Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 23 Mar 14
Collared Flycatcher at Cape Greco Pines on 17 Mar
A quick Monday evening trip to Sotira and Paralimni Lake revealed the arrival of many Lesser Whitethroats and my first Sedge Warbler was seen. 4 Black-winged Stilts are now on the ponds and a Wood Sandpiper flushed as I arrived. Yellow Wagtails were also present in good numbers with the majority being Black-headed with a few Blue-headed and several supercilliaris hybrids.
On Tuesday afternoon, I visited the Cape Greco are in the hope of finding arriving migrants. I wasn’t disappointed. Arriving I immediately saw my first Eastern Black-eared Wheatear of the year perched on a dead snag. As I progressed to the point, Northern and Isablelline Wheatears were present in good numbers with a supporting cast of Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Tawny Pipit and a Hoopoe. As I walked the coastal path another dark throated Eastern Black-eared Wheatear was present with a Ruppel’s Warbler. Above me 21 Cormorants made their was north eastwards. At Cape Greco Picnic Site I was relieved to find 2 singing male Cyprus Warblers, on of which was joined by a male Ruppel’s. I then thought I’d have a quick walk around the Cape Greco Pines area. It wasn’t a quick walk around – the place was heaving. 4 Hoopoes were on the ground and I saw the red tail of a Redstart. I eventually got good views of an early Common Redstart male – Ehrenberg’s usually being present at this time of year. As I moved, another bird gave a flash of black and white. I got on it and was amazed to find a Collared Flycatcher* – at least a month early. I secured not bad photos under the circumstances and moved on. Another flycatcher moved amongst the pines and this was a male Pied Flycatcher – even earlier. I continued to walk around finding a female Pied Flycatcher and another male Collared. With 2 also being reported from Akrotiri, there seems to have been a very unusual early movement of the species. Coupled with the arrival of numerous Vagrant Emperors, associated with North African sand storms (which we’ve seen the tail end of this week), perhaps this explains the bird influx.
I continued to the sea caves finding another 2 Eastern Black-eared Wheatears, this time light throated forms with 2 Isabellines, 2 Northerns and a female Finsh’s. With 3 Cyprus Wheatears on territory only a Desert missing. I photographed 2 Ruppel’s Warblers* there were 5 in total and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats before seeing a singing male Blue Rock Thrush, attracting a female and a Black Redstart. With migrants in mind, I moved on to Ayia Napa Sewage Works. A Northern and Isabelline Wheatear greeted me. I moved around the vegetation being attracted by a singing Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and as I walked flushed a Common Nightingale. 3 more Eastern Bonelli’s were in the area along with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers and at least 6 Song Thrushes. At Paralimni Lake on the way home, Yellow Wagtail numbers had reduced, Green Sandpipers numbered 7 with Little Ringed Plovers totalling 6. Another couple of Lesser Whitethroats performed and a Sedge Warbler sang. I flushed a Hoopoe whilst departing for home.
Wednesday was a silver lunch in the mess so I was unable to get out. On Thursday, I took a day’s leave to visit the north in search of an Orchid. I met with my contact and after a coffee and a chat I was photographing an Ochris anatolica (Anatolian Orchid)*. Another that I’d missed last year and seemingly it only exists in the north of the island. So down to 9 to see on the Cyprus list – a fairly good effort. I stopped on the way back at an Alpine Swift site and 5 were present. Up over the top via Kantara Castle and along the road on the way to Bogaz a Little Owl and a Cyprus Wheatear. I stopped in the Famagusta area and at Gulsering, Dunlins, Little Stints and Ringed Plovers but not much else. Fresh Water Lake South was very quiet with only 11 Cormorants, the Cattle Egrets a single Grey Heron and Little Egret with a female Marsh Harrier flying through. In the evening AOS accom admin and stocking the beer fridges.
On Thursday, I visited the north to see an Orchid – Ochris anatolica (Anatolian Orchid) as it was another that I hadn’t seen last year. This was successful and I saw several Red-rumped Swallows and 5 Alpine Swifts at a known breeding site. On the way home through Bogaz a Little Owl was on a rock and a Cyprus Wheatear nearby. On Friday Akhna Dam produced the now common waders such as Ruff, Wood and Green Sandpipers with a selection of Yellow Wagtail species. 2 Bluethroats were probably migrants and the Great Crested Grebe remained faithful to the site. 2 Stone Curlew that are unusual for the site flushed as I walked but there wasn’t much to get excited about.
On Saturday morning I visited the Cape Greco area as a recce for day 1 of the AOS tour tomorrow. Plenty of migrants were about including Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Wryneck, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and a male Redstart all at the Cape Greco Pines area. The remainder of the Cape held Eastern Orphean Warblers, Short-toed Larks, more Wrynecks and a male Cyprus Warbler sang and performed well. Around by the Army Camp, Blue Rock Thrushes had increased in numbers. At Ayia Napa Sewage Works, more Eastern Orphean, Subalpines and Wrynecks with some commoner Wheatears and a Ruppel’s Warbler showing well. I returned home took over the remaining accommodation and stocked the rooms with breakfasts.
At 1815 the vanguard of the AOS tour arrived and by 1945 the straggler “Tardy” Tony Kaduck was in country – The Magnificent 7 had formed! We arrived at Ay Nik dropped the cases and enjoyed an excellent Greek grill with salads at the local taverna, at a very reasonable price before retiring to bed with a bag of free Grapefruits each and a belly full of KEO and protein.
Highlights of the Week: Collared Flycatchers are always a joy to see. But the early arrival in March hasn’t occurred since 1993, so a good find.
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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