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Bird News

Bird Records for June 2005

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Less than 10 birds reported at each of only 7 sites. Aspro Pools: pair 3-Jun , probably present all month. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to nine birds seen each visit 4-27 Jun . Zakaki Marsh: two 16-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: 32 counted 27-Jun . Akhna Dam: two 1-28 Jun . Athalassa: heard 19-26 Jun . Oroklini Marsh: present all month with max eight 6-Jun . Oddly no breeding activity noted.  

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: interestingly, one male ‘singing’ 1-Jun , with up to four present to 26-Jun . Akhna Dam: one 7-20 Jun .  

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 

Phasouri Reed-beds: 20 on 1-Jun , with up to 15 present 11-26-Jun . Akhna Dam: six 5-Jun .  

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  

Late migrants recorded to mid-month. Evretou Dam: one 2 & 11 Jun . Agia Varvara: one migrant still present 3-Jun . Aspro Pools: one 3-Jun. Akhna Dam: one 5-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: four 11-Jun , with up to three 26-27-Jun . Zakaki Pool: two 16-Jun .

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

Only reported at one site: Phasouri Reed-beds: six 3-5-Jun, up to four most visits to 27-Jun, with 11 counted 26-Jun .  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

Phasouri Reed-beds: a roosting colony of up to 55 birds present 1-11-Jun, with 17 counted 26-Jun. Oroklini Marsh: two 2-Jun, one remaining to 30-Jun . Asprokremnos Dam wall: one 3-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: 35 on 11-Jun, may have been part of same group from Phasouri Reed-beds .  

Great White Egret Egretta alba  

One record, three at Oroklini Marsh 20-Jun .  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Ones and twos reported Evretou Dam, Akhna Dam, Kannaviou Dam, Phinikas, Asprokremnos Dam wall and Akrotiri Salt Lake to mid month. Oroklini Marsh: max five 19-Jun, with one present to month end. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 26-Jun .  

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea  

Akhna Dam: four 5-Jun, one still present 20-Jun . Phinikas: one 10-Jun .  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 

Only present at Akrotiri Salt Lake, with counts of 1460 on 11-Jun and 1880 on 26-Jun . In June (exact date unknown) 23 nests with eggs were found, then the salt lake dried back and nests were abandoned  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Present, presumed breeding at 5 reported sites. Phasouri Reed-beds: pair walked quickly away from nest site (not found) in long grass 11-Jun, with 20 counted 26-Jun . Athalassa reservoir: four 19-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: one 21-22 Jun . Akhna Dam: three throughout June .

Garganey Anas querquedula 

Bred at Phasouri Reed-beds, with seven including six  1-week-old chicks discovered 1-Jun; two seen 3-5 Jun .  

Shoveler Anas clypeata   

Reported at Phasouri Reed Beds, with one 5-Jun and two 16-27 Jun .  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Breeding proven at Phasouri Reed-beds, the first record of nesting of  the species in Cyprus: nine including eight 2-week-old chicks 1-Jun, at least one ad. 11-Jun, 24 including fairly well-grown birds, in two separate family groups 26-Jun .  

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus  

Armou: one seen 2-Jun  and another, different, dark-phase bird 11-Jun .  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 

Very few sightings, probably of same birds: Ayios Ioannis feeding station: three 3-Jun , a young bird sitting on the cliffs for at least 4 hours 30-Jun . Kensington Cliffs: one 4-Jun . Salamiou: one 13-Jun . Panayia village: five 25-Jun .  

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus 

This bird still hanging on! Panayia village: one 25-Jun .  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 

A few late stragglers reported early month: Arminou dam area: one 5-Jun . Akhna Dam: one 5-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 6-Jun .  

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis  

Amargeti: one 5-Jun . Six nests checked at Paphos Forest, two had 2 chicks each, three nests had 3 chicks and the fourth had 4 chicks 11-Jun .  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 

Prodromi: one 6-Jun . Tsada golf club track: one 8-Jun .  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus   

Good numbers reported: Amargeti: one 5-Jun . Kritou Terra: pair 13-Jun . Panagia: two 20-Jun . Trachipedoula: one pair 21-Jun .  

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Asprokremnos(Phinikas): four, including three juveniles 13-Jun . Ineia: 10, possibly including juvs. were seen at 14-Jun . Koilinia: seven 30-Jun . Strovolos: a pair with hirundine prey 15-19 June . Paphos town centre: three, family group 20-Jun .  

Hobby Falco subbuteo 

Several interesting reports, suggesting a more widespread distribution of possible nest-prospecting birds. Paramali: one 1-Jun . Pano Panayia: one 1-Jun, one took House Martin 11-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: up to 3 hawking dragonflies 1-11 Jun. Kathikas: one 6-Jun . Salamiou: one 13-Jun . Kathikas: one 14-Jun .  

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae 

Phasouri Reed-beds: 10+ on 1-Jun , up to three 3-16 Jun . Kensington Cliffs: four 4-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 11-Jun  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus 

Baths of Aphrodite: one 12-Jun . Dora: two 26-Jun .  

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

All sightings follow: Arminou dam area: two 2-Jun . Paramali village: five 25-Jun . Armou-Tsada track: one 28-Jun . Koilinia: 64+ inc. juveniles 30-Jun. Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 on 24 Jun .  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

All records received: Lara: one fem. 11-Jun . Mandria: one fem. 11-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: one 11 & 27-Jun . Koilinia: one heard 30-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max. five 19 & 22 Jun .  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus   

Phasouri Reed-beds: one ad., 1 juv. 11-Jun, 2 juvs. 26-Jun . Zakaki Marsh: max. 10 on 26-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max 12 on 6 & 7 Jun . Smaller numbers Athalassa.  

Coot Fulica atra  

Zakaki Marsh: up to 20 all month. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to 20 all month, with 5 juvs present 26-Jun. Larnaca Sewage Works: the top site with 116 on 11-Jun . Athalassa: max. 50+ on 12-Jun . Akhna Dam: 11 including one on nest 20-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max. 60 on 4 Jun .  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: up to six  3-5 Jun , with up to three 11-26 Jun, with much anxious territorial behaviour . Zakaki Marsh: four 3-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 11-Jun, but a maximum 126 present 26-Jun, where many appeared to be nesting adjacent to the giant masts . Larnaca Sewage Works: seven with 3 juvs. 29-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max. 40 from 1-3 Jun .  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  

Interesting reports, possibly birds nest prospecting or summer wanderers: Larnaca Sewage Works: 11 on 11-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: two 27-Jun .  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 

Acheleia olive grove: elusive pair present 3-Jun .  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: 10 with juvs. 6-Jun, 20+ seen 26-Jun . Lady's Mile: eight 26-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: anxious pair 26-Jun .  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii   

Lady's Mile: one in non-breeding plumage 26-Jun .  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 11-28 Jun. Oroklini Marsh: max. 26 daily count 4 Jun, about three 2nd-broods, and amazingly a 3rd-brood being incubated . Akhna Dam: three present all June .  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Oroklini Marsh: two 2-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: c.60 on 25-Jun .  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Oroklini Marsh: one 1-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: one 11-Jun, two 26-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 12-28 Jun .  

Redshank Tringa totanus 

Larnaca Sewage Works one 25-Jun , was the month’s only record.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia 

Asprokremnos dam wall: one 14-Jun , was the only record.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Oroklini Marsh: one 19-Jun, with two present and one 20-21-Jun . Zakaki Marsh two 26-Jun  

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1-Jun . Aspro Pools: one 3-Jun .  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos   

Larnaca Sewage Works three 25-Jun , was the only record.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 27-Jun , probably over-summering.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 26 on 11-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 25-29 Jun .  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Summer is a good time to see this species in Larnaca. Larnaca Sewage Works: seven 25-Jun, up to four 26-29 Jun.  

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans michahellis

Asprokremnos dam (Phinikas): up to 15 from 10-13 Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 30 from 25-27 Jun . Lady's Mile: one adult 26-Jun .  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus   

Unusually the following reported (confirmation requested) Larnaca Sewage Works: 15 on 17-Jun and one 29-Jun , could be immature cachinnans.  

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1st-summer 1-Jun . Akrotiri Salt Lake: two 26-Jun .  

Common Tern Sterna hirundo  

Oroklini Marsh: two 3-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: two 6-29 Jun, including one on nest until 27 Jun .  

Little Tern Sterna albifrons  

Larnaca Sewage Works: five 11-Jun then 10 from 17-29 Jun .  

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 27-Jun , was the only report.  

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  

Larnaca Sewage Wks: one 2-Jun , the only report.  

Rock Dove Columba livia   

Pure birds becoming increasingly scarce.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 

Present widely.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  

Widely reported.  

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 

Persephone Trail, Troodos: one calling 5-Jun . Lara peninsula: two 14-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: two calling 19-Jun . Kritou Terra: two 20-Jun . Tsada golf club track: pair 22-24 Jun .  

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius   

Several juveniles appeared this month; Armou-Tsada Track: three juvs. chasing magpie parent 9-Jun . Lara hills: three juvs. 14-Jun . Lythrodontas: one 16-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 23-Jun . Paramali Village: one 25-Jun .  

Barn Owl Tyto alba   

Erimi Gardens Village: one 24-Jun . Koilinia: one sitting on a cliff 30-Jun .  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius  

All reports follow: Koilinia: three heard 19-Jun . Armou: one calling in daytime 25-Jun . Koilinia: eight, including 3 heard, and a family of 4 roosting in an olive tree 30-Jun . Marathounta: one seen and heard 4-17 Jun . Lythrodontas: two seen and heard all June . Kritou Terra: 3 pairs early June .  

Little Owl Athene noctua  

All reports: Kritou Terra: one 7-Jun . Koilinia: one 19 & 30-Jun . Akhna Dam: two 10-15 Jun .  

Swift Apus apus  

A ubiquitous species in summer. Maximum numbers follow: Troodos: large numbers flying around the summit, with up to 100 on 5 & 26-Jun . Asprokremnos dam wall: 60 on 14-Jun . Troodos 60 26-Jun . Koilinia: a flock of 60+ incl. many swifts and a few Alpine Swifts 30-Jun .  

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus   

Up to 20 over Troodos 5 & 26-Jun .  

Alpine Swift Apus melba  

Surprisingly few reports: Asprokremnos Pools and dam wall: one 3-Jun, six 14-Jun . Mandria: two 14-Jun .  

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 

A few interesting reports, mostly of summering stragglers. Ayia Ekaterina, Tala: one 2-Jun . Paphos Lighthouse: one heard 11-Jun . Strovolos: one heard at 6.00h on 22-Jun . Nicosia: one 25-Jun . Athalassa: one 26-Jun . Akamas area: up to three, including one juv. 24-29 Jun. Marathounta: one, probably same bird, flying over at 15.00h, 9 & 11 Jun. Lythrodontas: at least two pairs breeding, throughout June .  

Roller Coracias garrulus  

One or two pairs (presumably breeding) reported from Tsada, Armou, highway between Moni & Zygi, Stroumbi valley, Phinikas, Tseri, Ineia, Lara, Tsada golf club track, Episkopi (Paphos), Akhna Dam and Theletra. Six reported Tsada-Stroumbi valley 30-Jun  and 10 at Koilinia 30-Jun .  

Hoopoe Upupa epops 

All records follow: Ay. Dimitrianos: one 3-Jun . Pano Platres: one feeding young in nest hole in building 4-Jun . Pera Vasa: one pair 5-Jun . Akhna Dam: two 7 & 28 Jun . Ineia: one 14-Jun . Kannaviou Dam: one 15-Jun . Koilinia: two 19-Jun . Kritou Terra: up to two calling 12-20 Jun . Armou village school: pair feeding 25-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: one 26-Jun . Lythrodontas: two bred all month .  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Groups of up to six widely reported, Oroklini Marsh: up to 25 all month.  

Sand Martin Riparia riparia 

Aspro Pools: one 3-Jun .  

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 

Kannaviou Dam: two 15-Jun, four 24-Jun .  

Swallow Hirundo rustica  

Abundant. Noteworthy reports follow: Kannaviou Dam: five chicks in nest in tunnel; 5 eggs in other nest 2-Jun . Engomi, Nicosia: pair feeding young in nest in house veranda 2-Jun . Evretou Dam: 400+ at dusk 14-Jun . Tsada golf club track: 100 on 24-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max. 100 on 5 Jun .  

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica  

Very few reports, as follows: Agia Varvara ford: two 3-14 Jun . Stroumbi: two 23-Jun . Koilinia: six 30-Jun . Drouseia: one 19-Jun .  

House Martin Delichon urbicum 

Most birds dispersing and feeding over forests. Kannaviou Dam: c100 on 2-Jun, c1,500 in evening gathering on upstream face slab of dam daily from 27-Jun . Aspro Pools: six 3-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: only one 11-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 23-Jun . Giant Junipers, Troodos: 60 on 26-Jun . Up to five all month Oroklini Marsh.  

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg 

Prodromi stream: one male 3-Jun . Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-11 Jun . Oroklini Marsh: max. eight all month; two complete families fledged in June.  

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos  

Kato Platres: one singing 5-Jun .  

Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca 

Many reports of juveniles and nesting birds: Asprokremnos dam wall: pair + 3 juvs. 3-Jun . Tsada golf club track: two, incl. one singing ad. and one juv. 8-Jun . Pano Panayia: one feeding fledgling 11-Jun . Koilinia: total 14 incl. juveniles 19-Jun . Kalo Chorio Ornis, Nicosia: pair nest-building, laid 2 eggs 24-26 Jun, nest abandoned 24-Jun. Panayia village: 10 nests recorded at Vouni Panayia 25-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track two juvs. 28-Jun . Lythrodontas: two ‘bred’ in June .  

Blackbird Turdus merula 

Troodos: one singing 5-Jun . Platres: one female 23-Jun .  

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti   

Reported at Kannaviou Dam, Pera Vasa and Tsada golf club track. Assumed this species is widespread and thus under-reported.  

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis  

Common and widespread, although birds very quiet at this time of year. Reported from Kannaviou Dam, Phasouri Reed-beds, Tsada golf club track and Oroklini Marsh.  

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus   

Following reports are probably all of breeding birds: Phasouri Reed-beds: heard 11-Jun, six many singing 26-Jun . Akrotiri lake reed-beds: four 2 juvs. 26-Jun . Zakaki Marsh: two juvs. begging 26-Jun  

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida 

Kannaviou Dam: two 2-Jun . Avgas Gorge: three 14-Jun . Koilinia: six 30-Jun . Athalassa: up to 4 heard 12-19 Jun . Lythrodontas two all June . Single birds also reported from Oroklini Marsh, Akrotiri reed-beds and Phasouri Reed-beds.  

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata  

All reports: Tsada golf club track: up to five incl. 2 pairs 8-22 Jun . Oroklini Marsh: six 22 Jun, was maximum daily count .  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 

Only two reports, as most birds are silent and skulking in mid summer. Lara: two 14-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: two 28-Jun .  

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax  

These were the only reports received: Aspro Pools: two 3-Jun . Tsada golf club track: eight juvs. 22-Jun . Marathounta: five pairs counted in 15 minute walk around village 27-Jun .  

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  

Kerynas cliffs (Ayios Ioannis vulture feeding station): one 30-Jun , probable breeding site.  

Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes  

Giant Junipers, Troodos: 10 very approachable birds 26-Jun .  

Great Tit Parus major aphrodite  

Also reported.  

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae  

Persephone Trail, Troodos: one 5-Jun . Giant Junipers, Troodos: four 26-Jun .  

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator  

2km. east of Lara: one 4-Jun . 2km south Smygies: two 9-Jun .  

Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 

Kelefos Bridge, Arminou dam: one 5-Jun . Giant Junipers: two 26-Jun . Kerynas cliffs (vulture station): one 30-Jun . Koilinia: one 30-Jun .  

Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri 

Pera Vasa: two 5-Jun . Troodos village square: two 5-Jun . Platres: one 23-Jun . Giant Junipers, Troodos: three 26-Jun .  

Magpie Pica pica  

Also commonly reported.  

Jackdaw Corvus monedula 

Asprokremnos: 60+ at cliff colony near Phinikas 10-Jun . Akhna Dam: c.180 on 10-Jun . Avgas Gorge: 50 on 14-Jun .  

Hooded Crow Corvus corone  

Widely reported.  

House Sparrow Passer domesticus 

Widely reported.  

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis  

Akrotiri Salt Lake aerials: two 26-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: six 28-Jun . Koilinia: 43 on 30-Jun .  

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  

All reports, more often heard in forest than seen at this time of year!: Pera Vasa: heard 5-Jun. Persephone Trail, Troodos heard 5-Jun. Giant Junipers: four 26-Jun  

Serin Serinus serinus 

All reports: Pera Vasa: one 5-Jun. Agia Nikolaos: two 5-Jun .  

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 

Not widespread, but locally common in wooded areas: Akrotiri aerials area: two 5-Jun . Oroklini Marsh: two 7 &  26-Jun . Phasouri Reed-beds: two 16-Jun . Kannaviou Dam: four 17-Jun . Akrotiri reed-beds: six 26-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: three 26-Jun . Koilinia: four 30-Jun . Lythrodontas: two all June .  

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 

Groups of up to 10 widely reported. Koilinia: 17 on 30-Jun .  

Linnet Carduelis cannabina 

Kannaviou Dam: five 16-Jun . Koilinia: six 19-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: five 19-Jun, one carrying nest material 28-Jun .  

Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia  

Agia Nikolaos: two males, in different territories 5-Jun . Lythrodontas: two all June .  

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala  

Kannaviou Dam: two 2-Jun, one 16-Jun, 1f + 2juv. 21-Jun, one 24-Jun . Armou-Tsada Track: one male 2-Jun . Episkopi: three males 5-Jun, three including one female 17-Jun . Koilinia: 3m, 3f on 19-Jun . Omodos: one singing 26-Jun .  

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra   

Kannaviou Dam: up to five 3-16 Jun . Asprokremnos dam wall: four 3-Jun . Arminou dam: four 5-Jun . Episkopi: three juvs. 17-Jun . Koilinia: 20+ incl. juveniles 19-Jun .

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