Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Weekly Highlights for the Week Ending 30 Dec
Red-throated Pipit - Larnaca Airport Fields 27 Dec 12
On the 24th the Fresh Water Lake South in Famagusta held a Night Heron and 2 White Pelicans along with a lone Wigeon whilst Gulserin Marsh held 2 Black-necked Grebes and the six Black-winged Stilts. Even I stop for Christmas Day, so no birding tomorrow.
On Boxing Day, Deb and I went to the coast for some fresh air. At Potomos Liopetri 16 Kentish Plovers were present along with a good number of Corn Buntings, a Kingfisher (they appear to like it on the coast in the winter), a Common Sandpiper and a Black Redstart. At Ayia Napa Football Pitches the only noteworthy birds were a pair of Serins. Later at Akhna Dam a ringtail Hen Harrier was present with a Common Buzzard whilst a Moustached Warbler was in full song and the Great Crested Grebe continues its stay.
A visit to Larnaca Salt Lake on the 27th produced 43 Shelducks, c5500 Greater Flamingos and along the north-western edge 26 Redshanks, at least 40 Common Snipe and 5+ Jack Snipes. A Moustached Warbler, 2 Ringed Plovers and 2 Green Sandpipers were seen whilst 2 Bluethroats were heard. At the Sewage Works area, 6 Red-throated Pipits were unseasonal and ducks were much in eveidence with a male Tufted, 6 Pochard, Gadwalls, Pintails, a drake Ferruginous Duck and the Black-necked Grebes have increased to 17. Of waders 23 Redshanks were accompanied by a very unusual Marsh Sandpiper and 3 unseasonal immature Black-winged Stilts. As I left the area a Swallow was a noteable December record.
At Oroklini Marsh on 29th 3 Red-crested Pochards with one spanking looking male were present and less interesting were 4 Redshanks and 4 Snipe. In the Larnaca area, the Shelducks on the salt lake had risen to 296 and a single Avocet was present. Meanwhile at the Sewage Works a flock of c400 Golden Plovers was impressive and 15 Stone Curlews were on Larnaca Airport Pool South. The sites in the North were fairly mundane but the 2 White Pelicans remained at the Fresh Water Lake South.
Sunday was a bit of a disaster, I looked for Wallcreeper and recently reported Pied Kingfishers and Bitterns - all without success. The highlight of the day was a Griffon Vulture at Kensington Cliffs along with a male Blue Rock Thrush and at Spiro's Beach a Gull-billed Tern flying west. I did manage to photograph some gulls* at Larnaca Sewage Works which weren't too bad.
For pictures of birds with * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Heuglin's Gull 2nd Winter at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Heuglin's Gull 2nd Winter at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Audouin's Gull at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Adult Mediterannean Gull at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Armenian Gull at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Grey Heron at Larnaca Sewage Works
- Black-winged Stilts at Larnaca Sewage Works
Other interesting finds: A late on the wing Eastern Willow Spreadwing.
Highlight of the Week: At least 5 Jack Snipe at Larnaca Salt Lake and several very late Red-throated Pipits.
Look Forward: The New Year is looming and the list must begin again.
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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