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Bird News

Bird Records for February 2003

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

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

The highest count was from Larnaca Sewage Works where upwards of 50 birds were present all month. Other records include 2 heard at Athalassa on the 9^th and the 16^th plus 2 present at Aspro Dam Pools all month. The maximum daily count at Oroklini was 10.  

Great Crested Grebe    Podiceps cristatus

There were up to 12 birds present at Asprokremnos Dam all month, moulting into breeding plumage as the month progressed and 10 were reported from Akhna Dam on the 10^th.  

Black-necked Grebe    Podiceps Nigricollis

Only reported from Larnaca Sewage Works during the month with 85+ being the highest count, reported on the 7^th.  

Cormorant    Phalacrocorax carbo

There were no specific reports but birds were present at Asprokremnos Dam, Bishop's Pool and Larnaca Sewage Works, at least, all month. 

Shag    Phalacrocorax aristotelis

1 or 2 second-year birds could be seen daily on the rocks just offshore at Mandria.  

White Pelican    Pelecanus onocrotalus

2 reported from Akhna Dam on the 10^th. They could not be located towards the end of the month maybe indicating that they had already started their journey north.  

Bittern    Botaurus stellaris

Just 1 bird reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 1^st.  

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

The 4 birds at Phasouri Reed Beds turned into 5 birds from the 16^th when they were joined by 2 of their cousins, see below. Aspro Dam Pools had 4 on the 1^st but only 1 was reported subsequently from there.  

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

2 birds joined the wintering Cattle Egrets on the 16^th at Phasouri Reed Beds maybe bringing the additional Cattle Egret with them? There were 3 at Athalassa on the 9^th but only 1 was observed on the 16^th. There were also 8 reported from Akhna Dam on the 10^th.  

Great White Egret   Egretta alba 

The wintering birds at Akhna Dam were reported as 6 on the 10^th [only 5 birds present last month] whilst there was a single bird reported from Zakaki Marsh on the 17^th.   

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

14 at Zakaki Marsh on the 13^th was an unusually high number for February, more normal singles were reported from Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 13^th and from Asprokremnos Dam on the 27^th. The maximum daily count at Oroklini was 4.    

Greater Flamingo    Phoenicopterus ruber

The only count reported this month was of c1900 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 16^th.  

White-fronted Goose    Anser albifrons

There were 3 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 11^th and the 14^th whilst the Larnaca Sewage Works flock was reported as 80 all month.  

Ruddy Shelduck    Tadorna ferruginea

Only reported from Larnaca Sewage Works with 4 birds on the 3^rd and 13 on the 7^th.  

Shelduck    Tadorna tadorna

Larnaca Sewage Works had 40 to 60 present all month whilst 115+ were reported from Larnaca Airport Pools South on the 7^th.  

Wigeon    Anas penelope

There were 30 to 50 present at Larnaca Sewage Works all month with 36 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 18^th and 24 at Evretou Dam on the 28^th.  

Gadwall    Anas strepera

Reported as being present at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 3^rd unfortunately though no figure was given but likely to be in the region of 20 birds, going off the previous month’s sightings.  

Teal    Anas crecca

There were 100 birds reported as being present all month at the Larnaca Sewage Works whist the Oroklini maximum daily count was of 150 birds. 

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

6+ reported from Athalassa on the 9^th with the maximum daily count at Oroklini being 20 birds.  

Pintail    Anas acuta

There were 50 reported as being present all month at Larnaca Sewage Works whilst Oroklini had 2 on the 18^th and 3 on the 22^nd. 4 were seen at Evretou Dam on the 28^th.  

Shoveler    Anas clypeata

The highest count was from the Larnaca Sewage Works with 300+ reported as being present all month. There reports of 21 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 18^th, 26 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd and 10 at Evretou Dam on the 28^th. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 80 birds.  

Red-crested Pochard    Netta rufina

The male bird was present all month at Larnaca Sewage Works this being the only report of this very attractive duck. 

Pochard    Aythya ferina

The flock present all month at Larnaca Sewage Works was estimated at 100+ with c45 being reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 23^rd, a most unusual location for this diving duck!  

Ferruginous Duck    Aythya nyroca

There were 7 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 23^rd, this being the only sighting this month.  

Tufted Duck    Aythya fuligula

Up to 20 were reported as being present at Larnaca Sewage Works all month. 

White-headed Duck    Oxyura leucocephala

The single, first-year bird was present at Larnaca Sewage Works all month but could be infuriatingly difficult to locate at times. 

White-tailed Eagle    Haliaeetus albicilla

This species was first reported as being present at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 17^th January 2003 by officers of the Paphos Game Service but unfortunately the accompanying Field Notes were not considered to be acceptable for such a rare species, hence the record was not reported in the last Newsletter.

The bird was seen on the 14^th February and the resultant Field Notes and ‘digi-photographs’ were accepted as proving that the species was indeed present at the Asprokremnos Dam. It was the first proven sighting since 1968 and the 7^th recent record for the island. The bird was judged to be in its 4^th year.

It has been subsequently seen by other observers.  

Griffon Vulture    Gyps fulvus

Just one report of a single bird at Khapotami Gorge on the 5^th.  

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus

There have been 3 present all month at Phasouri Reed Beds with 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 1^st, 2 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 7^th and a female at Mandria on the 28^th.  

Hen Harrier    Circus cyaneus

A female has been in the Aspro Dam Pools/Mandria area all month with a male at Asprokremnos Dam on the 19^th. There were 4 females reported from Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.  

Common Buzzard    Buteo buteo   

B.b.buteo

There was a single bird at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 1^st, 2 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the same date, a single at Mandria on the 2^nd and at Petra Tou Romiou on the 5^th, 3 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 6^th with singles at Kiti Dam on the 7^th and at Kouklia on the 15^th. 4 were reported from Phasouri Reed Beds on the 16^th.

Long-legged Buzzard    Buteo rufinus

2 birds were seen displaying in an area on the Akamas whilst a 2^nd year bird frequented the Aspro Dam Pools from the 18^th until at least the 22^nd.  

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

A sub-adult was seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 16^th whilst an adult bird was seen at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 18^th and the 19^th.  

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

Seen at all sites in good numbers, specifically reported was 1 at Athalassa on the 2^nd whilst the Oroklini maximum daily count was of 2 birds.  

Merlin    Falco columbarius

Just the one report of an adult male bird seen at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 27^th.  

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus

There was a male at Mandria on the 18^th with a female at the Asprokremnos Dam on the same date. A bird visited Oroklini on the 28^th.    

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

Although numerous at most sites the only specific sighting reported was a maximum daily count of 20 birds at Oroklini. 

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

Now starting to get vocal there were 2 reported from Mandria on the 28^th, 1 heard all month at Peyia whist Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 3 birds.  

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

There were 10+ reported from Athalassa on the 2^nd, 15 from the same site on the 9^th but only 8+ there on the 16^th. The maximum daily count at Oroklini was of 3 birds.  

Coot    Fulica atra

At Athalassa there were 4+ on the 2^nd, 10+ on the 9^th and just 2+ on the 16^th. The numbers at Larnaca Sewage Works were reported as 100+ on the 3^rd whilst c260 were counted at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 16^th. Mavrokolymbos Dam had 5 on the 24^th, the Aspro Dam Pools 7 on the 28^th whilst Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 100.  

Stone Curlew    Burhinus oedicnemus

The roost on the Xeros Potamos below Aspro Dam Pools held c60 birds on the 28^th.  

Little Ringed Plover    Charadrius dubius

There were 4 at Akhna Dam on the 10^th whist Oroklini had 2 on the 14^th.  

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

Oroklini had between 1 and 5 birds from the 1^st until the 14^th, the maximum being on the 9^th. There were 15 at Spiro's Pool on the 17^th and c80 at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd the day of the amalgamation meeting.  

Greater Sand Plover    Charadrius leschenaultii

A maximum of 5 birds frequented the Paphos Lighthouse Area all month although they could at times be difficult to locate.

Golden Plover    Pluvialis apricaria

Present all month at the Paphos Lighthouse Area they peaked at 52 birds on the 6^th. Akrotiri Salt Lake had 6 on the 5^th.  

Grey Plover    Pluvialis squatarola

4 were at the Paphos Lighthouse Area from at least the 8^th until at least the 19^th, outside of these dates the numbers found varied between 1 and 2 birds.  

Lapwing    Vanellus vanellus

Oroklini had its maximum of 12 birds on the 13^th which had diminished to just a single bird on the 28^th. There were 24 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 5^th, 1 at Mandria on the 18^th but 7 there on the 28^th.  

Little Stint    Calidris minuta

Just one report from Oroklini of 1 bird on the 14^th with 8 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 19^th and 15 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd.  

Dunlin    Calidris alpina

Just the one report of 2 birds at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the amalgamation date, the 23^rd.  

Ruff    Philomachus pugnax

The numbers at Oroklini increased from 2 birds on the 18^th with 30 being present at the end of the month, the 28^th. There were 6 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 23^rd and 12 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the same date.  

Jack Snipe    Lymnocryptes minimus

The only sighting this month with a single bird at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 7^th.  

Snipe    Gallinago gallinago

Phasouri Reed Beds had its maximum of 7 birds on the 1^st, Oroklini had between 1 and 2 birds from the 3^rd until the 24^th whilst there was 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 27^th.  

Black-tailed Godwit    Limosa limosa

There were 3 birds at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 16^th, the only sighting reported this month.  

Curlew    Numenius arquata

Similarly, the only sighting this month comes from Phasouri Reed Beds with 8 present on the 1^st.  

Redshank    Tringa totanus

Larnaca Airport Pools South had 11 on the 7^th whilst Oroklini had 1 on the 14^th, the 24^th and the 25^th. Larnaca Sewage Works had 20 present on the 19^th whilst Larnaca Salt Lake had 14 on the 23^rd.  

Greenshank    Tringa nebularia

The only sighting this month of 3 birds present at Akhna Dam on the 10^th.  

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 1^st with a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 4.  

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres

A single bird at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 12^th is the only reported sighting.  

Mediterranean Gull    Larus melanocephalus

Just the one report of a lone bird at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 7^th. 

Little Gull    Larus minutus

10 present all month at the Larnaca Sewage Works.  

Black-headed Gull    Larus ridibundus

Surprisingly there is only the maximum daily count at Oroklini reported this month, the count being 200 birds. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull    Larus fuscus   

L.f.fuscus

There were 2 at Oroklini on the 19^th and the 23^rd with only 1 seen there on the 20^th.

L.f.heuglini

There were 5 at Mandria on the 5^th and 1 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 23^rd. 

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans  

L.c.michahellis

There was a lone bird at the Mavrokolymbos Dam on the 24^th and the maximum daily count at Oroklini was of 8 birds.  

L.c.cachinnans

c350 were reported from Mandria on the 5^th. 

Armenian Gull    Larus armenicus

1 or 2 were seen on and off all month at Larnaca Sewage Works.   

Sandwich Tern    Sterna sandvicensis

2 seen at Ormidhia on the 5^th, 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 6^th with 2 there on the 13^th whilst there were 6 seen at Ladies Mile also on the 13^th.  

Little Tern    Sterna albifrons

A single bird was reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 3^rd . 

Whiskered Tern    Chlidonias hybridus

1 ‘out-of-season’ bird was reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 7^th, 20^th and the 23^rd.  

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

There were 2 at Oroklini on the 14^th and the 19^th whilst 4 frequented Strovolos all month, as did 2 at Nicosia.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo   Clamator glandarius

Just the one report on 2^nd calendar year bird flying in off the sea at Paphos Lighthouse Area and landing in a bush immediately in front of him. 

Barn Owl    Tyto alba

1 at the Episkopi Sovereign Base on the 10^th.  

Little Owl    Athene noctua

There was 1 at Athalassa on the 9^th and 2 at Ayia Varvara on the 28^th.  

Long-eared Owl    Asio otus

3 from Athalassa on the 2^nd.  

Swift    Apus apus

The first sighting this year was of a lone bird at Oroklini on the 9^th. The number at this site steadily increased from 6 on the 16^th to 15 on the 20^th, 30 on the 27^th and dropping to 20 on the 28^th.  

Alpine Swift    Apus melba

There were 2 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 26^th with 3 at Mandria on the 28^th seen by many observers.  

Kingfisher    Alcedo atthis

There was 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 1^st, 2 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 19^th with 1 at Chlorakas reported on the 25^th.  

Pied Kingfisher    Ceryle rudis

There was 1 intermittingly at Zakaki Marsh all month but could be difficult to locate at times. Reported on the 1^st and 16^th.  

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

Although present at most sites the only reports come from Larnaca Sewage Works with 5+ on the 3^rd and the Oroklini maximum daily count of 15 birds.  

Woodlark    Lullula arborea

There were 7 seen at Athalassa on the 2^nd with 8 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 18^th and 10 there on the 19^th. A further 5 were reported from Anarita Park on the 27^th.    

Skylark    Alauda arvensis

The numbers at Mandria were reported as c180 on the 5^th and c160 on the 28^th. Reports 20 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 28^th with a further 50 at Mandria on the same date.     

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

After the first sightings last month birds were seen at many more sites including 4 at Lymbia Dam on the 3^rd, 1 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 4^th with singles at Kiti Dam on the 7^th, Mandria on the 8^th and the 28^th and Athalassa on the 9^th. At Athalassa there were 20+ reported on the 16^th with a similar number at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 23^rd. The maximum daily count at Oroklini was a high 50 birds.   

Red-rumped Swallow    Hirundo daurica

The first and only report was at Oroklini who reports 2 there on the 22^nd.  

House Martin    Delichon urbica

The first report was at Oroklini with a maximum daily count after the 9^th of 20 birds. There was 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 17^th and 54 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 23^rd.  

Richard’s Pipit    Anthus novaeseelandiae

The first sighting this year of a single bird at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 1^st.  

Tawny Pipit    Anthus campestris

1 at Mandria on the 15^th.  

Meadow Pipit    Anthus pratensis

Only two reports, both from Oroklini of 2 birds on the 13^th and 1 on the 2^nd.  

Water Pipit    Anthus spinoletta

2 seen at Zakaki Marsh on the 1^st.  

Yellow Wagtail    Motacilla flava

f) Black-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava feldegg

The first Yellow Wagtail this year, a Black-headed at Mandria on the 26^th.  

Grey Wagtail    Motacilla cinerea

The single bird at the Aspro Dam Pools was reported on the 1^st and the 14^th whilst there was also a single bird at Oroklini on the 28^th.  

White Wagtail    Motacilla alba

Widespread throughout the island but only two reports this month with 50 in a Nicosia roost on the 2^nd and the maximum daily count at Oroklini of 10 birds.  

Robin   Erithacus rubecula

Singles at Athalassa on the 9^th [heard] and at Oroklini on the 11^th, 18^th, 19^th and the 21^st.  

Bluethroat    Luscinia svecica

A ‘white-spotted’ cyanecula was at Oroklini on the 10^th and another bird [ssp not reported] at Akhna Dam on the same date.  

Black Redstart    Phoenicurus ochruros

Just two reports of single birds all month at Oroklini [same female?] and a male at Peyia. 

Stonechat    Saxicola torquata

Present everywhere, we only have 3 reports of 1 bird at Athalassa on the 2^nd and 6 present all month at Larnaca Sewage Works and 8 present all month at Oroklini.  

Isabelline Wheatear    Oenanthe isabellina

First birds were at Mandria with 4 on the 18^th, 2 on the 26^th and just 1 on the 28^th.  

Northern Wheatear    Oenanthe oenanthe

The first report was a single bird at Asprokremnos Dam on the 28^th.  

Finsch’s Wheatear    Oenanthe finschii

There was I present all month at Lymbia Dam, 1 at Anarita Park on the 27^th and 2 at Ayia Varvara on the 28^th, all reports being of male birds.  

Blackbird    Turdus merula

1 male and 2 females at Alektora on the 5^th and 1 bird at Athalassa on the 16^th.  

Fieldfare    Turdus pilaris

There were 2 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 1^st and c12 at Droushia on the 11^th.  

Song Thrush    Turdus philomelos

There was 1 reported from Peyia on the 24^th and on the same date 1 dead in a trapper’s net at the Mavrokolymbos Dam! There was also a single bird at Mandria on the 28^th. 

Mistle Thrush    Turdus viscivorus

Just the one report of this scarce winter visitor, a single bird seen at Droushia on the 11^th .  

Cetti’s Warbler   Cettia cetti

Now getting vocal, all records are of ‘heard’ birds. There were 4 at Athalassa on the 2^nd, 2 there on the 9^th and 4 again on the 16^th.  

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis

There were 5 reported from Mandria on the 18^th whilst the maximum daily count at Oroklini was 2 birds.    

Moustached Warbler    Acrocephalus melanopogon

Only reported from Aspro Dam Pools this month, there was 1 there on the 5^th, 14^th, 18^th and the 19^th. There were 2 reported from there on the 27^th. 

Olivaceous Warbler    Hippolais pallida

There is a report of an unprecedented early bird from Bishop's Pool on the 1^st. Considering that we have never had a February sighting before the observer is requested to submit full Field Notes for the sighting please.  

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

There were 3 reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 3^rd and 1 on the 7^th, Oroklini had 1, seen on the 14^th, 19^th, 20^th and the 25^th. There was also a female reported from Asprokremnos Dam on the 18^th.  

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

Oroklini had 1 almost each day from the 1^st until the 14^th but 2 were present on the 8^th. Also a male at Zakaki Marsh on the 16^th and a male at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 28^th.  

Cyprus Warbler    Sylvia melanothorax

Just the one report of a single male at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 28^th.  

Blackcap    Sylvia atricapilla

A male was seen at Oroklini on the 11^th.  

Chiffchaff    Phylloscopus collybita

Many sightings this month with 4 at Peyia on the 2^nd, 8 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 18^th, 9 at Ayia Varvara on the 28^th, with 8 at Mandria on the same date plus 14 at Secret Valley also on the 28^th.Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 10 birds.  

Great Tit    Parus major Aphrodite

4 were present all month at Strovolos whilst 3 were heard at Athalassa all month. 

Magpie    Pica pica

Present in good numbers at all sites across the island, particular records include a roost at Peyia which had 28 birds on the 25^th. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 9.  

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

Again widespread throughout the island but c30 all month at Athalassa and 150+ at Strovolos all month are worthy of mention.  

Starling    Sturnus vulgari

The only sighting of a single bird at Oroklini on the 14^th.  

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

Only one report this month, the maximum daily count at Oroklini was of 50 birds. 

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

There were c50 at Coral Bay on the 27^th whilst the numbers at Oroklini were 3 on the 6^th, 12 on the 9^th and 1 on the 27^th and the 28^th. 

Tree Sparrow    Passer montanus

There was 1 bird with a mixed finch and sparrow flock at the Aspro Dam Pools on the 17^th. 

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

Widespread throughout the island, however reported only from Athalassa with 1 male on the 16^th and 1 male at Strovolos on the 18^th. Oroklini had a maximum daily count of just 2 birds. 

Serin    Serinus serinus

There were 20 at Lymbia Dam on the 3^rd, 1 at Oroklini on the 5^th, 2 heard in full song at Athalassa on the 16^th, 32 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 17^th, 8 at Oroklini on the 17^th, 7 at Mavrokolymbos Dam on the 24^th and 11 at Mandria on the 28^th. 

Greenfinch    Carduelis chloris

Very widespread, the maximum daily count was of 8 birds. 

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

Again, the records do not honestly reflect its abundance with 20 at Mavrokolymbos Dam on the 24^th and the maximum daily count at Oroklini of 10 being the only records submitted. 

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

There were c50 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 28^th and c150 at Mandria on the same date, these being the only records submitted. 

Hawfinch    Coccothraustes coccothraustes

1 at Droushia on the 11^th during the Birds and Farming survey. 

Reed Bunting    Emberiza schoeniclus

There were 2 at Akhna Dam on the 10^th and 1 at Chlorakas on the 26^th. 

Corn Bunting    Miliaria calandra

Although common and widespread the only reports come from Oroklini with 2 on the 14^th and 15^th and singles on the 27^th and the 28^th. There were 4 there on the 22^nd.

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