BIRDLIFE CYPRUS          ΠΤΗΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

Bird News

Bird Records for December 2003

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

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

Reported from Aspro Dam Pools, Athalassa, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Bishop's Pool, Phasouri Reed Beds, Akhna Dam, Dam near Pera, Polemedhia Dam, Oroklini and the Larnaca Sewage Works. Large concentrations include c12 at Bishop's Pool on the 14^th, c10 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 14^th, 21 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th, c100 at Akhna Dam on the 20^th, 6 at Oroklini on the 25^th, 29 at the Dam near Pera on the 28^th, 13 at Polemedhia Dam on the 28^th, 5 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st, 8 at Phasouri Reed Beds from the 28^th to the 31^st and c25 at Zakaki Marsh from the 28^th to the 31^st.

Great Crested Grebe    Podiceps cristatus

The numbers at the Asprokremnos Dam increased from 1 on the 6^th to 11 on the 21^st whilst there were 2 at Akhna Dam all month with 3 at Yermasoya Dam from the 28^th to the 31^st.

Black-necked Grebe    Podiceps Nigricollis

Only reported from the Larnaca Sewage Works with a maximum of 6 on the 31^st.

Cormorant    Phalacrocorax carbo

Reported from most of the wetlands and Dams along the south coast the highest numbers were 50 at Akhna Dam on the 26^th and c350 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 30^th.

Shag    Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Probably now into their breeding cycle the only report came from Kensington Cliffs, a known breeding site, with 2 birds on the 30^th.

Bittern    Botaurus stellaris

A single bird seen at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 6^th.

Night Heron    Nycticorax nycticorax

4 at the Akhna Dam on the 20^th and just 1 there on the 26^th.  

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

Becoming much more frequent during the winter months, there were 9 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 3^rd with 2 there on the 29^th, singles at the Ezousa River from the 10^th to the 16^th, Phasouri Reed Beds on the 14^th and at the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 30^th. Akhna Dam had 2 on the 26^th whilst an interesting sighting of 3 birds on the Yermasoya Roundabout during the busy afternoon of the 27^th which stayed feeding on the roundabout for a few hours, amongst all the frantic traffic. Finally there were 3 reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

Athalassa had up to 2 birds between the 6^th and the 14^th, 1 at the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 14^th, 2 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 21^st with 2 at Akhna Dam on the 26^th and finally singles at Oroklini on the 26^th and at Zakaki Marsh on the 31^st.

Great White Egret   Egretta alba   

There was 1 at Zakaki Marsh all month which occasionally wandered to Ladies Mile from where it was reported, 2 at Athalassa on the 6^th and 2 at Akhna Dam from at least the 6^th until the month’s end.

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

Reported from Akhna Dam [3 on 26^th], Aspro Dam Pools [1 on 2^nd], Asprokremnos Dam [maximum of 2 on 29^th], Athalassa [1 from 6^th to 14^th], 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on 31^st, maximum of 2 from Oroklini, 1 at Tamassos Dam 28^th, 1 at Yermasoya Dam on the 28^th, c46 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th during the Field Meeting there and subsequently up to 6 at Zakaki Marsh from the 27^th to the 31^st.

White Stork    Ciconia ciconia

There was 1 at Akhna Dam on the 1^st, 3 at the Ezousa River area from the 2^nd to the 16^th and 3 at the Paphos Rubbish tip which included an injured bird with just the injured bird present on the 20^th.

Greater Flamingo    Phoenicopterus ruber

The numbers present at the Akrotiri Salt Lake were estimated to be c2400 on the 14^th increasing to c9000 on the 31^st. Unfortunately no one submitted counts of the Larnaca birds.

White-fronted Goose    Anser albifrons

The elusive flock at the Larnaca Sewage Works were reported as 17 on the 12^th, c150 on the 30^th but just 22 on the 31^st.

Lesser White-fronted Goose           Anser erythropus

The ‘first-for Cyprus 3’ reported upon last month were reduced to 2 birds, presumably by poachers, and were present at the Akhna Dam all month.

Greylag Goose    Anser anser

Just the one report of a single bird seen on the 20^th.

Shelduck    Tadorna tadorna

c100 at the Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 14^th increasing to c140 by the 31^st, c60 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 2^nd, 5 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2^nd increasing to 22 by the 15^th and 23 at Meneou Pools on 19^th but just 7 there on the 22^nd.

Wigeon    Anas penelope

From the 21^st the numbers at Asprokremnos Dam remained around the 30 mark as was the number reported from Bishop's Pool on the 14^th, only a surprisingly low number of 2 was reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st whilst there 5 at Oroklini on the 5^th, 4 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st and c20 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th but only 8 on the 28^th.

Gadwall    Anas strepera

There was 1 at the Aspro Dam Pools from the 1^st to the 6^th, 6 at Bishop's Pool on the 14^th and 4 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th too.

Teal    Anas crecca

Significant numbers were c110 at Akhna Dam on the 17^th, c140 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 21^st, c120 at Bishop's Pool on 14^th, 240 as the maximum daily count at Oroklini, c200 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 14^th, 300 at Spiro’s Pool on 25^th and also reported from Zakaki Marsh, Yermasoya Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works, the Dam near Pera and Aspro Dam Pools.

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

Reported from Akhna Dam [8 on 26^th], Akrotiri Gravel Pits [3 on 14^th], Aspro Dam Pools [1 on 5^th], Asprokremnos Dam [c120 on 21^st], Athalassa [max 12+ on 10^th], Bishop's Pool [c30 on 14^th], Dam near Pera [3 on 28^th], Larnaca Sewage Works [max c20 on 30^th], Oroklini [max 4 on 17^th, 23^rd and 24^th], Phasouri Reed Beds 24 on 28^th] and Zakaki Marsh with max c20 on 14^th.

Pintail    Anas acuta

Seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake [12 on 31^st], Bishop's Pool [8 on 14^th], Larnaca Sewage Works [17 on 12^th], Meneou Pools [21 on 22^nd], Phasouri Reed Beds [max c20 on 14^th] and Zakaki Marsh with a max of c10 on 14^th.

Garganey    Anas querquedula

There was 1 reported from Aspro Dam Pools on the 5^th and 1 at Athalassa on the 10^th.

Shoveler    Anas clypeata

There were c2500 reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 30^th giving suspicion that the c500 reported from there on the 31^st was not a complete count, Phasouri Reed Beds had its max on 14^th with c20 birds, Oroklini max was just 4 on various dates throughout the month whilst Asprokremnos Dam and Zakaki Marsh could only boast single birds seen on the 21^st and the 28^th respectively.

Red-crested Pochard    Netta rufina

Single birds only at Aspro Dam Pools on the 1^st, 3^rd and the 5^th and at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th.

Pochard    Aythya ferina

Single male at Aspro Dam Pools on the 5^th and the 16^th, 2 birds at Bishop's Pool on the 14^th, 1 bird at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 30^th and finally 7 birds at Yermasoya Dam on the 31^st, a very poor showing all month for this species.

Ferruginous Duck    Aythya nyroca

The lone male was present at Aspro Dam Pools until at least the 23^rd with 1 bird reported from Larnaca Salt Lake on the 20^th and 2 from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.

Tufted Duck    Aythya fuligula

A male in eclipse and or female was reported from Aspro Dam Pools until at least the 23^rd, 3 birds at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2^nd and a female at Yermasoya Dam on the 31^st are the only reports.

Griffon Vulture    Gyps fulvus

4 at Kensington Cliffs on the 14^th, 9 at the same site, 2 with wing-tags on the 22^nd and a surprising 30 birds reported on the 30^th at this location too.

Black Vulture    Aegypius monachus

Seen at Kensington Cliffs on both the 14^th and the 22^nd.

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus

There was 1 seen at Akhna Dam for most of the month, 1 at Kensington Cliffs on the 22^nd, 1 at Oroklini on the 30^th, up to 4 at Phasouri Reed Beds most of the month whilst Zakaki Marsh had 2 birds reported for most of the month too.

Hen Harrier    Circus cyaneus

Single birds frequented Akhna Dam on the 16^th, Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 31^st, Aspro Dam Pools on the 23^rd [male], Kantara Castle on the 30^th, Mandria on the 3^rd, 10^th and 14^th [male] with both a male and a female seen there on the 13^th plus 2 distant female-type birds seen from Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th.

Pallid Harrier    Circus macrourus

A rare winter sighting of a male at Oroklini being harassed by a Kestrel on the 30^th.

Sparrowhawk    Accipiter nisus

Singles at the Ezousa River on the 2^nd and the 10^th, at Paphos Airport on the 7^th and at Psimolofou on the 31^st.

Common Buzzard    Buteo buteo

2 at Akhna Dam on the 26^th but otherwise singles only at Banana Bay, Paphos on the 29^th, Kouklia on the 23^rd, Phasouri Reed Beds between the 28^th and 31^st and at Strakka on the 29^th.   

Long-legged Buzzard    Buteo rufinus

A bird soaring at Kensington Cliffs on the 22^nd.

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

An adult at Paphos Airport area on the 13^th, 2 birds at Asprokremnos Dam on the 26^th with just 1 at this site on the 28^th are the only reports.

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

Reported from Kensington Cliffs, Akrounda Dam, Amathus, Aspro Dam Pools, Asprokremnos Dam, Dam near Pera, Ezousa River, Kouklia, Kritou Tera, Malounta, Mitsero, Oroklini, Paramali, Pera Orinis, Phasouri Reed Beds, Pissouri, Psimolofou, Strakka, Yermasoya Dam, Ypsonas and Zakaki Marsh. Highest number reported was 8 over the Ezousa Pools on the 22^nd catching, and eating on the wing, insects in the manner of other smaller falcons. Kestrels performing in this manner, particularly in the winter months, are erroneously reported as Lesser Kestrels, a point worthy of note.

Merlin    Falco columbarius

A female at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 21^st and a male at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 23^rd are the only reports this month.

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus  

Singles reported from Akhna Dam on the 20^th and the 23^rd, from Kensington Cliffs on the 22^nd.  

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

Seen at Ayia Thekla, Kensington Cliffs, Akrounda Dam, Amathus, Athalassa, Cape Greco, Kouklia and the Reed Beds, Malounta, Oroklini, Strakka and the Yermasoya Dam. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 43 birds, Malounta had 35 birds on the 27^th, Strakka had 26 on the 29^th and there were 17 at Amathus on the 31^st.

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

Singles at Coral Bay on 6^th, Akhna Dam on 20^th, Kensington Cliffs on 22^nd, Phasouri Reed Beds on 22^nd, and Akrotiri Gravel Pits on 28^th. 3 were seen at the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 20^th and 5 was the Oroklini maximum daily count.

Quail    Coturnix coturnix

2 birds at Coral Bay on the 6^th.

Water Rail    Rallus aquaticus

There has been an elusive bird at the Aspro Dam Pools most of the month, seen on the 22^nd and the 23^rd respectively, but then again this species is usually difficult to see, more often heard than seen. A bird at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 20^th.

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

Reported from all wetlands, higher counts came from Bishop's Pool with c12 on the 14^th and 10 at Athalassa on the same date.

Coot    Fulica atra

Another common species, reported from most of the wetlands with Phasouri Reed Beds having c250 between the 28^th and 31^st, Larnaca Sewage Works c150 on the 30^th, 66 at the Yermasoya Dam on the 30^th and c60 at Zakaki Marsh between the 28^th and the 31^st.

Common Crane    Grus grus

2 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 21^st and the following day, the 22^nd.

Black-winged Stilt    Himantopus himantopus

2 from Akhna Dam on the 1^st whilst he saw 3 there during a visit on the 3^rd.

Avocet    Recurvirostra avosetta

On the 14^th with 3 at Ladies Mile.

Stone Curlew    Burhinus oedicnemus

The Xeros Potamos roost had a maximum of c80 birds on the 8^th whilst the Larnaca Airport Pools North roost had 40 on the 23^rd.

Little Ringed Plover    Charadrius dubius

There were 2 at Akhna Dam on the 1^st, 1 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd and 3 at Oroklini on the 28^th.

Ringed Plover    Charadrius hiaticula

Only reported from Akhna Dam with 4 on the 20^th and 6 on the 26^th.

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

All reports are from the east of the island with a maximum of 105 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 17^th, 2 at Akhna Dam on the 20^th and 10 at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd.

Greater Sand Plover    Charadrius leschenaultii

Only reported from the Paphos Lighthouse Area where up to 6 were present all month.

Golden Plover    Pluvialis apricaria

The birds were present all month at Paphos Lighthouse Area with the numbers reported varying between 22 earlier in the month to 61 on the 25^th. Away from this area there were 5 reported from Coral Bay on the 18^th and 23 from Mandria on the 28^th.

Spur-winged Plover    Vanellus spinosus 

Oroklini 4 birds present on both the 6^th and the 9^th.   

Lapwing    Vanellus vanellus

At Akhna Dam this species peaked at 90 birds on the 8^th whilst at Mandria the largest number was c80 on the 31^st. There were c60 reported from Asprokremnos Dam on the 6^th, 14 from the Ezousa River on the 28^th, a maximum of 11 from the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 30^th, 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th, a maximum of 8 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 27^th and a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 40 birds.

Little Stint    Calidris minuta

Akhna Dam had 1 on the 1^st with 4 on the 20^th, Oroklini had 1 on the 6^th whilst there were 21 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2^nd, 30 at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd with c200 being reported on the 25^th.

Temminck’s Stint    Calidris temminckii

1 at Akhna Dam on the 1^st.

Dunlin    Calidris alpina

8 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd

Jack Snipe    Lymnocryptes minimus

A singleton at Akhna Dam on the 20^th.

Snipe    Gallinago gallinago

Akhna Dam had up to 4 between the 2^nd and the 26^th, Aspro Dam Pools had 1 on the 6^th and the 23^rd, Zakaki Marsh 1 on the 14^th and the 28^th, Phasouri Reed Beds up to 7 between the 28^th and the 31^st whilst Oroklini had up to 7 birds between the 2^nd and the 29^th.

Woodcock    Scolopax rusticola

A single bird seen at Curium on the 27^th.

Black-tailed Godwit    Limosa limosa

1 frequented Phasouri Reed Beds during the period 22^nd to the 27^th whilst there was 1 on Ladies Mile on the 7^th.

Curlew    Numenius arquata

1 at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on 14^th, 2 at Phasouri Reed Beds on 27^th, 2 at Meneou Pools on 28^th and finally 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 30^th.

Redshank    Tringa totanus

2 were seen at Akhna Dam on the 1^st and the 10^th, 3 at Ladies Mile on the 7^th, 6 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd with 12 there on the 25^th whilst Oroklini had 1 or 2 most dates between the 1^st and the 28^th.

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

1 seen at Akhna Dam on the 23^rd with 1 seen at Strakka on the 29^th.

Wood Sandpiper    Tringa glareola

1 was present at Akhna Dam on the 8^th, 10^th and the 20^th.

Common Sandpiper    Actitis hypoleucos

There was 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area most of the month with 1 seen at Yermasoya Dam on the 28^th.

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres

Up to 6 present all month at the Paphos Lighthouse Area. 

Mediterranean Gull    Larus melanocephalus

1 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 20^th.

Little Gull    Larus minutus

There was 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 28^th with 2 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st.

Black-headed Gull    Larus ridibundus

Concentrations were c100 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th and the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 21^st, c600 at Ladies Mile on the 14^th, c200 at Amathus between the 28^th and the 31^st with an Oroklini maximum daily count of c160.

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei

There were c20 reported from the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 20^th and 1 was seen over-flying the Ezousa River area on the 31^st.

Lesser Black-backed Gull    Larus fuscus   

L.f.fuscus

1 at Mandria on the 5^th, 2 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15^th with 1 there on the 19^th, 1 at Meneou Pools on the 20^th with 2 there on the 29^th and finally 3 at Zakaki Marsh on the 31^st.

L.f.heuglini

5 at Mandria on the 5^th, 5 at Ladies Mile on the 14^th with 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th with only 1 there on the 22^nd.

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans 

Concentrations included c400 at Mandria on the 5^th, c700 at the Paphos Rubbish Tip on the 21^st, 200 at the Paphos Landfill on the 22^nd, 214 at Meneou Pools on the 28^th and c200 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 30^th.

Armenian Gull    Larus armenicus 

3 reported from the Asprokremnos Dam on the 23^rd with 6 at Mandria the following day, the 24^th.   

Sandwich Tern    Sterna sandvicensis

3 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 17^th with 1 seen off Amathus on the 29^th.

Rock Dove    Columba livia

5 reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.

Woodpigeon    Columba palumbus

Widespread and common with concentrations of c350 at Mandria on 8^th, 70 at the Dam near Pera on the 28^th, 200 at the Akamas on the 29^th and c150 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

Reported from Athalassa with 1 on 6^th, Pera Orinis with 1 on 7^th, Yeroskipou Beach with 3 on 13^th, Oroklini with 4 on 20^th, Kensington Cliffs with 4 on 2^nd, Strakka with 14 on 24^th, Psimolofou with 1 on 25^th, Strakka with 1 on 29^th, Pera Orinis with 4 on 30^th, Zakaki Marsh with 2 on 31^st, Amathus with 6 between the 28^th and the 31^st and a maximum daily count at Strovolos of between 2 and 3.

Barn Owl    Tyto alba

1 found dead at the Xeros Potamos on the 30^th.

Scops Owl    Otus scops cyprius

1 reported from the Akamas on the 31^st.

Little Owl    Athene noctua

Up to 3 at the Asprokremnos Dam all month plus a maximum daily count at Oroklini of just the 1 bird which, on odd days, was missing from its favoured perch.

Long-eared Owl    Asio otus

Singles reported from Psimolofou on the 20^th and the Akamas on the 25^th.

Kingfisher    Alcedo atthis

Singles only at Athalassa on 10^th, Akhna Dam on 20^th, Coral Bay on 20^th, Paphos Lighthouse Area on 25^th, Akhna Dam on 26^th, Nicosia on 26^th, Paphos Lighthouse Area on 28^th and 30^th, Amathus on 31^st and Yermasoya Dam also on the 31^st.

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

Widespread and common in all localities with 10 at the Dam near Pera on the 28^th, 10 at Strakka on the 29^th and an Oroklini maximum daily count of 10 also.

Woodlark    Lullula arborea

Widespread, particularly in the west with reports from Ezousa River with 2 on 5^th, Asprokremnos Dam with 2 on 6^th and 16 on 21^st, Peyia with 6 on 11^th and 12 on 21^st, Mandria with 2 on 14^th, Armou with 2 on 15^th, Kensington Cliffs with 5 on 2^nd, Pera Orinis with 11 on 25^th, Phasouri Reed Beds with 8 on 28^th and 2 on 29^th and finally Strakka with 28 on the 29^th.  

Skylark    Alauda arvensis

Widespread across the island with large numbers being reported from Mandria with c600 on the 16^th, Larnaca Sewage Works with 18 on 23^rd, Paphos Lighthouse Area with c20 on 24^th, Malounta with 20 on 27^th, Zakaki Marsh with c60 on 28^th, Strakka with 25 on 29^th with smaller numbers reported from Akrotiri Gravel Pits and the Dam near Pera.  

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

Birds were present at Phasouri Reed Beds towards the end of the month, either late stayers or early arrivals? There was 1 seen on the 21^st, 4 on the 22^nd, 1 on the 27^th and then 2 on both the 30^th and the 31^st.

Meadow Pipit    Anthus pratensis

Widespread and common across the island with reports from Ezousa River with c120 on the 3^rd, 2 at Pera Orinis on the 7^th, Oroklini with up to 4 birds from the 9^th, Larnaca Sewage Works with 10 on the 12^th, Zakaki Marsh with 2 on the 14^th, Larnaca Salt Lake with 20 on the 15^th, Psimolofou with 5 on the 21^st, Akhna Dam with 100 on the 23^rd, Aspro Dam Pools with 3 on the 23^rd, 1 at Psimolofou on the 25^th and at the Dam near Pera on the 28^th, 5 at Agiou Panteleimona on the 27^th, c60 at the Ezousa River on the 28^th, 200 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 28^th, 30 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 29^th, 2 at Lythrodhonda on the 29^th, 9 at Psimolofou on the 29^th, 2 at Amathus between the 28^th and the 31^st, c200 at Yermasoya Dam between the 28^th and the 31^st and finally up to 6 at Zakaki Marsh between the 28^th and the 31^st.

Red-throated Pipit    Anthus cervinus

Several reported at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 22^nd and the 27^th and just 1 at the same site on the 31^st.

Water Pipit    Anthus spinoletta

Only the one report this month of a single bird at Yermasoya Dam on the 28^th.

Yellow Wagtail    Motacilla flava

Never known to over-winter, 1 reported from the Yermasoya Dam on the 28^th could possibly have been M. citreola?

Grey Wagtail    Motacilla cinerea

1 at Kannaviou Dam on the 8^th, at Psimolofou on 29^th, at Strakka on 29^th, at Psimolofou on 31^st with 2 at Nicosia on the 26^th.

White Wagtail    Motacilla alba

This very common and widespread winter visitor was reported from Strovolos, Ezousa, Mandria, Zakaki Marsh, Paphos Rubbish Tip, Psimolofou, Strakka, Dam near Pera, Larnaca Sewage Works at Oroklini. Concentrations included 50+ at Strovolos on the 4^th and the maximum daily count at Oroklini of 80 birds. An almost pure albino was seen and photographed at Mandria on the 10^th.

Wren    Troglodytes troglodytes

2 from the Avagas Gorge on the 29^th and 1 on the 31^st.

Dunnock    Prunella modularis

2 birds at Curium on the 27^th.

Robin   Erithacus rubecula

Very numerous and widespread with reports from Mandria [3 on 7^th], Akrotiri Salt Lake [2 on 14^th], Kouklia [1 on 20^th], Psimolofou [5 on 21^st, 1 on 25^th and 10 on 29th], Kensington Cliffs [10 on 22^nd], Kannaviou Dam [1 on 23^rd], Strakka [5 on 24^th and 6 on 29th], Nicosia [1 on 26^th], Malounta [4 on 27^th], Agyia in Paphos Forest [1 on 28^th], Akrounda Dam [2 on 31^st], Pera Orinis [11 on 7^th, 3 on 25^th, 12 on 27^th and 3 on 30^th], Akrotiri Salt Lake [1 between 28-31^st], Amathus [3 between 28-31^st], Phasouri Reed Beds [2 between 28-31^st], Yermasoya Dam [c60! between 28-31^st] and 2 all month at Lythrodhonda and Oroklini and 1 all month at Strovolos.

Bluethroat    Luscinia svecica

Singles at Oroklini on 2^nd, Akhna Dam on 20^th and Phasouri Reed Beds on 22^nd.

Black Redstart    Phoenicurus ochruros

Very widespread with reports from Kannaviou Dam, Oroklini, Ezousa, Kouklia, Larnaca Sewage Works, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Bishop's Pool, Asprokremnos Dam, Avagas Gorge, Mitsero, Dam near Pera, Paphos Lighthouse Area, St. Hilarian Castle, Psimolofou, Amathus and Yermasoya Dam. Highest total was 5 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 21^st.

Stonechat    Saxicola torquatus

8 from Ezousa on the 6^th, 18 from Yermasoya Dam on the 28^th and 8 from Amathus between the 28^th and the 31^st.  

Cyprus Pied Wheatear    Oenanthe cypriaca

An extremely late individual or possibly an over-winterer from the WSBA on the 22^nd.  

Finsch’s Wheatear    Oenanthe finschii

3 males and a female close to Phinikas on the Asprokremnos Dam on the 21^st, 2 birds at Cape Greco on the 21^st, 2 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 28^th with 1 reported from there the next day, the 29^th.

Blue Rock Thrush    Monticola solitarius

1 at Armou on the 15^th, 2 at Peyia on the 20^th, 2 in the Avagas Gorge on 27^th and the 31^st, 1 at the Mavrokolymbos Dam on the 27^th and 1 at Mitsero on the 27^th.

Blackbird    Turdus merula

Up to a maximum of 2 reported from Polis, Kensington Cliffs, Nicosia, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Aspro Dam Pools, Avagas Gorge, Yermasoya Dam and Pera Orinis.

Song Thrush    Turdus philomelos

Reported from Akrotiri Salt Lake, Bishop's Pool, Peyia, Psimolofou, Kensington Cliffs, Mitsero, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Avagas Gorge, Oroklini, Strakka, Aspro Dam Pools, Amathus and Pera Orinis with the maximum being 50 at Strakka on the 29^th, all other reports being under 10 birds.

Redwing    Turdus iliacus

An unknown number from Troodos on the 24^th.

Mistle Thrush    Turdus viscivorus

1 at Mount Olympus on the 24^th and at Artemis on the 31^st.

Cetti’s Warbler   Cettia cetti

Obviously the birds are now calling as they were reported from Akhna Dam, Athalassa, Aspro Dam Pools, Kritou Tera, Larnaca Salt Lake, Psimolofou, Strakka and Pera Orinis. The maximum number was 3 birds.

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis

Singles at Pera Orinis on 7^th and 27^th, Asprokremnos Dam on 23^rd, Strakka on 29^th, Amathus on 31^st with a maximum daily count from Oroklini of 3 birds and 7 seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 31^st.  

Moustached Warbler    Acrocephalus melanopogon

The number seen at the Aspro Dam Pools varied between 1 and 3 birds all month whilst in addition there was 1 bird reported from Akrounda Dam on the 31^st.

Reed Warbler    Acrocephalus scirpaceus

A single bird at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 2^nd.

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

A single bird was reported from Oroklini on most days whilst single birds were also reported from Asprokremnos Dam on the 6^th, Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 14^th, Akhna Dam on the 23^rd and the 30^th, Xeros Potamos on the 30^th, Pera Orinis on the 27^th and the 30^th, Larnaca Salt Lake on the 31^st and the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st too. 2 birds were reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 23^rd and Larnaca Salt Lake on the 25^th.

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

Reported in 1’s and 2’s from Kannaviou Dam, Coral Bay, Peyia, Avagas Gorge, Larnaca Salt Lake and Oroklini whilst a total of 15 were reported from Kensington Cliffs on the 22^nd .

Cyprus Warbler    Sylvia melanothorax

1 at Coral Bay on the 6^th, 2 at Kensington Cliffs on the 22^nd, 1 at Lythrodhonda on the 29^th and at the Akrounda Dam on the 31^st with2 seen at Amathus between the 28^th and 31^st and 3 seen at Yermasoya Dam during this same period.

Blackcap    Sylvia atricapilla

Reported from Kannaviou Dam, Coral Bay, Paphos Town Centre, Kensington Cliffs [2], Ezousa River, Strakka [4 and 10 on 29^th]], Psimolofou [5], Avagas Gorge [c5], Malounta [10], Dam near Pera [2], Amathus, Pera Orinis [max 7] and Strovolos.

Chiffchaff    Phylloscopus collybita

Common and very widespread with sightings from Kannaviou Dam reported as tristis, the least common of the races, c15 from the Paphos Rubbish Tip, Psimolofou, Aspro Dam Pools, Strakka, Malounta, Yermasoya Dam [6], Pera Orinis, Phasouri Reed Beds, Lythrodhonda and Oroklini with an maximum daily count of 6 birds.

Willow Warbler    Phylloscopus trochilus

4 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 2^nd which is quite late but 3 at the Avagas Gorge on the 29^th are almost unprecedented and their identification must be questionable.

Goldcrest    Regulus regulus

All records are from Troodos with 1 on the 23^rd and 2 heard singing on both the 30^th and the 31^st.

Great Tit    Parus major aphrodite

As one would expect there was almost no site from where this species was not reported. Concentrations included 6 each at Kensington Cliffs on the 2^nd and Psimolofou on the 29^th with 11 seen at Strakka on the 29^th too.

Wallcreeper    Tichodroma muraria

1 seen in the Avagas Gorge on the 27^th and 1 reported from the Akamas, presumably the same site, on the 31^st.

Red-backed Shrike    Lanius collurio

An extremely late individual at Cape Greco on the 21^st.

Magpie    Pica pica

Extremely common and widespread, of note is a roost at Tseri counted as 250 birds on the 31^st.

Jackdaw    Corvus monedula

Status as per the above species but even more frequent concentrations noted with 100 from the Dam near Pera on the 28^th, c200 from Kensington Cliffs on the 30^th, c200 from Pera Orinis on the 27^th and 100 all month from Peyia. 

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

Reported island-wide with 10 at Psimolofou on the 21^st and at Mitsero on the 27^th, a huge 140 from the Dam near Pera on the 28^th and 50 from Pera Orinis on both the 7^th and the 27^th. c70 from Phasouri Reed Beds between the 28^th and the 31^st and c25 during the same period from Yermasoya Dam whilst 18 was the maximum daily count from Oroklini and again, a huge Strovolos maximum daily count of c150 birds. 

Raven    Corvus corax

A single bird in Troodos on the 31^st.

Starling    Sturnus vulgaris

In the west they were only reported from Mandria this month with 50+ on the 2^nd, 4 on the 5^th and 15 on the 24^th. Further east at Phasouri Reed Beds they were not seen until the 31^st when c30 were reported. In the east the numbers at Oroklini were 30 on the 2^nd and 50 on the 20^th with far less birds seen between these dates whilst c500 from Nicosia on the 23^rd, Strakka had 15 on the 24^th and Akhna Dam 14 on the 26^th.

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

Reported from all over the island the highest numbers being seen in Nicosia when, on the 26^th,  more than 1000 birds in flocks of 50 – 100 flying into a roost site whilst the maximum daily count at Oroklini was 220 birds.

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

80+ at Coral Bay on the 6^th, c12 between the 28^th and the 31^st at Amathus with just 4 during the same period at the Yermasoya Dam whilst the numbers at Oroklini peaked on the 26^th with 60 birds.

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

Reported from Akhna Dam[2], Kannaviou Dam [c40], Akrotiri Salt Lake [4], Ezousa River [c100], Psimolofou [15], Kensington Cliffs [5], Aspro Dam Pools [just 1], Strakka [150], Nicosia [10], Malounta [40], Mitsero [100], Dam near Pera [10], Pera Orinis [3], Phasouri Reed Beds [c50] and c200 at the Yermasoya Dam between the 28^th and the 31^st. Lythrodhonda had a maximum daily count of just 4 whilst Oroklini had a maximum daily count of only 6.

Serin    Serinus serinus

The numbers at Oroklini peaked on the 28^th with 20 birds, there were c35 reported from Kannaviou Dam on the 10^th, 8 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 21^st, 4 at Aspro Dam Pools on 23^rd, c20 from Kannaviou Dam on the 23^rd, c12 from Avagas Gorge on 27^th, c10 from Mavrokolymbos Dam on this same date and 4 from Mitsero also on the 27^th, 50 from the Dam near Pera on 28^th, 4 from Phasouri Reed Beds also on the 28^th with 35 from Tamassos Dam on the same date, 25 at Strakka on the 29^th, a maximum from Pera Orinis of  just 5 on the 25^th and by the far the largest from Amathus, with c200 between the 28^th and the 31^st.

Greenfinch    Carduelis chloris

Reports from Akhna Dam, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Oroklini, Strakka, Psimolofou, Kiti Dam, Dam near Pera, Avagas Gorge, Pera Orinis, Amathus, Phasouri Reed Beds and the Yermasoya Dam. Just the one count in double figures, c12 from Amathus between the 28^th and the 31^st.

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

Reported from Paphos Lighthouse Area, Kannaviou Dam, Akhna Dam, Psimolofou, Kensington Cliffs, Aspro Dam Pools, Kouklia Reed Beds, Strakka, Agiou Panteleimona, Dam near Pera, Larnaca Sewage Works, Pera Orinis and Oroklini. By far the highest count was of c200 birds seen at Kannaviou Dam on the 22^nd.

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

Reports from Coral Bay, Kensington Cliffs, Aspro Dam Pools, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Agiou Panteleimona, and Amathus. Aspro Dam Pools had the highest count of 32 birds on the 23^rd.

Pine Bunting    Emberiza leucocephalos

Potentially the 5^th record for Cyprus, 12 birds plus a Yellowhammer hybrid from the Persephone Trail in Troodos on the 31^st.

Reed Bunting    Emberiza schoeniclus

Singles at Akhna Dam on the 8^th and during the Field Meeting at Zakaki Marsh on the 14^th.

Corn Bunting    Emberiza calandra

Singles at Mandria on the 2^nd, Kannaviou Dam on the 10^th, Strakka on 24^th, Akhna Dam on 26^th, Yermasoya Dam on 31^st with 8 at Asprokremnos Dam on 23^rd, 3 at Aspro Dam Pools on 30^th, 28 at Dhavlos on 30^th, 2 at Amathus on 31^st, 15 at Tseri on 31^st and a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 20 birds.

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