Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 9 Jun
Spur-winged Plover Chick at Akhna Dam 5 Jun.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view or click on the links.
It’s Monday again and now that it staying light until about 2000, after dinner a quick whizz around Akhna Dam. All of the usual suspects were present although a Hoopoe was a good find. It was interesting to note 9 Spur-winged Plovers with at least 1 pair with 2 chicks. As we departed, Deb spotted 4 waders on a small pool, hidden from the rest of the dam. I noted a couple of Ruffs and then decided to reverse and have a look – just in case. I’m glad I did as there was a late Common Snipe* and next to it a very late Great Snipe* which was a fantastic find for June and the third I've found this spring. As is the case with waders in June in Cyprus, it’s sometimes difficult to know whether they’re coming or going but I suspect that these 2 are late migrants heading north. Photographs secured, as it is an unusual record, we proceeded home via Vrysoulles and the roosting Barn Owl didn’t let us down.
On Tuesday I visited the Larnaca area in attempt to catch up with a number of Common Terns that had been reported the night before. I connected with 3 at Larnaca Sewage Works along with 2 Little Terns, 3 Northern Shovellers and 26 Yellow-legged Gulls. At Spiro’s Beach a lone Shag sat on the offshore buoys and a Kentish Plover was on the inland pool. At the North end of Larnaca Salt Lake, Small Desert Blue numbers have increased and I found several specimens of – Keeled Skimmers,* both males and females. The Salt lake had the usual breeding Black-winged Stilts* and Spur-winged Plovers in evidence along with 4 Little Terns and a pair of probable breeding Black-headed Yellow Wagtails. As I returned home via Oroklini Marsh, a pair of White-winged Black Terns in full breeding plumage was the highlight and 3 female Red-crested Pochards were also present. Akhna Dam produced what looks to be a breeding Roller with a single Squacco Heron and 5 Little Egrets. I photographed a very vocal Spur-winged Plover chick which was interesting.
On Thursday it was the monthly JUMBO run and Oroklini Marsh Dragonfly survey which was fairly unproductive although judging by the number of bags Deb had JUMBO was very productive. The marsh had 6 Little Terns* flying around that look destined to attempt breeding, numerous breeding Spur-winged Plovers and Black-winged Stilts and at least 30 Red-crested Pochards. All being females or ducklings of various stages of development. Of interest were a pair of adult Greater Flamingos and a Moorhen with a pair of chicks. I continued onto Akhna Dam which again was fairly quiet with a Roller, Glossy Ibis and several Little Egrets being all that there was to show for the visit. Friday afternoon was occupied with Deb’s works outing to Protaras (drunkenness predicted), so no birding was done. On Saturday, I had a quiet day and having to be a judge (female – enough said), at Ay Nik’s got talent the day was lost to birding. In any event, on the way to the theatre club, I did see my first Little Owl of the month sat on top of a lamp post.
With another headache on Sunday, it was off to the market and we returned via Akhna Dam where the usual Eastern Olivaceous Warblers sang and the Little Egrets fed. The end of another fairly mundane week save for the Great Snipe, there are very few migrants around.
Highlight of the Week: A very late Great Snipe at Akhna Dam and some Common Terns at Larnaca Sewage Works was very surprising.
Other Interesting Finds: Several Keeled Skimmers was a good find.
Look Forward: A trip to Troodos at the weekend for a Dining Out with some walks to hunt for Dragonflies and Orchids.
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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