Akrotiri
Peninsula
- Episkopi Cliffs
The site occupies the entire
Akrotiri peninsula extending to the west following the shoreline,
which comprises mainly steep cliffs. The Akrotiri peninsula is the
southernmost part of
Cyprus
, to the south-west of the town of
Limassol
. The primary feature in the area is the Akrotiri salt lake, which
covers the greatest part in the middle of the peninsula.
The Akrotir salt lake, the
Phasouri marsh and the surrounding wetlands constitute the biggest
wetland of
Cyprus
and are the most important areas concentrating the highest number of
water birds. Thousands of waterbirds and waders winter in the salt
lake and surrounding wetlands. During autumn and spring migration
thousands of waterbirds use the area as a stop over site. The
Akrotiri
Peninsula
is also a very important site for raptor migration, with many passing
through the area. Episkopi Cliffs is the most important breeding area
in
Cyprus
for the Griffon vulture.
Problems
The
entire site is in one of the two British Military Bases in
Cyprus
. The military camps, airport, antenna installations and their
continuous extension as well as the military exercises are severe
threats on the ecosystem of the site. Thousands of people, mainly
tourists, visit the area for recreational purposes and focus on
popular spots, seriously affecting the marine and terrestrial
environment of the site. The people are free to move everywhere, even
in the most sensitive parts of the site on foot or in vehicles,
disturbing birds and degrading and destroying the general ecosystem.
Hunting is permitted within the site, but this need not pose a threat
provided enforcement of the relevant law is strict and hunting is
exercised in a sustainable manner, taking into account the
conservation needs of the species for which the site is designated.
Illegal shooting and illegal bird trapping are serious threats.
Lime-sticks are used extensively for catching birds, especially during
autumn and winter.
Priority
species:
|
Squacco
Heron
(Ardeola ralloides)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Glossy
Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Greater
Flamingo (Phoenicopterus
ruber)
|
Winter
Visitor
Passage Migrant
|
|
Eleonora's
Falcon
(Falco elenorae)
|
Migrant
Breeder
|
|
Red
footed Falcon
(Falco vespertinus)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Common
Crane
(Grus grus)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Black-winged
Stilt
(Himantopus himantopus)
|
Passage
Migrant
Occasional Breeder
|
|
Collared
Pratincole (Glareola
pratincola)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Kentish
Plover
(Charadrius alexandrinus)
|
Migrant
Passage Migrant
Winter Visitor
|
|
Slender-billed
Gull
(Larus genei)
|
Passage
Migrant
Winter Visitor
|
|
Gull-billed
Tern (Gelochelidon
nilotica)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Demoiselle
Crane (Anthropoides
virgo)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Shelduck
(Tadorna
tadorna)
|
Passage
Migrant
Winter Visitor
|
|
Greater
Sand Plover
(Charadrius leschenaultii)
|
Passage
Migrant
Winter Visitor
|
|
Bee-eater
(Merops apiaster)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Peregrine
(Falco peregrinus)
|
Resident
Breeder
|
|
Shag
(Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
|
Resident
Breeder
|
|
Griffon
Vulture
(Gyps fulvus)
|
Resident
Breeder
|
|
Stone
Curlew (Burhinus
oedicnemus)
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
Spur-winged
plover
(Hoplopterus spinosus)
|
Migrant
Breeder
|
|
86
Species of waterbirds
|
Passage
Migrant
|
|
13
Species of raptors
|
Passage
Migrant
|
Site
details:
|
Area
of the site
|
6533
he
|
|
Elevation
|
0
- 110m
|
|
Longitude
|
493,023.13
|
|
Latitude
|
3,830,840.72
|
|
Administration
|
Episkopi
Sovereign Base Area
Lemesos District
|
Conservation
homepage
