Army Ornithological SocietyCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 25 May 14
Glossy Ibis at Fresh Water Lake South on 18 May
In a break with tradition, I visited the North after work and sat for an hour or so at Fresh Water Lake South watching the Cattle Egret colony with many of the nests now having chicks*. At least 1 Glossy Ibis was also sitting on eggs* and about 20 were present overall. It appeared that several Squacco Herons may be attempting to nest along with a couple of Night Herons that were sitting and a lone Little Egret nest was also in the colony but without chicks yet. A pair of Ferruginous Ducks flew in and the usual Coots, Moorhens and Little Grebes were present. 3 Yellow-legged Gulls drifted overhead whilst 7 Black-winged Stilts and a lone Spur-winged Plover were quite vocal as I left.
On Tuesday it was back to a very quiet Akhna Dam after visiting JUMBO with Deb. I checked the drain and a number of Spur-winged Plovers were present. The area to the south of the main road looks promising as it hasn’t been cleared; so I’ll have to keep an eye on it. At Oroklini Marsh, 3 Little Terns were very active with the usual Black-winged Stilts and Spur-winged Plovers which are all obviously nesting. I saw 2 Reed Warblers*, one of which I managed to photograph. On the main pond, 21 Flamingos were still present with a pair of Red-crested Pochards whilst a handful of Sand Martins fed actively over the water. Perhaps the biggest surprise was a lone Shelduck with a Grey Heron in the background. At Akhna Dam all was quiet, although I flushed 2 late Yellow Wagtails – female types not identifiable to sub-species and a Stone Curlew flew over the eucalyptus. The sun abated and there was a flurry of activity as 2 Wood Sandpipers, 34 Little Stints and 2 Temminck’s Stints arrived to feed.
On the 21st I attended a meeting at Troodos Station and saw a few mountain specialities with Masked Shrikes, Spotted Flycatchers and Hoopoes being on territory. Juvenile Coal and Great Tits were observed and many Eastern Olivaceous Warblers sand loudly in all locations. As I returned home a Long-legged Buzzard was sat on a bush overlooking the motorway at Zygi – my first of the month. 9 Calandra Larks sang and flew around the fields at Pervolia and a surprising male Black-headed Bunting also sang from atop an artichoke flower. 2 Turtle Doves were in the fields adjacent to Larnaca Sewage Works and the lone Shelduck was at Oroklini. Akhna Dam in the evening held 2 Temminck’s Stints once more and a reduced number of Little Stints with one Ringed Plover. A Cetti’s Warbler was seen as was a Roller and as I departed a Squacco Heron flew to roost.
On 23rd I visited the north and at FresH Water Lake South, I confirmed a Night Heron sitting on Eggs and at least 4 Glossy Ibises nests. 2 Ferruginous Ducks were also present and a Purple Heron flew in the direction of Fresh Water Lake North. I watched the Cattle Egret nest for some time estimating approximately 200 nests with the average number of chicks being 3. I saw my 3rd Plain Tiger of the year which was a new grid square of the species. On Saturday, prior to the Mexican Theme Night at Arriba Plonkzales (my house), I visited Akhna Dam in the morning. The female Pied Kingfisher was still present which surprised me. 36 Little Stints, a couple of Ruffs and 4 Black-winged Stilts were not much to show for a couple of hours, with the usual herons and a Roller going about their business.
With a monster Tequila, Mojito, Marguerita and Daiquiri hangover on Sunday the most I could manage was seeing nearly a hundred Swifts over the house. The week ended on a low but to be fair it was never going to be an epic. With the month drawing to a close and a Bank Holiday looming, a trip to Akrotiri is on the cards, in search of the reported Bar-tailed Godwit - a year tick.
Highlights of the Week: During a fairly dull week the Long-legged Buzzard and the Pied Kingfisher takes the accolades. However, confirming a Night Heron on eggs was 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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