Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 24 Feb
Cyprus Warbler Male, ringed on 24 Feb 13 by the Chairman.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
I headed to the Famagusta on Tuesday and at Fresh Water Lake South, at least 25 Cattle Egrets were on the nest, a Kingfisher called and flew past me with 4 Great White Egrets also putting in an appearance. A real surprise at Fresh Water Lake North was 17 White-fronted Geese, the highest count this winter. At Silver Beach 4 Curlews continued and a reduction in Golden Plover numbers was evidient. On the rocks at Clapsides, 3 Audouin's Gulls, 2 Armenian Gulls and a Grey Plover. 289 Greater Flamingos were at Gulserin Pond and an adult Siberian Gull was good to see. Gull numbers are beginning to decrease so not long left to grill these species.
On Thursday, Ayia Napa Football Pitches held c120 Serins but little else. At Cape Greco Rubbish Tip, 3 Song Thrushes and Black Redstarts were skittish as was a distant Isabelline Wheatear. Friday was JUMBO day so for me it was Oroklini Marsh where I flushed a Water Rail, Bluethroat and noted a large influx of Swallows, at least 80. 4 Black-winged Stilts were amongst the wildfowl and Spur-winged Plovers with an increase in Snipes being noted.
Saturday and a quick recce of the Cyprus Warbler site for Roger also produced Cyprus, female Finsch's and Isabelline Wheater, along with numerous Black Redstarts and 3 Blue Rock Thrushes. When I arrived at home I found a new butterfly and the first for the year - a Lang's Short-tailed Blue. After some shopping the airport run. Roger arrived on time in the most horrendous electrical storm. I hoped that it wasn't the shape of things to come as it was the heaviest rain for about a month. Anyway, that put paid to any birding on arrival so we made for Ay Nik, dinner at a local restaurant and a few beers. The Cyprus Meze was its usual self - a week's worth of food in 2 hours which left us all feeling satisfied, a couple of KEOs later and we were ready for bed prior to an early start tomorrow, leaving the house at 0600 to go ringing with a local Cypriot ringer from BirdLife Cyprus.
We arrived early of course and were met by Thomas Hadjikyriakou. The nets were soon in place and ringing was underway. Not knowing what to expect, I was delighted for Roger when the first bird in the bag was a cracking male Cyprus Warbler. Posing, smug looks and photographs complete we carried on. The tally of ringed birds was 6 Cypurs Warblers, 4 males and 2 Females, a male Sardinian Warbler and a new bird for Thomas with a Song Thrush. Not a massive total but quality and 2 of Roger's most wanted. Many thanks to Thomas for his knowledge and time and we look forward to meeting him in Troodos for round 2 later next week. We progressed to do some birding (hoorahh) and moved to Oroklini Marsh, where a Bluethroat, Spur-winged Plovers, Black-winged Stilts and 3 Red-crested Pochards were present including a stonking male. Disappointingly, a Penduline Tit was heard but would not reveal itself. We drove to the North West edge of Larnaca Salt Lake where we flushed 5 Jack Snipe, c80 Snipe and saw good numbers of Water Pipits, alpina Dunlins, Little Stints and about 4000 Greater Flamingos. As we scanned the numerous Shelducks we were surprised with a drake Ruddy Shelduck and a ringtail Hen Harrier also put in an appearance. Another surprise was a single Green Sandpiper. The pressure is however as the Moustached Warbler failed to materialise so we headed to Larnaca Sewage Works. There has obviously been some passage as at least 35 Slender-billed Gulls were present in pink breeding plumage which was impressive. Also there was the largest gathering of Gulls this winter. With Black-headeds being in the majority although 5 Mediterranean Gulls and a number of larger gulls were also present. It allowed time to grill them and distinguish between adult Armenian, Caspian and Yellow-legged. A scan of the lagoons revealed 4 Black-necked Grebes in breeding plumage and in the surrounding fields an Isabelline Wheatear, Chukars, Spectacled Warblers and a fly by Red-throated Pipit called as it went, but scope views required by the Chairman - there's just no pleasing some people!
- Song Thrush in the hand at Dheklia Garrison.
- Male Sardinian Warbler in the hand at Dekelia Garrison.
- Roger & Thomas, with Roger receiving some education regarding Cyprus Warbler DNA testing at Dhekelia Garrison.
Highlight of the Week: The arrival of Roger of course. But seriously, migration is underway and the sight of 35+ pink Slender-billed Gulls was very pleasing .
Other Interesting Finds: A new butterfly for me in the form of a Lang's Short-tailed Blue photographed at Ay Nik on Saturday, just prior to Roger's arrival - so I'm glad I didn't have to bore him with that .
Look Forward: The week's tour of Cyprus with Roger as a forerunner and recce for the AOS trip next Spring.
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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