Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 27 Jan
1st Winter Little Gull at Gulserin Pond on 26 Jan 13.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
I had a day’s leave on Monday to attend a Dragonfly Group meeting in Paphos, so I travelled back via Limassol which wasn’t very productive and Oroklini Marsh was a bit dull but did hold 27 Pintails which was the highest count this winter.
On Tuesday afternoon I went to the North and at Silver Beach the Golden Plovers have increased to circa 450 with 14 Dunlin and 6 Little Stints being present. A little further down the coast at Clapsides Beach, a couple of Kingfishers were in the marsh with 2 Redshanks and I flushed a male Black Francolin. On the beach, a Sandwich Tern – not that common, 3 Turnstones, uncommon and circa 80 Kentish Plovers. At Gulserin Marsh the Little Gulls have increased to 3, all first winters and the 1st Winter Common Gull was still present. 3 Black-winged Stilts and 4 Spur-winged Plovers were the highlight amongst the masses of commoner wildfowl. Dusk at Fresh Water Lake South, brought a Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher whilst c3000 Starlings made for the roost and as usual herons were much in the ascendancy with c650 Cattle Egrets. 17 Little Egrets, 5 Great White Egrets, 4 Grey Herons and a single Night Heron. Interestingly the immatures, present for much of the winter appear to have departed.
Wednesday afternoon and a difficult decision to be made. With Deb now up and about after her prolonged illness, it was over the North once more for a bite to eat and some shopping – well, for her anyway. Clapsides Marsh held a Kingfisher and 2 Little Egrets and the beach before some lunatic flushed everything, had 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Audouin’s Gulls, an adult Slender-billed Gull, a Sandwich Tern and 3 Grey Plovers and whilst leaving 6 Ringed Plovers appeared on the marsh. Gulserin Pond, a little to the west was quiet save for a 1st winter Slender-billed Gull, 3 1st winter Little Gulls* remained and 4 Black-winged Stilts.
I had a day’s leave on Thursday and guided 2 members of KUSKOR (The Turkish Group) around the Larnaca sites. The Sewage Works area was decidedly quiet with only a couple of Marsh Harriers, 5 Black-necked Grebes and a single but scarce nonetheless male Pochard. We moved to Larnaca Salt Lake which is where most of the wildfowl appear to have moved to. The water is obviously cleaner than the sewage works and is preferred at this time. A lone Ruddy Shelduck sat on the shore and on the lake c700 Shovellers, c659 Shelduck, 15 Black-necked Grebes and 5 Redshank. On the North West side of the lake we flushed 11 Jack Snipe at least 20 Snipe and heard and then saw a female-type Reed Bunting – not an easy winter visitor to see. As we scanned the reeds 2 Bluethroat and 5 Water Pipits were seen but sadly not the wished for Penduline Tit. Waders were in evidence in fair numbers but nothing exceptional jumped out at us.
On Saturday morning I visited the Cape Greco area as I hadn't been there for a while. 3 Blue Rock Thrushes were still present - 2 males and 1 female, several Black Redstarts, a couple of Song Thrush - nice to see some have survived the "hunting" season. The highlight was at least 4 male Cyprus Warblers in full song and display flight. Butterflies were much in evidence with a few early emergers, probably due to the last weeks good weather; at least 8 Mallow Skippers*, 6 African Grass Blues* and a Small Copper*. Later at Ayia Napa Sewage Works, a single Black-necked Grebe, a Buzzard and 3 Long-legged cousins. Keeping the year list ticking over, a Peregrine put in a fly by appearance. In the afternoon we went over the North with the 3 Little Gulls being still at Gulserin Pond and 4 Curlews at Silver Beach along with a Grey Plover was noteable. Before going home we visited the Fresh Water Lake in Famagusta. The highest count of Great White Egrets yet with 7 being present and unbelievably after a bit of an absence the immature White Pelican has reappeared.
The Sunday market visit saw me heading to a very empty Larnaca Sewage Works although 3 Black-necked Grebes and the 8 White-fronted Geese were still present. An immature Marsh Harrier flushed what wildfowl remained and disturbed the male Pochard which would have gone unnoticed otherwise. At the salt lake nothing was exceptional, although a brief walk around the picnic area in search of Orchids allowed me the opportunity to photograph my first Red Admiral* for the year. A butterfly not usually seen by the touring visitors as it's a winter species in Cyprus.
So with the Mess requiring refurbishment it was my turn to chip in with a bit of painting which put paid to the week's birding adventures.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Mallow Skipper, Small Copper and African Grass Blue at Cape Greco.
- Red Admiral at Larnaca Salt Lake.
Highlight of the Week: A flyby Peregrine was a new bird for the year but in a generally quiet week it's always nice to see Blue Rock Thrushes and the beginnings of Spring with displaying Cyprus and Spectacled Warblers.
Other Interesting Finds: The emergence of some early Butterflies was interesting.
Look Forward: With Spring in the air, surely this week must bring some welcome surprises?
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
BOB McCURLEY | 1st Feb 2013 10:05 PM
I am a member of AOS and at Barry Buddon TA Carnoustie Angus I am a member of the Conservation Committee and look after all things to do with Ornithology - I am going to Cyprus in November with a small group and would like to enquire if it would be possible to gain access under supervision to the Cyprus Army Station there when we are there , maybe just a one day visit with if possible a guide ? This will be my second visit to the Island and am looking forward to it very much. I do hope you can grant us permission
Yours Sincerely
Bob McCurley