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Bird News

Bird Records for February 2004

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

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

Oroklini had 35 birds present all month, Aspro Dam Pools just the 1 until at least the 15^th, Achelia Dam 1 on the 3^rd, Phasouri Reed Beds 2 on the 22^nd and Zakaki Marsh 2 on the same date.

Great Crested Grebe    Podiceps cristatus

Reported from only the Asprokremnos Dam with 7 birds seen on the 7^th and 6 birds on the 19^th.

Black-necked Grebe    Podiceps Nigricollis

Oroklini had just the 1 from the 3^rd to the 9^th whilst the numbers at Larnaca Sewage Works were reported as 20+ on the 15^th, 82 on the 18^th and just 1 on the 29^th.

Cormorant    Phalacrocorax carbo

The maximum at Evretou Dam was 5 on the 2^nd, 12 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 7^th, 1 at Arminou Dam on the 21^st and 100+ at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.

Shag    Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Just the one report of a single bird at the rocks off Mandria on the 26^th.

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

Oroklini had birds until the 23^rd with the maximum being 6 on the 12^th, 1 at Mandria on the 5^th whilst the numbers at Phasouri Reed Beds peaked at 10 on the 22^nd.

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

Singles at Oroklini on the 21^st and at Lakatamia on the 25^th.

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

2 at Evretou Dam on the 1^st, 2 at Lakatamia on the 16^th with an Oroklini maximum daily count of 3 birds.

Greater Flamingo    Phoenicopterus ruber

Oroklini had 1 on the 19^th, 20^th and the 22^nd whilst 13 were reported from Ladies Mile on the 22^nd which consisted of 2 adults and 1 immatures.

White-fronted Goose    Anser albifrons

The flock at the Larnaca Sewage Works was reported as being c40 strong on the 18^th.

Shelduck    Tadorna tadorna

Larnaca Sewage Works had 21 on the 15^th whilst c200 were at Larnaca Salt Lake on the 18^th with c150 at Meneou Pools on the same date.

Wigeon    Anas penelope

Evretou Dam had c20 on the 1^st but this number had reduced to 5 on the 26^th, Oroklini had just 2 present on the 3^rd, 6^th and 13^th, c20 at Spiro’s Pool on 18^th and c25 at Asprokremnos Dam on 19^th with no reports this month from the Larnaca Sewage Works, which is very surprising!

Gadwall    Anas strepera

10+ reported on the 15^th from Larnaca Sewage Works with c12 reported from the same site on the 18^th.

Teal    Anas crecca

c15 were reported from Evretou Dam on the 1^st with a maximum daily count at Oroklini of 300.

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

2 at Evretou Dam on the 1^st with 15 being the maximum daily count from Oroklini.  

Pintail    Anas acuta

c12 at Spiro’s Pool on the 18^th with just 2 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.

Shoveler    Anas clypeata

The only report is from Oroklini with up to 12 birds present on most days between the 5^th and the 28^th.

Pochard    Aythya ferina

50+ reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15^th with just 7 there on the 18^th.

Tufted Duck    Aythya fuligula

20+ at Larnaca Sewage Works on 15^th with just 1 on the 18^th.  

Red-breasted Merganser    Mergus serrator

A wintering bird at the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 3^rd.

Griffon Vulture    Gyps fulvus

Just one report of 5 birds at Kensington Cliffs on the 21^st.

Marsh Harrier    Circus aeruginosus

Maximum seen at Phasouri Reed Beds this month was 5 on the 22^nd, away from this location there was 1 at Oroklini between the 1^st and the 21^st with 2 seen on the 23^rd and 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.

Hen Harrier    Circus cyaneus

Ring-tails were reported from Evretou Dam on the 2^nd, Aspro Dam Pools on the 22^nd and Asprokremnos Dam on the 29^th.

Common Buzzard    Buteo buteo   

B.b.buteo

1 at Ayios Dhimitrianos on the 25^th and 1 at Evretou Dam on the 26^th.

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

1 at Anarita Park on the 6^th is the only sighting this month.  

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

2 at Evretou Dam on 1^st, Oroklini all month, Paphos Lighthouse Area on 4^th and Lakatamia on the 28^th with 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 22^nd.  

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus

A pair down the Xeros Potamos on the 7^th and 1 at Asprokremnos Dam on the 19^th are the only reported sightings.     

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

Seen at most locations with the maximum being 6 at Oroklini all month.  

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

1 at Oroklini from the 17^th to the 29^th and 1 at Coral Bay on the 23^rd.  

Quail    Coturnix coturnix

The only sighting this month with 2 at Coral Bay on the 23^rd.  

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

4 was the Oroklini maximum daily count, 2 at Achelia Dam on the 3^rd and 1 at Aspro Dam Pools reported on the 5^th and the 15^th.  

Coot    Fulica atra

Large counts came from Evretou Dam with c60 on 1^st, Oroklini with 150 all month and Phasouri Reed Beds with c100 on 22^nd, also reported from Achelia Dam [1 on 3^rd] and Aspro Dam Pools with a maximum of 8 on the 5^th.  

Black-winged Stilt    Himantopus himantopus

The only sighting with 6 on the 29^th at Oroklini.  

Ringed Plover    Charadrius hiaticula

The only sighting with 1 at Oroklini on the 10^th.  

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

Reports from Spiro’s Pool were 40+ on 15^th and c80 on 18^th with 3 at Oroklini on the 26^th.  

Greater Sand Plover    Charadrius leschenaultii

Present at Paphos Lighthouse Area all month with a maximum of 6 on various dates. Towards the end of month, birds coming into breeding plumage were noted.  

Pacific Golden Plover    Pluvialis fulva

The second-for-Cyprus bird reported last month was seen at the same location, the Paphos Lighthouse Area, on the 2^nd, 13^th, 21^st and the 27^th. This record has now been accepted by your new Records and Rarities Sub-committee.

Golden Plover    Pluvialis apricaria

The Paphos Lighthouse Area flock, which the previous species consorted with, was reported as a maximum of 56 on the 5^th and was present until the month’s end. Also reported from Mandria with 26 on the 17^th and 34 on the 26^th.  

Grey Plover    Pluvialis squatarola

1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area reported on the 4^th and the 13^th with another single at Spiro’s Pool on the 18^th.  

Spur-winged Plover    Vanellus spinosus  

The only sighting was from Oroklini with 2 on the 9^th.    

Lapwing    Vanellus vanellus

The numbers at Oroklini were between 60 at the beginning of the month to just the 1 bird on the 26^th, at Mandria the high was 30 birds at the start of the month to just 2 on the 26^th although a flock of 14 were seen there on the 28^th whilst Akhna Dam had 20+ on the 22^nd  

Little Stint    Calidris minuta

1 at Spiro's Pool on the 18^th and 4 at Oroklini on the 25^th are the only reports received.  

Curlew Sandpiper    Calidris ferruginea

A lone bird seen at Spiro's Pool on the 18^th was the only sighting.  

Ruff    Philomachus pugnax

1 at Oroklini on the 25^th with 7 there on the 27^th.  

Snipe    Gallinago gallinago

There were 3 seen at Akhna Dam on the 10^th and 1 at Oroklini on the 14^th.  

Curlew    Numenius arquata

Reported from just Larnaca Sewage Works with 8 on the 4^th and 6 on the 18^th.  

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

Reported from only Oroklini with 1 on the 7^th and 2 on the 9^th.  

Common Sandpiper    Actitis hypoleucos

Oroklini had 1 on the 25^th whilst Evretou Dam had a similar 1 on the 26^th.  

Turnstone    Arenaria interpres

Reported from only the Paphos Lighthouse Area, the species was present all month, the numbers varying between 1 and 8.  

Mediterranean Gull    Larus melanocephalus

There was an adult at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 18^th.  

Little Gull    Larus minutus

There were c24 reported from the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 18^th.  

Black-headed Gull    Larus ridibundus

The maximum daily count at Oroklini was of 300 birds.  

Slender-billed Gull    Larus genei

1 at the Larnaca Salt Lake on the 18^th with 8 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull    Larus fuscus   

L.f.fuscus

2 at Mandria on the 10^th with 1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 15^th.

L.f.heuglini

1 at Mandria on the 5^th with 3 there on the 10^th.  

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans

11 at Evretou Dam on the 1^st with 1 at Oroklini on the 22^nd.    

L.c.michahellis  

3 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 9^th.  

Armenian Gull    Larus armenicus 

There were 7 at Mandria on the 5^th with 3 there on the 10^th, 7 at Larnaca

Sewage Works on the 9^th and c20 at the Asprokremnos Dam on the 23^rd.      

Sandwich Tern    Sterna sandvicensis

2 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 6^th with 1 on the 16^th and 6 off Spiro's Pool on the 18^th.  

Black-bellied Sandgrouse    Pterocles orientalis

A male, found by Lucas Christoforou at Mandria became a popular attraction towards the end of the month and was reported on the 27^th and the 28^th.  

Woodpigeon    Columba palumbus

At Mandria a large flock of c600 was reported on the 26^th.  

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

5 were reported as being present in the Paphos Town Centre on the 28^th.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo   Clamator glandarius

After the first for the year reported last month, singles were seen at Oroklini on the 23^rd and at Lythrodhonda on the 26^th.  

Scops Owl    Otus scops cyprius

Reported from Lythrodhonda from the 25^th until the 27^th.  

Swift    Apus apus

Just the one report of a single bird at Oroklini on the 14^th.  

Alpine Swift    Apus melba

Just the one report of 3 birds at Phasouri Reed Beds on the 23^rd.  

Kingfisher    Alcedo atthis

Singles at Evretou Dam on 1^st, Oroklini on 4^th, 6^th and 10^th and the Paphos Lighthouse Area on the 15^th.  

Hoopoe    Upupa epops

Starting to appear by the month’s end with singles at Konia and at Spiro's Pool, both on the 29^th.  

Calandra Lark    Melanocorypha calandra

1 seen at Spiro's Pool on the 18^th with good views obtained of 4 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.

Short-toed Lark    Calandrella brachydactyla

The first report this spring of a single bird at Mandria on the 25^th.  

Lesser Short-toed Lark    Calandrella rufescens

1 was seen at Mandria on the 24^th and 4 on the 25^th. Winter visitors or did they arrive with the previous species?  

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

Reported from Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Lakatamia, Yeroskipou and Aspro Dam Pools with the highest number being 20, the maximum daily count at Oroklini.  

Woodlark    Lullula arborea

8 at Aspro Dam Pools on the 3^rd, 7 at Peyia on the 3^rd, 1 at Akhna Dam on the 10^th, 1 at Coral Bay on the 11^th with 5 seen there on the 16^th, 5 trapped and ringed at the Akamas on the 20^th and 3 seen at Lakatamia on the 28^th.     

Skylark    Alauda arvensis

Evretou Dam had 14 on 1^st, Paphos Lighthouse Area c25 on 4^th, 28^th and c20 on 22^nd, 1 heard at Ayios Dhometios in the buffer-zone on the 8^th, c180 at Mandria on the 17^th and 30 at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.     

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

Reported from Oroklini [maximum daily count of 30], Kiti dam with 3 on 11^th, Akhna Dam with 60 on 18^th, Lakatamia with 2 on 18^thand 19^th, Larnaca Sewage Works with c10 on 18^th, Phasouri Reed Beds with 100+ on 21^stand 22^nd, Kouris Dam Pools with 1 on 22^nd, Archangelos with 2 on 23^rd, singles at Lakatamia on the 25^th and the 26^th, 4 at Makedonitissa on 26^th, 4 at Archangelos on 27^th, 7 at Lythrodhonda on 27^th, 2 at Kato Paphos on 28^th, 2 at Lakatamia on 28^th, 1 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 28^th, 2 at Kato Platres on 29^th with 2 at Pakhna on the same date.  

House Martin    Delichon urbicum

There were c40 at Larnaca Sewage Works on 14^th, up to 25 at Oroklini between the 14^th and the 23^rd, c24 at Larnaca Sewage Works on 18^th, 6 at Phasouri Reed Beds on 22^nd with 100+ there the next day, the 23^rd.

Meadow Pipit    Anthus pratensis

2 at Lakatamia on 17^th, 1 at Oroklini on 17^th, 20^th and 23^rd, 4 at Paphos Lighthouse Area on 22^nd and 9 at Archangelos on 28^th.

Water Pipit    Anthus spinoletta

Singles at Aspro Dam Pools on the 3^rd and at Akhna Dam on the 13^th.  

Grey Wagtail    Motacilla cinerea

Singles at Aspro Dam Pools on the 6^th and the 15^th and at Lythrodhonda on the 16^th.

White Wagtail    Motacilla alba

Reported from Evretou Dam, Oroklini, Archangelos and Lakatamia. The highest total was at Oroklini with a maximum daily count of 34.  

Robin   Erithacus rubecula

1’s and 2’s reported from Evretou Dam, Lythrodhonda, Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Archangelos, Panayia and Ezousa. There were 3 reported from Lakatamia on the 25^th and the 26^th.  

Black Redstart    Phoenicurus ochruros

Singles at Evretou Dam, Akhna Dam, Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Kato Paphos and Paphos Lighthouse Area.  

Stonechat    Saxicola torquatus   

Reported from Evretou Dam [10 on 1^st], 2 at Lythrodhonda all month, 6 on a daily basis at Oroklini all month, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Kannaviou 3 on 3^rd and 11^th], Paphos Lighthouse Area [10 on 4^th], Aspro Dam Pools, Dhiarizos River Valley [3 on 15^th] and Lakatamia.  

Isabelline Wheatear    Oenanthe isabellina

The first was in Kato Paphos in the garden of the Helios Bay Hotel on the 4^th. From the 24^th they became widespread and very numerous with reports from Kannaviou Dam, Mandria [8 on 29^th], Paphos Lighthouse Area, Aspro Dam Pools, Asprokremnos Dam [6 on 29^th] and Spiro's Pool.  

Northern Wheatear    Oenanthe oenanthe

The first and the only report was of 6 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.

Desert Wheatear    Oenanthe deserti

Just the one report of a male at Mandria on the 24^th.  

Finsch’s Wheatear    Oenanthe finschii

Up to 2 males seen at Anarita Park all month.  

Blue Rock Thrush    Monticola solitarius

Singles at Evretou Dam on 2^nd, Ayios Giorgios on 8^th, Coral Bay on 11^th and Evretou Dam on the 26^th.

Blackbird    Turdus merula

Up to 3 birds reported from Pomas, Avagas Gorge, Cape Pyla, Panayia, Archangelos, Pachyammos and Lakatamia. There were 6 seen in flight at Lakatamia on the 28^th.  

Song Thrush    Turdus philomelos

Up to 2 birds reported from Evretou Dam, Lythrodhonda, Oroklini, Archangelos and Lakatamia; proving that at least a few birds avoided the slaughter, hopefully!  

Mistle Thrush    Turdus viscivorus

Just the one report of a single bird at Episkopi.  

Cetti’s Warbler   Cettia cetti

Reported from Evretou Dam [6 on the 1^st], Kannaviou Dam on numerous dates, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Polemi, Panayia, Phasouri Reed Beds, Stroumbi, Lakatamia [5 maximum] and Lythrodhonda.  

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis  

Another species that is now in full song whilst doing its undulating display flight, reported from Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Archangelos, Akhna Dam, Lakatamia, Phasouri Reed Beds, Ayios Giorgios and Peyia.  

Moustached Warbler    Acrocephalus melanopogon

3 at Akhna Dam on the 4^th and last reported from Aspro Dam Pools on the 14^th with 4 birds present.  

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 2 birds whilst 4 were reported from Larnaca Sewage Works on the 29^th.  

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

1’s and 2’s seen at Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam and Pachyammos.  

Cyprus Warbler    Sylvia melanothorax

Only singles reported Cape Pyla on 11^th, Coral Bay on 16^th, Pachyammos on 23^rd and Peyia on 25^th.  

Blackcap    Sylvia atricapilla

2 at Lythrodhonda on 1^st to 29^th, 2 at Ezousa River on 3^rd, 1 at Paphos Town Centre on 18^th, 19^th and 2^nd and 1 at Kannaviou Dam on 26^th. Many were trapped and ringed on the Akamas during the month.

Chiffchaff    Phylloscopus collybita

Up to 4 reported from Evretou Dam, 3 at Lakatamia and then 1’s and 2’s from Lythrodhonda, Archangelos and Kannaviou Dam.  

Great Tit    Parus major aphrodite

Widespread and reported in small numbers, maximum 4 from Lakatamia on 18^th but also seen at Lythrodhonda, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Archangelos, Asprokremnos Dam, Kannaviou Dam, Paphos Town Centre and Panayia.  

Magpie    Pica pica

Only reported from Oroklini this month where between 1 and 4 were seen most days of the month.  

Jackdaw    Corvus monedula

At Evretou Dam there were c250 on the 1^st and at Oroklini there were 2 on the 16^th and the 17^th.  

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 8 birds and at Lakatamia there were 2 on 25^th, 3 on 26^th and 12 on 28^th.  

Starling    Sturnus vulgaris

100+ at Deftera all month, at Makedonitissa there were 6 on 5^th, 3 on 19^th and 6

on the 26^th with 2 at Limassol on 18^th and 9 at Lakatamia on 28^th.  

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

Oroklini had a maximum daily count of 75 birds whilst the highest total reported from Lakatamia was 30+ seen on both the 17^th and the 18^th.  

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

10 seen at Oroklini on the 1^st, c250 at Anarita on the 6^th, 5 at Pomas on the 9^th, c120 at Mandria on the 17^th and c30 seen at Kannaviou Dam on the 19^th.  

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

Reported from Evretou Dam, Lythrodhonda, Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Psathi, Lakatamia, Panayia, Paphos Sewage Works, Peyia and Mandria. The largest number reported was c60 at Mandria on the 28^th.  

Serin    Serinus serinus

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Kannaviou Dam, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Oroklini, Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools, Dhiarizos River Valley, Lakatamia, Evretou Dam and Tseri. The largest number reported was 100+ at Tseri on the 28^th.  

Greenfinch    Carduelis chloris

Reported from Oroklini, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Kiti Dam, Lythrodhonda, Panayia, Paphos Sewage Works, Pachyammos, Lakatamia and Archangelos. 12 at Pachyammos on the 23^rd was the largest number reported.  

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Oroklini, Kannaviou Dam, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Aspro Dam Pools, Paphos Sewage Works, Lakatamia and Archangelos. About 50 birds seen at the Paphos Sewage Works on the 21^st was the largest number reported.  

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

Reported from Kannaviou Dam, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Mandria, Lakatamia, Paphos Sewage Works, Peyia, Archangelos and Evretou Dam. About 120 birds at Mandria on the 8^th was the largest number reported.  

Corn Bunting    Emberiza calandra

Reported from Evretou Dam, Kannaviou Dam, Anarita [c80 on the 6^th], Oroklini, Ayios Dhimitrianos, Lakatamia, Asprokremnos Dam [c90 on 19^th], Peyia, Paphos Lighthouse Area and the Larnaca Sewage Works.  

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