BIRDLIFE CYPRUS          ΠΤΗΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

Bird News

Systematic List for December 2004

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 

Aspro pools: three 1-6 Dec, one 19 Dec to month end. Kanli Dam: 205 on4-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 12-Dec, with max. 24 there 23 Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 25 on 24-Dec. Athalassa: up to 10 from 1-8 Jan. Akhna Dam: 18 on 20-Dec. Less than five each Zakaki marsh, Evretou Dam, Arminou Dam Zakaki Marsh, Oroklini Marsh and Manglis Lake.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 

Not many reports, but these birds probably wintering. Kanli Dam: two 4-Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: up to two 15 - 28-Dec. Akhna Dam: five 20-Dec. Lady’s Mile: two on the sea 20-Dec.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 

Larnaca Sewage Works: 53 from 3-24 Dec.                

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

Asprokremnos Dam: six 1-Dec and eight 21 Dec. Kanli Dam: 149 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 23, only, on 24-Dec, 250 on 5-Dec. Akhna Dam: 305 on 20-Dec. Up to 10 several other coastal sites and inland dams.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Coral Bay: one 17-Dec. Cape Aspro: three 18-Dec. Paphos Bay: five 19-Dec, oddly were the only reports, of a fairly common resident.

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 

Akhna Dam: one 7-Dec, was the month’s only, unseasonal, record.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis  

Phasouri Reed Beds: up to two 12-26-Dec, only record of the month.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

Kanli Dam: four 4-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds:  19 on 12-Dec, only one 23-26 Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 24-Dec. Athalassa: two 1-Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: one 14-28 Dec.

Great White Egret Egretta alba 

Kanli Dam: seven 4-Dec. Akhna Dam: one 7 & 28-Dec.       

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 

A good number of widespread reports. Kanli Dam: 10 on 4-Dec. Zakaki marsh: 47 on 12-Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: six 21-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 27 flying out to Limassol Bay 26-Dec. Up to five several other sites including Evretou Dam, Arminou Dam, Athalassa, Lakatameia and Akhna Dam.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 

Akhna Dam: two 4-15 Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 19-Dec.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 

Present at the usual two sites. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 24-Dec,  two 3-5 Dec, four 13-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 26-Dec.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus rubber 

Very high numbers at Akrotiri, probably resulting from severe weather in the north. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 5,000+ on 12-Dec, 6,500+ on 23-Dec, 7,500 on 18 Dec, 8,500 on 26-Dec. Unfortunately no counts received from Larnaca.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 

Rare winter visitor. Akrotiri Salt Lake: one, which later flew in to Zakaki Marsh, 26-Dec, and later same day Phasouri Reed-beds.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons   

Larnaca Sewage Works: 35 on 3-Dec. A  group were present in the area from at least this date, usually feeding out of site on the airport perimeter.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 36 on 3-Dec, one 13 Dec. Akhna Dam: five 4-Dec.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: numbers building up strongly, 220 on 12-Dec, 420 on 23-Dec, fewer also reported. Larnaca Sewage Works: six 24-Dec.

Wigeon Anas penelope  

Kanli Dam: one 4-Dec. Aspro Dam Pools: two 6 & 15 Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: 11 on 21-Dec. Evretou Dam: 12 on 21-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 45 on 23-Dec, 20 on 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 14 on 3-Dec, 140 on 24-Dec.

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 12-Dec, four 26 Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 3 Dec, two 24-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 22 at ‘Sylvaners pool’ on 26-Dec.

Teal Anas crecca 

Oroklini Marsh: up to 31 from 15-17 Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: 15 on 21-Dec. Evretou Dam: nine, including 2 fully moulted males 21-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: two huge rafts totalling 2800 birds 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 800 on 3-Dec, 970 on 24-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: max. c.70 on 26-Dec. Up to 10 reported all month Phasouri Reed-beds, Athalassa, Aspro pools, Kanli Dam, Evretou dam and Akhna Dam.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Good numbers wintering in the usual sites. Kanli Dam: 47 on 4-Dec. Asprokremnos Dam: max. 61 on 21-Dec. Evretou Dam: max. 104 on 21-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 200 on 23-Dec, 500, though difficult to count among Shovelers 26-Dec.  Larnaca Sewage Works: 100 on 24-Dec, 270 on 3-Dec. Athalassa: 50+ on 1-Dec. Akhna Dam: 31 on 20-Dec. Up to five each also reported Aspro pools, Oroklini Marsh.

Pintail Anas acuta  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 50 on 23-Dec, c.100 on 26 Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 12 on 24-Dec.

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

Athalassa: c.50 from 1-5 Dec, 100+ on 8 Dec, 50-100 on 26-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 12-Dec, 55 on 23-Dec . Zakaki marsh: six 12-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: 1300 on 24-Dec , 1500 on 3-Dec (NK). Akrotiri Salt Lake: c.300 on 26-Dec . Up to five each reported Aspro pools Evretou Dam and Akhna Dam.

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

Localised winter visitor. Larnaca Sewage Works: one female 24-Dec to year end. Zakaki marsh: one fem. 12-23 Dec, two fem.20-Dec .

Pochard Aythya farina  

Kanli Dam: 29 on 4-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: six 12-Dec, two 23-Dec . Evretou Dam South: two 13-Dec . Akhna Dam: nine 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: c.100 on 3-Dec.

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Phasouri Reed-beds: eight 23-Dec, is unusual.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: four 12-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 3-Dec , three 3-Dec, the only records of an uncommon winter visitor.

Duck sp. 

Akrotiri Salt Lake: c.90 on 12-Dec, c.300 on 23-Dec .

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

Ayias Savvas Monastery: two very high, heading for Episkopi 6-Dec, only written report.

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus   

Episkopi Garrison, cliffs: one present to month end 1-Dec .

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: up to five 12-26 Dec, max. seven 23 Dec . Zakaki marsh: two 12 & 26 Dec, max. three 19-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one most days, max. two inc. one male 20-Dec. Singles Kanli Dam, Akrotiri Salt Lake,  Mandria and above sites, during month.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  

Armou-Tsada track: one female/ring-tail 2 & 13 Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: up to two female/ring-tails from 12-Dec.  Zakaki Marsh: single ring-tail 19-31 Dec, with two, including one adult male 26 Dec . Episkopi Garrison: one ring-tail 20-Dec.

Goshawk Accipiter gentiles   

Ineia: two displaying 17-Dec .

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

Goudhi: one male hunting 17-Dec .

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

Wintering locally. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 12-Dec , otherwise one most visits to 26 Dec. Anarita Park: one 19-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: one 26-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 11-Dec .

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

All sightings in the west of the island. Polemi: one 3-Dec . Pissouri: one 18-Dec . Evretou Dam: one 21-Dec .

Eagle spp  

Akrotiri Reed Beds: one unidentified species over reed beds 26-Dec.

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Episkopi: one ad. 31-Dec , was the only report.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus   

Max. numbers reported: Paphos-Nicosia motorway: c10 typical roadside count 16-Dec .  Paramali forest (from motorway): 24 on 24-Dec . Otherwise up to four birds widely reported.

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus  

All birds left by November, so these reports of ‘circling, migrating birds’ were surprising and the latest ever reported in Cyprus. Xeros Potamos: seven heading towards Nata 3-Dec. Akhna: 17 on 7-Dec.  

Merlin Falco columbarius  

Akhna Dam: one 4-Dec , was the only report.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus 

Aspro pools: one 1-Dec . Kanli Dam: two 4-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: one 5-Dec . Cape Aspro: one 18-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one juvenile eastern race calidus, present since early November, 3-Dec.

Falcon sp. 

Aspro pools: one 21-Dec

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Max. numbers reported: Kormakiti: 10 on 4-Dec. Athalassa: nine, the most for years, 8-Dec. Asprokremnos: 20+ on 25-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: 40, maximum daily count.

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Singles reported at Aspro pools, Ezousa River Pools area, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Phasoula and Asprokremnos Dam. Goudhi: one calling on several occasions week ending 12-Dec . Mandria: one calling 27-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: seven, maximum daily count .

Quail Coturnix coturnix  

Interestingly, quite a few records: Oroklini Marsh: one 11-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: one flushed during field trip 12-Dec . Ineia: one 17-Dec .

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus  

Aspro pools: up to two 1 & 15 Dec . Kanli Dam: one 4-Dec . Episkopi: one 6-Dec . Evretou Dam South: one 13-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: two 26-Dec .

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus   

Athalassa: 10+ on 5-Dec, 14 on 26-Dec . Zakaki marsh: 10 on 12-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 12-Dec . Aspro Pools: max. count six 15-Dec . Up to four reported Achelia stream, Kanli Dam, Evretou Dam South, Akhna Dam, Episkopi and Oroklini Marsh.

Coot Fulica atra   

Widespread and abundant. Greatest counts listed: Panagra Dam: 47 on 4-Dec . Kanli Dam: 419 on 4-Dec . Zakaki marsh: 130 on 12-Dec , 220 on 26-Dec . Evretou Dam: 66 on 21-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: 150 on 23-Dec , 180 on26-Dec . Larnaca sewage works: 100+ on 24-Dec . Akhna Dam: 980 on 20-Dec . Smaller numbers reported Aspro pools, Achelia stream, Klepini Dam, Kouris Dam North, Polemidhia Dam, Oroklini Marsh and Athalassa.

Common Crane Grus grus  

Akhna Dam: two 15-Dec , very late, or lost birds.  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one present 3-5 Dec.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Paphos Lighthouse: three, possibly four, 13-Dec .

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 35 on 12-Dec . Lady's Mile: seven on 26-Dec .

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii  

Paphos lighthouse: five19-22 Dec , only reports, though probably present all month.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

Cape Kormakiti: 25 feeding 4-Dec . Paphos lighthouse: max. 35 on 19-Dec .

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Only reported from Akhna Dam: six on 4-Dec , seven 7-Dec, two 10-Dec .

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  

Fairly widespread this winter: Paphos sewage works: 24 on 4-Dec , seven 18-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: one 12-23 Dec . Evretou Dam South: one 13-Dec . Oroklini Marsh up to three 16-23 Dec . Mandria: 11 on 19-Dec (JRa, CR). Asprokremnos dam: 13 on 21-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: one 26-Dec . Akhna Dam: 16 on 10-Dec, eight 29-Dec .

Little Stint Calidris minuta   

Oroklini Marsh: one 1-4 Dec . Lady's Mile: 45 on 26-Dec .

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii   

Evretou Dam South: one 13-17 Dec.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus  

Evretou Dam South: four 13-Dec , two 17-Dec , one remaining 21-Dec

Snipe Gallinago gallinago   

Oroklini Marsh: one present most of month, with two 20 Dec. Kanli Dam: two 4-Dec. Evretou Dam South: three 13-Dec, declining to one 21 Dec. Kouris Dam North: two 15-Dec. Polemidhia Dam north valley: three 15-Dec. Akhna Dam: three 4-Dec. Single bird at Phasouri Reed-beds 12-Dec.

Redshank Tringa tetanus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: max. seven 5-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. five throughout month.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia   

Kanli Dam: one 4-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13-Dec.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus  

Singles throughout month Oroklini Marsh, Aspro Pools, Evretou Dam, Polemidhia Dam north valley, Lakatameia, Manglis Lake and Zakaki Marsh.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola   

Kanli Dam: one 4-Dec .

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  

Singles Evretou Dam and Coral Bay, probably wintering.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Paphos Headland: one 19-Dec .

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Scarce winter visitor. Lady's Mile: one 26-Dec .

Little Gull Larus minutes   

Zakaki Marsh: one reported from 26-Dec , to  month end . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13-Dec .

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus   

Oroklini Marsh: up to 100 most days. Greatest numbers Lady's Mile, max. 220 on26-Dec .

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

The only record was from the north. Cape Kormakiti: one 4-Dec .

Common Gull Larus canus   

Rare winter visitor, with less than five records per year. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 29-Dec .

Lesser Black-backed ‘Baltic’ Gull Larus fuscus .fuscus  

Mandria: one 19-Dec . Larnaca sewage works: one 24-Dec

Siberian (Heuglin’s) Gull L.f.heuglini  

Mandria: one 19-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: two 8-27 Dec .

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans michahellis   

Asprokremnos Dam: up to 150 lounging on reservoir all month. Mandria: 150 on 19 Dec on fields after storm, with 250 in bay 27-Dec. Fewer than 20 several other sites.

‘Caspian’ Gull  Larus cachinnans cachinnans 

Lady's Mile: six, with bill bands, 12-Dec .

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus    

Lady's Mile: one 12-Dec . Asprokremnos dam: one 21-Dec . Paphos lighthouse: one 22-Dec . Larnaca sewage works: two 14-27 Dec.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis  

Paphos harbour: one 22-Dec . Ladies Mile: two 19 & 20-Dec .

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida   

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 12-Dec .

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  

Zakaki Marsh: up to two 12-13 Dec .

Rock Dove Columba livia  

Kanli Dam: 100, prob. more almost 100% pure 4-Dec. Avgas Gorge: c50 on 17-Dec . Koilinia: 30+ on 26-Dec . Some of these and most other reports may be simply feral pigeons.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 

Max. numbers, Mandria: 320 on 27-Dec .

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 

Groups of up to 10 regularly and widely recorded.

Barn Owl Tyto alba 

Ayios Dimitrianos: one 1-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: one 10-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: one seen at 20.00h on 12-Dec . Coral Bay: one 15-Dec . Kritou Terra village: one 29-Dec . Marathounta: one flew across road at 19.00h on 30-Dec . Dhrousha: one 30-Dec .

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius   

Kritou Terra: one 29-Dec .

Little Owl Athene noctua 

Asprokremnos mast: one 1-Dec . Agia Varvara: one 4-Dec . Athalassa: one 1-Dec . Koilinia: one 12-Dec .

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 

Kanli Dam: two 4-Dec . Otherwise singles all month, Phasouri Reed-beds, Zakaki marsh, Evretou Dam South, Paphos headland, Athalassa and Akhna Dam.

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

Geunyeli: seven, display & territorial behaviour 4-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: c.40 reported on 29-Dec.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata 

Widely reported, with up to 10 at Geunyeli, Paphos Lighthouse, Lakatameia and  Koilinia. Max. 20 at Oroklini Marsh.

Woodlark Lullula arborea 

Max. numbers Marathounta: 25 on 1-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: 23 on 2-Dec . RAF Akrotiri: c40 on playing field 4-Dec . Ineia: 70 in several flocks 17-Dec . Anarita park: 16 on 19-Dec . Fewer reported Kannaviou, Stavros tis Psokas valley, Kouris Dam and Ayia Varvara. Episkopi Garrison: six on cliff top was noteworthy 4-Dec .

Skylark Alauda arvensis 

Greatest flocks: Geunyeli: 200 on 4-Dec . Marathounta: 70 on 16-Dec . Ineia: 50 on 17-Dec . Mandria: up to 120 from 19-26 Dec (CR, JRa, AW).  Flocks of 20-40 regular all month at Aspro mast, Marathounta, Armou-Tsada track, Zakaki marsh, Agia Varvara, Larnaca sewage works,  Paphos Sewage Treatment Works and Lakatameia.

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  

Evretou dam: four 17-Dec .

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris  

Agia Varvara: one 4-Dec .

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 

Ubiquitous in winter. Flocks of up to 20 reported at the Asprokremnos mast, Marathounta, Agia Varvara, Paphos sewage works, Trapeza, Yeroskipou Beach, Armou-Tsada track, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Episkopi, Paphos Headland, Mandria, Phasouri Reed-beds and Kouris Dam. Max. Evretou dam: 60 on 17-Dec .

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus   

RAF Akrotiri: at least 10 on playing field 4-Dec .  Phasouri Reed-beds: one 23-Dec . Mandria: three heard 27-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 27-Dec , c.20 on 29-Dec.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 

Zakaki marsh: one 4 & 12-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 23-Dec .

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 

Ones and twos wintering at Paphos Sewage Treatment Works, Aspro Pools, Polemidhia Dam, Stavros tis Psokas valley, Asprokremnos Dam, Avgas Gorge, Baths of Aphrodite, Lakatameia, Manglis Lake and Zakaki Marsh.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 

Largest numbers reported: Kato Paphos: 250+ arriving to roost on buildings at sunset 20-Dec . No doubt similar numbers could be found in most towns and cities. Up to 30 counted at Kanli Dam, Trapeza, Paphos Sewage Treatment Works, Yeroskipou Beach, Akrotiri area, Evretou dam, Mandria and Oroklini Marsh.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 

Caledonian Falls: two 14-Dec . Avgas Gorge: one 17-Dec .

Dunnock Prunella modularis  

Rare and localised winter visitor. Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 12-Dec.

Robin Erithacus rubecula 

Vocal winter visitor everywhere. A sampling of sightings follows: Kannaviou: 10 on 3-Dec. Klepini: seven 4-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 15 on 12-Dec. Lakatameia: up to four all month.

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 

All reports listed: Evretou dam: one male ‘red-spotted’ 17-Dec . Phasouri reed bed: one 19-Dec .

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros  

Widespread, usually in singles. Noteworthy reports include: Cape Kormakiti: 10 on 4-Dec. Paphos Headland: 12 on 13-Dec . Phinikas: c20 on 15-Dec . Anarita Park: 10 on 19-Dec .

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus  

Probably the most common and visible passerine winter visitor. Noteworthy reports follow: Marathounta: six 1-Dec. Cape Kormakiti: 20 on 4-Dec. Ezousa River Pools area: eight 4-Dec. Armou-Tsada track: six 5-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: eight 12-Dec. Paphos Headland: up to 12 on 13-19 Dec. Omodos: eight 14-Dec. Phinikas: 15 on 15-Dec. Avgas Gorge: 10 on 17-Dec. Coral Bay: six 18-Dec. Ayios Minas: 10 on 18-Dec. Asprokremnos dam: six 21-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: six  26-Dec. Mandria: six 27-Dec. Episkopi, Paphos: eight 31-Dec.

Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca   

RAF Akrotiri: one 4-Dec , very late.  

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii  

SW of Phasoula: three, including 'pair' sharing territory 6-Dec . Trakhypedhoula: five males 16-29 Dec . Anarita Park: 2m, 1f on 19-Dec.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius  

Halevga: one male 4-Dec . Episkopi Garrison: ‘common’ around the cliffs all month .

Blackbird Turdus merula 

Fairly common, though usually shy, skulking or dashing. Noteworthy:  Klepini: four 4-Dec . Troodos range: five in mixed thrush flock 14-Dec,  20 (scattered singles) 27-Dec   . Ayios Minas, Smyies: five, prob. 10s in the area,18-Dec  Avgas Gorge: 12 on 17-Dec . Athalassa: four 8-Dec .

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 

An irruptive winter visitor. Good flocks reported: Marathounta: 58 in vineyards and almond groves on hills 1-Dec, 80 on 16-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: 32 on 3-Dec, five 13-Dec . Cape Kormakiti: at least one 4-Dec . Troodos Leave Camp: seven in mixed thrush flock 14-Dec .

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos   

Noteworthy reports: Cape Kormakiti: 12 on 4-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: 10 on 13-Dec . Troodos range North: 20 on 14-Dec . Marathounta: five 16-Dec . Kensington Cliffs: max. c10 on 21-Dec . Up to three several other sites.

Redwing Turdus iliacus 

Armou-Tsada track: one flying 13-Dec .

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus   

Troodos range north: at least one in thrush flock 14-Dec .  Kensington Cliffs: one 21 & 28 Dec .  

Thrush spp  

Troodos Leave Camp Valley: at least 40 mixed thrushes including  Blackbird and Fieldfares -  also mystery song thrush-sized bird with clear creamy breast  14-Dec . Koilinia: 15+ on 28-Dec .  

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti 

Widely reported even in drier upland areas, including Episkopi Garrison, Aspro pools, Armou, Kannaviou, Tremithousa, Achelia stream, Phasouri Reed-beds, Asprokremnos Dam North end, Cape Aspro, Coral Bay, Stavros tis Psokas valley, Athalassa, Lakatameia and Episkopi (Paphos).  

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis 

Rather under-recorded, usually max. two birds, including Oroklini Marsh, Ezousa R. Pools area, Phasouri Reed-beds, Marathounta, Stavros tis Psokas valley, Paphos Headland, Mandria and Lakatameia.  

Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon 

All records Aspro pools: up to three all month , with one metal ring, right leg noted 6-Dec .  

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata  

Trakhypedhoula: one 16-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: max. four all month .  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala   

Greatest numbers: Armou-Tsada track four 5-Dec, five 13-Dec . Avgas Gorge: c15 on 17-Dec . Polemidhia Dam north valley: three 15-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: max. two daily all month . Ones and twos widely reported.  

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax  

Selected reports: Aspro pools: three 1-Dec . Marathounta: four 1 & 16 Dec . Armou-Tsada track: two each visit 2-26 Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 12-Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: six 15 & 21 Dec. Coral Bay: four 18-Dec .  

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla  

Episkopi Garrison: ‘common’ all month. Goudhi:  one singing all month    1-Dec . Klepini: two 4-Dec . Ezousa River Pools area: two 4-Dec . Episkopi (Paphos): two 6-Dec, three heard 31-Dec . Cape Aspro: three 18-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: three 23-Dec . Singles widely reported.  

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita  

Very common and widespread: Episkopi Garrison very common all month. Kannaviou: five 3-Dec . Ezousa River Pools area: c15 on 4-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: three 12-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: four 13-Dec . Kouris Dam North: three 15-Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: c10 on 15-Dec  , four 21-Dec . Coral bay: c10 on 17-Dec . Marathounta: four 16-Dec . Evretou dam: 10 on 17-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: 10 on 17-Dec . Aspro pools: four 30-Dec . Episkopi (Paphos): four 31-Dec . Singles also reported.  

Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes  

Under-recorded due to lack of observers visiting their forest strongholds. Kannaviou: one 3-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: three 13-Dec . Troodos Forest: at least 20 - most common bird found - 27-Dec .  

Great Tit Parus major aphrodite   

Abundant and widespread resident.  

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae   

Only one report: Troodos Forest: three 27-Dec .  

Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri  

Can be elusive, in spite of its estimated 5,000+ resident population! Stavros tis Psokas valley: one 13-Dec . Troodos Forest: five down to Pano Platres level 27-Dec .  

Magpie Pica pica  

Very common throughout Cyprus, mostly in foraging winter groups of up to 10 birds.  

Jackdaw Corvus monedula  

Max. numbers reported:  Trapeza: 300 on 4-Dec . Tala: c200 on 20-Dec . Akhna Dam: c.60 on 20-Dec .  

Hooded Crow Corvus corone  

Ubiquitous and intrusive. Max. numbers reported: Kanli Dam: flock of 70 on 4-Dec . Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: c20 on 4-Dec . Avgas Gorge: c20 on 17-Dec . Mandria: c30 on 26-Dec . Strovolos: 150+ coming to roost all month .  

Raven Corvus corax  

Rather elusive. Avgas Gorge: two 17-Dec .  

Starling Sturnus vulgaris  

Oroklini Marsh: up to 30 from 4-22 Dec .  Paphos Lighthouse: six 13-Dec . Mandria: 120 on 19-Dec, 70 on 27-Dec. Nicosia Town Centre: 10s roosting in trees 14-16 Dec, 12 on 28-Dec. Makedonitissa: eight 16-Dec . Akhna Dam: c.30 on 23-Dec . Archangelos: one 29-Dec .

House Sparrow Passer domesticus  

No exceptional counts reported.  

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis  

RAF Akrotiri: c30 on playing field 4-Dec . Mandria: 50 on 19-Dec .  Asprokremnos: 60+ on 31-Dec . Otherwise only groups of up to 20 reported.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  

Typically very common and widespread in winter. Greatest numbers as follows: Kannaviou: 90 on 3-Dec. Armou-Tsada track: 30 on 13-Dec. Troodos Forest: 500 (large numbers around Troodos) 14-Dec. Lara: 90 on 17-Dec.  Stavros tis Psokas valley: 120 on 17-Dec, 300 in many small groups 21-Dec. Ayios Minas, Smyies: 100 in pines and woodland 18-Dec. Koilinia: 35+ on 26-Dec.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla  

Troodos range north: five, prob. more, 14-Dec.

Serin Serinus serinus  

Fairly common on low ground in winter. Max. flocks reported: Marathounta: 50 singing in trees 1-Dec . Episkopi: 30 on 6 & 31 Dec . Ayios Savvas Monastery: 50, in very noisy and elusive groups 6-Dec . Armou-Tsada track: 20 on 13-Dec . Episkopi Garrison: c20 on 25-Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: c30 in area 28-Dec , 45 on 21-Dec . Monagri: 40 on 15-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: 500, flocks of 10 to 40 over wide area 21-Dec . Koilinia: 60+ on 12-Dec . Lakatameia: c30 on 16-Dec . Koilinia: 35 on 28-Dec .

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Armou-Tsada track: five 13-Dec . Paphos Lighthouse: at least 10 all month, 22 on 22 Dec. Otherwise only ones and twos reported.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis  

Very common, usually in foraging flocks of up to 50 birds – most reports from the west.  

Siskin Carduelis spinus  

Scarce in winter. Stavros tis Psokas valley: 20 on 13-Dec . Ayia Varvara: one possible 30-Dec .  

Linnet Carduelis cannabina   

Common in winter, with flocks of up to 30 birds normal. Greatest flocks: Armou-Tsada track: 90 on 5-Dec, 150 on 13-Dec . Paphos Lighthouse: c80 on 13-Dec. Anarita Park: c35 on 19-Dec . Kouris Dam North: 150 on 15-Dec . Marathounta: 140 on 16-Dec . Evretou dam: 80 on 17-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: 150 on 17-Dec . Mandria: 40 on 19-Dec, 45 on 27-Dec .

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra  

Troodos: one in Troodos square 15-Dec , the month’s only record.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes  

Episkopi: one 6-Dec , the month’s only record.

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra   

Wintering flocks fairly common. Greatest numbers: Armou-Tsada track: 40 on 13-Dec, 22 on 27-Dec . Marathounta: 25 on 16-Dec . Ineia: 50 on 17-Dec . Paphos lighthouse: one in song 22-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: max. 30 daily count in month .

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