Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 23 Nov 14
Grey Heron at Akhna Dam on 19 Nov
On Monday and Tuesday as has become the norm, I was unable to get out of work early enough to get to any sights before it was dark.
On Wednesday I managed to get to Akhna Dam, where I was greeted by a mixed flock of Chaffinches, Serins, Corn Bunting and Goldfinches which include a Starling and 2 Woodlarks. I continued onto the dam where 3 Redshanks flushed and landed next to a Greenshank. Several Water Pipits were with the White Wagtails and a Robin showed well – unusually. I then photographed a Grey Heron* – an easy species one might think but they are very skittish in Cyprus and often fly before you can get a reasonable shot of one. I continued to drive around and a female Sparrowhawk – my first for a while but a regular winter visitor flushed from the tamarisks. A Great White Egret had appeared in the water when I returned but there was little else to write home about.
Thursday and I was preparing to pick up the AOS winter, long weekend contingent from Larnaca Airport at 1810 before heading off to Paphos. The flock safely gathered we arrived at the King’s Hotel, booked in and went for something to eat and a few beers – the banter had began and Geoff’s musical anatomy had started to give the mini bus a pungent smell.
Friday started with a decent breakfast and departure to Avagas George in the company of Colin Richardson and Matt Smith for the much awaited Wallcreeper hunt. Moving up the gorge, several commoner species were seen and in the gorge at least 2 Grey Wagtails, a Black Redstart and Blue Rock Thrush. A Peregrine passed overhead and some real Rock Doves were noted. We got to a position to look at a largish rock face where Matt Smith had found the Wallcreepers two weeks earlier. We started to scan and not long after Tim Cowley shouted “I’ve got one”. A great relief to me and more for him as it was a lifer and target bird so it was great for him to find it. We scoped the star of the show until it finally moved across the gorge and out of site – a great start to the tour, although it would have to be repeated for Rich as he was not arriving until 1310 that afternoon. We drove to the Lower Ezouzas Pools where Moustached Warbler was the highlight but a Black-headed (feldegg) Yellow Wagtail* was very unseasonal. Several more birds were added to the list including wintering Reed Buntings and numerous Chiffchaffs. Driving past Paphos Sewage Works at least 9 Spur-winged Plovers were seen and a Sparrowhawk was overhead. I dropped the group for lunch and picked Richard up from Paphos Airport, ahead of time we returned and also enjoyed a bight to eat. We continued into the Mandria area and a few birds were seen including a Long-legged Buzzard, but with the wind getting up, smaller passerines were staying low. Onward to Anarita Park for the next target bird. Passing several Wood Larks as we entered the area, we were soon looking at the rock slope adjacent to the famous goat farm. Soon enough a stonking male Finsch’s Wheatear was being enjoyed by all – in the bag! We stopped at the next Fincsh’s Wheatear site – Ayia Varvara where another male was on territory. With a little light left we proceeded to Paphos Headland which is only a short trip from the hotel. Luckily enough a 1st winter Slender-billed Gull was loafing which was unexpected and just next to it the 4 wintering Greater Sand Plovers showed well with a Common Sandpiper putting in an appearance. What a great first day!
On Saturday, we travelled to Troodos in an attempt to see the sub-species endemics and the wintering Pine Buntings. Stopping at Kidasi in the Dhiarizos River Valley, 3 male Finsh’s Wheatears were seen with a mixed flock of Linnets, Goldfinchis and Greenfinches also being nearby. Wood Larks were well represented and a Chukar sat obligingly on a rock allowing everyone good scope views. The group also managed its first good views of Sardinian Warblers as the concentrated on enjoying the Wheatears. The valley contained several flocks of Serins as we travelled up to Platres where it started to rain and sleet. With the passenger’s window being U/S it was not a great time as we donned fleeces. Unfortunately, no Pine Buntings were found which was a shame, although the mountain species were seen minus the Wren, typically, and a few wintering species were also encountered including Mistle Thrush and the difficult Goldcrest, which all added to the growing list – “It’s All About The List”. Good views of Crossbills* were obtained which can be difficult. With time to spare after finishing lunch in Troodos Square we carried on down the mountain towards Limassol and the sites in the Akrotiri area. Arriving at Zakaki Marsh about an hour later. Soon enough I managed to find the Striated Heron in its usual place and this was a treat for many. The first record for Cyprus back in October was still hanging around. The marsh held Water Pipits and a Snipe but it wasn’t that busy. On the sea at Lady’s Mile 3 Mediterranean and 4 Slender-billed Gulls were amongst the commoner Black-headed Gulls and of the larger gulls, 1st winter Caspians were easy to ID with the 1st winter Armenian being a little more tricky. Lady’s Mile held a few Dunlins and Little Stints with only a handful of Kentish Plovers. Bishops Pool was the next stop although a brief stop at Sylvana’s Restaurant on the edge of AkrotirI Salt Lake revealed in excess of a 1000 Greater Flamingos, 21 Grey Herons, a pair of Shovellers and a Peregrine. At Bishop’s Pool 13 Ferruginous Ducks was the highlight with a Sparrowhawk crashing through a hedge and Little Grebes being numerous with a couple of Wigeon also hugging the reeds. We finished at Phassouri Reed Beds where we were greeted by a pair of Marsh Harriers being mobbed by Hooded Crows. Careful scanning of the reeds found a Reed Bunting and above us a flock of c100 Starlings went to roost. I found a female type Little Crake which everyone got onto and as we were leaving a few got onto a juvenile Red-backed Shrike which was very late in the season. With it now getting dark, we travelled to Paphos, showered, did the call over and went to Tramps Bar for dinner with Colin Richardson – thanks for your company and birding knowledge!
Sunday was essentially a re-run of day one for Richard. At White River Cliffs on the way to Avagas Gorge, a pair of Blue Rock Thrushes was seen along with several Sardinian Warblers and Black Redstarts. Continuing to the gorge, Bob Hazlewood volunteered to stay with the vehicle due to the U/S window and bird around the car park with good results. The remainder continued up the gorge passing the regular Grey Wagtails. We stopped on a scree slope by the rock face we were viewing on Friday and waited. Playing a Wallcreeper recording produced nothing initially. However, after about 20 minutes a bird flying up the gorge (we must have passed it), landed above us providing excellent views once more. We were pleased that Rich had recovered the bird but I suspect that he was more pleased than us? We met Bob once more who had added Spectacled Warblers and the only Wren of the trip which the remainder of us failed to recover. A Hawfinch was seen as we made our way to the vehicle along with numerous Blackcaps. Stopping briefly at Kalafos Beach, Paphos found us adding a Turnstone to the list which was found by Geoff and a Common Sandpiper was also present. At the Lower Ezouzas Pools, Richard recovered a showy Moustached Warbler and the Little Crake was also showing well. A flock of 19 Kestrels caused confusion but large flocks of feeding birds in Cyprus is not uncommon. A Cormorant flew in the distance and a Water Rail continued to be heard but not seen. The Spur-winged Plovers were still around the Paphos Sewage Works and several Red-throated Pipits were heard with the more numerous Meadow Pipits. A Water Pipit posed on telegraph wires but it was time for lunch and a Sunday chicken and pork souvla lunch, at Mandria which was enjoyed by all. We continued to Mandria once more where good views of Red-throated Pipits were achieved and careful scanning of the Skylark flock produced several Water Pipits and the only Calandra Lark of the trip. Onto Asprokremnos Dam where a couple of Cormorants was all we had to show for our efforts. Visiting Anarita Park once more and the Little Owl was in the same place as day one with the Finsch’s Wheatear being seen again.
Highlights of the Week: 2 sightings Wallcreeper in Avagas Gorge, Male Finsch’s Wheatears and the Striated Heron.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
Follow us:
