Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 14 Jul
Audouin’s Gull at Potomos Liopetri.
* indicates that a photo of the species is included please visit Flickr site to view.
In what can only be described as a work and drinktastic week there was little time for birding. On Monday evening, I did manage to get to Akhna Dam where 5 Green Sandpipers was a good count. Several Hoopoes were present, a couple of Common Sandpipers and a pair of Pallid Swifts was a surprise. The Barn Owl remained in its hole at Vrysoulles and a roost of 80 Jackdaws at Avgorou was a good count. I had to visit Episkopi and Akrotiri on Wednesday and another pair of Pallid Swifts were over Episkopi Garrison with a Cyprus Wheatear. On the salt lake at Akrotiri I could see at least 300 Greater Flamingos but little else from a distance. A late return and a dinner in the mess left no time to get out further. On Thursday, I accompanied a visitor to Troodos Station and on the way up at Platres saw a male Blackbird. On the station a juvenile Coal Tit was interesting and a mixture of Pallid and Common Swifts were overhead.
We proceeded to Mount Olympus where at least 500 House Martins was a spectacle with 3 Cyprus Wheatears along the fence line. The biggest surprise was a lone Alpine Swift over the Raydome. Another late return home and the COs dining out on Friday evening ruled that day out as well. Inevitably Saturday was a write off but all was not lost as I watched the first Ashes Test all day and felt sorry for myself.
Determined not to waste a whole week, I rose early on Sunday and headed for Cape Greco. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler numbers are increasing after the breeding season and a female Cyprus Warbler posed a momentary ID challenge. On the lagoons were a pair of Common Sandpipers and 51 Little Grebes and a Common Swift drank briefly. I moved along to Cape Greco Pines where it was quiet but I did managed to get some good photos of a family of Cyprus Wheatears*, including 2 juveniles*. Attempting to get a month tick, I drove along the coast to Ayia Thekla and although there was much disturbance by the fishermen, I eventually managed to locate 4 Greater Sand Plovers. I moved further along the coast as I hadn’t driven along to Potomos Liopetri for months and was surprised to find the bird that I hoped would be there. Albeit not an adult the 3rd Summer Audouin’s Gull* posed for the camera and presented a rare close opportunity to get some good shots. Not always an easy bird on Cyprus in the summer, it’s the BLOG cover photo this week as I know you’re all probably missing the winter “Gullfest”.
Having had some success, I trooped across to Akhna Dam where at least 5 Hoopoes* were present and eventually after just over a year of waiting, I managed to capture a shot of a bird with its crest raised – result. 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Squacco Herons were present and I managed to get a better picture of a juvenile Masked Shrike* to replace last years ropey effort – so migration is occurring.
Deb and I headed to the North after breakfast and I conducted the Dragonfly survey at Fresh Water Lake South. The Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis breeding colony has now dispersed preferring the larger trees that surround the lake and 9 Squacco Herons was a good count. A lone Black-winged Stilt and 3 Spur-winged Plovers remained along with a single Little Grebe. Home in time to watch the end of the first test and a BBQ for dinner rounded off a not particularly productive week. It is worth noting that no day out in Cyprus is wasted if you have your camera with you.
Highlight of the Week: Audouin’s Gull is not an easy species on Cyprus and finding one close enough to get photos was a bonus.
Look Forward: Migration is picking up but remains with the vanguard at present.
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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