Systematic List for December 2005

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis   

Max. numbers: Zakaki Marsh: 10 on 3-Dec , 19 on 20-Dec . Akhna Dam: 36 on 7-Dec , declining to c20 on 10-Dec , 11 on 20-Dec  and three 23-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: max. count was 50+ on 10-Dec . Athalassa: 10+ on Birdwatching walk 11-Dec . Bishops Pool: five 20-Dec . Phasouri Reed Beds: 54 on 20-Dec . Up to three each at Asprokremnos Dam, Manglis Lake, Oroklini Marsh, Aspro Pools, Mandria Canal and Akrotiri Gravel Pits.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus   

Only reported from two sites: Phinikas: one 3-Dec, increasing to three 17-Dec . Akhna Dam: four from 7-Dec , with up to three from 16-Dec to month end.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  

Only found at Larnaca Sewage Works with six 1-Dec, eight 10-Dec  and up to c15 from 17-Dec to month end.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 50+ on 1-Dec, 42 on 10-Dec , 75 on 31-Dec . Lady's Mile: 20 at offshore fish farm 3-Dec . Akhna Dam: a noteworthy 525 on 7-Dec , 100+ from 10-20 Dec, declining to 47 on 23-Dec . Cape Pyla: 74 on 29-Dec .

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 

Rather scarce this month. Mandria: one 12-Dec . Episkopi Cliffs: two 24-Dec.

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 

Larnaca Sewage Works: five 1-Dec , with six 10-17 Dec and seven, all juvs. 18-Dec ; only two remained from 26-Dec to month end. Akhna Dam: one 7 & 16 Dec, may be same birds which ended up at Larnaca Sewage Works.

Bittern Botaurus stellaris 

Athalassa: one seen 11 & 22-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: one 20-24 Dec.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 

Only reported from Athalassa Dam, with two 11-Dec , and up to five 22-29 Dec.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis  

Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three from 3-24 Dec. Aspro pools: two from 10-Dec .

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

Akhna Dam: two from 7-Dec to month end. Cape Pyla: three 8-Dec . Athalassa: four 11-Dec. Single birds Oroklini Marsh 16-31 Dec, Phasouri Reed-beds 24-Dec, Zakaki Marsh 24-Dec and Agia Thekla 25-Dec.

Great White Egret Egretta alba  

Single birds seen at Phasouri Reed-beds 3-Dec, Akhna Dam 20-Dec , Akrotiri Salt Lake 20-Dec  and Athalassa Dam 22-Dec .  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Zakaki Marsh: 29 on 3-Dec , 46 on 20-Dec  and 23 on 24-Dec . Akhna Dam: up to 13 from 7-23 Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 29 on 20-Dec . Smaller numbers at several other sites.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one juv. 24-Dec.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia 

Odd unseasonal single birds were reported Larnaca Sewage Works 1 & 18 Dec, Akhna Dam 7-Dec  and Coral Bay 16-Dec .

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 

Akrotiri Salt Lake: c6000 on 3-Dec , c4980 on 20-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: interestingly, one imm. was present 3-Dec . Larnaca Airport Pools: one 10-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 10-Dec, two 31-Dec.

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 

A flock present around the Larnaca Sewage Works and airport pools all month, with two 1-Dec, eight 10-Dec, 12 on 16-Dec  and 22 from 29-31-Dec.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 

Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 20-Dec .

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna   

Winter numbers building up at Larnaca and Akrotiri. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 1-Dec, max. 22 on 31 Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 69 on 20-Dec .

Wigeon Anas penelope 

Fairly widespread. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 20 from 1-10 Dec, 40+ on 31-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: four 3-Dec . Akhna Dam: one 7-Dec . Phinikas: two 17-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 42 on 20-Dec . Phasouri Reed Beds: four 20-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: one 29-Dec .

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 29-Nov , two 10-Dec , seven from 16-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: six 3-Dec , two 24-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: six 20-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: two 20-Dec , six 24-Dec .

Teal Anas crecca 

Phasouri Reed-beds: c30 on 3 & 29-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: 10 3-Dec . Akhna Dam: up to nine 7-23 Dec. Oroklini Marsh: c100 on 10-Dec , max. 470 on 23-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: c1120 on 20-Dec . Bishops Pool: 36 on 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: c70 on 31-Dec . Fewer at other sites.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Larnaca Sewage Works: month’s max. count 200+ on 10-Dec . Asprokremnos dam: 72 on 3-Dec, 91at Phinikas 17-Dec . Evretou Dam South: 70 on 5-Dec . Akhna Dam: up to 28 from 7-23 Dec . Athalassa: 20+ on Intro Birdwatching walk 11-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 59 on 20-Dec . Up to 20 several other sites.

Pintail Anas acuta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 10 from 1-10 Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 21 on 20-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: four 20-Dec .

Garganey Anas querquedula 

Zakaki Marsh: one fem. 3-Dec, was the month’s only, and year’s latest, record.

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 300+ on 10-Dec , c400 on 31-Dec . Athalassa: 50+ on 11-Dec , c300 circling high over lake late morning 11-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 41 on 20-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: 37 on 20-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: up to 20 all month . Smaller numbers elsewhere.

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina  

Larnaca Sewage Works: at least two 1-10 Dec, four 26-Dec, five 31-Dec , while five present ‘all month’.  

Pochard Aythya ferina  

Evretou Dam South: four 5-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: 105 on 31-Dec .  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 21 & 31-Dec. Athalassa Dam: 2m, 1f on 29-Dec.  

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 

Larnaca Sewage Pools: SC reports up to three present all month, certainly on 29-Dec.  

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 

Paphos Harbour rocks: one 9-Dec , was the season’s only report.  

Black Kite Milvus migrans 

Zakaki Marsh: one 3-Dec.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 

Arminou-Salamiou ridge: 11 on 16-Dec . Episkopi (Kensington) Cliffs: two behaving like a pair 24-Dec, five 27-Dec .  

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus 

Arminou-Salamiou ridge: one 16-Dec . Kensington Cliffs: one 27-Dec .  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus   

Max. numbers: Zakaki Marsh: three 3-Dec . Phasouri Reed Beds: three 20-Dec  (six seen in the Akrotiri Area 24-Dec ). Singles Larnaca Sewage Works, Oroklini Marsh and Akhna Dam.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 

Akhna Dam: one male 7-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: two fems. 20 & 28-Dec. Singles reported throughout the month Larnaca Sewage Works, Akhna Dam, Ayios Nikolaos, Ayi. Therapon, Mandria, Koilinia, Armou - Tsada track,  Avgourou area and Phasouri Reed-beds.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

All records as follows: Stavros tis Psokas valley: three over wide area 5-Dec . Lysos: one 5-Dec . Akhna Dam: one 7 & 30-Dec. Ay. Therapon: one hunting chaffinch 13-Dec . Athalassa Park: one 25 & 29-Dec .  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

All records: Mavrokolymbos Dam: one mobbed by ‘hoodie’ 2-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: one 3-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: four 20-Dec . Avgourou area: one 23-Dec . Akrotiri Area: one 24-Dec . Curium Area: one 24-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 26-Dec . Pyla: one 28 & 29-Dec. Vrysoulles: area one 28-Dec . Amathus, Limassol: one dark phase 31-Dec .  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Ayios Dimitrianos: one 20-Dec. Kalo Chorio area: one 22-Dec . Pissouri Bay: one 2-cy light morph present 27 & 28 Dec .  

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 

Oroklini Marsh: one still present 11 & 13-Dec .  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Koilinia: pair calling 18-Dec . Aspro Pools: one imm. 25-Dec . Mandria (Platres): one adult 29-Dec . Evretou Dam: one juv. 31-Dec .  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus  

Stavros tis Psokas valley: one adult soaring in thermal 5-Dec . Kannaviou Dam: one 8-Dec. Athalassa: one on Birdwatching walk 11-Dec . Episkopi Cliffs: one 24-Dec . Pissouri Bay: one adult 30-Dec .  

Quail Coturnix coturnix 

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos: one 31-Dec .  

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Largest groups Akhna Dam: 32 on 7-Dec . Mandria: 20 on 17-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : 25 on 24-Dec . Also, groups of up to 16 birds regular these sites plus Marathounta Hills, Asprokremnos, Cape Greco,  Aspro Pools, Kalo Chorio area, Akhna Dam and Oroklini Marsh.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Oddly, not reported very much this month, even though it started calling late month. Skoulli: one male 5-Dec . Paphos Sewage Plant: one male 17-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: max. five 11-Dec .  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 

Zakaki Marsh: one heard 3-Dec, three 20-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: eight, (assumed based on calls) 20-Dec .  

Little Crake Porzana parva  

One at Aspro pools 3-Dec  was an unusual and unseasonal find.  

Coot Fulica atra  

Some large wintering flocks building up. Akhna Dam: 233 on 7-Dec , 297 on 20-Dec , 340 on 23-Dec . Zakaki Marsh: 167 on 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: 1320 on 31-Dec .  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Larnaca Airport Pools: one 24-Dec.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Larnaca Airport Pools: 30+ on 10-Dec , 52 on 20-Dec.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 

Oroklini Marsh: eight 3-Dec, smaller numbers present all month .  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Oroklini Marsh: up to two 12-16 Dec.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 

Only reported from 4 sites. Lady's Mile: one 3-Dec, 27 on 20-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 136 on 20-Dec . Larnaca Airport Pools: four 20-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: up to two 30-31-Dec .  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii  

Only found at 2 sites: Paphos Headland: four 15-Dec , two 29-Dec . Cape Pyla: one 29-Dec  – all probably wintering.  

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 

Ayios Nikolaos : 21 on 9-Dec, 34 on 21-Dec . Paphos Headland: 51 on 9-Dec , 12 on 15-Dec , 40 on 29-Dec . Mandria fields: five 17-Dec. RAF Akrotiri: 17 seen with search light on football field 20-Dec .  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 

Paphos Headland: two 9-Dec , one 15-Dec . Spiros Beach Area: one 17 Dec .  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus 

Only wintering (probably resident) at 2 sites. Oroklini Marsh: two 2-21-Dec . Akhna Dam: 13 present all month.  

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 23 on 1-Dec , 17 on 10-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos: all month, with max. 18 on  9-Dec . Mandria: 29 on 17-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month. 43 on 23-Dec , max. 60 from 19-23 Dec . Anarita: 20 on 31-Dec .  

Little Stint Calidris minuta 

Lady's Mile: 45 on 3-Dec, nine 20-24 Dec. Oroklini Marsh: up to four all month . Larnaca Airport Pools: four 10-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 146 on 20-Dec . Paphos Headland: one 29-Dec .  

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii  

Oroklini Marsh: three 16-Dec .  

Dunlin Calidris alpina   

Lady's Mile: three 3-Dec . Larnaca Airport Pools: 20 on 10-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: up to two all month. Spiros Pool: one 10-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: eight 20-Dec .  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax 

Larnaca Sewage Pools: one 29-Dec, was the month’s only report.  

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 21-Dec , was a good discovery.  

Snipe Gallinago gallinago  

Reported from the few usual wintering sites. Evretou Dam South: two 5-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: up to 25 all month , with four 10-Dec  and eight 23-Dec . Phasouri Reed-beds: five 20-Dec . Akhna Dam: seven 23-Dec , one 30-Dec .  

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola   

Reported by Game Fund as ‘abundant’ in winter in damp wooded mountain valleys, although one at Mandria (Platres) 29-Dec , was the only official sighting reported.  

Curlew Numenius arquata  

Larnaca Sewage Pools area: max. 10 max count 18-Dec.  

Redshank Tringa totanus 

At Larnaca two at sewage works pools 1-Dec , four at Salt Lake 31-Dec  and 75 at Airport Pools 10-Dec. Akhna Dam: one 7-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: up to six all month , with three 10-Dec  and two 23-Dec.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Oroklini Marsh: one 4-26-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 17-Dec .  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  

Probably under-reported. Singles at Evretou Dam South 5-Dec , Cape Pyla 8 & 29-Dec  and 11-Dec  and Paphos Headland 29-Dec .  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres  

Paphos Headland: two 9-Dec , probably present all month.  

Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus  

A good discovery. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1st-winter on 29-Dec. Less than 20 previous accepted records.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to three 26 & 29-Dec.  

Common Gull Larus canus  

A few records of this scarce winter visitor. Lady's Mile: one 1st-winter 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1st-w 26-29 Dec (JK, SC et al).  

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic Gull) Larus fuscus fuscus   

Mandria: one 12-Dec . Meneou Pools: one 1st w 17-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: two 31-Dec .

Siberian Gull Larus (fuscus) heuglini   

Mandria: four 12-Dec, two 17-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: seven 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: at least one 20-31 Dec, plus one at Meneou Pools all Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: 1 adult + 1 juv possible heuglini 25-Dec .  

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans   

Includes michahellis and cachinnans races. Asprokremnos Dam: total 331 all over the dam 3-Dec, 256 on 17-Dec , part count 90 on 17-Dec , c150 on 25-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 213 at gull roost 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works: 130 on 31-Dec , including 80% cachinnans. Meneou Pools & Larnaca Sewage Pools: c50+ all Dec .  

Caspian Gull Larus (cachinnans) cachinnans   

Mandria: 350 on 12-Dec, 270 on 17-Dec . Lady's Mile: four 20-Dec . Meneou Pools & Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 260 all Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: c50 in mixed flock of over 200 large gulls 25-Dec .  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus  

Lady's Mile two 3 & 20-Dec . Larnaca Sewage Works and Meneou Pools: up to 25 all month, with c10 at each . Mandria: five 12-Dec . Akrotiri Salt Lake: eight 20-Dec . Asprokremnos Dam: one juv. maybe more 25-Dec .  

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica   

Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 20-Dec .  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis  

Spiros Pools Beach: three 20-Dec . ‘Phasouri Coast’: one 24-Dec.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

Significant numbers included 250 at Asprokremnos Dec , c450 at Vrysoulles 28-Dec , 109 at Ayios Nikolaos 21-Dec  and max. c500 at Skoulli roost 31-Dec .  

Barn Owl Tyto alba 

Only dead birds reported… One dead on road at Vrysoulles 8 & 14 Dec .  

Little Owl Athene noctua  

Akamas SE: one 3-Dec . Pyla: one calling 21-Dec . Athalassa Park: one 31-Dec.  

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 

Zakaki Marsh: one 3 & 24 Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 10-Dec . Athalassa Dam one 22 & 31-Dec.  

Wryneck Jynx torquilla 

Oroklini Marsh: one on 10-Dec , was a good discovery.  

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 20-Dec .  

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens 

Larnaca Sewage Pools: four 26-Dec , unusual in winter.  

Woodlark Lullula arborea   

Fairly commonly reported in small groups on dry open ground. Max. numbers: Marathounta Hills: 14 on 1-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : 16 on 9-Dec,  10 on 26-Dec . Episkopi Garrison: 13 on 20-Dec . Akhna Dam: 12 on 23-Dec . Athalassa Park: c10 on 25-Dec . Groups of less than 10 more commonly reported.  

Skylark Alauda arvensis   

Very common. Max. numbers: Larnaca Sewage Works: 50+ on 1-Dec , 32 on 31-Dec . Marathounta Hills: 37 on 1-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: at least 30 all month, with 60 from 22-24-Dec . Akhna Dam: 48 on 7-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : up to 60 from 9-26 Dec . Mandria: up to 90 from 12-17 Dec . Paphos Sewage Plant: 50 on 17-Dec .  

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 

Zakaki Marsh: one 3-Dec . Akhna Dam: two 16-Dec , with eight 30-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: one 23-Dec . Pissouri Bay: two 27-Dec .  

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 

Stavros tis Psokas valley: one 5-Dec . Mandria Canal: three 12-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : one 27-Dec . Athalassa Dam: one 28-29 Dec.  

Dunnock Prunella modularis   

Oroklini Marsh: one 2-Dec . Kannaviou Dam: one 6-Dec (AW). Tala: one in garden 8-9 Dec.

Robin Erithacus rubecula 

Up to 10 heard (rarely seen!) at most sites across the island, in gardens, scrub and bushy areas. Max. was 10+ at Akrotiri Salt Lake 3-Dec  and six at Koilinia 4-Dec .  

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica  

Probably widespread but such a skulking bird is seldom seen. Zakaki Marsh: two 20-Dec . Akhna Dam: one male ‘white-spot’ 30-Dec .  

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii 

Akamas SE: one 3-Dec . Cape Greco: one female 4-Dec . Evretou Dam South: one 5-Dec . Acheleia Dam Valley: one male 12-Dec . Agia Varvara area: one prob. old female with male characteristics, plus seven in survey of all known territories 12-Dec . Anarita west area: four 12-Dec , one male 16-Dec . Ayia Napa sewage works: one 26-Dec  and three (2m, 1f) at sewage works and Football Pitches 31-Dec .  

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius  

Stavrovouni: one 24-Dec . Pissouri Bay: one female/imm. 24-30 Dec . Curium Beach: one male 26-Dec .  

Blackbird Turdus merula 

Greatest numbers reported in well-vegetated hillsides and upland forest valleys. Max. numbers Koilinia: 11+ on 4-Dec . Mandria (Platres): 10 on 29-Dec .  

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos   

Very common, with greatest numbers as follows: Koilinia: 40+ on 4-Dec . Stavros tis Psokas valley: 10 on 5-Dec . Akhna Dam: 11 on 7 & 23-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos  11 on 21-Dec. Mandria (Platres): 30 in small scattered flocks 29-Dec .  

Thrush spp. 

Stavros tis Psokas valley: 20 in mixed flock, probably mostly Mistle Thrush 5-Dec .  

Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon  

Aspro pools: up to four 3-30 Dec.  

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata 

Cape Greco: 17 Including two in song flight 4-Dec . Phasouri Reed Beds: five 20-Dec  seems an unusual location. Also reported, presumed resident, at Larnaca Sewage Works, Manglis Lake, Athalassa, Armou Hills, Zakaki Marsh, Kalo Chorio, Cape Pyla and Oroklini Marsh.  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 

Up to four each reported at Marathounta Hills, Phinikas, Cape Greco, Koilinia, Stavros tis Psokas valley, Akhna Dam, Ayios Nikolaos, Armou Hills, Tsada Hills, Kalo Chorio area and Oroklini Marsh.  

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax 

Scarce and only reported as follows: Aspro pools: one male 3 & 10-Dec . Koilinia: one male 4-Dec . Armou Hills: two 11 & 19-Dec .  

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 

Rather skulking and usually only heard. Following reports received: Stavros tis Psokas valley: one 5-Dec . Lakatameia: one Manglis Lake 9-Dec . Akhna Dam: one fem. 30-Dec . Goudhi: two 31-Dec . Strovolos: one heard all Dec.  

Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes 

Makaras Forest: six 26-Dec .  

Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria 

Germasogeia Dam: one 22-Dec , was a surprise and welcome find.  

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus  

Zakaki Marsh: three 20-Dec . Kouklia reeds: four 27-Dec .  

Starling Sturnus vulgaris  

Nicosia: c2000 at dusk over city centre 1-Dec (BA), very noteworthy. Oroklini Marsh: 30 reported from 4-Dec, with a peak of c400 present 22-28 Dec and c150 from 29-Dec to month end . Paphos Lighthouse: five 15-Dec . Archangelos: 18 on 20-Dec .  

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 

Large flocks are localised. Stavros tis Psokas valley: 50 on 5-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : 45 on 9-Dec . Mandria: up to 30 from 12-17 Dec . Paphos Headland: up to 30 from 15-29 Dec. Armou Hills: 40 on 19-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: max. 40 on 23-Dec . Pissouri Bay: 50 on 27-Dec .  

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  

Abundant and widespread in winter, with max. numbers at Stavros tis Psokas valley with c400 in flocks throughout valley 5-Dec  and c500 at Ay. Therapon feeding over wide area 13-Dec .  

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla  

Mt. Olympus: at least one male 23-Dec .  

Serin Serinus serinus  

Fairly common on low ground. Max. numbers: Koilinia: 50+ on 4-Dec . Mandria: 20 on 17-Dec and 15 at Mandria Canal 12-Dec . Armou Hills: 20 on 19-Dec . Vrysoulles: 15 on 28-Dec . Small flocks at Lythrodontas all Dec .  

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes  

Paphos Forest: ‘heard’ 29-Dec .  

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus  

Kouklia reeds: six 27-Dec . Oroklini Marsh: two 28-31-Dec .  

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 

Very common, with largest numbers reported: Kritou Terra: c40 on 6-Dec . Akhna Dam: 68 on 7-Dec . Ayios Nikolaos : 35 on 9 & 21-Dec . Anarita Park: 40 on 16-Dec . Armou Hills: 35 on 19-Dec . Pissouri Bay: 30 on 27-Dec .  

The following species were also reported in unexceptional numbers throughout the month: Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Corn Bunting.