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Bird News

Bird Records for August 2004

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

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

Singles at Athalassa on 1^st, Aspro Dam Pools on 6^th, Asprokremmos Dam on 21^st and Zakaki Marsh on the 26^th. There were 100+ reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15^th with c170 at the site on the 29^th with 9 at Bishop's Pool on the 26^th. At a restored Aspro Dam Pools on the 16^th an adult with a very young, 5 or 6 day old, chick was observed. 

Black-necked Grebe    Podiceps Nigricollis

Just the one report of 2 birds at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th. 

Cormorant    Phalacrocorax carbo

1 at Mandria on the 30^th is the only report. 

Shag    Phalacrocorax aristotelis

5 at Mandria on the 6^th with 2 there on the 19^th. 

Night Heron    Nycticorax nycticorax

9 at Akhna Dam on the 4^th with just 1 there on the 25^th, singles at Evretou Dam on the 11^th and the 17^th and 50 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 18^th. 

Squacco Heron    Ardeola ralloides

There was a single bird reported from Phasouri Reed Beds all month with 1 at Akhna Dam on the 7^th and the 25^th with 3 seen there on the 4^th. 

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

1 reported from Phasouri Reed Beds all month but with 3 seen there on both the 18^th and the 20^th plus 1 at Akhna Dam on the 7^th and 6 there on the 23^rd. 

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

Singles at Akhna Dam on 9^th and 30^th, at Oroklini Marsh from 10^th until 28^th and at Mandria on the 30^th. There were 2 at Evretou Dam on 11^th, 41 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 14^th with 10 there on both the 18^th and the 20^th and flocks of 16 and 35 birds at Latchi on the 18^th. 

Great White Egret   Egretta alba

There were 5 seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 20^th but only 2 there on the 26^th.  

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

9 at Kiti Dam on 8^th, 2 at Latchi on 18^th, 4 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on 26^th and singles at Bishop's Pool on the 26^th and Oroklini Marsh on both the 28^th and the 31^st. 

Purple Heron    Ardea purpurea

Just one report of a flock of 25 over Latchi on the 19^th. 

White Stork    Ciconia ciconia

There was a lone bird at Kiti Dam from the 7^th until the 31^st.

Glossy Ibis    Plegadis falcinellus

Passage reported from Pomos Point with 25 on 2^nd, Polis with 140+ on 8^th, Argaka with 1 on 13^th and 17^th, Akro Pomos with 40 on 13^th, Latchi with 15 on 17^th and on the 18^th flocks of 75, 120, 40 and 70, Zakaki Marsh with 5 on 18^th plus singles at Phasouri Reed Beds on 18^th, Akhna Dam on 23^rd and Zakaki Marsh on the 28^th. 

Spoonbill    Platalea leucorodia

4 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on 21^st and singles at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 22^nd and the 24^th with 3 there on the 27^th. 

Greater Flamingo    Phoenicopterus rubber

1000+ reported from Akrotiri Salt Lake between 18^th and 21^st with 1230 on 26^th and c350 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st. 

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

Single report of 22+ seen at Athalassa on the 1^st. 

Garganey    Anas querquedula

Single at Aspro Dam Pools on 1^st with 80 at Latchi on 17^th and 245 there on 18^th with 3 at Phasouri Reed Beds also on the 18^th. 

Shoveler    Anas clypeata

Lone bird at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 18^th. 

Ferruginous Duck    Aythya nyroca

3 seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 14^th. 

Honey Buzzard    Pernis apivorus

1 at Aspro Dam Pools on 20^th. 

Griffon Vulture    Gyps fulvus

At Kensington Cliffs there were 2 seen on the 12^th with 8 seen on the 20^th, the only site from which the species was reported this month. 

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus

Singles at Kiti Dam on 15^th, Phasouri Reed Beds on 18^th and 24^th, Akrotiri Salt Lake on 19^th and 31^st and Cape Greco on 27^th. 

Pallid Harrier    Circus macrourus

The only report this month was of a female at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 21^st. 

Goshawk    Accipiter gentiles

The only sighting of this species with 2 seen at Troodos on the 14^th.

Long-legged Buzzard    Buteo rufinus

Singles at Oroklini Marsh on the 8^th and at Phasouri Reed Beds on the same date with 2 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 24^th and 2 at Avdimou on the 27^th.

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

2 seen in the Polis area on the 18^th.

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

Oroklini Marsh had a maximum daily count of just 1 bird, 1 at Tseri on 15^th and 2 at Mandria on 30^th. 

Hobby    Falco subbuteo

Singles at Mavrokolymbos Dam on 10^th, Latchi on 16^th and Phasouri Reed Beds on 16^th. 

Eleonora’s Falcon    Falco eleonorae

Singles at Paphos on 8^th, Curium on 12^th, 10+ at Kensington Cliffs on 12^th with 15+ on 20th and 3 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 18^th. 

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus 

Single birds reported from Evretou Dam on 17^th and Akhna Dam on 25^th.  

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

Reported from Oroklini Marsh with a maximum daily count of 20, Akamas [30 on 5^th and 5 on 9^th], Mavrokolymbos Dam with 20+ on 10^th, Evretou Dam with 20 on 11^th, Asprokremmos Dam with 10+ on 21^st, Ezousa Valley with 22 on 24^th, Tsadha Track with 16 on 25^th and finally Fontana Amoroso with 20 on 28^th. 

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

Reported from Oroklini Marsh with a maximum daily count of 10, Prodromi Reed Beds with a max of 5 on 15^th, Paphos Lighthouse Area with 4 on 16^th, singles at Akrotiri Salt Lake on 18^th and Phasouri Reed Beds on the same date and finally 2 in the Ezousa Valley on the 24^th. 

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

Single birds reported from Athalassa and Aspro Dam Pools with a max of 2 at Oroklini Marsh on the 4^th and 7^th, 3 at Bishop's Pool on the 26^th and 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the same date. 

Coot    Fulica atra

Just one report of 12 birds at Athalassa on the 1^st which comprised both adult and juv birds. 

Demoiselle Crane    Anthropoides virgo

One report of 5 birds at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 31^st. 

Oystercatcher    Haematopus ostralegus

An amazing 10 of this uncommon passage migrant were reported as flying over the sea near Argaka on the 9^th. In my 12 years on the island I have yet to add this species to my Cyprus List!

Black-winged Stilt    Himantopus himantopus

11 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count with 15 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 18^th, 120 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 24^th and 115 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 26^th. 

Stone Curlew    Burhinus oedicnemus

Just one report of 3 birds down the Xeros Potamos on the 14^th. 

Collared Pratincole    Glareola pratincola

Singles at Akhna Dam on 13^th, Oroklini Marsh on 23^rd and Kiti Dam on the

24^th.    

Little Ringed Plover    Charadrius dubius

Oroklini Marsh had a max of 3 birds between the 2^nd and the 29^th plus they were present at Akhna Dam between the 4^th and the 29^th with a max of 13 on the 4^th. Aspro Dam Pools had 2 on the 14^th with just 1 on the 19^th. 

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

There were 220 at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 24^th with just 70 seen on the 29^th whilst Ladies Mile had 6 on the 25^th and 7 on the 28^th. 

Greater Sand Plover    Charadrius leschenaultii

3 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 16^th is the only reported sighting. 

Golden Plover    Pluvialis apricaria

The only sighting was of 7 birds at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 27^th. 

Spur-winged Plover    Vanellus spinosus  

There were 23 at Akhna Dam on the 23^rd and 13 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count. 

Sanderling    Calidris alba

1 from the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st. 

Little Stint    Calidris minuta

There were 3 at Akhna Dam from the 4^th until the 25^th, up to 12 at Oroklini Marsh between the 11^th and the 31^st with the max number being seen between the 25^th and the 31^st. 

Temminck’s Stint    Calidris temminckii

There were 2 at Akhna Dam on the 16^th and 1 at the Aspro Dam Pools on the same date. 

Dunlin    Calidris alpina

1 at Akhna Dam on the 9^th. 

Ruff    Philomachus pugnax

12 at Kiti Dam on the 8^th and 7 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 24^th are the only reports. 

Snipe    Gallinago gallinago

6 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 16^th and 2 at Kiti Dam on the 22^nd are the total records for this month. 

Marsh Sandpiper    Tringa stagnatilis

There were 6 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 5^th but just 1 on the 8^th with 15 at Kiti Dam on the 8^th and 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 20^th. 

Greenshank    Tringa nebularia

Singles at Phasouri Reed Beds on both the 20^th and the 27^th. 

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

2 at Akhna Dam on 4^th and 6^th with 1 on 9^th and 23^rd but 9 on the 29^th, Oroklini Marsh had 1 or 2 from the 7^th until the 30^th, Aspro Dam Pools had 5 on 14^th and 7 on 16^th with 2 at Asprokremmos Dam on the 21^st, 8 at Kiti Dam on the 24^th, 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 24^th, 4 at Bishop's Pool on the 26^th and finally 3 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st. 

Wood Sandpiper    Tringa glareola

3 at Akhna Dam on 4^th and 6^th with 1 on 9^th and 13^th, 1 at Oroklini Marsh on most dates between 11^th and 31^st, 1 at Aspro Dam Pools on 15^th and 16^th and finally 1 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 15^th. 

Common Sandpiper    Actitis hypoleucos

10 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count, singles at Akhna Dam on 4^th, 7^th and 9^th with an amazing 26 there on the 13^th but just 2 on the 25^th and 29^th, 1 at Evretou Dam on 17^th, 2’s at Aspro Dam Pools on 14^th, Evretou Dam on 17^th, Zakaki Marsh on 18^th and Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31^st.  

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres

8 at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 16^th is the only record. 

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei

2 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 15^th. 

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans  

Singles at Mavrokolymbos Dam on 10^th, Latchi on 18^th and Ladies Mile on 25^th with 10 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 16^th and 2 juvs at Latchi on 19^th. 

Gull-billed Tern    Gelochelidon nilotica 

The only report is 1 seen at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 16^th.  

Little Tern    Sterna albifrons

2 at Oroklini Marsh on the 1^st and 4^th whilst breeding was confirmed at Larnaca Sewage Works with 2 adults seen feeding 2 young on the 8^th and all 4 birds reported on the 22^nd. 

Whiskered Tern    Chlidonias hybrida

Larnaca Sewage Works had 3 on 6^th, 9^th and 22^nd with 5 on 16^th, 2 on 24^th and 6 on 31^st whilst away from this site there was 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 26^th.

Black Tern    Chlidonias niger

Singles of this now irregular passage migrant were seen at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 6^th, 8^th, 10^th and 31^st whilst 14 at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 19^th.  

White-winged Black Tern    Chlidonias leucopterus 

Far more regular than the previous species there were 4 at Larnaca Sewage Works on 6^th, 6 on 8^th and 1 on both the 10^th and the 31^st, 1 at Akhna Dam on 13^th, 2 at Larnaca Sewage Works on both the 20^th and 24^th and 1 at Zakaki Marsh on the 28^th 

Woodpigeon    Columba palumbus

10 seen at Timi on 15^th.

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

3 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count, 2 or 3 was the Strovolos maximum daily count and 2 reported from Latchi on the 16^th. 

Turtle Dove    Streptopelia turtur

3 at Aspro Dam Pools on 14^th, 2 at Xeros Potamos Pools on 15^th, 1 on the Tsadha Track on 25^th, 19 at Bishop's Pool on 26^th and 2 at Episkopi on the 27^th. 

Great Spotted Cuckoo   Clamator glandarius

An adult at Akhna Dam on the 25^th is the only sighting. 

Scops Owl    Otus scops cyprius

Singles at Lythrodhonda on 9^th and Latchi on 16^th. 

Little Owl    Athene noctua

2 at Athalassa on 1^st and at Mavrokolymbos Dam on 10^th with singles at Evretou Dam on 11^th and the Ezousa Valley on the 24^th. 

Nightjar    Caprimulgus europaeus

Just one report of 1 bird at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 18^th. 

Swift    Apus apus

Just one report of a single bird at Oroklini Marsh on the 12^th. 

Alpine Swift    Apus melba

10 at Polis on the 9^th and 1 at Avdimou on the 18^th. 

Kingfisher    Alcedo atthis

Oroklini Marsh had a maximum daily count of 5 birds whilst Zakaki Marsh had a maximum daily count of up to 3 birds, singles at Kiti Dam on 6^th, Evretou Dam on 11^th, Xeros Potamos Pools on 15^th with 2 on 16^th, 2 at Asprokremmos Dam on 21^stwith singles at Aspro Dam Pools on 24^thand Bishop's Pool on 26^th. 

Bee-eater    Merops apiaster

There were 2 birds reported from Lythrodhonda on the 12^th. 

Roller    Coracias garrulus

Apart from 2 at Kiti Dam on the 15^th all reports are of single birds, Tsadha on 3^rd, Ineia on 5^th, Kiti Dam on 8^th, Polis on 12^th, Tsadha Track on 25^th, Marathounda on 27^th and Episkopi also on 27^th.

Hoopoe    Upupa epops

Reported from Akhna Dam with 2 or 3 all month but 4 on 22^nd and 29^th, Akamas, Lythrodhonda, Oroklini Marsh, Prodromi Reed Beds [2 on 10^th], Episkopi Garrison, Avdimou [2 on 12^th], Paphos Lighthouse Area, Argaka, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Pissouri and Mandria. 

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

Reported from Oroklini Marsh with a maximum daily count of 15, Argaka with 10+ on 13^th, Latchi, Kannaviou Dam, Ezousa Valley, Tsadha Track and Tsadha Golf Course. 

Sand Martin    Riparia riparia

A single bird reported from the Akamas on the 28^th. 

Crag Martin    Ptyonoprogne rupestris

10 reported from Troodos on the 14^th 

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

Reported from most locations, higher counts include the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count of 40, 50 at Larnaca Airport on 14^th, 50 at Latchi on 17^thand 40 at Zakaki Marsh on the 26^th. 

Red-rumped Swallow    Hirundo daurica

10 at Argaka on 9^th and Latchi on 16^th, 15 at Latchi on 17^th with 3 on 18^th and 3 at the Ezousa Valley on 24^th and 2 at Zakaki Marsh on the 26^th. 

House Martin    Delichon urbicum

There were c150 at Kannaviou Dam on 18^th, c15 at Agia on 18^th and 2 at Oroklini Marsh on the 20^th. 

Tawny Pipit    Anthus campestris

3 at Akhna Dam on the 25^th is the only sighting this month. 

Water Pipit    Anthus spinoletta

Again, 3 at Akhna Dam on the 9^th this time is the only monthly sighting. 

Yellow Wagtail    Motacilla flava

3 at Zakaki Marsh on 26^th, 19 at Mandria on 30^th and 1 at Oroklini Marsh on 31^st.

a) Blue-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava flava

10 at Akhna Dam on 9^th, 40 at Akhna Dam on 13^th and 10 at Kiti Dam on 22^nd.

f) Black-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava feldegg

3 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count and 1 male was seen at Zakaki Marsh on 26^th.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

A juv at Akhna Dam on the 11^th. 

White Wagtail    Motacilla alba

2 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 19^th. 

Bluethroat    Luscinia svecica

1 at Oroklini Marsh on the 28^th 

Whinchat   Saxicola rubetra

The first sighting this autumn of 1 bird at Mandria on the 30^th. 

Isabelline Wheatear    Oenanthe isabellina

Singles at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 21^st and the 28^th and at Mandria on the 30^th. 

Cyprus Pied Wheatear    Oenanthe cypriaca

Reported from Akamas, Mavrokolymbos Dam, Curium, Troodos [10 on 14^th], Kato Platres, Ayios Ioannis, Evretou Dam, Agia, Kannaviou Dam, Cape Greco, Ezousa Valley, Armou-Tsadha Track and Episkopi.     

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis   

4 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh, 1 at Prodromi Reed Beds on 15^th, 5 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 16^th and at Evretou Dam on 17^th and 3 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 31^st. 

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler    Hippolais pallida

Up to 2 on most dates at Oroklini Marsh throughout the month, 2 on the Armou-Tsadha Track on 25^th, 1 on the Akamas on the 26^th and 3 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 31^st. 

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

4 at Oroklini Marsh all month and singles at Marathounda on 1^st, Evretou Dam on 11^th and Tsadha Golf Course on 25^th. 

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

Up to 2 birds reported from Latchi and the Akamas and then Evretou Dam where there were 10 birds on both the 11^th and the 17^th. 

Cyprus Warbler    Sylvia melanothorax

Marathounda with 2 on 1^st, Curium with 5 on 12^th, Ezousa Valley with 1 female on 24^th, Anarita Park with 1 on 24^th, Aspro Dam Pools with 1 con 24^th and Armou-Tsadha Track with 1 female on the 25^th. 

Lesser Whitethroat    Sylvia curruca

Singles at Armou-Tsadha Track on 25^th and Episkopi on 27^th and 2 at Tsadha Golf Course on the 25^th.

Willow Warbler    Phylloscopus trochilus

From the 18^th up to a max of 4 birds reported from Latchi, Aspro Dam Pools, Armou-Tsadha Track and Tsadha Golf Course. 

Spotted Flycatcher    Muscicapa striata

1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 16^th and 2 at Episkopi on the 27^th are the only sightings. 

Great Tit    Parus major Aphrodite

1 heard occasionally throughout the month at Strovolos, up to 2 at Oroklini Marsh on a few dates during the month, 1 at Latchi on the 19^th and 2 at Agia on the 18^th.

Red-backed Shrike    Lanius collurio

Reports started on the 11^th with singles seen from this date at Oroklini Marsh [3 on 28^th and 29^th and 2 on 30^th and 31^st], Avdimou, Akrotiri Salt Lake [2 on 26^th and 27^th], Ezousa Valley, Anarita Park, Tsadha Track, Tsadha Golf Course [3 on 25^th], Akhna Dam [2 on 25^th], Marathounda, Larnaca Sewage Works and Paphos Lighthouse Area.

Lesser Grey Shrike    Lanius minor

Reports started from the 12^th with sightings at Paramali [2 on 12^th], Avdimou [2 on 12^th], Pissouri [2 on 13^th], singles at Phasouri Reed Beds on 15^th and Oroklini Marsh on 18^th and 25^th with 2 on 19^th, c30 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on 18^th, Phasouri Reed Beds [1 on 18^th], Mandria [3 on 20^th], Kiti Dam [1 on 22^nd], Ezousa Valley [1 on 24^th], Larnaca Sewage Works [1 on 24^th], Armou-Tsadha Track [2 on 25^th], Tsadha Tack [3 on 25^th], Tsadha Golf Course [1 on 25^th], Zakaki Marsh [1 on 26^th], Episkopi [5 on 27^th], Mandria [2 on 30^th], Anarita Park [1 on 30^th] and Paphos Lighthouse Area with a juv on the 31^st.

Masked Shrike    Lanius nubicus

Singles at Oroklini Marsh from 1^st to 18^th, Marathounda on 3^rd, Akhna Dam on 4^th, Ineia on 5^th, Akamas on 9^th, Prodromi Reed Beds on 10^th, Pachna on 17^th, Omodhos on 17^th, Agia on 18^th, Larnaca Sewage Works on 24^thand Episkopi on 27^th with 2 at Episkopi on 1^st, Kiti Dam on 15^th, Marathounda on 27^th and Akamas on 28^th and 3 at Marathounda on 1^st, 10 at Prodromi Reed Beds on 15^th, 4 at Ayios Ioannis on 17^th, 4 at Ezousa Valley on 24^th, 3 at Anarita Park on 24^th, 5 at Tsadha Track plus 5 at Armou-Tsadha  on the 25^th,  4 at Tsadha Golf Course on 25^th, 3 at Akhna Dam on 25^th with 3 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 31^st.

Jay    Garrulus glandarius glaszneri

1 at Pera Vasa on 17^th and 2 at Agia on 18^th.

Magpie    Pica pica

2 was the Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count and 2 were reported from Episkopi on the 15^th.

Jackdaw    Corvus monedula

300 at Marathounda on 3^rd, c40 at Akhna Dam from 4^th until 31^st, up to 19 at Strovolos from 8^th until 26^th and 5 at Oroklini Marsh on 18^th with 4 on 24^th.

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

Reports from Oroklini Marsh, Episkopi and Latchi.

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

Reports from Oroklini Marsh [maximum daily count 50], Larnaca Airport [100 on 14^th] and 20 to 25 at Latchi on 17^th and 18^th.  

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

Reported from Episkopi [220 on 1^st], Argaka, Aspro Dam Pools [c40 on 14^th], Prodromi Reed Beds and Ezousa Valley. 

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

2 at Caledonian Falls on 17^th and 7 at Agia on the 18^th. 

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

Reported from Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Lighthouse Area [c40 on 4^th], Latchi, Episkopi and Paphos Lighthouse Area again with 100 on 31^st. 

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

Reported from Latchi, Tsadha Track and Episkopi with a max of 6 at this last site on the 27^th. 

Ortolan Bunting    Emberiza hortulana

Singles at Episkopi Garrison on 18^th, Tsadha Golf Course on 25^th and Akrotiri Salt Lake on 27^th with 3 at Ezousa Valley on 24^th and 5 at Marathounda on 26^th.

Cretzschmar’s Bunting    Emberiza caesia

A male and a female on the Akamas on the 5^th, 4 birds at Evretou Dam on the 17^th and 10 at Episkopi on the 27^th.

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