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BIRDLIFE CYPRUS ΠΤΗΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ |
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Bird News Bird Records for April 2003 [The
following list contains records that have not been corrected or
corroborated] Little
Grebe Tachybaptus
ruficollis Reported
from all the wetlands across the island with some maximum sightings being
c10 at Akhna Dam on the 16th, 8 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the
12th and the 17th, Kiti Dam 5 on the 18th,
Bishop's Pool with 6 on the 16th, Aspro Dam Pools with 4 on the
13th and a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 46 birds.
Breeding was proven at Phasouri Reed Beds during the Field Meeting there
when a pair of adults were seen with two 3 or 4 day old youngsters. Great
Crested Grebe Podiceps
cristatus Akhna
Dam had 1 or 2 birds present until the 17th whilst at Kiti dam
there was a single bird present from the 17th until the 20th.
All birds were in full breeding plumage. Black-necked
Grebe Podiceps
Nigricollis The
winter flock at the Larnaca Sewage Works was down to just 12 birds on the
1st with just a single bird lingering on until the 8th. Yelkouan
Shearwater Puffinus
yelkouan A
single bird was seen from off the Akamas on the 1st with 2
birds seen the following day, the 2nd.
Cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo There
was 1 at the Yermasoya Dam on the 2nd, 2 at Bishop's Pool on
the 5th until at least the 16th, 2 at the
Asprokremnos Dam on the 12th but only 1 remained on the 29th,
4 at Akhna Dam on the 17th and finally 1 at Mandria on the 23rd. Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelis Up to
4 birds reported from Kensington Cliffs all month with just one report of
a single bird from Mandria on the 14th. Bittern Botaurus
stellaris There
was 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 3rd and the 10th, 1
near Yeroskipou on the 8th and 1 reported from Evretou Dam on
the 15th and the 21st. Little
Bittern Ixobrychus
minutus This
has been an excellent spring for this much-sought-after passage migrant
with 1 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 8th, 17th, 20th
and the 21st with 2 at the same location on the 25th
and the 27th. There were 2 at Evretou Dam on the 28th
with 4 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 29th and 4 at the
Asprokremnos Dam on the same date. At Akhna Dam there were 2 on the 30th
with 1 at the Ezousa River also on the 30th. Night
Heron Nycticorax
nycticorax Passage
continued this month with 11 at the Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 7th,
11 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the same date [same birds?], an immature at
Oroklini on the 14th, 1 at Akhna Dam on the 16th
with 8 there the following day, 1 at Bishop's Pool on the 16th,
28 passed over the Aspro Dam Pools on the 17th and there were
about 12 at Akhna Dam also on the 17th. At Kiti Dam there were
up to 2 birds present from the 17th to the 19th with
8 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17th, 8 at the Aspro Dam Pools
on the 20th with just 1 on the 25th, 8 at the
Evretou Dam on the 21st, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 26th
and finally 1 at Oroklini on the 29th.
Squacco
Heron Ardeola
ralloides Present
at all wetlands in very good numbers this spring with 2 at the Paphos
Lighthouse Area on the 7th, Phasouri Reed Beds having up to 18
birds present between the 7th and 20th, Zakaki Marsh
up to 4 present from the 1st until the 12th,
Oroklini up to 12 birds between the 15th and the 30th
with the maximum count being on the 21st. The new pools on the
Ezousa River had a maximum of 11 birds present on the 25th but
the species was reported from there from the 12th until the 30th.
Kiti Dam had up to 3 birds present from the 17th until the 19th,
Evretou Dam up to 9 birds throughout the month and the Asprokremnos Dam
had a maximum of c20 birds on the 29th. There were 4 at Akhna
Dam on the 17th, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 21st, 1
at Yeroskipou on the 8th, 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 19th,
2 at the Mavrokolymbos Dam on the 24th, 1 at the Marathounda
rubbish tip on the 29th and 1 in the Xeros Potamos near Nata on
the 28th. Cattle
Egret Bubulcus
ibis There
were up to 10 birds at the Phasouri Reed Beds between the 1st
and the 22nd, a maximum of 5 at Oroklini between the 6th
and the 24th, 1 at Kiti Dam on the 20th and 2 at the
Asprokremnos Dam on the 24th. Little
Egret Egretta
garzetta Very
numerous and widespread this spring with reports of 20 at Akhna Dam on the
17th, c50 at the Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 7th, a
maximum of 10 at Asprokremnos Dam between the 12th and the 29th,
c150 at Cape Greco on the 17th, a maximum of 12 at the Evretou
Dam between the 2nd and the 21st and a maximum of 9
at the Ezousa Pools between the 6th and the 30th.
Kiti Dam had 10 on the 18th, the Mandria Pools a maximum of 11
on the 17th and Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 11 birds.
The highest count at the Phasouri Reed Beds was 23 on the 12th
but birds in lesser numbers were reported from this site between the 7th
and 26th inclusive. Spiro's Pool had 10 on the 18th,
Larnaca Salt Lake 6 on the 21st and a maximum of 8 birds at
Zakaki Marsh between the 1st and the 12th. Reports
from other sites include 3 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 7th,
1 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 25th, 4 on Ladies Mile on the
25th, 4 at Larnaca Airport Pools North on the 15th
and 3 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th. Paphos Lighthouse
Area had just 1 on the 4th as did the Polemedhia Dam on the 3rd
and Yermasoya Dam on the 2nd. Great White Egret
Egretta alba
The only sighting
this month with a single bird present at Kiti Dam on the 18th.
Grey
Heron Ardea
cinerea Reported
from Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools, Asprokremnos Dam, Coral Bay [24 on the 15th],
Evretou Dam [11 on the 18th], Kiti Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works,
Oroklini Marsh [7 on the 18th], Phasouri Reed Beds [18 on the
17th], Polemedhia Dam, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Yermasoya Dam and
Zakaki Marsh with 11 on the 3rd and 12 on the 7th. Purple
Heron Ardea
purpurea Very
common and widespread this month with significant counts being 28 at the
Achelia Dam on the 17th, 12 at Akhna Dam on the 17th,
c90 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 7th, 36 over the Aspro Dam
Pools on the 17th, 8 at the Ezousa Pools on the 20th,
28 at Kiti Dam on the 17th, 11 at Oroklini Marsh on the 15th,
c25 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 7th and at the same site 10 on
the 16th and c110 on the 17th. Also reported from
Yeroskipou, Anarita Park, Asprokremnos Dam, Bishop's Pool, Evretou Dam,
Larnaca Salt Lake, Mandria, Yermasoya Dam and Zakaki Marsh which had a
maximum of 6 on the 25th. Glossy
Ibis Plegadis
falcinellus Another
widespread and common species this month with reports from Asprokremnos
Dam with a high of 5 on the 24th, 2 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 6th,
2 at Ayia Napa on the 8th, 15 at Ayios Giorgios on the 25th,
42 in the Episkopi Bay on the 18th, Evretou Dam all month with
a high of 6 on the 4th, 8th and 18th, 1
at the Ezousa Pools on the 18th and Larnaca Sewage Works with a
high of 18 ion the 15th. The species was particularly common at
Kiti Dam from the 17th with c20 birds present, 7 on the 18th,
44 on the 19th and 58 on the 20th. Present at
Oroklini from the 3rd with 2 present until the 28th
when 3 were present but in between they had highs of 19 on both the 24th
and the 25th. Phasouri Reed Beds had the highest numbers with
c80 on the 7th, c160 on the 17th and still c60 on
the 26th. There were c40 over Pissouri on the 7th
and Zakaki Marsh had c40 on the 22nd, c70 on the 25th
with about c30 from the 1st through to the 12th. Spoonbill Platalea
leucorodia The only sighting this month with 3 flying by Ayios Giorgios
on the 25th. Greater
Flamingo Phoenicopterus
ruber Akrotiri
Salt Lake had a high of c1700 on the 11th although this number
had reduced to c500 by the 22nd. Larnaca Salt Lake had 186 on
the 15th with another 33 at the Larnaca Airport Pools South on
the same date. The highest count from the Larnaca Sewage Works is very
strange with only 1 bird reported from the 15th to the 18th.
I suppose that we are all to blame in that we believe ‘other’ people
will report them so we decline to make a count whilst we are there, poor
birdwatching indeed! Oroklini had 1 immature present until the 6th
when it was joined by another youngster until the 30th. Gadwall Anas
strepera The only sighting this month of 2 birds at the Larnaca Sewage
Works on the 8th. Teal
Anas crecca Present
at Phasouri Reed Beds from the 1st until the 12th
with a maximum of 6 on the 2nd. At Oroklini they were present
from the 1st until the 13th with a maximum of 4 on
the 4th and the 7th. Also present at the Larnaca
Sewage Works from the 15th until the 20th with a
maximum of 6 on the 8th. Mallard Anas
platyrhynchos Reported
from Larnaca Sewage Works up to and including the 16th with a
maximum of 10 on the 8th and the 15th. There were 4
at Evretou Dam on the 2nd, 3 at Yermasoya Dam on the 2nd
with 2 there on the 7th, 2 at Oroklini on the 8th
with 5 at Akhna Dam on the 16th and the same number at Oroklini
on the same date. There were 11 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 26th
which included an adult female and 8 ducklings about 3 days old. Pintail Anas acuta Present
at Larnaca Sewage Works from the 8th when 9 birds were reported
to the 21st when there was just a male and a female present. Garganey
Anas querquedula Very
numerous this spring with many birds lingering on at the various wetlands,
hopefully to breed. 2 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 9th, up to
3 at Aspro Dam Pools from the 2nd until the 26th, 4
at Asprokremnos Dam on the 12th with 2 there on the 24th,
35 on passage at the Evretou Dam on the 2nd with 2 remaining
behind from the 8th until at least the 21st. There
were 2 reported from the Ezousa Pools on the 20th, 6 at Kiti
dam on the 16th, a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 20 birds,
1 at Yermasoya Dam on the 7th, c25 at Zakaki Marsh from the 1st
to the 12th and c40 there on the 25th. At Phasouri
Reed Beds they were quite difficult to count, hidden for much of the time
amongst the reeds and other vegetation. The general consensus for most of
the month was between c30 and c50 birds, let’s hope that many stay on to
breed. Shoveler Anas
clypeata Present at the Larnaca
Sewage Works from the 8th with just 2 birds reported until the
19th when 5 birds were reported, the maximum number being on
the 15th when c30 were reported. Oroklini had 4 birds on the 1st
but only 1 bird subsequently until the 10th, the last sighting
from this site. Phasouri Reed Beds had up to 15 birds present from the 2nd
to the 26th but with no reports after this date. There was a
lone bird on Zakaki Marsh on the 2nd. Pochard Aythya
ferina A female was reported
from Larnaca Sewage Works from the 19th until the 21st,
the only record this month. Ferruginous Duck Aythya
nyroca A male and 2 females were
seen on and off at Phasouri Reed Beds until the last report on the 25th.
Always difficult to locate, they may well hang on at this site to breed;
watch this space! Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator A report of 2 birds
present at the Evretou Dam on the 4th is so atypical that full
Field Notes have been requested. Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorus
Just 2 reports
this month with a single bird at the Paphos Airport area on the 1st
and another single bird at Marathounda on the 29th. Griffon Vulture Gyps
fulvus Only reported from
Kensington Cliffs with a maximum of 8 birds present on the 22nd. Marsh Harrier Circus
aeruginosus Many birds on passage
reported from many sites island-wide. Akamas with 3 on the 21st,
Akrotiri Salt Lake with 1 on the 5th, Anarita Park with 2 on
the 24th, Aspro Dam Pools with 1 between the 14th
and the 20th, Asprokremnos Dam with 1 on the 6th, 12th,
22nd and 2 on the
24th. There was 1 at Choli on the 27th, 1 at Evretou
Dam on the 2nd, 8th and the 21st, 3 seen
down the Ezousa River on the 20th, 1 at Kiti Dam on the 18th
and the 20th with 2 at Kiti Lighthouse on the 17th,
Larnaca Sewage Works had just 1 most days between the 1st and
21st but with 2 on the 19th whilst Mandria had a
similar 1 between the 4th and the 30th but with 4 on
the 20th and 2 on the 27th. Oroklini had a female
most days of the month but there was a lone male there on the 8th
whilst Phasouri Reed Beds had birds present most days the maximum being 4
in any one day. There was 1 at Spiro's Pool on the 15th, 1 at
the Xeros Potamos on the 4th, 1 at the Yermasoya Dam on the 2nd
and finally up to 2 birds at Zakaki Marsh between the 1st and
the 12th. Hen Harrier Circus
cyaneus Single birds moved
through all month with a female at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 1st,
a male at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 2nd, 1 at Peyia on the 3rd,
1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5th, a ring tail at Ayios
Giorgios on the 25th, a male at Nata on the 21st and
finally a female at Oroklini on the 30th. Pallid Harrier Circus
macrourus Seen more frequently than
the previous species and at more sites there were 2 at Akrotiri Gravel
Pits between the 1st and the 11th, 3 males at Aspro
Dam Pools on the 20th, a male and a female at the Asprokremnos
Dam on the 10th with a male there on the 12th, a
‘pair’ at Cape Greco on the 8th, a male at Evretou Dam on
the 21st, a total of 3 males and 2 females at Mandria on 2nd
and 3rd, a male at Mazotos on the 1st with another
on the 12th, a bird at Neo Chorio on the 2nd, a male
and a female at Oroklini on the 2nd with just a male there on
the 8th, a bird at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 20th,
a male at Zakaki Marsh between the 3rd and the 6th
and finally a male at Zygi on the 8th. Montagu’s Harrier
Circus pygargus The main movement of this
species was generally later than the previous species with the first male
being seen at Zakaki Marsh on the 6th, a male at Asprokremnos
Dam on the 7th, 10th and the 12th, a male
on the Akamas on the 14th with 2 there on the 15th,
2 males and 2 females at Aspro Dam Pools on the 20th, 1 male
and 2 females at the Ezousa River on the same date, a male and a female at
the Evretou Dam on the 21st, 3 birds at Nata on the same date,
2 males at Asprokremnos Dam on the 22nd, a male at Mandria on
the 24th with 2 females there on the 27th and a male
and 2 females at Anarita Park on the 24th. Goshawk Accipiter
gentilis The only sighting this month of a lone bird on the
Smyies Track on the Akamas on the 3rd. Sparrowhawk Accipiter
nisus 2 birds on the Akamas on
the 2nd, 1 in the Troodos on the same date and 1 sighting at
the Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 6th are the only reports this
month. Common Buzzard Buteo
buteo B.b.buteo 1 in the Paphos area on the 3rd, 1 at the Phasouri Reed Beds on the 1st to the 12th and the 25th and 1 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 14th. B.b.vulpinus 1
frequented the Aspro Dam Pools area from the 6th to the 15th
and 1 was seen
at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 11th. Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus A pair were seen in the
area of the Evretou Dam on the 14th, 21st and the 24th
with a pair in the Kathikas area on the 28th. Golden Eagle Aquila
chrysaetos A marvellous discovery of a second calendar year bird in the
North Troodos area on the 2nd of this month, the second-only
accepted record for the island, the previous accepted sighting being in
1973. Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus
fasciatus 1 at Argaka Dam on the 15th,
1 at Ayia Marina on the 21st with 1 at Evretou Dam on the same
date, 2 at Armou on the 28th and finally 2 at Vretsia on the 30th. Lesser Kestrel Falco
naumanni First reported this month
from Aspro Dam Pools with 5 birds present on the 4th then a
male at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 10th, 4 birds at the
Asprokremnos Dam on the 11th with 13 there on the 24th
and finally 12 birds at Anarita Park on the 23rd with 10 there
on the 24th. Most male birds seen were in their 2nd
calendar year although a very few were full adult. Kestrel Falco
tinnunculus Single birds and pairs
reported throughout the month from Akhna Dam, Smyies Track, Yeroskipou,
Aphrodite’s Bath, Aspro Dam Pools, Latchi, Evretou Dam, Kamares, Kiti
Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works, Neo Chorio, Oroklini, Paphos Lighthouse Area,
Polis Reed beds, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Spiro's Pool, and the Troodos.
Confirmed breeding was reported from Kiti Dam on the 17th. Red-footed Falcon Falco
vespertinus First sighting this year
was of a lone male at Meneou Beach on the 15th by TP. Birds then started to move through in relatively small numbers
with 1 at Akhna Dam on the 16th, 1 at Mazotos on the 18th
but with 50 on the 25th, this being by far the largest number
seen this month. Maximums were 2 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 22nd,
3 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 25th, 3 at Kouklia on the 22nd,
3 at Mandria on both the 20th and the 30th, 5 at the
Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 25th and on the same date, 3 at
Zakaki Marsh. Hobby Falco
subbuteo 1 at Zakaki Marsh seen on the 5th was
extremely early, the main movement not starting until mid-month when 1 was
seen at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 17th, 1 at Peyia on the 18th,
1 at Theletra on the 24th, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 25th
and the 30th, 1 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 26th, 1
at Platres on the 30th with 1 at Protaras on the same date. Eleonora’s Falcon
Falco eleonorae 7 at Kensington Cliffs on the 22nd which was
followed by sightings of 1 at Lara Bay on the 24th, 1 at Ayios
Giorgios on the 25th and c24 at Kensington Cliffs on the 26th. Peregrine Falco
peregrinus All reports refer to
single birds there being sightings from Akamas on the 2nd,
Aspro Dam Pools on the 2nd, Asprokremnos Dam on the 2nd,
Ineia on the 24th, Kensington Cliffs on the 22nd,
Peyia on the 2nd and the 23rd, Phasouri Reed Beds on
the 16th, Smyies on the 14th and Spiro's Pool on the
20th.
Chukar Alectoris
chukar Many reports of up to 5
birds island-wide but with c14 reported from Amathus between the 1st
and the 12th. There have been no breeding reports as of yet. Black Francolin Francolinus
francolinus Reports of up to 3 birds
seen/heard at Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Yeroskipou, Athalassa, Latchi, Evretou
Dam, Kamares, Neo Chorio, Oroklini, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Phasouri Reed
Beds, Polis, Pomos, Spiro's Pool and the Xeros Potamos all month. Quail Coturnix
coturnix Seen or more normally
heard at Evretou Dam on the 2nd, Latchi on the 3rd,
Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5th, Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 7th,
2 at Amathus on the 9th, 2 at Akhna Dam on the 16th,
2 at Kiti Dam on the 17th with 1 there on the 18th
and finally 1 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 24th. Water Rail Rallus
aquaticus Reported only from Aspro
Dam Pools with 1 bird present from the 7th until at least the
16th. Little Crake Porzana
parva What in the world
happened to the Crakes this month? They have been so noticeable by their
absence. Oroklini had up to 2 males and 2 females from the 1st
to the 15th, the maximum being 2 males and 1 female on the 3rd.
The only other sites from which this species was reported was Kiti Dam
with 1 bird present on the 8th and near Zakaki Marsh with a
male on the 9th. Corncrake Crex crex This secretive species
was seen on the 30th
at Konnos Bay. Moorhen Gallinula
chloropus Present at all the usual
sites with c10 birds being reported from Akhna Dam and Kiti Dam with
Oroklini having a maximum daily count of 14 birds. Coot Fulica atra Again present at all the
usual sites, high counts were c30 at Akhna Dam on the 16th, c30
at Kiti Dam on the 17th, 20 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th
and a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 32. The first young of the year
were seen at Oroklini on the 29th. Common Crane Grus
grus 27 migrating north over the Evretou Dam at 2000 feet on
the 2nd. Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus Present at Aspro Dam
Pools from the 13th until the 16th with a maximum of
6 on the 14th, 2 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 24th,
10 at Evretou Dam on the 2nd, 4 at the Ezousa Pools on the 6th
with 2 there on the 12th and singles on the 23rd and
the 25th, 11 at Kiti Dam on the 17th, 4 on Ladies
Mile on the 3rd with 2 there on the 6th, 4 at
Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th, 2 at Mandria Pools on the 20th,
1 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th, c20 at Phasouri
Reed Beds on the 26th, 18 on Larnaca Salt Lake on the 21st,
between c30 and c50 at Spiro's Pool from the 15th until the 19th,
6 at Zakaki Marsh on the 3rd and a maximum daily count at
Oroklini of 65 birds. c12 birds were incubating at Oroklini on the 30th. Avocet Recurvirostra
avosetta The only report is of 3
birds at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 8th . Stone
Curlew Burhinus
oedicnemus 2 at
Akhna Dam on the 17th, 8 at Achelia Dam on the 14th,
1 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 23rd, 1 at Cape Greco on the 8th,
4 at Mandria on the 20th, 1 at Oroklini on the 5th
and finally 7 on the Xeros Potamos on the 4th with 3 there on
the 11th. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor There
was a report of 1 at the Akrotiri Gravel Pits this month but I still await
Field Notes from the observer. Collared
Pratincole Glareola
pratincola At the Larnaca
Sewage Works there were 17 on the 8th, 5 on the 15th,
2 on the 17th, 1 on the 19th,
2 on the 20th and 9 on the 21st. Present at Mandria
with 1 on the 13th and 14th,
5 on the 17th, 2 on both the 20th and the 23rd,
4 on the 24th and 2 again on both the 27th
and the 30th. There
was 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on
the 26th, 2 at the Xeros Potamos on the 11th and 28
at Akhna Dam on the 30th
although they circled but never landed.
Little
Ringed Plover Charadrius
dubius 2 at
the Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 10th, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on
the 4th, 14th and the 16th, 1 at Ezousa
Pools on the 12th with 3 there on the 25th, 1 at
Mandria on both the 10th and the 13th with 2 there
on the 15th. At Oroklini they were present in fluctuating
numbers from the 2nd to the 29th with a maximum of 6
birds on the 10th. There was 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 7th
and 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 25th. Ringed Plover Charadrius
hiaticula Much less frequent than
the previous species there were 2 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 3rd
with 5 there on the 23rd, 2 at Ladies Mile on the 7th,
1 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 20th with 4 there the next
day the 21st and finally 1 at Oroklini on the 26th. Kentish Plover Charadrius
alexandrinus Ladies Mile with 1 from
the 9th to the 11th, 22 on the 22nd, 6 on
the 25th and 5 on the 26th. Larnaca Sewage Works
with 3 on the 8th, 3 on the 15th, 2 on the 18th,
4 on the 19th and on Larnaca Salt Lake there were 5 on the 21st.
At Spiro's Pool there were 2 on the 8th, c25 on the 15th
and 2 on the 17th whilst at Spiro’s Beach there was a pair
with a newly hatched chick on the 17th. Grey Plover Pluvialis
squatarola The only sighting this month with a single bird at
Larnaca Sewage Works on the 18th. Spur-winged Plover
Vanellus spinosus Single birds at Ezousa on
the 6th, 19th and 30th with 4 there on
the 16th. There were single birds seen at Achelia Dam on the 19th,
Mandria on the 23rd and the 24th and Yermasoya Dam
on the 11th. Phasouri Reed Beds had 2 on the 5th, 11th
and the 26th whilst Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 7
birds with 3 pairs nesting and the first eggs appearing on the 22nd.
There were 2 birds at Zakaki Marsh from the 4th until the 8th. Sanderling Calidris
alba The only sighting this month of 1 bird at the Larnaca
Sewage Works on the 18th. Little Stint Calidris
minuta Very widespread this
month, some high counts include 12 at the Ezousa Pools on the 25th,
28 on Ladies Mile on the 25th, 20 at the Larnaca Sewage Works
on the 15th with 40 there on the 18th, a maximum
daily count at Oroklini of 33, 5 at Spiro's Pool on the 8th and
only 3 at Zakaki Marsh on the 25th. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris
ferruginea Passage started on the 20th
with just 1 bird at Larnaca Sewage Works but there 4 there the next day.
Oroklini had its first single bird on the 22nd with 2 the next
day. The maximum at the Ezousa Pools was 4 on the 27th, Ladies
Mile 4 on the 26th, Zakaki Marsh 12 on the 25th and
Oroklini 4 on the 26th. 2 were present at the Mandria Pools on
the 30th. Dunlin Calidris alpina
2 on the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 1st, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 16th, 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 20th and the 21st are the only reports this month. Ruff Philomachus pugnax Present at all the usual
sites, maximum counts were 4 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 16th, 14
at Evretou Dam on the 2nd, c50 at the Ezousa Pools on the 27th,
30 on Ladies Mile on the 25th, c300 at the Larnaca Sewage Works
on the 15th with c200 on the 21st, c80 at Phasouri
Reed Beds on the 26th, c100 at Spiro's Pool on the 17th
and c20 at Zakaki Marsh from the 1st to the 12th.
The maximum daily count at Oroklini was 40 birds. Also present at Paphos
Lighthouse Area with 1 on the 4th, Akrotiri Gravel Pits with 1
on the 7th, Asprokremnos Dam with 4 on the 24th and
Kiti Dam with 2 on the 17th. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes
minimus The only sighting this month of a single bird at Oroklini
on the 21st. Snipe Gallinago
gallinago There were 2 at Ezousa on
the 6th, 1 at Oroklini on the 8th, 2 or 3 at
Phasouri Reed Beds from the 1st to the 12th and 1 on
the 26th, 1 at Evretou Dam on the 21st and 1 at
Zakaki Marsh on the 26th. Great Snipe Gallinago
media There was one reported
from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 9th until the 12th.
There was also a very well watched bird at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 14th,
the biggest Cyprus ‘twitch’ I have ever witnessed with the bird
eventually performing like a true artist! Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa There were between 12 and
18 birds at Oroklini between the 1st and the 4th
which had reduced to 2 on the 5th but recovered to 15 by the 25th.
Phasouri Reed Beds had 7 at the beginning of the month but by the 16th
had fallen to 3, falling even more to 1 by the 25th. There were
2 at Evretou Dam on the 2nd whilst Zakaki Marsh had 1 on the 9th,
2 on the 25th and a similar 2 on the 26th. Whimbrel Numenius
phaeopus 3 over-flew Phasouri Reed
Beds on the 5th whilst 1 paid a visit to Larnaca Sewage Works
on the 18th. Spotted Redshank Tringa
erythropus Oroklini had just 1 on
the 5th, 6th and the 9th whilst Zakaki
Marsh had 2 from the 1st to the 10th but only 1 on
the 25th. Larnaca Sewage Works had 2 on the 8th but
this had reduced to just 1 by the 18th and the 19th. Redshank Tringa
totanus Only seen in 1’s and
2’s at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 1st, Oroklini on the 2nd
and the 21st, Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5th, Larnaca
Sewage Works on the 12th, 16th, 19th and
the 21st and at Mandria on the 15th. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa
stagnatilis This gem of a wader was
seen at Oroklini with 2 on the 1st, Zakaki Marsh with 1 on the
1st, 1 on the 22nd and 2 on the 25th,
Aspro Dam Pools with 1 on the 14th, 15th and the 16th,
Larnaca Sewage Works with 8 on the 15th, 1 on the 18th,
3 on the 19th, 2 on the 20th and 8 again on the 21st,
Ezousa Pools with 1 on the 16th, 18th, 20th
but with 4 on the 27th. Also seen on Ladies Mile with 3 on the
2nd and 4 on the 26th and at Phasouri Reed Beds with
2 on the 22nd, 25th and the 26th. Greenshank Tringa
nebularia Its larger but similarly
attractive cousin was widespread this month with 3 at the Akrotiri Gravel
Pits on the 7th with just 1 on the 12th. Aspro Dam
Pools had 1 on the 6th and the 16th but 2 on both
the 14th and the 15th. Asprokremnos Dam had just a single bird
on the 1st whilst Evretou Dam had 4 on the 4th but
just the 1 on the 21st. There were 2 at Ezousa on the 25th,
1 on the 30th, 4 at Ladies Mile on the 25th with 2
on the 26th. At the Larnaca Sewage Works there was just 1 on
the 15th and the 18th but a high 10 on the 19th.
Finally there were 3 at the Larnaca Airport Pools South on the 20th,
1 at Mandria on the 9th and the Oroklini maximum daily count
was of 8 birds. Green Sandpiper Tringa
ochropus 1 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits
on the 9th with 3 on the 11th, 1 at the Aspro Dam
Pools on the 6th, 12th and 16th, 6 on the
13th and 2 on the 15th, 1 at the Asprokremnos Dam on
the 24th, 2 at Latchi on the 3rd, 1 at Ezousa on the
10th, 2 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th but
only 1 on the 15th, 1 at Oroklini on the 4th but
with 2 on both the 5th and the 18th, 1 Phasouri Reed
Beds on the 7th and the 20th with 2 there on the 10th
and finally 2 at Zakaki Marsh between the 1st and the 12th. Wood Sandpiper Tringa
glareola Reported from Akhna Dam
[6 on the 16th], Akrotiri Gravel Pits [1 on the 2nd],
Aspro Dam Pools [max. 10 on the 15th], Asprokremnos Dam [2 on
the 24th], Evretou Dam [4 on the 21st], Ezousa Pools
[max. c30 on the 27th], Kiti Dam [2 on the 17th],
Larnaca Sewage Works [max. 5 on the 15th], Mandria Pools [max.
2 on both the 10th and 27th], Oroklini [maximum
daily count 6], Phasouri Reed Beds [max. c40 on the 26th],
Larnaca Salt Lake [2 on the 21st] and Zakaki Marsh [max. 8 on
the 25th]. Common Sandpiper Actitis
hypoleucos Seen at Akhna Dam [1 on
the 8th and 16th], Akrotiri Gravel Pits [7 on the 9th],
Aspro Dam Pools [1 on 12th, 15th, 16th,
26th and 2 on 25th], Asprokremnos Dam [1 on 24th],
Evretou Dam [1 on 21st, 28th but 3 on 2nd],
Ezousa [1on 20th, 2 on 25th], Kiti Dam [2 on 17th
and 18th], Larnaca Sewage Works [2 on 8th, 1 on 18th
and 21st], Oroklini [1 on 7th, 8th, 18th,
25th, 26th, 28th and 29th but
3 on 30th] and finally 1 at the Yermasoya Dam on the 5th. Great Black-headed Gull
Larus ichthyaetus Field Notes were accepted
for a 2nd summer bird, seen on the 24th, which flew along the beach-front in front of
the Pioneer Beach Hotel in Kato Paphos. Mediterranean Gull Larus
melanocephalus There was an adult in
breeding plumage at Polis on the 3rd and another bird at the
Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th. Little Gull Larus minutus Present for most of the
month at the Larnaca Sewage Works with the following reports of numbers
and dates. 4 on 1st, 6 on 8th, 10 on 12th,
13 on 15thand the 17th, 9 on the 16th, 19th,
20th and 21stand 8 on the 18th. Away from
Larnaca the species was reported from Zakaki Marsh on the 3rd
with 2 birds present. Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundus Larnaca Sewage Works had
23 on the 1st, 27 on the 8th, 3 on the 15th
and 10 on the 18th. Oroklini had 90 on the 1st, 100
on the 2nd, 75 on the 3rd but just 6 on the 6th.
There was 1 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th, Zakaki
Marsh on the 3rd and the 5th and 5 at Ladies Mile on
the 25th. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei At Akrotiri Salt Lake
there were c80 on the 11th and 26 on the 26th whilst
the numbers at Larnaca Salt Lake were 8 on the 21st and at
Larnaca Sewage Works 48 on 1st, 5 on 8th, 4 on 19th,
2 on 17th and just 1 on the 15th, 16th,
18th and the 20th. Larnaca Airport Pools South had 6
on the 15th whilst Zakaki Marsh had 2 on both the 3rd
and the 25th. Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii Just the one report, a 1st summer bird at Melanda [?] on the 5th. Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus L.f.fuscus 2 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th with just 1 on the 19th and the 21st. There were 4 at Oroklini on the 4th and 3 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 20th. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 5 at the Bath’s of Aphrodite on the 2nd, at Ayios Giorgios on the 4th, at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 7th and at Aspro Dam Pools on the 16th. 3 at Latchi on the 3rd and at Aspro Dam Pools on the 4th. There was 1 on Ladies Mile between the 1st and the 12th, 2 at Neo Chorio on the 2nd and the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th, 173 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 7th but just 10 there the next day. There were 4 reported from Oroklini on the 4th. L.c.michahellis 10 at
the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15th is the only report.
Armenian
Gull Larus
armenicus 1 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th is the only report this month.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon
nilotica 2 at the Larnaca Sewage
Works on the 17th, 18th and the 20th with
5 there on the 21st. There were 3 at Zakaki Marsh from the 22nd
to the 26th.
Caspian Tern Sterna
caspia 1 at Kiti Dam on the 18th
with 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the same date; same bird? Sandwich Tern Sterna
sandvicensis 1 at the Larnaca Sewage
Works on the 8th with 2 down the Ezousa River on the 16th. Common Tern Sterna hirundo There were 2 in residence
at the Larnaca Sewage Works from the 12th onwards with both
displays and courtship feeding noted. Little Tern
Sterna albifrons 2 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 18th with just 1 seen on the 19th. Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybridus 1 at the Larnaca Sewage
Works on the 8th, 15th to 18th included,
2 on the 19th, 21st with 3 on the 20th.
There were 35 at Kiti Dam on the 18th but only 1 on the 20th.
Asprokremnos Dam had 4 on the 21st with 3 on the 24th
and the 29th. There were also 6 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 25th. White-winged Black Tern
Chlidonias leucopterus 1 at the Larnaca Sewage
Works on the 20th and 21st, at Phasouri Reed Beds on
the 26th and at Evretou Dam on the 28th. There were
3 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 29th.
Rock Dove Columba
livia Singles were reported from Bath’s of Aphrodite on the 2nd and Neo Chorio on the 4th. There were 5 reported from Aspro Dam Pools on the 4th, 6 on the 16th and 3 from Kensington Cliffs on the 11th. Woodpigeon Columba
palumbus
Reported from most sites during the month with double figures from Evretou Dam with 10 on the 2nd, Polis Reed Beds with 20 on the 3rd, 14 in the Xeros Potamos on the 4th and 22 on the 11th. Collared Dove Streptopelia
decaocto c8 were reported from
Amathus from the 1st to the 12th, 6 from the
Bath’s of Aphrodite on the 2nd, 5 from Neo Chorio on the 3rd
with 4 on the 4th, 2
from Yeroskipou on the 8th, 2 from Kamares on the 15th
and the maximum daily count at Oroklini was 3. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur The
first report this year was of just 1 bird at Kato Pyrgos on the 3rd
followed by single birds at Zakaki Marsh on the 5th and at
Bishop's Pool on the same date. This was followed by the sighting of 1
bird whilst the observer was travelling to Troodos on the 6th,
1 at Yeroskipou on the 8th, 1 at Amathus on the 10th,
3 at the Paphos Airport area on the 10th, 1 at Xeros Potamos on
the 11th, 1 at Oroklini on the 12th, 10 at Mandria
on the 17th with similar numbers at Kiti Dam on the 18th
and the 20th. There were then c40 reported from Mandria on the
20th with c30 on the 23rd and finally c80 from the
Paphos Airport area on the 25th. Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Reported from the Akamas, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Armou, Aspro Dam Pools, Asprokremnos Dam, Choli, Episkopi, Evretou Dam, Ezousa, Ineia, Kathikas, Lefkara, Chirokitia, Kiti Dam, Lythrodhonda, Mandria, Mazatos, Peyia, Polis, Stroumbi and Tsadha. The largest gatherings
were 4 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 22nd and 4 at Ineia also
on the 22nd. Cuckoo Cuculus
canorus Single birds were at
Smyies on the 3rd and the 18th, Akrotiri Gravel Pits
on the 6th, Kiti dam on the 8th, Asprokremnos Dam
and Phasouri Reed Beds on the 11th, Kathikas on the 14th
and the 28th, Coral Bay on the 15th and Peyia on the
18th. 2 birds were seen at Bishop's Pool on the 12th
and the 16th, Smyies on the 15th and Kathikas on the
28th. Barn Owl Tyto
alba The only sighting this month of a single bird at Klavdhia
on the 18th. Scops Owl Otus
scops cyprius 10 were heard calling at
Neo Chorio the evening of the 1st whilst a bird was found
having drowned in a swimming pool at Lysos on the 11th. Single
birds were heard/seen at the Akamas on the 21st, Evretou Dam on
the 21st and Cape Greco on the 30th. Little Owl Athene
noctua All reports are of single
birds and were seen at the Akamas on the 14th, Asprokremnos Dam
on the 16th and the 24th, Episkopi on the 17th
and one was heard all month in Peyia. Long-eared Owl Asio
otus One at Oroklini in some small trees adjacent to the marsh on
the 28th. Short-eared Owl Asio
flammeus One at Mandria which lingered for a few days, first seen on the 2nd. Nightjar Caprimulgus
europaeus 2 at Cape Greco on the 29th whilst
a male at the same location on the following day, the 30th. Swift Apus
apus Reported from across the
island, concentrations included 15 at Troodos on the 6th, 15 at
the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th, more than 20 at Amathus
from the 1st to the 12th whilst the Oroklini maximum
daily count was of 75 birds. Pallid Swift Apus
pallidus There were 5 seen on the
Akamas on the 4th, 15 at Troodos on the 6th, 12 at
Troodos on the 12th and finally 20 at Troodos on the 13th. Alpine Swift Apus
melba Seen frequently at the
Aspro Dam Pools when they come into drink, they were reported from the 2nd
to the 20th with the maximum number being c10. Also seen on a
regular basis at Kensington Cliffs the maximum number was c12 on the 26th.
Also 6 seen at the Xeros Potamos on the 4th and 3 at Ezousa on
the 6th. Kingfisher Alcedo
atthis 1 or 2 seen at Oroklini
between the 4th and the 15th and 1 or 2 at Aspro Dam
Pools on the 12th and the 13th. 1 on the beach near
Latchi on the 3rd, 1 at Amathus on the 10th, 1 at
Mandria on the 10th, 1 at Akhna Dam on the 16th and
the last at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20th. Blue-cheeked
Bee-eater Merops
superciliosus An
excellent spring for this species, the reports below do not reflect the
large numbers I heard about whilst travelling around the island. First
sighting was of 5 at the Paphos Airport area on the 4th. This was quickly followed by 1 at Phasouri Reed
Beds on the 5th, 12 at Akrotiri on the 6th, 3 at the
Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 6th, 2 at Avdimou on the 6th
and 5 at the Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 7th. I heard of a
flock at Mandria totalling c35 and seen by many observers but
unfortunately the record was never submitted. Bee-eater Merops
apiaster The first report was of a
single bird seen on the 3rd
at Pomos. After this date many records from across the island were
submitted. Notable concentrations included c80 at Melanda [?] on the 5th,
c40 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 15th, c30 at the Paphos
Lighthouse Area on the 20th, 200+ at Ayios Giorgios on the 25th
and c50 at Tala on the 24th. Interestingly there were no
reports of ANY birds east of the Akrotiri Salt Lake. Roller Coracias
garrulus The first sighting this spring with 2 birds near Polis on
the 15th. There were then 2 birds seen at Kiti Dam on the 18th,
1 at Oroklini on the 18th, 1 at the Dhypotamos Dam on the 19th,
7 at Evretou Dam on the 21st, 1 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 22nd
with 7 there on the 24th and 1 there on the 29th.
There were 3 seen at Kamares on the 24th, 2 at Theletra on the
24th, 1 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 26th, 1 at
Choli on the 27th with 1 at Episkopi on the same date, 6 on the
Akamas on the 28th and 1 at Kamares on the 29th. Hoopoe Upupa
epops Reports continued from
last month with 1’s and 2’s being seen across the island although the
eastern records were very few. Oroklini had singles on the 1st,
6th and the 22nd whilst Larnaca had 1 on the 1st
and the 18th. There were 2 at Lythrodhonda all month. Wryneck Jynx
torquilla Singles at the Bath’s
of Aphrodite on the 2nd, Neo Chorio on the 3rd,
Aspro Dam Pools on the 4th, Akamas on the 5th,
Yeroskipou on the 7th and Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th.
There were 2 at Oroklini on the 3rd. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha
calandra Most reports emanate from
around the Larnaca Sewage Works area with 1 on the 1st, 2 on
the 15th, 5 on the 17th, 1 on the 17 at Spiro's Pool
and 2 there on the 19th. There was a report of a bird seen on
the 7th between Paphos and Coral Bay. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata The only reported sightings this spring whilst showing a
group of Swiss birdwatchers around the area. There was 1 at Mandria on the
24th with one the next day on the huge expanse of sand between
Ladies Mile and the Akrotiri Salt Lake. Short-toed Lark Calandrella
brachydactyla The Mandria area is
obviously a favourite site for this species with c400, the largest
concentration reported this year, being present in the area on and around
the 14th of the month but with lesser numbers from the 1st
through to the 20th. Also reported from Akrotiri Gravel Pits
with 3 on the 2nd, 3 at Latchi on the 3rd, 3 at the
Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th, Phasouri Reed Beds with 1 on
the 5th, Spiro's Pool with c60 on the 15th, Ezousa
with c80 on the 18th, Larnaca Sewage Works with 6 on the 19th
and Paphos Lighthouse Area with 4 on the 20th. Lesser Short-toed Lark
Calandrella rufescens There was a well watched individual mixed in with the large numbers of the previous species, making it quite difficult to find, on the 14th at Mandria. Crested Lark Galerida
cristata Common across the island
and seen at most, if not all, sites this month. Concentrations included 10
at Latchi on the 3rd, 10 at Ayios Giorgios on the 4th
with a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 20 birds. Woodlark Lullula
arborea The only sighting this month of 6 birds in the Troodos
area on the 13th.
Skylark Alauda
arvensis There were some late
reports of this species with 1 being seen at Latchi on the 3rd,
2 at Ayios Giorgios on the 4th and 2 at Mandria on the 6th,
10th and the 13th. Sand Martin Riparia
riparia Fairly heavy movement of
this species through the island this month which is not reflected in the
paucity of records submitted. 10 at Bishop's Pool on the 5th,
c50 at Zakaki Marsh on the same date, 10 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the
7th with 6 at Yermasoya Dam on the same date, 5 at Yeroskipou
on the 8th, 4 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 16th but
c300 there on the 20th and finally c100 at Ayios Giorgios on
the 25th. Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne
rupestris The single sighting this month of 1 bird at Melanda [?]
on the 5th. Swallow Hirundo
rustica Many sightings all month
from Cape Greco to the Akamas with the highest concentration being the
Oroklini maximum daily count of 75 birds. Red-rumped
Swallow Hirundo
daurica 3 at
Neo Chorio on the 3rd, 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 5th,
4 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 8th with 4 on the 11th,
4 on the 16th and c20 on the 20th, 1 at Ormidhia on
the 13th, 12 at Coral Bay on the 15th, 1 at Tseri on
the 15th, 7 at Anarita Park on the 24th, 2 at
Episkopi on the 25th, c10 at the Ezousa Pools on the 25th,
4 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 26th, 8 at Marathounda on the 28th
and 4 at Nata also on the 28th. All records submitted are
shown. House Martin Delichon
urbica The only sighting from
the east of the island is the Oroklini maximum daily count of 10 birds.
Concentrations in the west included c100 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 20th,
100+ at Ayios Giorgios on the 25th, 50 at Episkopi also on the
25th and 30 at Nata on the 28th. Tawny Pipit Anthus
campestris Many reports from across
the island, preferred sites include the Akrotiri Gravel Pits with a
maximum of 8 on the 12th, Asprokremnos Dam with a maximum of
c12 on the 10th and Mandria with a maximum of 8 on the 10th.
Also reported from the Akamas with 2 on the 4th, Akrotiri with
15 on the 22nd, Anarita Park with 3 on the 28th,
Latchi with 4 on the 3rd, Cape Greco with 4 on the 29th,
Coral Bay with 1 on the 15th, Kiti Dam with 2 on the 18th,
Ladies Mile with 6 on the 11th, Paphos Lighthouse Area with 3
on both the 4th and the 7th with 2 on the 20th,
Pomos with 2 on the 3rd and finally Spiro's Pool with 2 on the
15th. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Reported from many sites
in the west with higher counts being made at the Akamas with 20 on the 4th
and 7 on the 21st, 7 at the Paphos Airport area on the 4th
and 4 at the Ezousa Pools on the 12th. The only easterly
sighting is of 5 at Akhna Dam on the 16th. Meadow Pipit Anthus
pratensis Late staying birds
included 1 at Amathus on the 1st and 2 at Oroklini on the 11th. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Akhna Dam had 1 on the 16th,
Ayios Giorgios 25 on the 4th, Akamas 4 on the 4th,
Phasouri Reed Beds 1 on the 5th and 1 on the 25th,
Larnaca Sewage Works 1 on the 20th, Mandria with 6 on the 9th,
c20 on the 13th, 6 on the 17th and 1 on the 18th,
Paphos Lighthouse Area with c15 on the 1st, Spiro's Pool with
c50 on the 15th, Zakaki Marsh with 3 on the 5th and
finally a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 15 birds. Water Pipit Anthus
spinoletta There were 3 at Zakaki
Marsh on the 5th with just 1 there on the 12th. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla
flava Many reports this month including 5 at Akhna Dam on the 16th, c50 at Akrotiri on the 17th, 20th and the 22nd, c200 at Coral Bay on the 3rd, 50 at Mandria on the 3rd with c200 there on the 14th. a)
Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla
flava flava Notable numbers included c50 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 5th, c20 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 13th, c180 at the Ezousa River on the 25th, c200 at Mandria on the 6th with c160 there on the 9th, c40 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 1st whilst Oroklini had a maximum of 6 on the 21st and the Larnaca Sewage Works 3 on the 20th. b)
Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava thunbergi c20 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 1st, 3 at Amathus on the 10th and the 11th and 4 at Mandria on the 14th were all reported as being of this race. c)
Ashy-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava cinereocapilla 2 at Latchi on the 3rd as belonging to this race. f)
Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg By far
the most widespread of the ssp notable concentrations included 25 at Ayios
Giorgios on the 4th, c100 on the Akamas on both the 2nd
and the 4th, c20 at
Mandria on the 6th, c100 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 1st
with 25 on the 7th,
c12 at Phasouri Reed Beds from the 1st until the 8th,
10 at Polis on the 3rd,
c50 at Spiro's Pool on the 15th, 4 at Yermasoya Dam on the 7th
and c20 at Zakaki
Marsh from the 1st to the 12th. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola There was a male at Oroklini on the 10th and the 20th and a male and a female at the Mandria Pools on the 24th but only a male on the 30th. White Wagtail Motacilla alba Reported in relatively
small numbers from Ayios Giorgios, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Aspro Dam Pools,
Ezousa, Lysos, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Polis, Yermasoya Dam and Zakaki
Marsh. Highest numbers were at Zakaki Marsh with 20+ between the 1st
and the 12th plus a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 15
birds. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Singles were seen, and
heard, in the Troodos on the 3rd and the 6th, at
Kato Platres on the 13th and at Theletra on the 14th. Robin Erithacus rubecula Late stayers were seen at
Smyies on the 3rd and at Pikni Forest on the 4th. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia
luscinia The only record this month of a bird at Neo Chorio on
the 2nd. Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchos Extremely widespread this
month with 1’s and 2’s from Smyies, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Amathus,
Bath’s of Aphrodite, Aspro Dam Pools [on 3 separate dates], Ayios
Giorgios, Evretou Dam, Mavrokolymbos Dam, Neo Chorio [3 birds on 2 dates],
Paphos Lighthouse Area and Platres. Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus A male at Akrotiri Gravel
Pits on the 1st, 1 at the Bath’s of Aphrodite on the 2nd,
a male on the Akamas on both the 3rd and the 4th, 1
at Mandria and at Smyies on the 14th, 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works
on the 15th, 1 at Smyies on the 18th and 1 at the
Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 22nd. Whinchat Saxicola
rubetra Probably more widespread
and in larger numbers than I have experienced during my time on the
island, they were reported from Agroti [2], Akamas [max. 6], Akrotiri
Gravel Pits [max. 8], Amathus, Anarita Park, Aspro Dam Pools, Asprokremnos
Dam [max. 6 on 2 dates], Latchi [3], Ezousa, Kathikas [8], Chirokitia [2],
Larnaca Sewage Works [max. 3], Mandria [max. 5], Mavrokolymbos Dam, Nata,
Neo Chorio, Peyia, Tsadha [max. 13], Xeros Potamos [3] and Zakaki Marsh
[max. 7]. Stonechat
Saxicola torquata A late stayer at Melanda [?] on the 1st but
without mentioning the sex of the bird.
Isabelline Wheatear
Oenanthe isabellina Mandria had 2 on the 1st,
4th and the 14th with 1 on the 23rd,
there was 1 at Anarita Park on the 2nd, 2 at Latchi on the 3rd,
1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th with 2 there on the 7th,
Asprokremnos Dam with 2 on the 4th and 3 on the 9th,
30 at the Akamas on the 4th, 1 at Ayios Giorgios on the 4th,
1 at Coral Bay on both the 3rd and the 7th and 1 at
Meneou on the 15th. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe
oenanthe Widespread and in good
numbers throughout the month with reports from Ayios Giorgios [4], Agroti
[5], Akrotiri Gravel Pits [5 dates max. 4], Akrotiri Salt Lake, Anarita
Park, Asprokremnos Dam [max.4], Latchi [10], Cape Greco, Coral Bay, Ezousa,
Kathikas, Ladies Mile, Larnaca Sewage Works, Mandria [5 dates max. c16 on
13th], Neo Chorio, Oroklini, Paphos Lighthouse Area [4], Xeros
Potamos [4] and Zakaki Marsh. Cyprus Pied Wheatear
Oenanthe cypriaca Mandria with 1 on 1st, Anarita Park with 2 on 2nd and on same date 4 at Bath’s of Aphrodite and 3 at Neo Chorio, 3 at Smyies on 3rd with 3 at Neo Chorio and 1 at Platres on same date, 3 at Neo Chorio on 4th with 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area, 1 at Akrounda on 5th, 3 in Troodos on 6th, 1 at Cape Greco on 8th with 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works, 2 at Moutagakia on 10th, 1 at Kamares on 15th, 1 Oroklini on 16th, 1 at Dhypotamos Dam on 19th, 7 on the Akamas on the 21 with 3 at Evretou Dam on the same date. 2 were present at Amathus from the 1st to the 12th and 3 were present at the Yermasoya Dam during the same period. 2 were reported from Lythrodhonda all month. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca 2 on 1st
at Akrotiri Gravel Pits, 1 on 1st at Larnaca Sewage Works and
Melanda, 2 on 2nd at Akamas, 1 at Smyies, Latchi and Neo Chorio
on the 3rd with 4+ at Pomos on the same date. There were 5 on
the Akamas on the 4th with 1 at Xeros Potamos on the same date,
1 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits and 2 at Melanda on the 5th, 1 at
Mandria on 6th, 2 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on 7th, 1
at Cape Greco and at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 8th, 1 at
Paphos Airport area on the 10th, 1 at Xeros Potamos on the 11th
with 1 at Ezousa and 8 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 12th. 1
light-throated was at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15th, 1 at
Mandria on the 20th, 1 black-throated on the 25th
and a female on the 27th at Tsadha and a female at Cape Greco
on the 30th. All records are shown. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe
deserti Just 1 at Akrotiri Gravel
Pits on the 7th and 1 at Lara Beach on the 8th. Finsch’s Wheatear
Oenanthe finschii A male on the Akamas on the 4th. Red-tailed Wheatear
Oenanthe xanthoprymna We have 2 outstanding
claims of this species, 1 at the Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 6th
and 1 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 18th, both awaiting
full Field Notes. These, if proven, would constitute the 2nd
and 3rd records for the island respectively. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius One at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 4th. Blackbird Turdus merula 1 at Smyies on the 3rd
with 1 in the Troodos on the same date. 1 in the Troodos on the 13th
with 1 at the Prodhromos Dam on the 23rd. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 at Amathus between the 1st and the 7th. Cetti’s Warbler Cettia
cetti Heard and infrequently | ||||||