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Bird News

Systematic List for October 2004

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis   

Phasouri: up to 11on 2-13 Oct, with 14+ on 7 Oct. Athalassa: up to five 27-31 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. counts, 90 on 7 Oct , c.60 on 19 Oct, c.150 on 29 Oct . Zakaki Marsh: two 20 Oct. Saittas Dam: two 21 Oct. Aspro Dam Pools: two 25 Oct, two 17 Oct. Singles other sites.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus  

Zakaki Marsh: two 20 Oct.         

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 12 Oct , eight 29 Oct .               

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea  

28km. north of Kyrenia: 14 on 07 Oct. 

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo  

Aspro Dam: three 17 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 26 Oct. 

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Kensington Cliffs: six 2 Oct. Mandria: one 2, 12 & 25 Oct.  Cape Arnaouti, Akamas: up to thee imms. 2 & 23 Oct.  

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus  

Zakaki: one obliging bird present from 23 Oct to month end. 

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  

Zakaki: one 2-12 Oct. Aspro Pools: one 8-13 Oct. Athalassa: one 10 Oct. Evretou Dam South: one 12 Oct. 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis  

Evretou: one 4 Oct. Phasouri: up to two 1-12 Oct , with four 5 Oct . 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

Aphrodite’s bath (Akamas): 60+ on Ayios Georgious island 1 Oct, four 2 Oct. Zakaki: four 2 Oct, three 7 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: 55 on 1 Oct. Aspro dam, Phinikas: three 3-17 Oct, 18 on 18 Oct. Athalassa: up to five 3-10 Oct, nine 27 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: six 7 Oct. Singles other locations. 

Great White Egret Egretta alba 

Athalassa: one 17 Oct, four 27 Oct, two 31 Oct. Cape Arnaouti & Ayios Georgious island: total seven during day 2 Oct. Zakaki: one 20-26 Oct. Akrotiri Salt Lake: a noteworthy 26 on 20 Oct. 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Noteworthy reports: Aphrodite’s bath: c45 on island 1 Oct.  Phasouri-Zakaki: 15 on 7 Oct. Akrotiri Reed-beds: c40 on 1 Oct, 30 on 12 Oct. Asprokremnos Dam: max. five 17 Oct. Athalassa: max. four 31 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 51 on 7 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: max. 15 on 2 Oct. Zakaki Marsh: nine 26 Oct. Up to three together several other sites.  

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea  

All reports. Paphos headland area: one 6 & 9 Oct, one long dead 13 Oct. Athalassa: one 31 Oct. 

Heron sp. 

Cape Arnaouti: 50 passing east, prob grey herons, 2 Oct. 

Black Stork Ciconia nigra  

Phasouri: five 2 Oct . Zakaki: two 12 Oct. 

White Stork Ciconia ciconia  

Phasouri: two 2 Oct . Asprokremnos pools: one 11 Oct. Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 4 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 13 Sep. 

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia  

Akrotiri Reed-beds: eight 1 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: 32 on 7 Oct , 58 on 12 Oct , up to 17 from 19-29 Oct.     

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber  

Akrotiri: est. 1000 on 1 Oct, 750+ on 2-12 Oct, 1600 last week of month. Larnaca Sewage Works: c400 on 7-26 Oct, 560, including one ringed juv. right leg, blue ring 29 Oct. 

Wigeon Anas penelope  

Aspro pools: one 11-16 Oct, up to two 17-25 Oct. Athalassa: one fem. 31 Oct. Evretou Dam: two 24 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: 2+ on 26 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: c.10 on 20 Oct. 

Teal Anas crecca  

Phasouri: two 2 Oct, 65 on 7 Oct, 30+ on 12 Oct. Akrotiri Reed-beds: 12 on 1 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: c.10 on 20 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: c.50 on 29 Oct . Singles also reported. 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Phasouri: six 2 Oct, 75+ on 12 Oct. Evretou: 12 on 4 Oct. Akrotiri Reed-beds: 20 on 1 Oct. Athalassa: 12+ on 3 Oct, 40+ males on 27 Oct, 50+ on 31 Oct . Evretou Dam: c.20 on 24 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c100 on 7 Oct, c200 on 19 Oct, c150 on 26-29 Oct.  

Pintail Anas acuta  

A juv at Saittas: one juv. with domestic wildfowl on 5 Oct was full- winged . Phasouri: three 7 Oct, two 12 Oct. Aspro Dam Pools: max. two 18 & 25 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: three 26 Oct, two 29 Oct . Zakaki Pools: seven 23 Oct. A few singles also reported. 

Garganey Anas querquedula  

Phasouri: four 2 Oct, increasing to seven 12 Oct. Aspro pools: two 6 Oct . 

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

Phasouri: max. 17 on 7 Oct, 28 on 12 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c200 on 7 Oct, c80 on 26 Oct , c.500 on 29 Oct . Phasouri Reed Beds: 10 on 20 Oct. 

Pochard Aythya ferina  

Evretou Dam: two 24 Oct . Larnaca sewage works: 35 on 29 Oct. 

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Phasouri: three 2 Oct , 1m, 1f. on 27 Oct  . Aspro Pools: two 2 Oct. 

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus  

Zakaki Marsh: one 1 Oct. Smyies: one 1 Oct. Ayias Neophytos: one 4 Oct. Phasouri: four 7 Oct, six 12 Oct, two 16 Oct. Near Galateria: one 10 Oct. Akamas: one 7 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: one 1 Oct. Kolossi bridge: one 20 Oct. Mandria: one 5 Oct. Tsada golf club track one 02 Oct. Aspro pools: one 11 & 16 Oct. Cape Gata: one 16 Oct . 

Black Kite Milvus migrans  

Phasouri: one 2 & 7 Oct . Akrotiri Salt Lake: six 4 Oct. 

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus  

Kensington Cliffs: one 2 Oct.  Omodos: four 3 Oct. Salamiou: one 8 Oct, three 11 Oct. Ayios Ioannis, old nest site: three 26 Oct. 

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus   

Ayios Ioannis, old nest site: one 26 Oct.   

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus  

A juvenile over Phasouri on 2 Oct and one over Limassol ring-road 15 Oct. 

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Phasouri-Zakaki: seven 2 Oct, four 5 Oct, eight  7 Oct, four 12 Oct, two 20 Oct. Mandria: two 6 Oct with one to 20 Oct. Akrotiri Reed-beds: six 1 & 9 Oct. Singes other sites including Cape Arnaouti. 

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  

Mandria: one 17 Oct, two, 1 imm, 1f on 22 Oct. Xeros Potamos: one 26 Oct. 

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus  

Aspro Dam: one ad male and one female 6 Oct. Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 1 Oct. Armou track: one male 5 Oct. Petra tou Romiou: one first year 1 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: one ad. male over the peak 9 Oct . 

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus  

Phasouri: one juv. 2 Oct, one female 12 Oct . Ayias Neophytos: one 4 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: two 1 Oct. Anarita Park one 17 Oct. Tsada golf club track: one juv. 6 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: one 16 Oct. 

Pallid/Montagu’s Harrier  

Single ringtails Aspro Dam 11 Oct and Zakaki 12 Oct. 

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis  

Ineia: one juv. 4 Oct .  Lemesos Forest: one flushed 5 Oct. Ayios Minas: one 29 Oct  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus   

Phasouri: two 2 & 12 Oct. Alona: one 5 Oct. Smyies: one juv. 9 Oct. Cape Greco: one 9 Oct. Polis: one 11 Oct. Mandria: two 11 Oct. Ayios Minas: one 11 Oct. Koili: one 24 Oct. Lythrodondas: one 25 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: five (prob this sp.) 2 Oct, one 23 Oct.   

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo   

Phasouri Reed Beds: one 1 Oct.  Cape Arnaouti: one 2 Oct. 

Steppe Buzzard Buteo b. vulpinus  

These were the only reports of this scarce form with its problematic ID: Phasouri Reed Bed: one 1 Oct . Galateria: one probable 10 Oct. 

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Anarita: one 2 Oct . Omodos: two 3 Oct. Agros/Alona: three 5 Oct. Galateria: two 10 Oct. Ayios Fotios: one 8 Oct. Aspro Dam: one high over dam 11 Oct, present on pylon near pools to 20 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 15 & 17 Oct  

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus  

Zakaki: one pale-phase 2 Oct . Aspro Pools: one 4 Oct.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Meneou Pools: one imm. 1 Oct. Aspro pools: one imm. 2 & 11 Oct. Ayios Neophytos: one ad. 4 Oct. Kili, Kamares: one seen most days 2-16 Oct. Akamas: one 2 Oct. Aspro Dam north-east: 2 ads.22 Oct. Koili: 2 adults + 1 juv. 5 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: one ad. low over Chrysochou Bay 2 Oct . 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus  

Aspro dam  area: one 5 Oct . Akhna dam: one 8 Oct. Cape Gata: one 16 Oct. 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Up to four reported widely. 

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus   

These reports reflect a healthy and widespread passage before its main departure in mid October: Akrotiri: 80-100 on 2 Oct, 40+ on 7 Oct , one fem. 20 Oct , two 27 Oct . Ayias Neophytos: two 4 Oct. near Saittas: 15+ on 5 Oct. Mandria: max. 60 present 2-16 Oct, 110+ at dusk 6 Oct, 80 on 7 Oct, 20+ on 11 Oct, c50 on 6 Oct , c30 on 17 Oct, three 18 Oct . Phasouri Reed Beds: five 5 Oct , eight 12 Oct, two 23 Oct. Akhna dam: two 9 Oct. Ayia Thekla: one 17 Oct. 

Merlin Falco columbarius  

Paphos Sewage Works: one 28 Oct . Adonis Falls: six 3 Oct. Akamas: three 2 Oct. 

Hobby Falco subbuteo  

Quite active passage noted, halting mid-month. Kili, Kamares: two present most days 2-16 Oct. Cape Greco: two 9 Oct. Akrotiri peninsula: 5+ on 2 & 7 Oct, two 12 Oct. Ayias Neophytos: five 4 Oct. Adonis Falls: six 3 Oct. Akamas: three 2 Oct. Koili: six 5 Oct, max. nine 14 Oct . Phasouri Reed Beds: one 5 Oct, one 16 Oct, two 20 Oct , with latest 27 Oct .  Cape Arnaouti: three individuals on passage 2 Oct, one 16 Oct. Cape Gata: one 16 Oct. Kensington Cliffs: one 17 Oct.

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae  

Most birds left the island by September, with final evacuation complete by mid-October: Kensington Cliffs: 35 on 2 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: two 1 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: two 5 Oct .Aspro dam, Phinikas: seven 3 Oct, five 17 Oct. Cape Gata: 18 on 16 Oct. 

Peregrine Falco peregrinus   

Good passage noted of mostly single birds: Akrotiri Reed Beds: one 1 Oct. Akamas: one 2 Oct. Petra Tou Romiou: pair ads. 2 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: two 2-16 Oct, one 23 Oct. Aspro pools: one juv. 6 Oct. Phasouri: one ad. 7 & 12 Oct. Arminou Dam: one 8 Oct. Larnaca sewage: one 8 Oct, one 9 Oct. Anarita Park: one 17 Oct Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: one 16 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: one 5 Oct.   

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Groups of up to 10 widely reported. Kannaviou Dam: 12 on 27 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to 20 all month. Tsada golf club track: 20 on 1 Oct. 

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Up to four together reported near Aphrodite’s bath, Ineia, Mandria, Phasouri,. Ezousa Pools, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Lighthouse Area, Paphos Sewage Treatment Works. 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus  

Winter birds now arriving. Zakaki: up to three heard 2-12 Oct, two heard, plus one seen, 7 & 12 Oct. Phasouri: three heard 7 Oct. Akhna dam: one 8 Oct. 

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana  

Akhna dam: one 3 Oct. Ineia: dead adult on 4 Oct had probably been shot. Aspro Pools: one 7 Oct, eaten the next day by a viper!   

Little Crake Porzana parva  

Phasouri: one juv. on 2 Oct . 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Saittas: 14 on 5 Oct, 12 on 21 Oct. Phasouri-Zakaki: 30 on 7 Oct, 40+ on 12 Oct. Aspro pools: 12 on 11 Oct, nine 17 Oct,  max. 10, incl. family party 2 adults & 4 juvs 25 Oct . Athalassa: max. five 31 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: 20 on 23 Oct. Zakaki Marsh: 17 on 20 Oct . Ones and twos also reported. 

Coot Fulica atra  Max. flocks: Phasouri: 25+ on 2 Oct, 20+ on 7 & 12 Oct , 80 on 23 Oct . Athalassa: max. 13 on 31 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 80 on 7-26 Oct, c.200 on 29 Oct.  

Common Crane Grus grus   

Very healthy localised movement although no single strays reported away from southern and eastern departure points! Larnaca Sewage Works: c.250 on 7 Oct, eight 12 Oct, 17 on 19 Oct, seven 26 Oct, eight 29 Oct. Zakaki: one 12 Oct. Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 17 Oct, nine 20 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: c.200 over flying on 24 Oct. 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to six 7-19 Oct. 

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to four 8-12 Oct.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Mandria: eight 27 Oct . 

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola   

Mandria: one on evening of 7 Oct. 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  

Lady’s Mile: one 2 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 7 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to two 5-29 Oct. Reported Evretou dam 11 Oct. 

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Larnaca sewage works: up to three 26 & 29 Oct. Mandria: three 2 Oct.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus   

Lady’s Mile: 60 on 2 Oct, 40 on 7 Oct, 35 on 9 Oct, 45 on 12 Oct, c30 on 26 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: seven 26 & 29 Oct. 

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii                  

Mandria beach: two 4 Oct. Paphos headland: max. seven 6 Oct. Lady’s Mile: one 7, 12 & 26 Oct. Ayia Thekla: one 17 Oct. Paphos Lighthouse Area: two up to three 19-21 Oct.  

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva  

Lady's Mile: one 20 Oct , field notes awaited. 

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

Paphos headland: one 6-13 Oct. 

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Zakaki: one 1 & 12 Oct, two 21 Oct. Bishops Pool: one 9-14 Oct . Oroklini Marsh: one 12 Oct.   

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus   

Mandria: 14 on 2 Oct, 10 on 9 Oct, six 11-14 Oct, three 17 Oct. Evretou: three 4 Oct. Asprokremnos Dam: two 17 Oct. Ezousa River: five 25 Oct. Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: two 16 Oct. Pomos Point: three 31 Oct.  

Sanderling Calidris alba  

Lady's Mile: four 9 Oct, three 12 Oct. Paphos headland: four 6 Oct.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Lady’s Mile: up to 150 from 2-7 Oct, 25 on 9 Oct, 55 on 12 Oct, 16 on 20 Oct, c25 on 26 Oct . Akrotiri salt lake: 160 on 1 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: 130 on 7 Oct, 19 on 29 Oct, five 26 Oct. Oroklini: eight 19 Oct, otherwise 18 all month. 

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii  

Lady’s Mile: two 4 Oct, one 7 Oct.               

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea  

Lady’s Mile: two 7 Oct, three 9 Oct . Oroklini: two 19 Oct, otherwise max. five all month . 

Dunlin Calidris alpina  

Lady’s Mile: up to 28 from 2-9 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: nine 29 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to three 6-25 . 

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Akhna dam: six 3 Oct. Zakaki Pools: two 9 Oct, only reports.  

Snipe Gallinago gallinago  

Akhna dam: one 3 Oct. Evretou: one 4 Oct. Phasouri: two 7 Oct. Aspro Pools: one 4 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 10-27 Oct. Zakaki Marsh: four 23 Oct, two 26 Oct. 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus  

Paphos headland: one 13 Oct. 

Curlew Numenius arquata  

Phasouri: two 12 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 12 Oct, one 14 Oct, three 19 Oct. 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: four 4 Oct. Larnaca sewage: one 4 & 12 Oct, with two 8 Oct.  

Redshank Tringa totanus  

Max. counts: Akrotiri Reed-beds: 20 on 1 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c.20 on 29 Oct . Less than five reported Akhna dam, Oroklini Marsh, Zakaki Marsh. 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia  

Akrotiri Reed-beds: eight 1 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4 & 12 Oct, only reports. 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus   

Argaka: one 9 Oct. 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  

Zakaki marsh: one 7, 9 & 26 Oct , three 21 Oct . 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  

Paphos Lighthouse Area: up to two 19-23 Oct. Ayia Thekla: one 17 Oct. 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres  

Paphos headland: four 6 Oct, two 13 Oct, one 19 Oct. 

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus   

Zakaki: one photographed 9 Oct. 

Little Gull Larus minutus  

Zakaki: one 12 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 12 Oct  and one ad. 29 Oct .  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: max. c.40 on 26 & 29 Oct. No reports elsewhere. 

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Akrotiri Reed-beds: 12 on 1 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: 50 on 16 Oct, 500, including flock of 300 in bay, on 23 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: 14 on 18 Oct. 

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Cape Greco: seven 9 Oct. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus   

Cape Arnaouti: two 2 Oct. 

Baltic Gull Larus .f .fuscus  

Zakaki: one ad. 2 Oct. Paphos headland: two 6 & 13 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: one 14 Oct. 

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 

Paphos headland: Max 12 on 6 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 26 from 7-26 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: max. 25 on 2 Oct.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus   

Mandria: 20 on 25 Oct . 

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica  

Zakaki marsh: one juv. 1-2 Oct. 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida  

Zakaki: four 1 Oct, nine juvs. 2 Oct, 10 on 7 Oct, three 12 Oct, four 13 Oct, one 20 Oct, two 26 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: one 3 & 8 Oct. 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  

Larnaca sewage works: two 1 Oct. Zakaki: two 9 Oct, three 20-23Oct , two 26 Oct .                  

Rock Dove Columba livia   

Also reported. 

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

Max. numbers: Mandria: c.200 on 2 Oct, c50 on 22 Oct. Groups of 20 or less common. 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  

Groups of up to seven at least Lakatameia, Mandria, Neo Chorio, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Town Centre, Yeroskipou, probably all places in-between.  

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur  

Selective records: Phasouri: three 2 Oct . Lemesos area: two 5 Oct. Kolossi bridge pools: two 20 Oct, latest report. 

Barn Owl Tyto alba  

Singles at Paphos (Apollo Hotel) 1 Oct , near Omodos 3 Oct , Paphos motorway on 5 Oct, near Stroumpi  9 Oct, Coral Bay 11 Oct and Tseri 29 Oct. 

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius  

Psimolofou: one 18-25 Oct. 

Little Owl Athene noctua  

Kamares: one 8 Oct . Athalassa: one 17 & 27 Oct.  

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus  

RAF Akrotiri: one on 14 Oct . 

Swift Apus apus   

Ayia Napa: one Arou Kermia Hotel 3 Oct, only report. 

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis  

Lachi: two 1-9 Oct. Phasouri: two 2-12 Oct, three 7 Oct. Zakaki: two 2-12 Oct. Akhna dam: two 3 Oct, seven 8 Oct. Aspro pools: two present to at least 11 Oct. Evretou: two 4 Oct. Arminou: three 8 Oct. Singles also reported. 

Bee-eater Merops apiaster  

Kiti dam: c.70 on 1 Oct. Phasouri: 50+ on 2 Oct, 25+ on 7 Oct, 18 on 12 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: c500 on 1 Oct. Armou track: 54 on 3 Oct, 65 on 5 Oct. Ayia Napa: 15 on 2 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: c.20 on 9 Oct. Zakaki Marsh: c.20 on 1 Oct.  

Roller Coracias garrulus  

Akrotiri: one 2 Oct . Mandria: four juvs. 3-7 Oct. Mandria: two 5 Oct, one 7 Oct, one 9 Oct. Kiti Dam: one 12 Oct.  

Hoopoe Upupa epops   

Dora: two 3 Oct. Singles also reported Phasouri, Mandria, Aphrodite’s bath, Kiti dam, Paphos sewage works..

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

Larnaca Salt Lake: 14 near desalination plant 26 Oct . 

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla  

Mandria: c.30 on 5 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: seven in fields next to hide 26 Oct. Mandria: two 8 Oct.  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Groups of up to 20 widely reported. 

Woodlark Lullula arborea  

Artemis Trail: one 3 Oct . 

Skylark Alauda arvensis  

Ezousa River: c.20 on 25 Oct . Larnaca sewage works: two 29 Oct. Paphos Sewage Works: six 30 Oct.  

Sand Martin Riparia riparia   

Noteworthy reports: Zakaki: 40+ on 12 Oct. Akrotiri Reed Beds: c.1000 on 1 Oct Kiti dam: 50+ on 12 Oct . Zakaki marsh: 20 on 1 Oct, c10 on 26 Oct. 

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  

Argaka: one 9 Oct.  

Swallow Hirundo rustica   

Zakaki: max. numbers 30 on 1 Oct, 500-600 on 12 Oct, c140 on 26 Oct. Ayia Napa: groups of up to 3 passing over all day 2-3 Oct. Kannaviou: c20 on 7 Oct, c35 on 6 Oct, c.20 on 7 Oct, c12 on 14 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: c.50 on 9 Oct. Kiti Dam: 100+ on 12 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 on 8-9 Oct, 50 on 14 Oct. Saittas Dam: c.10 on 21 Oct.  

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica  

Zakaki marsh: two 1 Oct. Aspro pools: two 3 Oct (DN). Saittas Dam: one 21 Oct.  

House Martin Delichon urbica  

Last trickle of birds passing through. Lemesos: one 5 Oct. Saittas Dam: one 21 Oct. 

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris  

Mandria: one 3 Oct. Paphos headland: one juv. 6 Oct, 2 juvs 13 Oct. Akrotiri Gravel Pits South: five 20 Oct. Armou track: one 5 Oct. Ayia Minas: two 2 Oct. Mandria: one 2, 18 & 20 Oct. 

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis   

Phasouri: one 12 Oct. Armou track: two 2 & 5 Oct. Arou Kermia Hotel: reported 3 Oct. Ezousa River: three 25 Oct. Mandria: 10 on 2 Oct. 

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis  

Selective reports: Ezousa River: c30 on 25 Oct. Paphos Sewage Works: eight 30 Oct. 

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus  

Noteworthy reports: Mandria: 52 on 2 Oct, 10 on 6 & 7 Oct, two 11 Oct, c20 on 18 Oct, c40 on 20 Oct, c50 on 21 Oct . Armou track: two 3 & 5 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: up to 20 in fields 12-14 Oct. Yeroskipou Beach Area: five 16 Oct. Ezousa River: c10 on 25 Oct . Paphos Sewage Works: 20 on 30 Oct . 

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta  

Paphos Sewage Works: two 30 Oct , was the month’s only report. 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava   

May include several races (see below). Noteworthy reports: Zakaki: two 2 & 12 Oct. Mandria: 60 on 6 Oct, 90 on 7 Oct. Mandria: 750 on 2 Oct, c.300 on 5 Oct. Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: c250 on 9 Oct, c10 on 16 Oct. Yeroskipou Beach Area: c10 on 16 Oct.  Cape Arnaouti: 21 on 23 Oct.  

Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava flava   

Max. numbers: Mandria: c400 on 2 Oct, c20 on 4 Oct, c80 on 12 Oct, c20 on 17 Oct, c40 on 18 Oct, c50 on 20 Oct, c30 on 21 Oct .

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  

Agros: two 5 Oct. Arminou Dam area: four 8 Oct. Asprokremnos: three 11 Oct. Ayios Ioannis: two 26 Oct. Singles at Aphrodite’s bath, Peyia, Marathounta, Aspro Pools, Omodos, Paphos headland. 

White Wagtail Motacilla alba  

Mandria: season’s first report, three 2 Oct,  c60 on 12 Oct, c300 on 20 Oct, c400 on 21 Oct , c200 on 22 Oct, c.100 on 25 Oct. Phasouri: 15 on 7 Oct. Paphos headland: 125 flying  east in 50 minutes 13 Oct. Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: c20 on 9 Oct, c200 on 16 Oct, 100+ on 30 Oct. Kannaviou Dam: max. c15 on 13 Oct. Yeroskipou Beach Area: c150 on 16 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to 20 most days from mid-month . Strovolos: flocks of 10s flying over from mid-afternoon mid month. 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes  

Artemis Trail: three 3 Oct . 

Dunnock Prunella modularis  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 31 Oct . 

Robin Erithacus rubecula  

Akhna dam: one 15 Oct, first autumn record, with main arrival from late month. Koili: seven 21 Oct. Pano Platres: one 21 Oct, early records. Noteworthy reports: Neo Chorio patch: three 30 Oct. Athalassa: four heard 31 Oct. 

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica  

Oroklini Marsh: one 14-28 Oct . Larnaca sewage works: one 26 Oct . Akrotiri Salt lake: three 27 Oct. 

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 

First reports, becoming common and widespread. Cape Arnaouti: one 16 Oct, three 23 Oct. Lythrodondas: one 24 Oct. Ezousa to mouth: one 25 Oct. 

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus   

Ayios Minas, Smyies: eight 1 Oct, three 9 Oct, 5 incl. 4 males 11 Oct . Ayios Neophytos: one 4 Oct. Paphos headland: one 13 Oct. Armou track: one 3-5 Oct. Koili: two 7 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: two 9 Oct, one 16 Oct. Akamas: max. eight 11 Oct. 

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra  

Smyies: two 1 & 9 Oct, c.20 within 200m on 2 Oct. Phasouri: two 2 & 7 Oct. Kiti dam: four 1 Oct. Ezousa Pools area: four 2 Oct. Mandria: six 2 Oct, 15 on 2 Oct, four 4 Oct, three 4 Oct, up to nine 6-11 Oct, two 16 Oct, latest autumn report. Evretou Dam South: two 12 Oct.  Many singles reported.  

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus  

As usual, large numbers arriving for the winter this month. Tsada golf club track: 1m, 1f 2 Oct, first report of season. Ineia: three 4 Oct Evretou Dam South: five 12 Oct. Anarita Park: c10 on 17 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: three 17 Oct, four 19 Oct, four 22-26 Oct, up to six to 31 Oct. Akrotiri Gravel Pits Sth: two 20 Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: 21, including 10 ‘pairs' 20 Oct. Mandria: six 23 Oct, seven 27 Oct. Cape Arnaouti: two 23 Oct. Ezousa: four 25 Oct. Larnaca Salt Lake: two 26 Oct. Kannaviou Dam: two 27 Oct, three 29 Oct. Archangelos: two 28 Oct. Larnaca sewage works: three 29 Oct. Marathounta: three 30 Oct. Psimolofou: four 21 Oct, two 22 Oct. Singles also reported. 

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina  

Ineia: one 4 Oct Akamas: four 02 Oct.  Mandria: four 2 Oct, six 4 Oct, two 14 Oct. Paphos Sewage Treatment Works: two 16 Oct. Singles also reported to mid-month. 

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe   

Passage continued all month, with peak during second week. Armou track: four 2 Oct. Ayia Napa: three Arou Kermia Hotel 2 Oct. Mandria: five 2 Oct, four 3 Oct, two 5 Oct, three 8 Oct, four 9 Oct, two 10 Oct, two 11 Oct, two 14 Oct. Tsada golf club track: five 2 Oct, three 4 Oct. Armou track: seven 3 Oct, three 5 Oct. Ineia: nine 4 Oct. Paphos-Aspro: six 6 Oct.. Cape Arnaouti: three 9 Oct, two 23 Oct. Paphos headland: two 13 Oct. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: four 20 Oct. Singles also reported. 

Wheatear sp. Akamas NW: c.20 mostly Northern and possible Isabelline 2 Oct .

Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca  

Reported widely all month, prior to its dispersal. Noteworthy reports follow: Agros-Alona area: max. 25 on 5 Oct. Armou track: eight 3 & 5 Oct.  Cape Arnaouti: three 9 Oct. Anarita Park: four 17 Oct. Galateria: one 26 Oct, latest report. 

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii  

Only report and first of winter: Anarita Park: two males 17 Oct. 

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius  

Kato Paphos: one male 2 Oct. Aspro Dam: one 11 Oct. Kouklia: one 4 Oct. Peyia: one 25 Oct. Kamares: one 28 Oct. Evretou dam wall: one 29 Oct.  

Blackbird Turdus merula  Aphrodite’s bath: one male 1 Oct. Mt Olympus Artemis Trail: one 21 Oct. Lakatameia: three, 2m, 1f, flew from tree 29 Oct. 

Thrush spp.  Mt Olympus Artemis Trail: 10 in mixed flock incl. Blackbird & prob. Fieldfare 21 Oct.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 

Ayias Minas: three 29 Oct , only report. 

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti   

Seen and heard over wide area, including Akrotiri Reed-bed, Lakatameia, Aspro pools, Kiti Dam, Phasouri Reed Beds and Kannaviou Dam. 

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis  

Seen and heard in small numbers in lowland areas, including Mandria, Armou, Paphos Sewage Treatment Works, Lakatameia and Oroklini Marsh.  

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus  

Zakaki Marsh: one 1 Oct. Phasouri: one 2, 7 & 12 Oct. Ineia: one 4 Oct. Aspro Dam Pools: one 25 Oct.  

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus  

Akhna dam: three 8 Oct. Phasouri: four 12 Oct. Aspro pools: one 15 Oct.  

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus  

Phasouri: two 7 Oct. Aspro pools: one 12 Oct. Kiti Dam: one 12 Oct . Zakaki: one 14 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 23 Oct.  

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida  

Oddly, only a few reports: Armou track: two 2 & 5 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 6 Oct. 

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata  

Akrotiri Reed Beds: two 1 Oct, one 12 Oct. Tsada golf club track: one 1 Oct. Lady’s Mile: two 12 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 19 Oct, two 26 Oct, one 29 Oct . Larnaca Salt Lake: two near desalination plant 26 Oct. Oroklini Marsh: two, maximum daily count.  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala