roosted and 2 Glossy Ibises came to roost. Obviously the same birds as last month and my first November record for the species in Cyprus. A Water Rail was heard, a Chiffchaff flitted in the tamarisks and a single Starling flew to roost.
With visitors and doing the touristy things, there was no more birding for the week until Sunday up at Troodos, Kakopetria where I saw a Grey Wagtail and a Robin. Black Restarts are numerous around the quarter and camp areas but generally there’s hasn’t been much happening. The Striated Heron continues to show in the Zakaki area but is becoming more elusive as time goes on and the news came of 3 Wallcreepers in Avagas George with a number of Rock Sparrows also being present. Finsch’s Wheatears are now well established in their wintering areas which all bodes well for the forthcoming AOS long weekend.
Highlights of the Week: Difficult, but wintering Night Herons and the 2 Glossy Ibises are a good find.
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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