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Bird News

Bird Records for June 2004

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

Little Grebe    Tachybaptus ruficollis

Up to a max of 3 from Oroklini Marsh for most days in the month with 2 at Athalassa on 6^th, 20^th and the 24^th with a pair reported there with 2 juvs on the 26^th.  

Night Heron    Nycticorax nycticorax

Between 7 and 16 birds reported from Akhna Dam all month with 9 at Kiti Dam on the 1^st and 1 at Athalassa on the 27^th.  

Squacco Heron    Ardeola ralloides

2 at Asprokremmos Dam on the 9^th, 1 immature at Achelia Stream on 15^th with a similar bird at the Xeros Potamos also on the 15^th.  

Cattle Egret    Bubulcus ibis

Just the one report of 2 birds at Kiti Dam on the 5^th.  

Little Egret    Egretta garzetta

Single bird reported from Akhna Dam on the 2^nd and the 27^th.  

Grey Heron    Ardea cinerea

Single bird at Oroklini Marsh on 5^th through to 15^th with 1 at Asprokremmos Dam on the 9^th and 2 there on the 26^th.  

Purple Heron    Ardea purpurea

1 at Akhna Dam on the 7^th and the 23^rd with 1 at Oroklini Marsh on the 14^th and the 16^th.  

Spoonbill    Platalea leucorodia

An immature in a gravel lake down the Xeros Potamos on the 9^th is the only report this month.  

Mallard    Anas platyrhynchos

A pair with 4 juvs were seen at Athalassa on the 26^th.  

Garganey    Anas querquedula

1 was present at Oroklini Marsh on the 16^th and the 18^th.  

Honey Buzzard    Pernis apivorus

Out of season sightings were of a bird at Vrecha, seen flying across a valley and another single, dark-phase bird seen near Choulou on the 19^th.  

Griffon Vulture    Gyps fulvus

Apart from birds inside the holding-cage near Vrecha the only reported sighting was of 4 birds seen in the nearby area on the 6^th.  

Black Vulture    Aegypius monachus

Seen perched on top of the holding-cage on the 6^th.  

Goshawk    Accipiter gentiles

3 almost fully grown youngsters in a Pine Tree nest in the Vrecha area on the 15^th. 

Bonelli’s Eagle    Hieraaetus fasciatus

2 adults at Nata on the 9^th is the only report submitted.  

Kestrel    Falco tinnunculus

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Oroklini Marsh, Nicosia, Strakka and Athalassa with breeding reports at Nicosia on the 12^th with a pair nesting in a high-rise apartment block and at Strakka on the 14^th with a pair nesting in a Cypress Tree.

Hobby    Falco subbuteo

A hunting adult was seen at Strakka on the 18^th.  

Eleonora’s Falcon    Falco eleonorae

2 birds at Cape Greco on the 1^st and at Asprokremmos Dam on the 26^th with lone females seen at Vrecha on the 1^st and the 6^th.  

Peregrine    Falco peregrinus

2 adults seen chasing hirundines reported from Paphos Forest on the 19^th.     

Chukar    Alectoris chukar

At Oroklini Marsh the maximum daily count was 25 birds with the first juvs noted on the 4^th. Other breeding reports came from Cape Greco on the 3^rd with an adult and 5 chicks, Kannaviou Dam on the 4^th with adults and 10 chicks, Vrecha on the 15^th with 3 females and c25 chicks and Kannaviou Dam on the 25^th with 1 adult and 5 chicks.  

Black Francolin    Francolinus francolinus

4 males reported from Cape Greco on the 1^st, the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh was 14 birds, 4 heard at Cape Greco on the 2^nd with 3 on the 3^rd and 1 heard at Athalassa on the 6^th.  

Quail    Coturnix coturnix

A bird was heard calling at Strakka on the 28^th.  

Moorhen    Gallinula chloropus

The Oroklini Marsh maximum daily count was 6 with the first juvs noted on the 7^th, a juv seen at Achelia Stream on the 15^th, a pair with 4 juvs and another with 2 juvs at Athalassa on the 26^th and 1 bird reported from Athalassa on the 27^th. 

Coot    Fulica atra

Reported from Athalassa with 1 on 6^th, 4 adults plus 4 juvs on 20^th, 2 adults each with 2 juvs on 24^th and 30 birds on 26^th consisting of 3 pairs with 3, 4 and 4 juvs respectively and 3 pairs with 2, 3 and 2 juvs respectively. Also seen at Oroklini Marsh with a max of 6 birds on the 6^th.

Black-winged Stilt    Himantopus himantopus

Seen all month at Kiti Dam with c12 birds present, Larnaca Salt Lake with a max of 20 birds present, Larnaca Sewage Works with a max of 18 birds and finally at Oroklini Marsh with a maximum daily count of 100 birds. 

Stone Curlew    Burhinus oedicnemus

2 seen on 2 occasions at the Xeros Potamos, on the 9^th when they were described as ‘furtive, possibly nesting’ and on the 15^th.  

Little Ringed Plover    Charadrius dubius

A successful pair at the Asprokremmos Dam on the 26^th when both adults were present with 2 well-grown juvs.  

Kentish Plover    Charadrius alexandrinus

There was just the one report of 12 birds with juvs seen at the Larnaca Sewage Works from the 12^th until the end of the month.  

Spur-winged Plover    Vanellus spinosus 

15 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh whilst at Akhna Dam 1 was seen on the 20^th and 5 on the 23^rd.     

Lapwing    Vanellus Vanellus

A most out-of-season single bird, present at the Achelia Stream from at least the 15^th until at least the 22^nd.

Black-tailed Godwit    Limosa limosa

The only sighting of 3 at Oroklini Marsh on the 29^th and the 30^th.  

Green Sandpiper    Tringa ochropus

2 at Oroklini Marsh on the 15^th with 1 on the 25^th and 1 at Akhna Dam on the 20^th.  

Yellow-legged Gull    Larus cachinnans  

L.c.michahellis  

There was a first year bird plus a 3^rd year bird at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 15^th.  

Little Tern    Sterna albifrons

5 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 12^th and 22^nd, 4 on the 30^th with 9 on the 24^th but makes no mention of any breeding attempt, bearing in mind that they have bred at this site for the past 2 years in succession.  

White-winged Black Tern    Chlidonias leucopterus 

1 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 22^nd.  

Stock Dove    Columba oenas

There is a possible sighting from the Xeros Potamos on the 15^th of a single individual of this species, which is normally regarded as a Winter Visitor and possible Passage Migrant. It is usually observed in smallish flocks and, so far, the latest date on record is early May and the earliest date on record is mid August.  

Woodpigeon    Columba palumbus

Reported from Cape Greco with 13 on the 1^st, Vrecha with 5, apparently nesting,

on the 15^th and 1 at Athalassa on the 20^th.  

Collared Dove    Streptopelia decaocto

Up to 2 birds were the maximum daily counts at Athalassa, Oroklini Marsh and Strovolos whilst 3, consisting of a pair and a fledged juv, were seen in Nicosia on the 2^nd, 10 at Strakka, including a pair with a nest, on the 11^th, 4 at Axylou on 15^th and 8 at Athalassa Dam on the 26^th.  

Turtle Dove    Streptopelia turtur

Seen and/or heard at Cape Greco with 2 on 2^nd, 2 at Achelia Bridge on 9^th, 4 at Lara on 12^th, 2 at Xeros Potamos on 15^th, 1 at Athalassa Dam on 26^th and 1 at Strakka on the 30^th.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo   Clamator glandarius

1 at Lythrodhonda on 3^rd, 1 at Akhna Dam on 7^th, 2 juvs at Armou on 8^th, 2 juvs at Ineia on 12^th, 1 juv at Lara on 12^th, 1 juv at Tsadha/Armou track on 12^th, 1 juv being fed by a Magpie at Axylou on 15^th, 1 road-casualty juv at Marathounda on 15^th and 1 juv at Kannaviou Dam on the 30^th.  

Scops Owl    Otus scops cyprius

1 heard calling in the daytime at Episkopi on the 1^st, 1 or 2 at Lythrodhonda all month, 1 at Episkopi on 3^rd and 2 at Marathounda on 14^th, 15^th and 16^th.  

Little Owl    Athene noctua

1 adult plus a juv at Athalassa on 6^th, 1 at Episkopi on 6^th, 1 on the Akamas on 12^th and 1 heard at Athalassa on 20^th.  

Long-eared Owl    Asio otus

2 begging juvs were observed, perched in a Eucalyptus Tree at Strovolos, on the 5^th, 1 juv heard calling at Psimolophou on the 12^th and 1 bird at Athalassa on the 20^th.  

Nightjar    Caprimulgus europaeus

7 at Kouklia on the 16^th, an amazing sighting.  

Swift    Apus apus

Up to 15 birds seen at Oroklini Marsh during the month with c50 in Paphos Town Centre and c10 in Strovolos. 

Alpine Swift    Apus melba

There were 20 seen at Cape Greco on the 1^st.  

Pied Kingfisher    Ceryle rudis

A female was seen at Zakaki Marsh on the 15^th.  

Bee-eater    Merops apiaster

3 or 4 seen to be breeding in a river bed at Lythrodhonda during the month with 1 or 2 heard at Athalassa on the 24^th with a pair and 3 juvs at Athalassa Dam on the 26^th.

Roller    Coracias garrulus

Reported from Episkopi, Vrecha, Tsadha, Nicosia, Asprokremmos Dam, Ineia, Kiti Dam [2 adults plus 2 juvs], Lara [4 adults around same nest-hole appearing to be co-operating?], Stroumbi Valley, Prodromi Reed Beds and Tseri. Max was 5 at Stroumbi Valley on the 17^th.  

Hoopoe    Upupa epops

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Vrecha, Akhna Dam, Kannaviou Dam, Kofinou, Arminou and Prodromi Reed Beds. Max was 3 at Kannaviou Dam on the 4^th.  

Crested Lark    Galerida cristata

15 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh whilst 1 was reported from Kannaviou Dam on the 25^th.  

Crag Martin    Ptyonoprogne rupestris

2 at Kannaviou Dam on both the 4^th and the 25^th.  

Swallow    Hirundo rustica

The maximum daily count at Lythrodhonda was c50, which included 6+ nests and 100 at Oroklini Marsh with c40 reported from Kannaviou Dam on the 4^th, 50 at Xeros Potamos on 9^th and c10 at Athalassa on 20^th.  

Red-rumped Swallow    Hirundo daurica

2 all month at Lythrodhonda with 6 at Asprokremmos Dam on 9^th and 2 at Ezousa River on the 12^th.  

House Martin    Delichon urbicum

Reported from Ayios Photios, Kannaviou Dam [c60 on 4^th], Strovolos [young in nest on 4^th], Oroklini Marsh, Arminou, Paphos Forest [900 in one swirling flock on 19^th!!!!!] and Athalassa.  

Yellow Wagtail    Motacilla flava

f) Black-headed Wagtail    Motacilla flava feldegg

8 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh.  

Wren    Troglodytes troglodytes

4 in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Nightingale    Luscinia megarhynchos

3, with 1 in full song for 2 hours, in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Cyprus Pied Wheatear    Oenanthe cypriaca  

Reported from Cape Greco, Lythrodhonda, Vrecha, Kannaviou Dam, Tsadha [2 adults + 2 juvs on 3^rd and the 4^th], Episkopi [9 including 1 juv on 17^th], Asprokremmos Dam and Strakka [pair with 3 juvs on 30^th].  

Cetti’s Warbler   Cettia cetti

Singles at Kannaviou Dam on 2^nd and 4^th and at Athalassa on 27^th with 2 at Athalassa on 6^th.

Fan-tailed Warbler    Cisticola juncidis   

4 was the maximum daily count at Oroklini Marsh plus 1 was reported from Polemi on the 29^th.  

Reed Warbler    Acrocephalus scirpaceus

3 in song at Larnaca Salt Lake on 22^nd plus c20, including juvs, ringed at Prodromi Reed Beds on the 28^th.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler    Hippolais pallida

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Strovolos, Kannaviou Dam, Athalassa, Paphos Forest, Prodromi Reed Beds and Strakka. 

Spectacled Warbler    Sylvia conspicillata

Reported from Oroklini Marsh [maximum daily count of 6], Tsadha [2 juvs on 19^th] and Akhna Dam [max 4 on 20^th].  

Sardinian Warbler    Sylvia melanocephala

Just one report of a single bird at Kannaviou Dam on the 29^th.  

Cyprus Warbler    Sylvia melanothorax

Reported from Cape Greco [max 7 singing males on 3^rd], Tsadha and Paphos Forest [16 on 19^th].  

Spotted Flycatcher    Muscicapa striata

1 seen in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Coal Tit    Parus ater Cypriotes

6 in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Great Tit    Parus major Aphrodite

2 in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th, 3, which included 2 juvs, at Athalassa Dam on the 26^th and a local pair at Strakka on the 30^th with 3 juvs.  

Short-toed Treecreeper    Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae

A total of 6, in 2 separate locations, in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Golden Oriole    Oriolus oriolus

1 heard at Cape Greco on the 1^st and a female at Lythrodhonda on the 18^th.  

Red-backed Shrike    Lanius collurio

1 at Cape Greco on the 3^rd.  

Woodchat Shrike    Lanius senator                                                                 

A female at Episkopi on the 1^st.  

Masked Shrike    Lanius nubicus

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Vrecha [10 on 6^th], Kannaviou Dam [adults seen feeding chicks in the nest 28^th and 29^th], Ineia, Paphos Forest [1 juv on 19^th] and Ayios Dimitrianos.

Jay    Garrulus glandarius glaszneri

6 in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Magpie    Pica pica

Reported from Oroklini Marsh, Nicosia and Ayios Dimitrianos. 

Jackdaw    Corvus monedula

Reported from Cape Greco, Akhna Dam [c50 between 20^th and 30^th], Nicosia [2 juvs on 30^th] and Episkopi.  

Hooded Crow    Corvus corone

Seen at Athalassa, Oroklini Marsh and Strovolos. 

House Sparrow    Passer domesticus

Seen at Oroklini Marsh with a maximum daily count of 120 and Kannaviou with c150 on the 3^rd.  

Spanish Sparrow    Passer hispaniolensis

Reported from Asprokremmos Dam, Oroklini Marsh and Athalassa. 

Chaffinch    Fringilla coelebs

5 in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Serin    Serinus serinus

2 at Arminou on the 19^th.  

Greenfinch    Carduelis chloris

Reported from Lythrodhonda, Kannaviou Dam, Oroklini Marsh, Athalassa, Nicosia and Strakka [1 juv on 30^th].  

Goldfinch    Carduelis carduelis

Seen at Lythrodhonda, Oroklini Marsh, Athalassa Dam, Kannaviou Dam and Strakka [2 juvs on 30^th].  

Linnet    Carduelis cannabina

2 seen at Kannaviou Dam on the 4^th.    

Cretzschmar’s Bunting    Emberiza caesia

2 at Lythrodhonda all month, 2 at Vrecha on 1^st, a male and a female at Tsadha on the 4^th, reported as a new site by the observer, 2 at Kouklia on the 16^th and 2 juvs in the Paphos Forest on the 19^th.  

Black-headed Bunting    Emberiza melanocephala

Reported from Ayios Photios, Cape Greco [15 singing males on the 1^st!!!! and c25 birds on the 3^rd], Episkopi, Tsadha [1 adult +2 juvs on 17^th], Kannaviou Dam and Ayios Dimitrianos.

Corn Bunting    Emberiza calandra

Seen at Ayios Photios, Vrecha, Tsadha, Kannaviou Dam and Oroklini Marsh with 5 on the 4^th at Kannaviou Dam being the max seen.

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