Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 19 May
Crested Lark at Vrysoulles on 19 May.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
Probably the worst week I’ve had in a year! It was far from a memorable week with few photos to show for a fairly inactive period. A lack of motivation and since the week has been a fairly slow affair for a number of reasons, a few stats. To date this year, I’ve recorded 240, species, sub-species and identifiable forms (Wagtails/Bluethroats) and in the rolling year since Jun 10 has seen me record 259. With more than half the year to go and an Autumn migration to look forward to, which can be more interesting with greater variety than Spring, I should reach at least 250 for the year. With numerous issues at work, courses, car in the garage and “other stuff”, I was unable to get out in the early part of the week. That said, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler continues to sing behind the garden and there has been a continuous stream of Beeaters going over the house for the last couple of days.
On Wednesday afternoon I visited Akhna Dam for a couple of hours. As I arrived on the approach track at least 7 Beeaters were sat on wires. At the Dam several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were singing and 2 Little Bitterns were flushed. A Glossy Ibis flew into join the 5 or so Little Egrets that were present and as I was departing 3 White-winged Black Terns flew through. A lone Spotted Flycatcher flitted from bush to bush but it was fairly quiet with only a few Spur-winged Plovers being noted to represent the waders.
In the village of Vrysoulles we stopped to do some shopping and several Beeaters* were also sat on wires. In the evening a large group of Beeaters were very noisy behind the house as they roosted. They were consequently heard the next morning as I awoke. With the car back in the garage, I don’t hold out much hope of any birding on Thursday afternoon. As predicted, that’s how it turned out.
On Friday night there was Mess Dinner Night, so not only was Friday afternoon a write off but so was Saturday. On Sunday, I visited the North and at Fresh Water Lake South, the Glossy Ibises have chicks and most of the Cattle Egret chicks have fled. A Peregrine flew over and 3 Alpine Swifts drank from the lake with Common Swifts. I proceeded to Koprulu Lake and on the way a pair of adult Bonelli’s Eagles was a fantastic site low over the fields in the village before Koprulu. 2 Whiskered Terns and a White-winged Black greeted me at Koprulu and were good to see as was a drake Garganey. 2 drake Ferruginous Ducks were present and a pair of Red-crested Pochards look set to breed. Calandra Larks were seen in the surrounding fields and 4 immature Greater Flamingos were still present.
Later at Akhna Dam in the south, a Hoopoe and a late female Red-backed Shrike was a surprise and a Roller flushed from a tree. An adult Little Bittern in the open is always a good find and a lone Wood Sandpiper was the only wader present except for a pair of Spur-winged Plovers. With no photos to show, in desperation, I stopped to photograph a Crested Lark*.
For pictures of birds with a * please click on the following Flickr links:
- Beeater at Vrysoulles.
Highlight of the Week: A pair of close Bonelli’s Eagles is always a fantastic encounter.
Other Interesting Finds: Nothing to Report – although a number of interesting Dragonflies have been seen at the other end of the island so a trip down there is in order.
Look Forward: A work visit to Troodos and hopefully the car back in working order.
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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