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Bird News

Bird Records for August 2003

[The following list contains records that have not been corrected or corroborated]

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

Oroklini had just the 1 bird present from the 1^st to the 10^th, Athalassa had 1 on the 10^th with 3 on the 27^thand Phasouri Reed Beds had 3 on the 10^th and the 20^th with 5 seen on the 17^th.

Shag    Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Reported from only Mandria with 3 on both the 9^th and the 16^th.

Night Heron    Nycticorax nycticorax

Just the one report from Phasouri Reed Beds with 2 on the 20^th.

Squacco Heron    Ardeola ralloides

Seen at only the one site, Phasouri Reed Beds, this month with 3 on the 2^nd, 5^th and the 13^th, 4 on the 10th, 2 on the 24^th and singles on the 17^th and the 25^th.

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 25^th and the 31^st with 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 27^th.

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

1 each at Phasouri Reed Beds and Zakaki Marsh on the 2^nd with 3 at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^thand the 25^th.

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

There were 2 at Akhna Dam on the 2^nd, 1 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on the 13^th and at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20^th, 50 crossing Pomos Point on the 21^st with singles at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th, 17^th and the 25^th.

Purple Heron    Ardea purpurea

Seen at only Phasouri Reed Beds this month with a single bird on the 5^th and the 20^th.

Glossy Ibis    Plegadis falcinellus

Again, seen only at Phasouri Reed Beds this month with 3 birds present on both the 8^th and the 13^th.

Greater Flamingo    Phoenicopterus ruber

There were c100 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 2^nd, c110 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 5^th with 31 there on the 8^th and only 6 there on the 31^st.

Teal    Anas crecca

3 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 8^th, 1 on the 13^th and 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 25^th.

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

Just the one report [actually 2 but the observer who saw Mallard at the Aspro Dam Pools forgot to say how many] of 13 birds at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5^th.

Pintail    Anas acuta

A single bird was present at Phasouri Reed Beds on both the 13^th and the 17^th.

Garganey    Anas querquedula

6 seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 10^th and the 13^th, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 11^th but 10 there on the 13^th with 2 on the 14^th whilst Phasouri Reed Beds again had 30 on the 17^th with 27 on the 20^th and Zakaki Marsh had 3 on the 25^th.

Shoveler    Anas clypeata

A single bird was reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th.

Honey Buzzard    Pernis apivorus

3 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th with 1 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 30^th.

3 seen at Vrecha on the 14^th.

Black Vulture    Aegypius monachus

The long-staying individual was seen at Vrecha on the 14^th.

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus

Singles present at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 9^th and the 30^th with 2 there on the 31^st.

Pallid Harrier    Circus macrourus

A lone 2^nd year male was reported from Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 30^th.

Montagu’s Harrier    Circus pygargus

There was a male at Phasouri Reed Beds on both the 30^th and the 31^st with a female being reported from Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 31^st.

Long-legged Buzzard    Buteo rufinus

A single adult was reported from Pissouri on the 12^th with 2 adults being seen at the same location on the 13^th.

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

An adult pair was reported from Marathounda on the 3^rd.

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

1 at Strovolos on the 25^th with 1 being the Oroklini maximum daily count.

Hobby    Falco subbuteo

1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 13^th and an adult reported from Zakaki Marsh on the 27^th.

Eleonora’s Falcon    Falco eleonorae

2 seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 13^th, 23+ at Pissouri on the 15^th and just 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th.

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus

Singles at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5^th, male at Kathikas on the 21^st, Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 25^th reported attacking and killing a Hooded Crow, female at Aspro Dam Pools on both the 7^th and the 11^th and finally an adult male at Pissouri on the 8^th, 10^th, 13^th and the 18^th. 

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

A flock of 50 was reported from Pissouri on the 7^th, 3 in the Makheras on the 31^st and a maximum daily count of 20 from Oroklini.

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

Singles at Nata on the 4^th, Pissouri on the 7^th, Vrecha on the 14^th, Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th, Pachyammos on the 23^rd and 3 from Aspro Dam Pools on the 7^th.

Water Rail    Rallus aquaticus

Just the one report of a single bird at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

10 at Athalassa on the 10^th, an adult plus 2 juvs at Aspro Dam Pools on the 13^th, 2 juvs at Athalassa Park on the 27^th and a maximum daily count of just 1 bird from Oroklini.

Coot    Fulica atra

19 birds at Athalassa on the 10^th, 2 adults plus 3 juvs at Aspro Dam Pools on the 13^th, 25 birds at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th, 7 at Athalassa on the 27^th and an Oroklini maximum daily count of 9 birds.

Demoiselle Crane    Anthropoides virgo

All reports are from the Akrotiri Salt Lake.

20^th - 8 adults.

23^rd – 41 adults plus 6 juvs. 1 juv with a yellow ring on the right leg.

28^th – 130 adults plus 20 juvs.

29^th – 130 birds.

30^th – 13 adults plus 3 juvs.

31^st – 157 adults plus 23 juvs.

Black-winged Stilt    Himantopus himantopus

Up to 7 birds at Oroklini between the 1^st and the 12^th, up to 15 birds at Phasouri Reed Beds between the 2^nd and the 13^th with a report that 3 pairs raised 3 juvs each, 5 at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th, 8 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th, 4 at Zakaki Marsh on the 17^th and the 25^th with 7 being reported from this site on the 27^th.

Collared Pratincole    Glareola pratincola 

1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 2^nd and although I heard about this species from Akhna.

Little Ringed Plover    Charadrius dubius

At Phasouri Reed Beds there were 3 on 2^nd, 1 on 5^th, 2 on 13^th, 5 on 17^th, 3 on 20^th with a report from Ladies Mile of 1on the 2^nd and 1 at Oroklini on the 8^th with 2 there on the 10^th.

Ringed Plover    Charadrius hiaticula

1 at Ladies Mile on the 17^th is the only report.

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

24 on the 13^th and 30 on the 17^th were reported from Ladies Mile.

Greater Sand Plover    Charadrius leschenaultii

Only from the Paphos Lighthouse Area with 3 on the 11^th and the 20^th, 1 on the 23^rd and 2 on the 25^th. All reports are of the ssp columbinus with the exception of 2 on the 20^th which were the longer-billed crassirostris.

Spur-winged Plover    Vanellus spinosus

There was just 1 present at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 5^th, 17^th and the 30^th with 2 there on the 20^th and the 24^th. There were also 2 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 20^th with Zakaki Marsh having 1 on the 25^th but 2 on the 27^th. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 20 birds.    

Little Stint    Calidris minuta

4 at Ladies Mile on the 2^nd but 25 present on the 17^th and 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 2^nd with 2 on the 13^th but back to 1 on the 17^th. Oroklini had 3 on the 9^th with 2 on the 10^th and 1 on the 19^th whilst the Paphos Lighthouse Area had 1 bird present on the 20^th.

Dunlin    Calidris alpina

Only one report, an adult at Ladies Mile on the 17^th.

Broad-billed Sandpiper    Limicola falcinellus

Exactly as above, an adult at Ladies Mile on the 17^th.

Ruff    Philomachus pugnax

At Phasouri Reed Beds there were 4 on 5^th, 3 on 8^th, 4 on 9^th, 6 on 10^th, 3 on 17^th and 2 on the 20^th. Zakaki Marsh had just 1 bird on the 13^th.

Snipe    Gallinago gallinago

Phasouri Reed Beds had 2 on 20^th, 4 on 24^th and 1 on the 31^st.

Redshank    Tringa totanus

Phasouri Reed Beds had 1 on the 2^nd, 8^th and the 10^th.

Marsh Sandpiper    Tringa stagnatilis

Phasouri Reed Beds had 1 juv on 2^nd, 1 juv on 10^th, 2 birds on 17^th and 1 bird on 24^th.

Greenshank    Tringa nebularia

Zakaki Marsh had 1 on the 13^th and 2 on the 27^th whilst Phasouri Reed Beds had 3 on the 31^st.

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

Phasouri Reed Beds had 4 flying over on the 5^th with 1 bird present on the 13^th whilst Oroklini had 1 bird present on the 10^th, 11^th and the 14^th. There was 1 reported from Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th.

Wood Sandpiper    Tringa glareola

At Phasouri Reed Beds there was 1 on 8^th, 5 on 9^th, 3 on 13^th and 1 on both the 17^th and the 31^st. Zakaki Marsh had 9 on the 13^th and 1 on both the 17^th and the 25^th.

Common Sandpiper    Actitis hypoleucos

At Zakaki Marsh there was 1 on the 2^nd, 2 on the 13^th and 4 on the 27^th whilst on the 20^th there were 6 at Phasouri Reed Beds. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 3 birds.

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres

Only reported from the Paphos Lighthouse Area with 2 adults and 1 juv on the 23^rd and 1 adult on the 25^th.

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei

There was an adult and a 1^st winter at Ladies Mile on the 2^nd with 4 birds reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20^th and 3 there on the 24^th. A first year bird on the beach at Mandria on the 16^th was totally unafraid allowing approaches to within a few feet before taking flight. It appeared to be perfectly fit and healthy.

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans  

L.c.michahellis

1 at Ladies Mile on the 13^th with 4 at Zakaki Marsh on the same date and 11 on the 17^th.   

Gull-billed Tern    Gelochelidon nilotica

Just the one report of an adult and a juv at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 8^th.   

Little Tern    Sterna albifrons

There were 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 17^th.

Note. I still require details from the observer who reported successful breeding of this species away from Larnaca Sewage Works.

Whiskered Tern    Chlidonias hybridus

1 at Zakaki Marsh on both the 25^th and the 27^th.

Black Tern    Chlidonias niger

1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 27^th.

White-winged Black Tern    Chlidonias leucopterus 

At Phasouri Reed Beds there were 3 on both the 5^th and 8^th with just 1 on the 20^th. Zakaki Marsh had 3 birds present on the 13^th, 6 on the 17^th and 2 on both the 25^th and the 27^th.

Rock Dove    Columba livia

14 reported from Nata on the 4^th.

Woodpigeon    Columba palumbus

20 reported from Nata on the 4^th whilst the species was seen daily around the

Marathounda/Armou area.

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

40 at Nata on the 4^th, 14 at Mandria on the 9^th with 19 on the 19^th. The maximum daily count at both Oroklini and at Strovolos was of 4 birds.

Turtle Dove    Streptopelia turtur

1 at Armou on the 1^st, 5 at Mandria on the 9^th, 4 at Athalassa on the 10^th, 2 at Vrecha on the 14^th, 6 at Mandria on the 18^th with 7 there the following day, the 19^th and 1 at the Pomos Dam on the 23^rd.

Barn Owl    Tyto alba

Between 1 and 3 birds were seen at Phasouri Reed Beds throughout the month. 1 or 2 heard daily [nightly] throughout the month at Pissouri.

Long-eared Owl    Asio otus

3 reported from Athalassa on the 10^th whilst an Asio owl was reported from Pissouri on the 19^th, either this species or Short-eared.

Nightjar    Caprimulgus europaeus

1 was found dead on the road at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 13^th whilst 2 or 3 were reported throughout the month from Pissouri.

Swift    Apus apus

There were 3 at Oroklini on the 5^th with 2 on the 6^th, 50 at Pissouri on the 12^th, 25 on the 13^th and just 1 on the 16^th.

Alpine Swift    Apus melba

Up to 15 reported from Pissouri between the 7^th and the 18^th.

Kingfisher    Alcedo atthis

Singles at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 9^th, 24^th and the 31^st, Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th and the 17^th, Oroklini on the 14^th, Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 23^rd, Paphos Harbour on the 25^th and 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 25^th.

Pied Kingfisher    Ceryle rudis

Via Birdline I heard of a female at Akhna Dam most of the month but I have yet to receive the report.

Bee-eater    Merops apiaster

There were 24 seen at Athalassa on the 27^th, 10 or so heard at Lythrodhonda on the 28^th and 18 seen at the Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 30^th.

Roller    Coracias garrulus

2 were seen on the Armou to Tsadha track on the 3^rd, 2 at Mandria on the 18^th, 2 at Kornos on the 24^th with 1 at Pissouri on both the 9^th and the 14^th.

Hoopoe    Upupa epops

Singles at Mandria on the 24^th, Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 25^th, Phasouri Reed Beds on the 30^th with 2 at Lythrodhonda during the 1^st to the 12^th.

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

There were 3 reported from Tsadha on the 1^st, 1 from Nata on the 4^th with a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 15 birds.

Woodlark    Lullula arborea

4 were seen at Troodos on the 12^th.    

Sand Martin    Riparia riparia

4 were reported from Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th with 2 from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 30^th.

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

2 at Famagusta on the 8^th, 42 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 13^th with 67 there on the 16^th and a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 20 birds.

Red-rumped Swallow    Hirundo daurica

10 reported from Episkopi on the 4^th, 2 at Marathounda on the 4^th, 10 at Nata on the 4^th, 32 at Episkopi Garrison on the 11^th, 2 at Oroklini on the 14^th, 3 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 30^th and 2 at Pachyammos on the 15^th and the 16^th.

House Martin    Delichon urbica

c160 at Troodos Station on the 3^rd and 4 at Oroklini on the 22^nd. 

Yellow Wagtail    Motacilla flava

3 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 2^nd with 1 at Oroklini on the 23^rd and the 24^th.

a) Blue-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava flava

A female and a juv at the Ezousa River on the 13^th.

f) Black-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava feldegg

7 at Zakaki Marsh on the 2^nd, up to 2 at Oroklini between the 8^th and the 15^th, 9 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 13^th, 30at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 17^th, 10 at Zakaki Marsh on the 17^th with 12 there on the 25^th.

Isabelline Wheatear    Oenanthe isabellina

Just the one report of a single bird at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20^th.

Cyprus Pied Wheatear    Oenanthe cypriaca 

1 reported from Makheras Forest on the 31^st with 2 at Lythrodhonda all month.    

Cetti’s Warbler   Cettia cetti

At the Aspro Dam Pools there was 1 on the 7^th with 2 there on the 14^th.

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis

Only reported from Oroklini with a maximum daily count of 4 birds.  

Reed Warbler    Acrocephalus scirpaceus

1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 7^th with 2 there on the 14^th and 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 13^th, 17^th and the 24^th.

Great Reed Warbler    Acrocephalus arundinaceus

There was 1 seen at Nata on the 4^th, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 24^th but 3 reported the following day from this site.

Olivaceous Warbler    Hippolais pallida

2 at Episkopi on the 4^th, 2 at Nata on the 4^th, 6 at Vrecha on the 14^th, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 30^th and 2 all month at Lythrodhonda.

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

Only reported from Oroklini with a maximum daily count of 5 birds.

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

1 at Kritou Terra on the 25^th with 2 at Pachyammos on the 19^th and the 23^rd.

Willow Warbler    Phylloscopus trochilus

Single bird at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 25^th and the 30^th.

Spotted Flycatcher    Muscicapa striata

Single bird at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 24^th and at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 30^th.

Coal Tit    Parus ater cypriotes

1 at Troodos on the 12^th and 3 in the Makheras Forest on the 31^st.

Great Tit    Parus major aphrodite

2 at Troodos on the 12^th, 1 at Athalassa on the 27^th and 2 all month at Lythrodhonda.

Red-backed Shrike    Lanius collurio

A juv at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 24^th is the only report.

Lesser Grey Shrike    Lanius minor

Singles at Famagusta on the 8^th, Kelephos Bridge on the 9^th, Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th, Oroklini from the 15^th to the 29^th on most days, Mandria on the 16^th and the 21^st, Limassol on the 20^th, Chlorakas on the 24^th with 2 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20^th and at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 30^th and 3 at the Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 24^th.

Masked Shrike    Lanius nubicus

There were 13 noted on the Armou to Tsadha track on the 1^st, 2 at Armou on the 3^rd, 3 at Episkopi on the 4^th, 2 at Marathounda on the 4^th, 1 at the Kelephos Bridge on the 11^th, a juv at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 11^th, 4 at Vrecha on the 14^th, 3 in the Makheras Forest on the 31^st and 2 all month at Lythrodhonda.

Jay    Garrulus glandarius glaszneri

An unknown number heard in Troodos on the 12^th and the 14^th.

Magpie    Pica pica

Up to 2 at Oroklini between the 11^th and the 29^th.

Jackdaw    Corvus monedula

5 in Nicosia on the 17^th, 5 at Engomi on the 22^nd and 2 in Nicosia on the 29^th.

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

3 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini with Strovolos having a maximum daily count of 86.

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

14 in the Makheras Forest on the 31^st with a daily average of 50 at Oroklini but with c500 over-flying the site each day to roost elsewhere.

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

c300 at Nata on the 4^th with c160 at Mandria on the 13^th.

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

2 at Vrecha on the 14^th.

Serin    Serinus serinus

c10 at the Kelephos Bridge on the 9^th and 3 at Lythrodhonda on the 26^th.

Greenfinch    Carduelis chloris

2 at Lythrodhonda all month is the only report of this species. 

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

2 at Pissouri on the 8^th, 3 at Athalassa on the 27^th with maximum daily count’s at Lythrodhonda of 2 birds and at Oroklini of 6 birds.

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

3 on the Armou to Tsadha track on the 1^st and 2 at Pissouri on the 12^th and the 15^th. 

Crossbill    Loxia curvirostra

4 in Troodos on the 12^th. 

Cretzschmar’s Bunting    Emberiza caesia

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