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BIRDLIFE CYPRUS ΠΤΗΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ |
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Bird News Bird Records for April 2005 [The
following list contains records that have not been corrected or
corroborated] Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Up
to 12 Phasouri Reed Beds, up to 18 Larnaca Sewage Works and up to 20
Oroklini Marsh all month. Smaller numbers reported Akhna dam,
Aspro Pools, Evretou dam and Zakaki Marsh. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Akrotiri
Salt Lake: one in breeding plumage 12-15 Apr . Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Larnaca
Sewage Works: at least one 11-27
Apr, with two 14 Apr . Levantine Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan Latchi: one fly-by 27-Mar , first report since April 2003. Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo All wintering birds but two,had departed: Asprokremnos
dam north: one 7-13 Apr. Akhna dam: one 20-Apr . Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Kensington
Cliff: up to nine 3-23 Apr. Ones and twos Boghazi, Cape Andreas-Klidhes
Islands, Mandria rocks and Nisi Geronisos. Bittern Botaurus stellaris Akhna
Dam: one 7-Apr . Sotira Pools: one 20-Apr . Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Aspro Pools: one
male 5-Apr , up to two 16-26 Apr. Akhna dam: one 17 & 26 Apr
. Polis Reed-beds: one 11-Apr. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Good numbers on passage, particularly from mid-month, with max. numbers
as follows: Phasouri Reed-beds: c60 circling above the reeds 15-Apr , 10
on 20-Apr . Paphos Headland: 17 on 20-Apr . Akhna dam: c.40 on 26-Apr .
Polis campsite: 18 on 29-Mar . Ones and twos all month: Akhna
dam, Aspro pools, Episkopi (Paphos), Kato Paphos, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos
Airport plain and Zakaki Marsh. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Small passage early
month with ones and twos Akhna Dam, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Asprokremnos
Dam, Phasouri Reed-beds, Zakaki Marsh and Mandria beach from 2-10 Apr.
Main passage mid-late March, with max. numbers off south-west coast:
100+ all going west at different places off the coast 15-Apr .
Zakaki Pools: three 12-Apr, four 18-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: three
12-Apr, five 18-Apr , six 20-Apr , five breeding plumage 25-Apr . Akhna
dam: four 24-Apr . Aspro dam and pools: three 13 & 26 Apr. Evretou
dam: four 30-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: three 11-Apr, seven 13-Apr,
30+ heading west 14-Apr . Mandria rocks: three 26-Apr . Paphos Harbour:
14 on 27-Apr . Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Virtually no passage
noted. Phasouri Reed-beds: at least four 3-25 Apr, with max. nine 9-Apr
, six 12-20 Apr. Evretou dam:
one 30-Apr . Little Egret Egretta garzetta Very
common with ones and twos at many sites. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: max. four
20-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: at least four 4-15 Apr, with max. nine 9
& 20 Apr , eight 13-Apr and
14 from 7-12 Apr . Aspro
dam area: 30+ on 15-Apr, 20
on 18-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 35 on 27-Apr . Cape Greco:
nine 2-Apr (MC, FieldTrip), 26 on 16-Apr . Evretou: max. three 3-Apr ,
four 20-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: 10 on 17-Apr , five 18-Apr . Mandria:
25 on 8-Apr, five 12-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: six 2-Apr (MC, FieldTrip),
nine maximum daily count . Paralimni Lake: up to four 19 & 20 Apr .
Phasouri Reed-beds: 43 on 3-Apr, 34 on 20-Apr , five roosting in
eucalypts 25-Apr , c.20 on 28-Apr . Spiro’s Pool: 34 on 26-Apr , 12 on
17-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: seven 4 & 20 Apr . Great White Egret Egretta alba Uncommon and only reported at Akrotiri. Akrotiri Salt Lake: two 12-15
Apr . Lady’s Mile: one 9-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: six 3 Apr . Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Strangely,
NOT the most common heron! Akhna dam: 11 on 24-Apr. Akrotiri Salt Lake:
up to four 12-20 Apr. Mandria: 19 on 11-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: four 9-Apr,
five 12-Apr. Ones and twos also reported. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Fairly common on passage, with greatest numbers as follows: Cape Greco:
six 2-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: nine 4-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: up to two
9-20 Apr, with three 25-Apr . Aspro
Pools: five 10 & 20 Apr, two 8 & 26-Apr. Bishop's Pool: 14 on
15-Apr . Ezousas SW to mouth: eight 11-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: eight
9-Apr, 19 on 15-Apr, 15 on 20-Apr, two 25-Apr. Paphos Lighthouse: 13 on
11-Apr , seven 12-Apr , 22 on 13-Apr , 19 on 26-Apr . Potamos
Germasogia: 21 heading west at dusk 15-Apr. Akhna
dam: 44 on 20-Apr . Aspro dam wall: seven 30-Apr . Black Stork Ciconia nigra Cape Andreas-Klidhes
Islands: one 27-Apr . Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Major passage noted Larnaca, Akrotiri and Paphos, peaking early and mid
month. Max. numbers as follows: Mandria: c.40 on 1-Apr . Spiro's
Pools: two 2-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: 22 on 3-Apr , eight 6-Apr, 11 on
11-Apr, c.65 on 17-Apr , 114 on 20-Ap, declining to c.15 on 30-Apr .
Timi Beach West: 35 on 11-Apr . Paphos Headland: 80+ on 16 Apr, 26 on
20-Apr . One at Zakaki marsh 4-20 Apr. Oroklini Marsh: 15 on 16 Apr, 20
on 24 Apr . Akhna dam: three 17-Apr , 11 on 26-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake:
15 on 18-Apr . Evretou dam: three 30-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: 70+
on 18-Apr . Meneou Pools: six 2-Apr . Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Akrotiri Salt Lake: 11
on 15-Apr . Akrotiri Gravel Pits: four 20-Apr . Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Numbers declined
throughout month: Akrotiri Salt Lake: c700 on 9-Apr , c780 on 12-Apr ,
c.520 on 20-Apr , 43 on 25-Apr . Larnaca Salt Lake: 618 on 14-Apr .
Meneou pools: max. 17 on 21-Apr . Greylag Goose Anser anser One very late record:
Mavrokolymbos Dam: one 24-Apr. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Lady's Mile: one 1-4 Apr. Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Akrotiri Salt Lake: four
12-Apr . Larnaca Salt Lake: one 14-Apr . Wigeon Anas penelope Larnaca Sewage Works:
one 17-Apr . Teal Anas crecca Most birds departed by
mid-month. Phasouri Reed-beds: eight 9-Apr , with four remaining 25-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 12 from 11-14 Apr. Oroklini Marsh:
four present to 16 Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: c20 on 12-Apr . Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Up
to four Oroklini Marsh, Evretou Dam, Meneou Pools, Spiro's Pool and
Zakaki Marsh. Akhna dam: five 20-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: seven 9-Apr, 29 on 20-Apr .
Phasouri Reed-beds: eight (one pair with 9 chicks, one pair with 10
chicks) 20-Apr, six 9-Apr , 20, incl. 2 broods with downy young 17-Apr.
Larnaca Sewage Works: 84 on 14-Apr , c50 on 23-Apr , c60 on 26-Apr . Pintail Anas acuta Akrotiri Salt Lake: nine
20-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: six 14-Apr .Larnaca Sewage Works: two
17-Apr , one 23-Apr . Garganey Anas querquedula Main passage 11-18 Apr.
Oroklini Marsh: five 3-Apr , 37 on 18 Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: 11 on
12-Apr, up to seven 8-9Apr , 14 on 20-Apr , 10 on 25-Apr . Akhna dam:
four 26-Apr . Asprokremnos dam: seven 8-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: up
to 17 from 11-17 Apr . Mandria: 18 on 15-Apr . Spiro's Pool: three
14-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: four 9-12 Apr, five 15-Apr . Ones and twos other
sites. Shoveler Anas clypeata Max.
numbers: Phasouri Reed-beds: six 6-12
Apr, with nine 9-Apr , two 18-Apr. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 90 on 12-Apr .
Larnaca Sewage Works: 78 on 11-Apr, 63 on 14-Apr , five 23-Apr . Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Phasouri Reed-beds: six
11-Apr , one male 20-Apr . Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Kissonerga
coast, Paphos: one flying north-west 22-Apr . Black Kite Milvus migrans Agia Marinouda Paphos rubbish dump: one 5-16 Apr. Asprokremnos: one
4-Apr , possibly same bird. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Max.
4 birds reported. Following records probably refer to same birds:
Kensington Cliffs: one 02-Apr . Diarizos valley: two 5-Apr. Koilinia:
one 10-Apr, two 17-Apr. Salamiou: three 19-Apr .Kathikas: one 24-Apr .
Mesane: one 25-Apr . Pano Archimandrita: four 17-Apr . Pentalia: one
20-Apr. Black Vulture Aegypius monachus The single bird seen as follows: Kensington Cliffs: one 9-Apr. Koilinia:
one 17-Apr . Pano Panagia: one 23-Apr. Kathikas: one 24-Apr. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Cape Greco: one imm.
7-Apr . Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Reported all month at
suitable sites, with small passage noted late month. Noteworthy records:
Phasouri Reed-beds: four 3-Apr, up to two 9-28 Apr . Akamas SE: one on
passage 10-Apr . Zakaki Pools: two 15-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: two
18-Apr . Kannaviou Dam: one 27-Apr . Cape Andreas to Helones: one 27-Apr
. Cape Greco: three 29-Apr . Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Smygies: one adult male 10-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: one 13-Apr . Cape
Greco: one 14, 16 & 29 Apr . Akamas SW: two 1 15-Apr . Akhna dam:
one 20-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: one fem. 28-Apr . Mazatos one 29-Apr . Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Most
passage early in month, 1-4 Apr. All records follow: Latchi: one fem.
28-Mar, one male, roosted in fields for 4 nights, 1-4 Apr. Dhiarizos
Valley: one male 30-Mar . Evretou dam one male 1-Apr . Mandria: one
1-Apr. Cape Greco: four fem. 2-Apr, one male 4-Apr. Asprokremnos Dam:
one male 10 Apr , one ring-tail 25 & 30-Apr. Pissouri: one 13-Apr .
Akamas SW: one 15-Apr . Paphos Headland: one ring-tail 20-Apr . Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus All records: Phasouri Reed-beds: one female 3-Apr . Lady's Mile:
one heading north 15-Apr . Evretou Dam South: five 20 Apr . RAF Akrotiri:
one fem. 27-Apr. Ring-tailed
harrier: Phasouri
Reed-beds: one 8-Apr . Goshawk Accipiter gentilis All records: Baths of Aphrodite: one male 4-Apr . Vretsia: one 20-Apr.
Cedar Valley: one 23-Apr . Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Phasouri Reed-beds: one
1-Apr , was the only record of this oddly scarce migrant. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo A light passage noted, showing no obvious pattern: Phasouri
Reed-beds one 3 &9 Apr. Koloni hills: one circling 6-Apr . Akrotiri
Salt Lake: one 15-Apr . Cape Greco: one 16-Apr . Cape Andreas to Helones:
seven 27-Apr . Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinusPhasouri Reed-beds: one 18-Apr .
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus These appear to refer to resident birds: Buzzard sp. Asprokremnos
dam wall: one 23-Apr . Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Rizokarpaso to Helones: one 27-Apr Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Small numbers resident: Paralimni Lake: one 7-Apr, seems unusual in
east. Kedares: two 17 & 19 Apr . Amargeti: 1 nest with 1 juvenile
20-Apr. Koilinia: two 24-Apr . Chirikitia: pair 26-Apr . Kouris Dam: one
27-Apr . Marathounta-Tsada: one ad. 28-Apr . Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Rather
uncommon this year. These records unchecked: Cape Greco: one
4-Apr, two 16-Apr . Aspro dam: three 13-Apr .Ayia Napa Sewage: one
19-Apr . Akamas: 18 counted in feeding flock 30-Apr . Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Very common, with up to 6 birds in small area regularly reported, though
young not yet fledged. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus These were the only reports: Pano Panagia: two 23-Apr . Akrotiri Salt
Lake : one 30-Apr . Hobby Falco subbuteo Scarce
migrant. Oroklini Marsh: one 6-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: one
21-Apr . Ayia Minas: two 24-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds : one 25-Apr . Tomb
of the Kings: two 28-Apr . Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae Summer
visitors arrived from mid-month. Secret Valley, Paphos: 12 on
22-Apr . Episkopi barracks: pair 16-Apr . Asprokremos: one 26-Apr .
Paphos Lighthouse: one 26-Apr . Kourion beach: nine 26-Apr . Neo Chorio:
two 28-Apr . Lanner Falco biarmicus One
was reported from Asprokremnos Dam pools 6-10 Apr, but no details
received. This would be the 3rd record if accepted. Peregrine Falco peregrinus Singles
reported, Polis campsite
30-Mar, Latchi 1-Apr, Aphrodite trail one nesting 3-Apr, Kensington
Cliff 3-13 Apr, Kensington Cliffs 13-Apr, Larnaca Sewage Works 14-Apr,
Cape Greco 16-Apr, Vouni
Panayia 17-Apr, Asprokremnos 20-Apr and
Lady's Mile 25-Apr. Chukar Alectoris chukar Common
and widespread. Noteworthy reports include: Between Tseri – Analiontas: one nest with 15 eggs 8-Apr. Marathounta:
1 adult + 6 chicks 27-Apr . Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Very common, calls heard everywhere, with many males seen. Females less
visible. No young reported. Quail Coturnix coturnix Widely reported, though most reports do not distinguish between heard and seen reports. Agia Varvara: two calling 6-Apr . Ayias Minas: singles caught 18 & 23 Apr. Episkopi, Paphos: two calling 7-Apr . Kissonerga: three, one taken by Kestrel 12-Apr . Latchi: four calling 28-Mar . Mandria one flew off the sea 12-Apr . Tomb of the Kings: two 25-Apr . Akamas SW: singles 8, 10 & 15-Apr. Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Polis
campsite: one 2-Apr . Aspro Pools: one 14 & 19 Apr . Phasouri
Reed-beds one 20-Apr . Spotted Crake Porzana porzana A couple of reports of this scarce migrant: Paralimni Lake: two 3-Apr .
Sotira Pools: two 31 Mar - 16 Apr. Little Crake Porzana parva The
following remained to mid-month: Akhna Dam: one 1-Apr. Aspro
pools: two 30 Mar - 14-Apr (several observers), one remaining to 17 Apr
. Sotira/Paralimni Lake: one 3-Apr , two 16-Apr . Zakaki Pools: one
12-15 Apr . Small Crake sp. Polis
campsite one 2-Apr . Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla This bird was a good discovery. Sotira Pools: one 9-20 Apr. Corncrake Crex crex Akrotiri
Salt Lake: one flushed at the western watch tower 15-Apr , the first
record since 2003. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Common
and widespread in suitable habitat. Reported at
Diarizos River (Kouklia), Agia Varvara, Akhna dam, Aspro Dam
Pools, Bishop's Pool, Episkopi (Paphos), Evretou Dam, Ezousa River mouth, Goudhi, Kannaviou
Dam, Oroklini Marsh, Phasouri Reed-beds, Skoulli and Zakaki Marsh. Coot Fulica atra Very
common, locally abundant. Max. numbers: Akhna dam: 133 on 20-Apr .
Akrotiri Salt Lake: c270 on 12-Apr , c.170 on 20-Apr . Larnaca Sewage
Works: max. c75 on 11-Apr . Phasouri Reed- beds: c.140, one pair with 3
chicks 20-Apr , 150, incl. 4 downy juvs. 25-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: c30 all
month. Oroklini Marsh: c.45 all month. Common Crane Grus grus Helones
to Cape Andreas: 18 flying east 27-Apr . No other reports. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Reported widely all month. Noteworthy reports: Oroklini Marsh: 80
maximum daily count, approx 15 nests 2 Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 36,
with 8 separate pairs, one pair displaying 20-Apr . Larnaca Sewage
Works: 30 on 14-Apr . Spiro’s Pool: up to 32 on 14-26 Apr. Zakaki
Marsh: 19 on 20-Apr . Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Only one report. Spiro's Pool: three 17-Apr . Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Reported from 5 sites – residents and migrants occur.
Cape Greco: one 2-Apr, one 23-Apr . Mandria: three 5-8 Apr , a
pair, probably nesting (and much disturbed by some visiting
birdwatchers) 10-21 Apr, one remaining to 29 Apr. Aspro dam area: one
15-Apr . Paphos Headland: two 16 & 26 Apr. Coral Bay: three at known
wintering site 29-Apr . Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Two birds reported, although the same bird could be involved in spite of
the 25km. distance between sites. Paphos Headland: one 9-12 Apr. Kouklia
one in flight 16-Apr Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Earliest report was at Mandria beach: nine 8-Apr , two 10-Apr . Lady's Mile: four 13-Apr , 80+ flying around 26-Apr , later up to 60 at Zakaki Marsh 29 Apr, probably same birds. Phasouri Reed Beds: four 20-Apr , three 25-Apr , 14 on 22-Apr . Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Akhna Dam: four 20-Apr. Asprokremos: one 8-Apr . Mandria six 22-Apr .
Field notes would be welcome as reports suggest some confusion between
these pratincoles. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius All following reports
probably indicate local breeding: Latchi: one 29-Mar, one 2-Apr . Zakaki
Marsh: 12 on 3-Apr , two 20-Apr . Oroklini
Marsh: four 3-Apr , two to 25 Apr . Lady’s Mile: four 4-Apr, five 15
Apr , increasing to at least eight birds 20 Apr . Mandria: one 8-Apr .
Larnaca Sewage Works: two 14-Apr . Akhna dam two 17-Apr . Evretou Dam
South: at least one pair suspected breeding 20-Apr . Phinikas: pair
30-Apr . Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Passage
noted from late April. Lady’s Mile: up to three 20-25 Apr.
Meneou pools: one 21-Apr .
Kissonerga coast, Paphos: two 22-Apr . Spiro’s Pool: three 26-Apr . Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Akrotiri Gravel Pits: four, including one pair with 3 eggs and one pair with 2 chicks, 20-Apr . Greatest number, Meneou pools: 14 on 26-Apr . Lady’s Mile: max. nine 9-Apr, 18 on 20-Apr . Otherwise up to six birds reported Oroklini Marsh, Mandria beach, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Larnaca Sewage Works, Meneou pools, Paphos Headland and Spiro’s Beach. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Lady's
Mile: three 11-Apr , one 18-20 Apr . Mandria: one 12 & 27-Apr.
Paphos Headland: one 12-13 Apr . Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Lady’s Mile Pools: one adult 17-Apr , accepted as the 16th record. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Lady's Mile: one 18-20 Apr , was the only report. Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus Some movement noted, with opportunist nesting at several sites including
Oroklini. Latchi beach: one 31-Mar . Mandria: one 1, 10 & 19-Apr.
Phasouri Reed-beds: max. four 1-Apr , two remaining from 9-17 Apr.
Oroklini Marsh three: 2-Apr, four wary 17-Apr , max. 12 counted
throughout the month, c5 nests found, with juvs first noted 20 Apr .
Akrotiri Salt Lake: two 3-Apr , one 12-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: one
14-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: one 14-22 Apr. Akhna dam three 17-30 Apr . Little Stint Calidris minuta Main passage from mid-April when large influx noted, particularly at Lady’s Mile and Spiro’s Pools. Max. numbers: Lady’s Mile: 71 on 3 Apr , c.60 4-Apr, c.80 on 9-Apr , 220 from 12-20 Apr, 100 on 25-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 22 on 18-Apr . Meneou pools: 18 on 26-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: max. 22 on 27 Apr . Spiro’s Pool: c130 on 22-23 Apr, 200 on 27-Apr, c.80 on 30-Apr Up to three Asprokremnos dam , Evretou Dam and Mandria beach. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Zakaki Marsh and
Lady’s Mile: up to three 15-30 Apr. Akhna dam three 17-Apr . Larnaca
Sewage Works one 27-Apr . Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Lady’s Mile: five 9-Apr, 15 on 15-Apr, up to 20 from 17-24 Apr.
Larnaca Sewage Works: one 17-Apr . Zakaki Pool: one 26-Apr. Spiro's
Pools: three 30-Apr Dunlin Calidris alpina Only sightings at Lady’s Mile: one 4-Apr , two 9-14 Apr , at least five 20-Apr, three 25-Apr . Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Lady's Mile: one 18-29 Apr. Spiro's Pool: one 20-23 Apr . Ruff Philomachus pugnax Very
common during the period. Max numbers as follows: Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus All records: Sotira Pools: one 9-16 Apr . Paphos Headland: one 13-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 19-Apr . Snipe Gallinago gallinago Sotira Pool: one 1-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: four 2 Apr, one 7-10 Apr .
Goudhi: one 12-Apr . Phasouri Reed Beds: one 20-Apr . Akhna dam: two
20-Apr . Goudhi: one 26-Apr . Great Snipe Gallinago media near Akhna Dam: one 7 & 26-Apr. Aspro dam wall: one 30-Apr. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Akhna dam: three 1-Apr. Lady’s Mile: up to nine 3-9 Apr, one 12-Apr. Oroklini Marsh: five 3 Apr. Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 12-Apr. Phasouri Reed Beds: five 20-Apr. Aspro dam wall one 30-Apr. Spiro's Pools: eight 30-Apr . Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Paphos Headland: one 12-Apr Curlew Numenius arquata Akrotiri
Salt Lake: four 12-Apr . Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2-Apr . Evretou: three 3-Apr . Zakaki Marsh:
one 9-Apr . Lady's Mile: one 9-Apr , three 12-Apr . Spiro's Pool: one
11-Apr , three 30-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 17 on 15-Apr . Asprokremnos:
two 26-Apr . Redshank Tringa totanus Larnaca Sewage Works: one 11-Apr, three 17-22 Apr. Aspro dam one 13-Apr. Evretou dam: six 30-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: two 6-Apr. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Large numbers of migrants reported at Akrotiri sites, peaking mid-month.
Phasouri Reed-beds: c.25 on 3-Apr . Lady’s Mile: 36 on 4-Apr, 38 on
9-Apr , 73 on 12-Apr, 75 in one flock 13-Apr , 30+ on 15-Apr ,
eight 25-Apr . Akhna
dam: max. eight 20-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: max. 14 on 12-Apr . Larnaca
Sewage Works 18 on 14-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: max. eight 18-Apr .
Oroklini Marsh: max. nine 9 Apr . Zakaki Marsh: 10 on 14-Apr . Spiro's
Pool: 25 on 14-Apr . Smaller numbers Aspro Pools, Larnaca Salt Lake,
Meneou Pools and Spiro’s Pool. Greenshank Tringa nebularia Lady’s Mile : max.16 on 4-Apr , c.6 on 26-Apr . Spiro's Pool: 13 on 14-Apr . Ones and twos Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Evretou Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works, Latchi beach, Oroklini Marsh and Zakaki Marsh. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Akrotiri Salt Lake: max. five 4-Apr . Otherwise ones and twos 9-27 Apr
Akhna dam, Aspro dam area, Marathounta sewage dump, Oroklini Marsh,
Mandria, and Zakaki Marsh. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola More common than above species, particularly mid to late month. Max.
numbers: Evretou Dam: up to six 19-20 Apr. Akhna Dam: 24 on 20-Apr, may
be an over-estimate as only two reported 17-24 Apr . Oroklini Marsh:
max. 54 on 27 Apr, 46 on 30 Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: 28 on 20-Apr .
Zakaki Marsh: three 20-Apr , 15 on 25-Apr . Up to three Agia Varvara,
Aspro dam wall, Aspro Dam Pools, Phinikas and Goudhi.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus This rarity was photographed. Larnaca Sewage Works: one ad in breeding plumage 14-Apr , still present 20-Apr ; the 16th record. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Definite passage noted from mid month, with 90% of reports after 10 Apr. Noteworthy reports: Latchi beach two 2-Apr . Akamas NE: two 6-Apr . Akhna dam: six 24-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: four 17-Apr . Mandria two 12-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: two from 22-29 Apr . Paphos Headland up to two 12-13 Apr . Zakaki Marsh: up to three 20-25 Apr. Turnstone Arenaria interpres Paphos Headland: nine 13-Apr , six 16-Apr . Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Larnaca Sewage Works: two winter plumage 14-17 Apr . Larnaca Airport
pools: six 15 Apr to month end . Spiro's Pool: one 17-Apr , max. seven 20-22 Apr, four 30-Apr . Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus Less than annual. Kermia Beach, Ayia Napa: one 2cy on 7-Apr. Accepted. Little Gull Larus minutus All reports follow: Akhna Dam: two 1-Apr . Aspro pools: one 10-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: six imm. 14-Apr, four remaining 17-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three imm. 15-Apr . Spiro's Pool: two imms. 17-Apr . Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Up to four Akrotiri Salt Lake, Larnaca Sewage Works and Oroklini Marsh. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei Latchi: five 1-Apr . Airport Pools South: 30 on 2-Apr . Akrotiri Salt
Lake: up to 133 from 9-20 Apr. Paphos Headland: 13 on 18-Apr . Larnaca
Sewage works: max. c30 on 26-Apr . Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii Unusually a few seen in west: Aphrodite Trail, Akamas: three seen on coast 3-Apr . Monastery, Karpasia: one 27-Apr.Paphos Headland: one 18-Apr . Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic Gull) Larus fuscus fuscus A few passage birds found, mostly at Larnaca Sewage Works: Ezousas river mouth: two 2-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: six ads. 11-Apr, with one to 19 Apr and up to three 22 & 23 Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: one ad. 12-Apr . Aspro dam area: one 18-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: one 18-Apr . Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans Common especially near breeding colonies of Yeronisos Island (Cape Drepanum), Ayios Yioryios Island (Akamas) and Klidhes Islands (Cape Andreas) and by day, lounging on Asprokremnos Dam and feeding at Paphos rubbish dump (Agia Marinuda). Max. numbers: Yeronisos island: 98 counted 7-Apr , c5 seemed to be incubating 16-Apr . Asprokremnos dam: 100+ on 5-Apr . Ayios Yeoryios Island: at least 45 on 6-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 150 at breeding colony on big island 27-Apr . Cape Drepanum: 30 on 19-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: max. c.40 from 23-26 Apr . Agia Marinuda dump: 60 on 23-Apr, and most days throughout the month . Caspian Gull L.c.cachinnans Asprokremnos dam wall: three 3cy birds, with bill bands 26-Apr . Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica A few migrants noted as follows: Zakaki Marsh two 3-Apr . Phasouri
Reed-beds: one 7-9 Apr. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 14 on 12-Apr . Spiro’s
Pool: one 26-Apr . Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Mandria one 1-Apr . Common Tern Sterna hirundo Larnaca Sewage Works: one 14-Apr . Little Tern Sterna albifrons Only seen at or near Larnaca Sewage Works. Larnaca Sewage Works: two
‘courtship feeding’ 14-Apr, three 17-Apr , two 23-Apr. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Zakaki Marsh: one 3 & 21 Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 12-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 17-Apr . Spiro's Pools: one 22-Apr . Asprokremnos dam: six 27-Apr , one seen by group 30-Apr. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Passage started from mid-month, with most appearing late month:
Akrotiri Salt Lake: max. nine 12-Apr . Spiro’s Pool: one
23-Apr . Akhna dam: c.40 on 26-Apr . Larnaca Sewage works: three 26-Apr
. Asprokremnos dam: two 27-Apr
. Evretou dam: three 30-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: one 30-Apr . Rock Dove Columba livia As usual a controversial species, rarely found in its pure form, though reported from Ayios Yeoryios Island and Koilinia only. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Abundant and largely under-recorded. Amargeti: 60, including 20 nests
found 20-Apr . Eledio: 20, including 4 nests found 20-Apr . Koilinia:
max. 97+ on 10-Apr . Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto A widespread and spreading species, favouring farms and agricultural areas. Commonly reported. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Summer visitors started arriving in good numbers. Scarce before the 10 Apr. Diarizos valley: four 5-Apr , first spring record. Becoming common with max numbers: Amargeti: 12 on 11-Apr, 15 on 20-Apr , 40 on 20-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake up to eight 15 & 18 Apr . Axylou: 20 on 20-Apr . Bishop's Pool: 10 on 25-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 10 on 27-Apr . Eledio: 30 on 20-Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas: 10 on 27-Apr . Kouklia: 15 on 20-Apr . Mandria: 32 on 29-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: 10 on 19-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: 12 on 20-Apr. Rizokarpaso to Helones: 14 on 27-Apr . Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Peak passage 17-21 Apr, probably of birds from more northern
populations. Max. numbers: Lythrodontas:
four 1-15 Apr. Akamas SE:
six 15-Apr, at least 20 within square km.21-Apr . Koilinia: five 17-Apr
. Marathounta: four 17-Apr . Evretou Dam south: four 19-Apr . Ayia
Minas: six 16 & 19 Apr . Evretou Dam north: four 20-Apr . Amargeti:
seven 20-Apr . Armou hills: nine 20-Apr, six 24-26 Apr . Asprokremnos
dam area: six 20-Apr . Smaller numbers Agia Varvara, Akrotiri Salt Lake,
Anarita Park, Anavargos, Ay. Dimitrianos, Choletria, Episkopi (Paphos),
Phinikas, Kedares, Kiti Dam, Mousere, Nata, Paphos Lighthouse,
Rizokarpaso to Helones, Smygies, Tala, Inia, Skoulli and
Yerovasa. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Passage continued, with
some calling and chasing noted and local breeding suspected. Skoulli:
one same location above Kholi on 6-13 Apr. Marathounta one 7-Apr, five
11-Apr and three 17-Apr, all interacting, but not seen after this date .
Inia: one 8-Apr . Koilinia: one heard 10-Apr . Aspro Dam Pools: one
11-Apr . Phasouri reed-beds: one 13-Apr . Asprokremnos dam: one 13-Apr .
Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 13-Apr . Neo Chorio: one brown morph 18-Apr .
Asprokremnos dam area: one 19-Apr , two 20 Apr . Evretou Dam: one heard
only 19-Apr , one 20-Apr . Akamas SE: one 21-Apr . Armou-Tsada
track: up to five including one brown fem. 24-26 Apr . Barn Owl Tyto alba Skoulli:
one 7-Apr. Tsada: one dead on road 23-Apr . Menoiko:
one 29-Apr. Achelia (over motorway): one 30-Apr . Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius Nearly all records in foothills or mountain areas in west of island, except for one on Helones to Cape Andreas road in Karpasia, on 27-Apr . Koilinia: 5+ 3+heard 9-Apr . Pairs or calling birds active all month, reported from Amargeti, Androlikou, Ayia Minas, Episkopi, Evretou Dam, Lythrodontas, Marathounta, Mt Olympus Artemis Trail, Nata, Pomos dam, Smygies and SE Akamas. Little Owl Athene noctua Agia Varvara: one at nest hole 6-Apr . Asprokremnos dam mast: one most visits 13-30 Apr and two nearby and on dam wall 13 Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas: one 27-Apr . Koilinia: one 16 & 17 Apr . Nata: one 20-Apr . Secret Valley Golf Course: one 22-Apr . Akamas SE: five 10 Apr, one 21 & 30 Apr . Swift Apus apus Much breeding activity
of local birds. Passage birds moving further north as follows: Cape
Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 50 on 27-Apr . Cape Greco: 25 on 3-Apr .
Monastery (Karpasia): 40 on 27-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: max. 75 on 24 Apr . Pallid Swift Apus pallidus All records as follows: Aphrodite Trail: two 3-Apr . Asprokremnos dam: two 3-Apr , requires confirmation. Troodos: c25 seen 17-Apr by and six 17-Apr by at a different location we presume. Alpine Swift Apus melba Good numbers passing through and on breeding sites. Max. numbers: Kourion: c.40 on 3-Apr . Aphrodite Trail: 100 on 3-Apr . Asprokremnos dam area: c10 on 5-Apr , 20 on 15-Apr . Kensington Cliff: c.50 on 5-Apr . Interesting reports include 11 Akhna dam 26-Apr, two Baths of Aphrodite 4-Apr, up to five Cape Greco 2-3 Apr and six Phasouri Reed-beds 3-Apr. Little Swift Apus affinis Cape Andreas: two
22-Apr, awaits details for acceptance as the 9th record. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Many reports of up to two birds at several sites to mid-April. Latest reports as follows: Asprokremnos dam: one 26-Apr . Boghazi: one 27-Apr . Latest bird at Phasouri Reed Beds 18-Apr . Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Five birds reported as
follows: Phasouri Reed-beds: one remained until 3-Apr , since 31 March.
Makounta Dam (near Polis): one fem. 14-15 Apr. Akhna dam: one 16-20 Apr.
Zakaki Marsh: one fem. 18-29 Apr.
Oroklini Marsh: one 27-Apr . Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus A small influx occurred
of this scarce and irregular migrant: Paphos Lighthouse: two 2-Apr .
Zakaki Marsh: one 2-Apr . Cape
Greco: one 19-Apr. Phasouri Reed Beds: three 20-Apr . Pissouri: one
22-Apr . European Bee-eater Merops apiaster First reported in Nicosia area 10 Apr: Lythrodontas: 2-10 daily from 10
Apr. First records in west 12 Apr, with one at Akamas and two heard overhead Goudhi . Massive numbers passed over
west of island on 30 Apr: Akamas ridge: 200+ passing north-west in 45
mins., estimated 500 in the day 30-Apr . Phinikas: 55 flying over 30-Apr
. Tala: c.85 passing over in 4 flocks 30-Apr . Lara: c.200 passed over
in 1 hr. 30-Apr . Other reports from 18 Apr, with strong passage from 27
Apr. Kato Paphos: c.30 on 28-Apr . Kouklia garden: 12 daily at 6pm,
27-30 Apr . Marathounta: 70 on 28-Apr . Roller Coracias garrulus First
spring reports 18 Apr, with one Larnaca Sewage Works and one Androlikou . Selected records: Aspro dam area: five
20-Apr . Amargeti: five
20-Apr . Episkopi, Paphos: one fighting with Jackdaws for nest holes
22-Apr . Meneou: two flying in off sea 26-Apr . Theletra gorge: pair at
nest site 24-Apr . Giolou north: pair at regular site 26-Apr .
Cape Andreas to Helones: six 27-Apr .
Nata: three 20-Apr . Hoopoe Upupa epops Widely reported all month – 66 birds seen including the following: Diarizos valley: three 5-Apr . Agia Varvara: three 6-Apr . Akamas: nine, territorial with much chasing 8-Apr , other locations in Akamas: two 16-Apr , three 18-Apr . Paphos Headland: four 12-Apr . Sarama: two 17-Apr . Armou hills: two 17-Apr . Kouklia: two 17-Apr . Lythrodontas: two all month . Vretsia: four 20-Apr . Nata: two 20-Apr . Mt. Olympus Artemis Trail: seven 26-Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas: three 27-Apr . Wryneck Jynx torquilla All reports listed of
this fascinating migrant. Purple patch 6-9 Apr: Cape Greco: one 3 &
4 Apr . Agia Varvara: one 6-Apr . Cape Drepanum: one 7-Apr . Marathounta
one 7-Apr . Paphos Lighthouse: one 7-Apr . Akrotiri Gravel Pits: one
9-Apr . Akrotiri Gravel Pits one 9-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: one ringed
14-Apr. Sotira-Paralimni pools: one 16-Apr . Ayios
Minas Church: one 17-Apr. Koilinia: one 17-Apr . Latchi: one 28-Mar . Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Spiro's Pool: two
Larnaca Desalination Plant 14-Apr [seems
to be the only remaining reliable site in the south]. The following
from Melis Charalambides, were all from the occupied areas: Apostolos Varnavas Monastery: 15 on 27-Apr. Lefkoniko: five 27-Apr.
Marathovounos: 20 on 27-Apr. Prastio: 15 on 27-Apr. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata Some good records of this scarce migrant: Paphos Lighthouse: three 9-Apr . Mandria: four 11-Apr, one 12-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 12-Apr . Field west of Larnaca Airport: six 12-Apr . Latchi beach: three 29-Mar , two 31-Mar. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Recorded all month.
Noteworthy reports of migrants: Latchi
fields: 15 on 30-Mar . Mandria: 25 on 1-Apr , 55 on 5-Apr,
18 on 12-Apr , c.20 on 13-Apr. Cape Arnaouti: 13, including one with
very warm brown uppers 6-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: 35 on 9-Apr.
Cape Drepanum: 10 on 7-Apr , 12 on 14-Apr . Koilinia: nine 17-Apr .
Paphos Headland: 13 on 17-Apr . Ayia Napa Sewage one 27-Apr , was
month’s latest. Tomb of the Kings one 25-Apr . Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens Cape Andreas: one 22-Apr, was the only report. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Very common and widespread. Loose groups of 10+ regularly reported. Woodlark Lullula arborea Mount Olympus: one singing 25-Apr . Skylark Alauda arvensis Latchi-Polis: one fly-by
29-Mar , is rather unseasonal and needs confirmation. Temminck's Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha Tomb
of the Kings, Paphos: one 22-Apr. Sand Martin Riparia riparia Main influx from 19 Apr.
Akamas NW: one 8-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: four 9-Apr, one 14-Apr , c.80 on
20-Apr . Chrysouchou goat farm: c100 on 19-Apr. Latchi:
30 flying along the coast 19-Apr. Evretou Dam: 20 on 19-Apr .
Agia Varvara: 16 on 22-Apr . Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris All reports: Baths of Aphrodite: five 28-Mar . Swallow Hirundo rustica Very common. Local birds nesting all month. Kouklia: two nesting on eaves of house 1-30 Apr . Meneou Beach: pair nesting 21-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: first flying juvs 24 Apr . Akamas NW: 50 ‘on passage’ 8-Apr . Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Fairly common in suitable habitat, as numbers pour (in to and) through
Cyprus. Noteworthy reports include: Goudhi: four on stop-over in
rainstorm 1-Apr . Cape Greco: five 4-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: 15
on 10-Apr . Akamas NE: 10 on 17-Apr . Aspro dam area: six 18-Apr .
Evretou Dam South: five 20-Apr . Anarita Park four 22-Apr . Baths of
Aphrodite: six 24-Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas: 10 on 27-Apr . Cape
Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 30 on 27-Apr . Yialousa: five 27-Apr . Nata
ford: four 30-Apr . Lythrodontas: four all month. House Martin Delichon urbicum Common all month, with most nesting birds in place. Noteworthy reports: Agia Varvara: 75 on 6-Apr . Zakaki Marsh 40 on 14-Apr . Artemis Trail: 50 at North Slope Restaurant 26-Apr . Parties of up to 20 widespread. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Near Mandria: one 22-Apr . Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Irregular numbers reported. Several reports of singles all month. Max.
numbers: Akrotiri gravel plain: eight 1-Apr . Cape Greco: 14 on 2-Apr .
Akrotiri Gravel Pits: three 9-Apr . Lady's Mile two 9-Apr . Mandria
three 10-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: two 22-Apr . Agia Marinouda:
six 28-Apr . Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Very common and widespread, especially in foothills. Mostly reported in
small loose groups. Probably overlooked or misidentified. [some
reports of Meadow Pipit show confusion with this sp.].
Max. numbers: Paphos Lighthouse five 2-Apr . Latchi c.40 on 2-Apr . Cape
Greco: two 3-Apr . Episkopi, Paphos six 4-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: two
ringed 11-Apr . Ayias Minas: five ringed 16-Apr , six 19-Apr , three
ringed 23-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: four ringed 17-Apr . Akamas SE: 11 on
21-Apr . Ay. Savvas Monastery: four 24-Apr . Aspro dam mast: nine 23-Apr
. Aspro dam wall: six 26-Apr . Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Max. numbers reported: Mandria six 1-Apr , 17 on 5-Apr, 15 on 12-Apr , c.30 on 20-Apr , 20 on 23-Apr . Zakaki Pools: five 12-Apr . Paphos Headland: eight 12-Apr . Akamas: 20+ on 16-Apr . Kissonerga coast, Paphos: four 22-Apr . Aspro Pools: c.200 on 23-Apr . Aspro dam wall: six 23-Apr, seven 30-Apr . Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Only and latest record: Phasouri Reed-beds one 3-Apr . Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Very common and widespread from mid-month, with several races reported. The following max. reports did not specify race. Akrotiri Salt Lake: ‘hundreds' 14-28 Apr . Lady's Mile: 10+ on 15-Apr . Aspro dam area: 20+ on 18-Apr , c.50 on 23-Apr , 10+ on 27-Apr . Mandria: seven 23-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds: six 25-Apr . Akamas SW: five 18-Apr . Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava flava Common all month. Max. numbers: Aspro dam wall: 25 on 23-Apr . Evretou Dam eight 19-Apr . Mandria: 20 on 21-Apr , 80 on 23-Apr . Paphos Lighthouse: 20 on 21-Apr . Yeroskipou Beach: c.75 on 2-Apr . Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava thunbergi Kannaviou Dam one 13-Apr
. Paphos Headland: one 12-Apr . Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg The most common form, reported all month. Max. numbers: Baths of Aphrodite: 15 on 24-Apr .Cape Drepanum: 20 on 7-Apr . Evretou Dam: 10 on 19-Apr . Mandria: 50 on 23-Apr . Oroklini Marsh: 14 on 19 Apr . Paphos Lighthouse: 30 on 21-Apr . Yeroskipou Beach: c75 on 2-Apr . Zakaki Marsh: nine 20-Apr . M. f. superciliaris May refer to a hybrid mix of feldegg and flava, creating a black-headed form with a prominent white eye-stripe. Zakaki Marsh: one 20-Apr . Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Two reports: Cape Arnaouti: one with M.f.feldegg 6-Apr . Mandria village: one 20-Apr. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 20-Apr , was the only record. White Wagtail Motacilla alba Birds present all month, before final departure. Yeroskipou
Beach c150 on 2-Apr –
probable roost site? Noteworthy
late reports: Bishop's
Pool: one 25-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands: one 27-Apr . Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Always elusive and
usually in the forest, the following were reported: Pano Platres one
singing 17-Apr . Cedar Valley: one 23-Apr . Ay. Nikolaos: one 24-Apr . Mt.
Olympus Artemis Trail: 20 territories, one at nest 26-Apr . Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes Akrotiri Salt Lake one 20-Apr , was the only migrant reported. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Mandria one 1-Apr . Ayias Minas one in hand 21-Apr . Akrotiri gravel area coast one 29-Apr . Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Passage continued all month, with evidence of heavy movement mid- to late-month when many birds caught by ringers at Polis and Ayias Minas: Cape Greco: three heard only 3-Apr , singles present to 23 Apr . Polis Reed-beds: three 14-Apr . Ayias Minas four trapped 16-Apr, two most days 18-21 Apr, three 23-Apr . Paphos Headland four 17-Apr . Kato Platres: one 24-Apr . Pano Platres: four singing 24-Apr . Theletra gorge: one in full song 24-Apr . Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Kissonerga coast, Paphos: one 12-Apr , was season’s latest report. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Latchi: single fem. types 28-Mar and 2-Apr , latest reports. Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Moderate passage noted all month, with mostly females latterly reported: Singles Larnaca Airport Pools, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Armou-Tsada track, Asprokremnos dam mast, Avgas Gorge, Baths of Aphrodite, Cape Greco, Nata, Neo Chorio and Paphos Lighthouse. Paphos Lighthouse two 4-Apr . Ayias Minas: two ringed daily 18-23 Apr . Whinchat Saxicola rubetra A common migrant, peaking late month. Max. numbers: Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Paphos Headland: one 17-Apr , no details but late date suggests Eastern race. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Most reports early to mid-month. Latchi: two 29 & 31-Mar, three 1-Apr .Mandria: one 1-Apr , two 05-Apr, one 08, 11 & 23 Apr. Cape Greco: one 2-Apr, two 3-Apr, three 16-Apr, one 23 Apr . Akrotiri Gravel Pits: two 9-Apr. Akamas SW: one 15-Apr . Cape Arnaouti: two 6-Apr . Singles also reported Paphos Lighthouse, Esouzas and Nata. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Very common and widespread on passage, trailing off to month end. 185
birds reported. Max. numbers: Latchi: 17 on 31-Mar . Cape Greco: four
2-Apr. Paphos Lighthouse: three 2-Apr, 12 on 7-Apr , six 12-Apr . Tsada
golf course track: 11 on 4-Apr . Koloni hills: five 6-Apr . Tsada golf
course track: four 28-Apr . Mandria: 10 on 5-Apr, three 8-Apr , five
11-Apr , three 23-Apr . Marathounta: three 7-Apr . Cape Drepanum: 20 on
7-Apr . Toxeftra beach: seven 7-Apr . Akrotiri Gravel Pits: three 9-Apr
. Ezousas SW to mouth: three 11-Apr . Kissonerga coast: three 12-Apr .
Akamas SW: five 15-Apr, three 18-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands:
five 27-Apr . Agia Marinouda: one male 28-Apr , was the latest. Ones and
twos also reported. Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca Common, locally abundant summer visitor. Noteworthy reports: Amargeti: 10 on 20-Apr . Cape Andreas-Klidhes Islands: 15 on 27-Apr . Diarizos valley: 12 on 5-Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas: 12 on 27-Apr . Koilinia: 18 on 10-Apr, 11 on 17-Apr . Mt. Olympus Artemis Trail: 30, including 25 territories 26-Apr . Nata: 12 on 20-Apr . Rizokarpaso to Helones: 12 on 27-Apr . Akamas SW: 10 on 15-Apr . Vouni Panayia: 18 on 17-Apr . Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca 58 birds reported. Most passage over by mid month. Noteworthy reports: Cape Greco: two 1-Apr, three 23-Apr . Episkopi, Paphos: one western-looking male 04-Apr . Armou-Tsada track: two 24-Apr . Cape Arnaouti: two 6-Apr . Marathounta: two males 7-Apr . Akamas NW: one ‘male-like female’ 8-Apr . Koilinia: three males 10-Apr . Marathounta: three 11-Apr . Paphos Lighthouse: up to four 2-11 Apr, two 18-Apr. Aspro dam area: two 15-Apr . Agia Marinouda: one fem. 28-Apr . Tsada golf course track: three 28-Apr , last report. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Akrotiri Gravel Pits: one fem. 3-Apr . Cape Greco: one male 15-Apr , one fem. 16-Apr . Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii Paphos Lighthouse one fem. 5-Apr , was a very late departing bird, or possible passage migrant. Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha Cape Greco one fem. 19 & 20 Apr. Reports of two other birds await details. Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis Vouni Panayia: one 1 & 17 Apr . Marathounta: one male 7-11 Apr . Kinousa: one male 10-Apr. Asgata one 19-Apr . Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius There were a few late reports of this winter visitor. Akrotiri gravel plain: one male 1-Apr . Cape Greco: pair 2-Apr. Baths of Aphrodite: one 4-Apr . Blackbird Turdus merula Probable breeding birds reported in the mountains: Troodos: two singing 17-Apr. Mt. Olympus Artemis Trail: four 26-Apr . Near Prodromos: two singing 25-Apr . Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Last winter visitors reported: Marathounta: one 7-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: one in hand 14-Apr . Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti Common
and widely reported. Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis Reported singing everywhere. Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides This scarce migrant was
well represented in the Polis area: Latchi fields: one singing 2-Apr .
Polis Reed-beds: four trapped and ringed 17-Apr . Polis campsite: one 30-Mar . Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus More migrants appeared,
with a definite peak mid-month: Latchi fields: one 30-Mar . Aspro Pools:
one 10 & 22-Apr . Goudhi: one 12-Apr . Polis Reed-beds (ringing
records): two 11-Apr, seven 14-Apr, 34 on 17-Apr, 21 on 22-Apr . Phasouri
Reed-beds two 20-Apr , one 25-Apr , four 28-Apr . Ayias Minas: two
ringed 23-Apr . Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Sotira-Paralimni pools: one 16-Apr . Details are awaited of this rarely recorded migrant. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Heard singing at Aspro Dam, Zakaki Marsh, Episkopi (Paphos), Ezousas
river mouth, Goudhi and Phasouri Reed-beds. Ringing records: Ayias
Minas: three 23-Apr. Polis Reed-beds: up to 35 trapped each visit 11-22
Apr . Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Widely reported from 11
Apr, usually in song, presumably nesting. Polis campsite: one singing
30-Mar , early breeding record. Aspro Dam Pools: one present and singing
11-23 Apr. Polis Reed-beds (ringing site): four 11-Apr, up to nine 14-22
Apr . Goudhi: two territorial 12-Apr . Androlikou: one singing in dense maquis 18-Apr . Evretou Dam South: one 20-Apr . Phasouri Reed-beds:
up to four singing 18-28 Apr. Ayias Minas one ringed 23-Apr .Asprokremnos
dam wall east: one singing 23-30 Apr . Zakaki Pools: one singing 15-25
Apr. Helones to Cape Andreas
one 27-Apr . Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Few reports before 11 Apr, then commonly reported and widespread. Six
trapped and ringed Polis Reed-beds 14-Apr . Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Sotira-Paralimni pools one 16-Apr Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata Locally reported. Cape Greco: c.20, seemed to be everywhere, feeding young 3-Apr . Larnaca Sewage Works: pair with nest material 14-Apr . Akamas SE: one pair with three well grown juvs. 21-Apr . Also reported Agia Marinouda, Koilinia, Lara Bay, Oroklini Marsh,Paphos Headland and Tsada golf course track. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans All records: Cape Greco: one 2-Apr . Lakatameia: one 14-Apr . Paphos Lighthouse: one fem. 4 & 5 Apr , one 12-Apr, one fem. In the car park 22-Apr . Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala Breeding
widely. Noteworthy reports: Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax Reported fairly widely, including Agia Marinouda, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Amargeti, Androlikou Gorge (Akamas), Armou, Aspro Dam Pools, Cape Greco, common Helones to Cape Andreas, Kannaviou Dam, Koilinia, Kouklia, Lythrodontas, Nata, Rizokarpaso to Helones and Tsada. Aspro dam wall: pair+4juvs. 26-Apr , was the first report of fledged young this year. Rüppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli All records: Cape Greco: one 2, 3 & 16-Apr. Kissonerga coast, Paphos: two 12-Apr, one 16-Apr . Paphos Headland: one 20-Apr , one 28-Apr Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris All records: Polis campsite: one 31-Mar . Paphos Lighthouse: one 2, 4 & 5-Apr . Armou Hills: one 5-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: one ringed 14-Apr . Ayias Minas: singles ringed 18, 21 & 23 Apr . Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria All records: Aspro Pools: one male 10 & 23 Apr . Asprokremnos dam wall: one fem. 23-Apr . Ringing records: Ayias Minas: one 23-Apr. Polis Reed-beds: one 11 & 22-Apr. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Fairly common to mid-month. Paphos Lighthouse three 2-Apr . Cape Greco: three 2-Apr, 10 on 3-Apr . Akamas NW: three 8-Apr . Ayias Minas (ringing): three 12-Apr, four 16-Apr, eight 18-Apr . Amargeti: three 20-Apr . Helones to Cape Andreas four 27-Apr , latest report. Whitethroat Sylvia communis 29 birds reported all month. Noteworthy records: Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Only discovered in the mist nets! Ayias Minas: singles ringed 16-Apr, 19-Apr, 21-Apr and 23-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: one ringed 22-Apr . Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Passage all month, becoming locally abundant in parties 12-23 Apr, with 382 birds reported all month. Nevertheless, probably overlooked. Max. numbers in nets at Polis and Ayias Minas. Cape Greco: six 3-Apr . Cape Arnaouti: six 6-Apr . Marathounta: six 7-Apr . Ayias Minas: 36 on 12-Apr, 19 on 15-Apr, 12 on 16-Apr, 82 on 18-Apr, 40 on 21-Apr, 18 on 23-Apr . Aspro Dam Pools: six 11-Apr . Polis Reed-beds: 16 on 11-Apr, 45 on 14-Apr, 11 on 17-Apr . Akamas SE: eight 18-Apr . Neo Chorio: ‘abundant’ 28-Apr . Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis All but one, reported in the west of the island. Polis campsite one 2-Apr . Episkopi, Paphos: one 4-Apr . Baths of Aphrodite: two 4-Apr , one 6-Apr . Ayias Minas (ringing): one 15-Apr, three 16-Apr, two 18-Apr, one 19-Apr . Sotira-Paralimni pools: one 16-Apr . Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix First spring influx
arrived 2 Apr apparently widely; further influx noted mid-month. 49
birds reported. Noteworthy reports follow: Cape Greco: one 2-Apr . Avgas
Gorge one 2-Apr . Polis campsite: one 2-Apr . No more reliable reports
until 12 Apr, during ringing at Ayias Minas: one 12-Apr, two 15-Apr,
three 16-Apr, seven 18-Apr, two 19-Apr, six 21-Apr, two 23-Apr . Kiti
Dam: two 14-Apr . Akrotiri Salt Lake two 15-Apr . Paphos Headland: one
15-Apr . Baths of Aphrodite caravan site: two 20-Apr . Koilinia: three
17-Apr . Pyrgos tis Rigenas, Akamas: five 15-Apr . Akamas NE: two 17-Apr
. Theletra gorge one 24-Apr ,
was the month’s latest. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Very few birds likely to linger so late. Latchi-Polis: 10-15
reported 29-Mar , was one of the only reports. It seems a high number,
though perhaps the final departure of migrants. Akamas:
one reported 16-Apr . Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Surprisingly f | ||||||