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Bird News

Bird Records for July 2005

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Akhna dam: two 1-Jul, five inc. 3 juvs. 12-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 50 reported by several observers, 8-27 Jul and c.90 on 30-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 35 on 10-Jul , 29 on 20-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: four 10-Jul. Oroklini Marsh: up to three 1-16 Jul . Bishops Pool: two 20-Jul . 

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Pomos: one 4 Jul . Kensington Cliffs: max. four 15-Jul. 

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  

Athalassa Dam: one fem. over-summered but no evidence of breeding observed 19-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: one fem. 20-Jul .

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax   

Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 13 on 10-Jul , with up to two reported 17-31 Jul . 

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  

Phasouri Reed-beds: four 10-Jul , two 17-Jul , one 20-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: one 17 & 31-Jul . Akhna dam: one 20-Jul 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   

Phasouri Reed-beds: three 10-Jul, c5 on 17-Jul , two 19-20 Jul. Akhna Dam: six 27-Jul, seven 31-Jul . 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

Oroklini Marsh: one 1-6-Jul . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 30 on 10-Jul , 14 on 20-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: one 19 & 31-Jul . 

Great White Egret Egretta alba  

Akhna dam: one 25-31 Jul  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: six 10-Jul , 12 on 20-Jul . Singles Oroklini Marsh and Larnaca Sewage Works. 

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea  

Akhna Dam: one 7-Jul  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 2,020 counted 10-Jul , c.1,720 on 20-Jul . 

Teal Anas crecca  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one male seen frequently throughout the month and one fem. there 2 Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: one fem. 17 July . 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Larnaca Sewage Works 178 on 8-Jul , up to 120 including juvs. 10-27 Jul. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to 12 from 10-20 Jul. Akrotiri Salt Lake: c50 on 20-Jul  

Garganey Anas querquedula  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one fem. 17-Jul . 

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 10-Jul , 6+ on 31-Jul , one fem./imm. 20-Jul . 

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus  

Armou-Tsada Track: one flew over at dusk 14-Jul . 

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus  

Kensington Cliffs: two 10-Jul . Vretsia (Ayios Ioannis) cages: 9 inside, and one outside cages 15-Jul . Salamiou ridge: three plus Black Vulture sailed over at low level 23-Jul . 

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus  

Salamiou ridge: one, with 3 Griffons 23-Jul . 

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one juv. on 2, 6 & 30-Jul. Akhna dam: one on 5-Jul . 

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Armou: one imm. flew over village 6-Jul . 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Widely reported. 

Hobby Falco subbuteo  

Armou-Tsada Track: one flew over at dusk 14-Jul . Akhna Dam: one 27-Jul . 

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae  

Kensington Cliffs: up to 12 on 10-15 Jul , c.4 on 17-Jul , 18 on 20-Jul . Lady’s Mile Marshes: one 17-Jul . RAF Akrotiri: 31 on 25-Jul . 

Peregrine Falco peregrinus  

Episkopi Cliffs: one pair 17-20 Jul . 

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Family parties everywhere with 25 Episkopi, Paphos 1-Jul, 18 Koilinia-Vretsia 1-Jul, 12 Oroklini Marsh 10-Jul, 12 Armou Hills 17-Jul, 12 Mylikouri 23-Jul and 34 Tsada golf course track 29-Jul. 

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Rather skulking in summer with young in attendance. Up to six Oroklini Marsh 1-14 Jul, six Acheleia olive grove 7-Jul, one male at Akrotiri aerials 10-Jul and one male calling Phasouri Reed-beds 10-Jul, were all the reports received. 

Quail Coturnix coturnix  

Akhna Dam: two heard calling 23-Jul . 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 20-Jul . 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Up to 12 Oroklini Marsh 2-14 Jul, one juv. Aspro Pools 7-31 Jul, up to 30 including juvs. Phasouri Reed-beds 10-20 Jul, max. 37 Zakaki Marsh 10-Jul and two Episkopi, Paphos 16-Jul. 

Coot Fulica atra  

Akhna dam: five 1-Jul, seven 10-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: 80 10-14 Jul including juvs, increasing to 149 on 16-Jul  and 127 on 27-Jul , may include early migrants. Phasouri Reed-beds: 16, including day-old chicks 10-Jul, 50 on 19-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: max. 30 on 10-Jul. Oroklini Marsh: max. 30 on 16-Jul . 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: max. 26 on 20-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to nine 10-27 Jul. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to seven 10-20 Jul. Oroklini Marsh: max. 30 on 16-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: four 20-Jul . 

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Athalassa Park: one 20-Jul  

Pratincole sp. Glareola sp.  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13-Jul . 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  

Akhna dam: two 10-18 Jul, seven 20 & 30 Jul, eight 27-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: three 10-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: one 14-Jul . 

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Lady’s Mile Marshes: two 17-Jul  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 10-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 25 on 10-Jul , c.60 on 19-Jul, c.200 on 22-Jul , c30 on 27-Jul . Spiros Pool: 24 on 16-Jul . Lady's Mile: 13 birds, including 2 pairs with 2 chicks about 5 days old 20-Jul . 

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two 10-27 Jul, with four 24-Jul. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 19-Jul . Akhna dam: six inc. 1 juv. 18-28 Jul, 12 on 31-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: up to 14 on 1-16 Jul . 

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Larnaca Sewage Pools: one seen regularly there and at Akhna Dam from 23-Jul . 

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii  

Akhna dam: three 20-23 Jul, two to 28 Jul, one 31-Jul. 

Dunlin Calidris alpina   

Larnaca Sewage Pools: one 24-Jul . 

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Akhna dam: up to three to 20-28 Jul ; also seen in small numbers at Larnaca Sewage Works from 23-Jul , with two there 27-Jul . 

Redshank Tringa totanus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 23-Jul . 

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 2-3 Jul . Akhna dam: three 20-Jul, one 23-27 Jul . 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia  

Akhna Dam: one from 6-28 Jul. Phasouri Reed-beds: one heard 10-Jul . Akrotiri Salt Lake: four 20-Jul . One reported Larnaca Sewage Works all month . 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to five 1-27 Jul, two to 31-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: one 5-Jul, increasing to three 16-Jul . Akrotiri Salt Lake: four 20-Jul . Aspro Pools: seven 31-Jul . Also reported at Athalassa Dam ‘all July’ . 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  

Oroklini Marsh: three 7-8 Jul, two 10-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: two 17-Jul . Akhna dam: four 27-Jul, five 28-Jul . 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  

Akhna dam: up to three 1-18 Jul, up to five 20-27 Jul, 18 on 31-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to three 10-27 Jul. Zakaki Marsh: two 10-Jul, one 20-Jul. Oroklini Marsh: one 14-16 Jul, two 17-Jul . 

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one adult was present 16-19 Jul. 

Little Gull Larus minutus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2nd cy seen regularly throughout month . 

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to three all month. 

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 10 most days 8-24 Jul. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 50 on 10-Jul , c95 on 20-Jul . 

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one ‘3rd summer’ 3 & 24 Jul, four imms. and adults10-Jul . 

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans michahellis  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 68 on 10-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 70 from10-27 Jul. Up to 15 also reported Kensington Cliffs, Lady's Mile and Spiros Pool. 

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica    

Phasouri Reed-beds: one adult 10-Jul . 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo  

Only reported Larnaca Sewage Works, where a pair present from 14-Jul , egg/s laid probably on 23 Jul, but by 27 Jul pair had abandoned the nest. Dogs were seen on 30 July, possibly the cause of the failure. Birds lingered there till at least 30-Jul .

Little Tern Sterna albifrons  

Larnaca Sewage works: After the destruction of the nest by dogs (29 June) nine seen 3 Jul , up to four 5-19 Jul. Oroklini Marsh: two 16-Jul . Meneou Beach: one 26-Jul . 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida  

Akhna Dam: one 6-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13-Jul . 

Black Tern Chlidonias niger  

Akhna Dam: one 6-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: two from 6-Jul, three 17-Jul to month end , with four 19-Jul . 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: at least one from 5 Jul, two 8-Jul, up to three to month end. Oroklini Marsh: three 6-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: three 10-Jul . Zakaki Marsh: one 20-Jul . Up to two at Akhna Dam all July . 

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

Good numbers present all month. Phasouri Reed beds: 38 coming from roost 7.45h 10-Jul . 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto   

Also reported. 

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur   

Episkopi, Paphos pair 1-Jul .  Armou-Tsada Track: one juv. seen 14-Jul. Tsada golf course track: one juv. 21-Jul. Pera Vasa – Arminou: five inc. 2 juvs. 23-Jul . Athalassa Park: common throughout the summer - no juveniles were seen although mating behaviour was seen. Also reported, up to three together, Bishop’s Pool, Roudia Bridge, Marathounta and Armou. 

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius   

Episkopi-Nata ridge: one juv. 1-Jul. Armou hills: one 3-Jul . 

Barn Owl Tyto alba  

Aradippou: one 9-Jul . Marathounta: one flew over home after dark 18-Jul . Kalo Khoriou, Larnaca: one 29-Jul . Acheleia: one flew across road in dark 31-Jul. RAF Akrotiri: one at front gate 20-Jul . 

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius   

Lythrodontas: three all July . English School, Nicosia: one heard all July . Otherwise not seen or heard elsewhere. 

Little Owl Athene noctua  

Vretsia-Koilinia: one 1-Jul . Akhna dam: two 24-Jul . Also seen all month Athalassa, Aradippou Dam and Larnaca Salt Lakes . 

Long-eared Owl Asio otus  

Acropolis, Nicosia: one 27-Jul . 

Swift Apus apus  

Not many reported - numbers dropping as birds depart after breeding. Roudia Bridge: 30 on 1-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: two 5-Jul, eight 15-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: 20 on 10-Jul. Marathounta: three 18-Jul. 

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 10-Jul . 

Alpine Swift Apus melba  

Galataria: five 1-Jul , were the only birds reported. 

Bee-eater Merops apiaster  

Lythrodontas: three, resident all summer 1-20 Jul, four flying over 28 Jul . Athalassa Park: c.60 all July (first noted 27 Jun); most birds were juveniles which appear to have bred somewhere in the park  

Roller Coracias garrulus  

Akhna dam: three incl. 1 juv. 6-Jul . Koilinia-Vretsia: three incl. 1 juv. 15-Jul . Up to three reported Episkopi, Paphos, Armou hills, Tsada, Pantaglia, Tseri, Paphos–Polis road. 

Hoopoe Upupa epops  

Akhna dam: two 6-Jul , two pairs and at least one clutch of young seen all July . Armou-Tsada Track: one 15-Jul. Episkopi weir: one 15-Jul. Kannaviou: one 23-Jul . RAF Akrotiri: one 27-Jul . 

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Larnaca Sewage Works: c20 on 16-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 on 16 Jul . Otherwise widely reported, in family parties of up to nine birds together. 

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris   

Vretsia-Roudia forest edge: one 1-Jul . Stavros Psokas village: one 23-Jul . 

Swallow Hirundo rustica  

Still abundant all month, though numbers declining. Noteworthy reports: Phasouri Reed-beds: 170 on 10-Jul . Archangelos: two + 3 juvs. still in nest 13-Jul .Larnaca Sewage Works: c200 on 14-Jul . 

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica  

Reported from a number of diverse sites. Koilinia-Vretsia: two 1 & 15-Jul . Roudia Bridge: 20 on 1-Jul . Episkopi, Paphos: two 13-Jul . Agia Varvara: four 15-Jul . Episkopi Garrison: two 15-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: four 20-Jul . Mylikouri: two 23-Jul .  

House Martin Delichon urbicum  

Kefelos Bridge: 20 on 1-Jul . Koilinia-Vretsia: six 1-Jul . Roudia Bridge: 20 on 1-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: up to six 5-16 Jul . Mylikouri: 20 on 23-Jul . 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 18 on 20-Jul . 

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg  

Oroklini Marsh: up to eight  1-12 Jul . Zakaki Marsh: two 10-Jul . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 20-Jul . RAF Akrotiri: one 27-Jul .  

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos  

Kefelos bridge: one was seen in the river valley 23-Jul . 

Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca   

Family parties, usually including 2-4 young, reported all month, notably Panagia, Roudia Bridge, Armou hills, Ayios Minas, Episkopi, Mylikouri - Kefelos Bridge, Stavros – Kykkos, Marathounta, Tsada golf course, Lythrodontas and RAF Akrotiri.

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti   Not widely reported this month, but assumed widely present, just skulking and non-obliging. Ones and twos seen Zakaki Marsh, Episkopi, Marathounta, Kefelos Bridge, Athalassa Dam, Larnaca Sewage Pools building & Akhna Dam. 

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis   

Max. numbers reported include six at Larnaca Sewage Works and six Phasouri Reed-beds, both 10-Jul. 

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus  

Ayios Minas: three ads. ringed 4-Jul . Phasouri Reed-beds: present all month, with three singing 10-Jul. Zakaki Marsh: six including 2 juvs. 10-Jul and two 31-Jul. 

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida  

Ones and twos reported at Vretsia, Roudia, Episkopi, Kannaviou, Marathounta and Lythrodontas. 

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata  

Galataria: two 1-Jul . Oroklini Marsh: up to two 1-7-Jul . Larnaca Sewage Works: three 10-Jul, six 16-Jul, two 27-Jul. Armou-Tsada track: one 14-Jul . 

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala  

These were the only reports received, although assumed widespread. Armou hills: 1 ad., 1 juv. 3-Jul . Ayios Minas: four juvs. 4-Jul . 

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax  

Widely reported, mostly young birds. 

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  

Roudia Bridge: two adults 1-Jul , apparently on territory, but no breeding activity observed. 

Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes  

The only reports received were singles at Mylikouri and Stavros Psokas on 23-Jul. 

Great Tit Parus major aphrodite  

Common and widespread. 

Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus  

One of the most commonly reported birds this month, as hundreds arrived in open country often on low ground and in family parties, calling and feeding.  Singles at Koilinia, Vretsia and Roudia Bridge (Paphos Forest) still on breeding grounds, 1-Jul .  First migrants reported 13-Jul in Nicosia and 14-Jul in Paphos. Lythrodontas: one juv. 13-30 Jul . Up to 10 reported in foothills around Armou, Tsada and Marathounta from 14-Jul to month end. Episkopi: four 15-Jul . Koilinia-Vretsia: five 15-Jul . Athalassa park: one juv. 20-Jul , thereafter seen in small numbers at Larnaca and Akhna Dam. Pera Vasa – Arminou: two juvs. 23-Jul. 

Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri   

One or two seen at Roudia Bridge and Vretsia 1-Jul and at Kannaviou, Pera Vasa, Stavros Psokas and Kykkos on 23-Jul. 

Magpie Pica pica   

Very common and widespread. 

Jackdaw Corvus monedula  

Largest groups reported include c.250 at Akhna dam 6-Jul  and c.200 at Pyla 24-Jul  

Hooded Crow Corvus corone  

90 erupting from morning roost at a misty Phasouri Reed-beds, 7.45h on 10-Jul. 

House Sparrow Passer domesticus  

Abundant. 

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis  

Under-recorded…Parties of up to 12 birds reported Roudia Bridge, Vretsia, Armou and Aspro Pools. 

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  

One was at Roudia Bridge (Gefyri Roudia) on 1-Jul, two at Kefelos Bridge 23-Jul – one of the lowest altitude nesting areas at the edge of the forest. 

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris  

10 in flock in Armou hills 17-Jul, the largest group reported. 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis  

Very common and widespread. 

Linnet Carduelis cannabina   

No unusual sightings. Only reported in west, though assumed common and widespread. 

Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia  

Rather scarce following breeding. Koilinia-Vretsia track:  one 1-Jul . Vretsia-Roudia forest track: one 1-Jul . Aradippou Dam: one juv. 3-Jul . Episkopi, Paphos: one female perched on reeds over river bed 13-Jul . 

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala  

All records follow: Episkopi road: one male 1-Jul . Ayios Minas: one ad., one juv. 4-Jul . 

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra  

Rather scarce and localised. Panagia: two 1-Jul . Arminou – Mesana: 20 in mixed feeding flock with Linnets 23-Jul .

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