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Systematic
List for April 2006 The following list contains records
that have not been corrected or corroborated. Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
Reported from four sites only. Akhna Dam: one 11-Apr. Larnaca
Sewage Works: two 8-10 Apr, with one until at least 24-Apr. Phasouri
Reed-beds: one 5-6 Apr. Vrysoulles Pools: two 26-Apr. Cory’s Shearwater
Calonectris diomedea
Paphos: one flying south 7-Apr, was a good sighting. Levantine (Yelkouan’s)
Shearwater Puffinus
Yelkouan Mandria: three flying north 7-Apr.Baths of Aphrodite: one
800m offshore 18-Apr. Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Most winter visitors have long
departed, so these birds were very late. Akhna Dam: one 1-10 Apr. Arminou Dam: one 14-Apr. Athalassa: one 7-Apr.
Lady’s Mile: one imm. 10-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 25-Apr, three
2-Apr. Mandria: 14 flying west 12-Apr, was unusual. Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis All records. Avdimou:
10 on 27-Apr. Lady’s Mile: one 1-Apr. Mandria: up to four on rocky
islets 6-26 Apr. Kensington Cliffs: up to 13 most visits 5-30 Apr.
Healthy numbers in Karpasia: Ayios Filonas: two 15-Apr. Big Bittern
Botaurus stellaris
Phasouri Reed-beds: one present 17-26 Apr. Sotira Pools: one
20-21 Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one feeding in the open 5-Apr. Little Bittern
Ixobrychus minutus
All records follow: The first of
the season was at Mazotos
Marsh, with two 7-Apr. Aspro Pools: one male from 14-Apr, two 19-Apr, up
to two 26-28 Apr. Evretou Dam: one ringed 25-Apr. Ezousas stream,
Episkopi: one 26-Apr. Kato Paphos: one 14-Apr. Koilinia: one at the
Xeros Potamos 16-Apr. Limassol: two near harbour 25-Apr. Samara: one
28-Apr. Sotira Pools: one 15 & 21-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one 25-Apr.
Akhna Dam, with one 26-Apr. Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Good passage all month, with max.
numbers noted here:
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Fairly restricted to only two or
three sites, with many others occurring on migration. Breeding at Fresh
Water Lakes, with 60, including 34 occupied nests 2-Apr; at least 50
birds noted 15-Apr. Akhna Dam: four 5-Apr, one 26-Apr. Aspro Pools: up
to two 8-26 Apr. Blue Sea Hotel: seven 16-Apr. Cape Drepanum: one 7-Apr.
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Reported all month with greatest
numbers: Mandria:
seven 4-Apr. Agia Thekla: 11 on 8-Apr. Agios Georgios: 13 on 4-Apr, 27
on 8-Apr, nine 14-Apr. Akhna Dam: six 26-Apr. Arminou Dam: nine 9-Apr.
Phinikas, Aspro Dam: 14 on 15-Apr. Aspro Pools: eight 9-Apr, 11 on
17-Apr. Avdimou: nine 8-Apr. Great White Egret
Egretta alba All records follow: Athalassa:
one 2-Apr. Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Not a common, but a steady
migrant, with mostly ones and twos passing through all month, with
slight peak 3-4 Apr. Largest numbers as follows: Asprokremnos Dam: three 3-Apr. Kathikas: eight flying north
3-Apr. Ayios Nikolaos: eight moving north at 17.45 on 4-Apr. Mandria:
seven 4-Apr. Bogazi (Bogaz): 13 circling overhead 8-Apr. Akrotiri Gravel
Pits: 15 on 12-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: five 5-Apr, four 16-Apr.
Phinikas: six 19-Apr. Akhna Dam: six 26-Apr. Avdimou: six heading east
27-Apr. Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
465 birds reported, with many
substantial groups noted migrating. Sotira Pools: c40 on 1-Apr. Agios Georgios: 13 flying north
6-Apr, 52 on 18-Apr. Akhna Dam: 35 on 23-Apr, six 26-Apr. Phasouri
Reed-beds: 24 on 6-Apr, six 8-Apr, c45 on 25-Apr, 15 on 27-Apr, eight in
the area 10-Apr. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: five 6-Apr. Aspro Pools: 10 on
8-Apr, c20 flying north over dam wall 15-Apr. Black Stork
Ciconia nigra Eight birds reported. Asprokremnos
Dam area: one 2-Apr. Akamas SE: three heading NW when suddenly whiffled
as Bonneli's Eagle appeared diving 17-Apr. Phasouri: one 23-Apr. White Stork Ciconia ciconia Only 3 flying birds seen, during 2
days in the east. Apostolos
Andreas: one in flight 16-Apr. Mazotos, over motorway: two 17-Apr. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Large numbers passed through, more
than most heron species, and usually in large groups, as follows: Acheleia:
eight 11-Apr. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Zakaki marsh: two 7-Apr, moving between there and Lady’s
Mile until last seen 15-Apr. [One with coloured ring, was ringed as
juvenile In Romania on 1 June 2004.] Paphos: 17 seen in flock at dusk
24-Apr. Paphos Headland: five 26-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 26-Apr. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber This species still present in relatively small numbers
compared to previous years. Agia Thekla: c120 coasting east 8-Apr was
the only report away from the 2 salt lakes. Up to 26 birds were at Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea Lady's Mile: one 5-Apr, was the only report. Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna Wigeon
Anas penelope
Larnaca Sewage Works: 1 ‘pair’ was present 1-12 Apr, with
three 8-Apr and one remaining to 13-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: a
‘pair’ were present 1-Apr. Gadwall
Anas strepera
Only seen at Phasouri Reed-beds, with up to two from 5-Apr,
with six 8-Apr and two drakes 17-Apr. Teal
Anas crecca
Aspro Pools: 1m present 1-23 Apr. Asprokremnos Dam, Phinikas:
up to five present 3-19 Apr. Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Larnaca Sewage Works: unusual build-up of numbers throughout
month, with c50 on 2-Apr, 79 on 13 & 23 Apr and 101 on 16-Apr.
Otherwise up to 10 at other sites. Pintail
Anas acuta
Noted passage early to mid-Apr with 12 at Paphos Headland:
7-Apr and ones and twos at Aspro Pools, Asprokremnos Dam, Fresh Water
Lakes (Agios Loukas), Phasouri Reed-beds and Zakaki Marsh to 17-Apr.
Spiros Pool: four 22-28 Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: a max. of on 28-Apr,
when last seen. Garganey Anas querquedula After a slow start, migration
finally became very evident, with an unprecedented
5,500 (estimated) flying west and resting offshore Mandria on 4-Apr,
1500 resting on the sea off Kensington Cliffs, before flying west 5-Apr
and other verbal reports of substantial inshore movement throughout the
week along the south-west coast. Phasouri Reed-beds: c40 on 5-6-Apr.
Mandria: 40 flew north 7-Apr. Paphos Headland: 150+ passed in the
evening in three groups 10-Apr Curium: c70 offshore on 15-Apr. Up to 20
birds reported at these sites and other suitable habitats in south until
about 28-Apr. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: 20 on 12-Apr. Fresh Water Lakes (Agios
Loukas): c10 on 15-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 16 from 10-24 Apr.
Mandria: 17 flying west 17-Apr. Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 max 16 &
22-Apr. Shoveler Anas clypeata All migrants evacuated by
mid-month with only a few non-breeders and opportunists remaining. Larnaca
Sewage Works: c200 still present 2-Apr, c40 on 8-Apr, 21 on 16-Apr, 12,
including 2 males displaying 23-Apr and seven on 28-Apr. Oroklini Marsh:
25 on 1-Apr, six 3-Apr, one remaining to 20-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: 30+
on 5-Apr, eight 8-Apr, two 16-30 Apr. Mandria: 13 flew west 7-Apr. Ferruginous Duck
Aythya nyroca
Only at Phasouri
Reed-beds, where at least five birds appeared to be resident:
observations vary, but best count was 5 drakes and 1 female 8-Apr,
although it turned out there were two females when on 28-Apr, breeding
had occurred - 12, including 1 female with 8 chicks & 1 female with
2 chicks 28-Apr. This follows on from last year’s breeding success. Honey
Buzzard Pernis apivorus
Aspro Pools: one 8-Apr, was the
only report.
Black Kite Milvus migrans Active migration was observed at Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus
Still a desperate situation for
this species. Up to five birds present at Kensington Cliffs 1-8 Apr,
including one bird sitting on nest from at least 5-Apr to month end.
Presumably same population, several with yellow wing tags, seen at Arminou:
two 9-Apr, three 19-Apr, one 25-Apr, two 27-Apr. Dhiarizos: two 14-Apr.
Monagri: one 30-Mar. Pissouri: one 6-Apr. Black Vulture
Aegypius monachus
The lone bird spend the early part
of the month at Kensington Cliffs, last seen there 12-Apr, also at Arminou
9-Apr and 25-Apr and Dhiarizos on 14-Apr. Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Still healthy numbers present all
month, with maximum numbers as follows: Argaka-Evretou area: 10 heading north 3-Apr. Aspro Pools: two
5-7 Apr. Ayios Filonas: three 15-Apr. Karpas - Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Adult males reported at Blue
Sea Hotel (Chelones) 1-Apr, Xeros Potamos 7-Apr, Agia Napa Sewage Works
23-Apr and Anarita 30-Mar. Single
females and immature males, reported all month at
Agios Georgios, Armou Hills, Aspro Mast, Asprokremnos Dam,
Pallid Harrier
Circus macrourus
Migrants reliably reported to mid
month, mostly single adults, including many handsome males. Montagu’s Harrier
Circus pygargus A few early in month, becoming
more common from mid-month – several ‘pairs’ noted migrating. Mandria:
one 1st-summer bird 4-Apr, was the first reliable report. Akrotiri Salt
lake: one adult male flying west 5-Apr. Ayios Filonas: two males 15-Apr.
Evretou Dam: one ad. male and ad. female migrating together 17-Apr.
Kivisili Fields: one pair 21-Apr. Makounta: pair 16-Apr. Many singles
also reported. Unidentified
ring-tail harriers Blue Sea Hotel (Chelones): one 1-Apr. Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis Nata ford: one flying over the river 10-Apr. Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus All records: Anarita:
one 30-Mar, is carried over from last month. Evretou: two 3-Apr. Agios
Minas: one 4-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one 5-Apr. Paphos Sewage Plant: one
8-Apr. Akhna area: one 9-Apr. Mamonia/Paphos: one 10-Apr. Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Trimiklini: one 1-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1-17 Apr.
Smyies: one 2-Apr. Aspro Pools: one 4-18 Apr. Kouklia Reed-bed: one
5-Apr. Steppe Buzzard B. b. vulpinus
Aspro Pools: two probable 4-Apr, one 29-Apr. Phasouri
Reed-beds: one probable 5-Apr. Armou Hills: one 20-Apr. Apostolos
Andreas: three 16-Apr. Klidhes islands: five 16-Apr. Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus There was interesting report of 12
birds at Pissouri
on 6-Apr, suggesting passage. Two at Phasouri Reed-beds on 17-Apr, may
also have been migrants. Otherwise all birds appeared to be resident and
on territory as follows: Acheleia: one late report 30-Mar. Arminou: two
4 & 9-Apr and an adult carrying nesting material 9-Apr. Armou &
Tsada Hills: one present most days 12-26-Apr. Episkopi-Nata: one 3-Apr.
Giolou & Theletra area: up to two seen several occasions 4-29 Apr.
Pentalia & Trachypedoula: up to two seen regularly 6-25-Apr.
Drouseia: pair displaying 13-Apr. Buzzard spp. Smyies: eight groups of 3 and 5 moving NE 22-Apr. Eastern Imperial Eagle
Aquila heliaca
One seen near Paramali tunnel, on Paphos/Limassol
highway 12-Apr, is a very interesting report and more details awaited. Bonelli’s Eagle
Hieraaetus fasciatus
Marathounta: one adult over 2-Apr. Theletra: one 4-Apr.
Episkopi, Paphos: pair flying in formation 11-Apr. Akamas SE: one
stooping on three black storks 17-Apr. Kalopanayiotis Dam: one 21-Apr.
Evretou: one 25-Apr. Akourdhalia: pair and two juvs in nest 26-Apr. Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Lesser Kestrel
Falco naumanni
Quite a few interesting reports this spring: Kivisili Fields:
c5 2 & 29 Apr. Souskiou: one 5-Apr. Up to 10 were over the fields
near Choletria until 11-Apr, then at Anarita Park at least six -
possibly 17 on 14-Apr and 12 on 18-Apr – were reported until 24-Apr
(though some were possibly misidentified Common Kestrel). Mazotos: four
25-Apr. Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Very common resident, with many
reported nesting, without details. Red-footed Falcon
Falco vespertinus
Migrants reported from mid-month. Goudhi:
one female 13-Apr. Mandria: one female 17-Apr, two males 26-Apr.
Paralimni Merlin
Falco columbarius
Akhna Dam: one female 22-Apr Hobby
Falco subbuteo
Phasouri Reed-beds: one present on several dates 3-27 Apr.
Kathikas: one adult flying north over 8-Apr. Agios Minas: one 18-Apr. Eleonora’s Falcon
Falco eleonorae First reported at Phasouri Reed-beds with three 3-Apr and up
to two to 16-Apr. Kensington Cliffs: four 4-Apr, increasing to 15 by
30-Apr, with mating displays noted. Choletria: one 11-Apr. Curium: one
dark phase 13-Apr. Aspro Dam shallow end: two dark phase birds 15-Apr.
Avdimou: eight 27-Apr. Agios Minas: two 29-Apr. Saker
Falco cherrug
Platres: one adult flew north 30-Mar. Alakati: one believed
to be this species, mobbed on cliff by Blue Rock Thrushes. 2-Apr. Peregrine
Falco peregrinus
The big talking point of the month
was an odd individual at Aspro Pools from 13-Apr, present to at least
23-Apr. Its features reminded some observers of Lanner, who initially
claimed it as such, but this was not substantiated and discussions
continue. Many
other birds reported including singles at Cape Greco Sea Caves 1, 10
& 27-Apr, Marathounta 2-Apr, Pissouri 6-Apr, Samara 28-Apr, Xeros
Potamos Valley 8-Apr, Agia Napa Sewage Works 8-Apr, Choletria 11-Apr,
Aphrodite Trail on 14-Apr Kerynas cliffs 16-Apr, Klidhes islands 16-Apr,
Koilinia 30-Apr, Meneou Pools 21-Apr and Nata Ford 13-Apr. A
well-watched pair were present at Kensington Cliffs all month and a pair
was reported at Phinikas 13-Apr. Two were on migration at Apostolos
Andreas 16-Apr . Chukar
Alectoris chukar Small numbers, usually pairs, were
widely reported, presumably nesting. No large flocks seen. Black Francolin
Francolinus francolinus
This bird was much in evidence,
with their loud calls stimulating many reports. Numbers seem to be
increasing steadily since a decline in the 1970s, even in the east.
Interesting reports follow: Akhna
Dam: one calling 10 & 26-Apr. Apostolos Andreas: six 16-Apr. Ayios
Filonas: two 15-Apr. Ayios Nikolaos: four calling 4-Apr. Big Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Over 35 birds reported, many seen
as follows. Max. numbers: Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus
Aspro Pools: one 7-8, 17 and 26-Apr. Spotted Crake
Porzana porzana
Sotira Pools: two 1-Apr, one to 5-Apr. Akhna Dam: one 27-Apr.
Evretou Dam South: one 30-Apr. Little Crake
Porzana parva
It was a good month to see this
species and most people enjoyed good views, especially at Aspro pools. Akhna
Dam: six 27-Apr. Aspro Pools: at least two birds, males and females were
present from 3-29 Apr; four seen 5-Apr, five 8-Apr, three 9-19 Apr, one
fem. to 29-Apr.Evretou Dam: male and female 19-Apr, one 26-Apr.
Germasogeia Dam: one male 19-Apr. Oroklini Marsh: at least one 2-28 Apr,
two 22 & 27-Apr and three 8-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: at least two
from 1-Apr, five 12-Apr, two 14-16 Apr, four 17-Apr. Sotira Pools: 1
female 15-22 Apr. Emba: one feeding under unused shopping trolleys in
Chlorokas Papantoniou's car park 18-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one male 5-Apr,
one fem. 6-Apr. Baillon’s Crake
Porzana pusilla
Evretou Dam: one and 8 & 9 Apr, was a good discovery.
Another there 19-Apr awaits assessment. Corncrake
Crex crex
Evretou Dam: one heard only 18-Apr. Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Ubiquitous and widespread
resident, with up to nine at Akhna Dam, up to seven Aspro Pools, Athalassa and Evretou Dam, up to 15
at Agios Loukas Fresh Water Lakes, up to six Kannaviou Dam and Mazotos
Marsh, up to 12 at Oroklini Marsh and up to eight at Phasouri Reed-beds.
Coot
Fulica atra
Very common, and as most winter
visitors departed, a healthy resident breeding population remained:
Akhna Dam: max. 88 on 10-Apr, with 31 on 26-Apr. Athalassa: 44 and 2
chicks 22-Apr. Evretou Dam: 23 on 26-Apr. Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
This migrant and summer breeding
visitor was noted at 18 sites. Max. numbers: Akhna Dam: up to 19 from 2-10 Apr, with only three on
26-Apr. Aspro Pools: up to seven 17-19 Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
Larnaca Sewage Works: three 9-Apr. Agia Stone Curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus Kathikas: 1 or 2 heard in evening on 1 & 6 Apr.
Rizokarpaso: two 2-Apr. Larnaca Airport Pools (North &
South): two 2-Apr, seven 16-Apr. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one calling
3-Apr. Cream-coloured Courser
Cursorius cursor
A couple of good discoveries by Dave Nye and Robert Peel: one
seen at Paphos Lighthouse 9-11 & 15 Apr and at Paphos Sewage Plant
on 14-Apr, may, however, refer to the same bird moving between sites. Collared Pratincole
Glareola pratincola Strangely scarce this spring. Mandria: c10 on 8-Apr, three
14-Apr, two offshore
continued eastward 15-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: 14 on 14-Apr, c30 on
22-Apr. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 19-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one 17-Apr.
Larnaca: 50 on 22-Apr. Black-winged Pratincole
Glareola nordmanni
Phasouri Reed-beds: at least three 24-Apr, would require
confirmation to rule out G. pratincola. Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius Commonly reported. One or two
pairs present at Akhna
Dam 11-26 Apr, Akrotiri Gravel Pits 5-Apr,
Phinikas (Asprokremnos Dam) 1-11 Apr with seven there 3-Apr,
Oroklini Marsh 1-21 Apr and Paphos Sewage Plant 3-29 Apr; singles also
noted throughout the month at Evretou Dam, Mandria, Mazotos, Spiros
Pool, Vrysoulles Pools and Zakaki Marsh. Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Akhna Dam: one 26-Apr. Kentish Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus Up to 10 each at Akrotiri
Gravel Pits, Greater Sand Plover
Charadrius leschenaultii
Tomb of the Kings: one ad. 8-Apr. Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Spur-winged Plover
Vanellus spinosus
Oroklini Marsh: present all month, with max. 15 from 22-28
Apr; First incubation on 1-Apr, juvs. on 29-Apr, plus another. possible
8 nests. Paphos Sewage Plant: six - possibly 3 pairs - all month,
including copulation by one pair 19-Apr. Akhna Dam: up to seven 10-26
Apr. Sanderling
Calidris alba
Lady's Mile: two 5-Apr, one 8 & 21-Apr. Little Stint Calidris minuta Large numbers reported this month,
with birds clearly on the move through Temminck’s Stint
Calidris temminckii
All records of this interesting
little species follow: Agia
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Lady's Mile: six 16-27-Apr. Dunlin
Calidris alpina
This species, abundant within its European range is strangely
scarce here. Most birds passed through in the first half of the month.
Meneou Pools: three 2-Apr. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 3-Apr. Meneou Pools:
one 8-17 Apr, with two 10-Apr. Phinikas: one 6-Apr. Lady's Mile: six
6-Apr, eight 16-21-Apr. Agios Georgios: one 12 & 14-Apr. Mazotos
Marsh: one 16-Apr. Broad-billed Sandpiper
Limicola falcinellus
Spiros Pool: one from 18-29 Apr, was a good sighting. Ruff
Philomachus pugnax
Very common and widespread
throughout the month. Max. numbers follow: Akhna Dam: 201 on 26-Apr. Evretou dam: max. 25 on 26-Apr.
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimus
Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 23-Apr. Evretou Dam: one 31-Mar
(late report), one ringed 12-Apr. Sotira Pools: one 3-Apr. Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Akhna Dam: one 2-25 Apr, with two 10 & 26-Apr. Evretou
Dam: two ringed 19-Apr, four 28-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 22-Apr.
Oroklini Marsh: two 8-Apr, with three on other dates. Paphos Sewage
Plant: two 4-24 Apr, with three 26-Apr. Sotira Pools: three 1-Apr.
Sotira Pools: two 27-Apr. Great Snipe
Gallinago media
A few of this tricky species were
well identified. Phasouri
Reed-beds: one 6 & 26-Apr. Akhna Dam: one 25-Apr. Evretou Dam: one
16-Apr, one female trapped & ringed 28-Apr, still present 30-Apr.
Paphos Sewage Plant: one reported 29-Apr. Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica
Spiros Pool: three (1 breeding, 2 non-breeding plumage)
25-Apr, accepted as the 17th record. Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus Mandria: one 15-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Pools beach: one 16-Apr.
Paphos Headland: one from 1-Apr, with two 12-Apr and three 15-Apr.
Spiros Beach: two 2-Apr, one 16-Apr. Curlew
Numenius arquata
Akrotiri Gravel Pits: one 12-Apr. Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropus
Akhna Dam: two 10-Apr, one 26-Apr. Evretou: one 3-30 Apr.
Lady's Mile: up to 15 on 16 & 26-Apr, is a high number and will need
confirming. Phinikas: one 13-Apr. Redshank
Tringa totanus
This ubiquitous species of
northern Europe is rather scarce in Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis
Medium passage all month with
distinct peak between 7-18 Apr and more common in east. Max. numbers
reported: Agia Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Reported all month with peak in
the first half. Greatest numbers: Akhna Dam: five 7-Apr. Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
Small numbers all month, with max.
numbers: Agia Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
A noticeable peak in passage from
mid-month in east and late month in west. Mazotos Marsh: 18 on 16-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: 26 on
17-Apr, eight 25-Apr, six 28-Apr. Paphos Sewage Plant: 12 on 19-Apr, 18
on 24-Apr, 27 on 26-Apr, c20 on 29-Apr. Agia Napa Sewage Works: 21 on
27-Apr. Akhna Dam: 27 on 26-Apr. Evretou Dam: seven 26-Apr, 22 on
28-Apr, 20 on 30-Apr. Meneou Pools: seven 26-Apr. Oroklini Marsh: 12 on
24-25 Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: 30+ on 25-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: 15 on
30-Apr. Terek Sandpiper
Xenus cinereus
This rarity turned up at Larnaca Sewage Works: one 16-Apr,
was accepted as the 16th record. Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos Mostly singles reported all month.
Noteworthy records follow: Akhna Dam: four 2-Apr. Akhna Dam: three 26-Apr. Athalassa:
two 22-Apr. Athalassa: two 9-Apr. Blue Sea Hotel: three 16-Apr. Evretou:
two 25-28 Apr. Kannaviou Dam: two 27-Apr. Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
All records follow: Lady’s Mile: one 6-Apr. Larnaca Sewage
Works: two 2-Apr, one 25-30 Apr. Paphos Headland: six 3-7 Apr. Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus One was at Meneou
Pools: 2-13 Apr. Spiros Pool: three 26-Apr. Great Black-headed Gull
Larus ichthyaetus
This almost annual rarity appeared twice, but didn’t
linger. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1st-Spring on 7-Apr. Mandria beach:
one 3rd-Winter on 19-Apr. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Lachi: one 1st-W on 2-Apr. Paphos: one 1st-W flew north
9-Apr. Little Gull Larus minutus
Larnaca Sewage Works: two 26-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: one
17-Apr. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus A few odd non-breeding birds
reported, plus 19 at Larnaca
Airport Pools on 16-Apr. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Bathing flock of c100 on Larnaca Airport Pools (N) on 2-Apr,
declined rapidly to four 16-28-Apr. Baths of Aphrodite: one adult
offshore 2-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: numbers fluctuated from 11 on
9-Apr to c20 on 26-Apr. Larnaca Salt lake: four 9-Apr, two 27-Apr.
Oroklini Marsh: eight 20-Apr. Paphos Headland: 100+ flew north 7-Apr, 17
flew north 9-Apr, 16 on 7-Apr, six 19-Apr. Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii
Ayios Filonas: four 15-Apr. Blue Sea Hotel: pair copulating
16-Apr, still present 17-Apr. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (includes Baltic Gull and Siberian
Gull). Baltic Gull L. f. fuscus
Phinikas: one ad. 6-Apr. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one flying NE
with 6 michahellis 4-Apr. Siberian Gull L.
f. heuglini Kensington Cliffs: one 5-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: two
adults 9-Apr. Yellow-legged Gull Larus c. michahellis Very commonly reported, with large
numbers at colonies of Caspian Gull L.c.cachinnans
Larnaca Sewage Works: c50 on 2-Apr, 35 on 8-Apr, were
probably this form. Zakaki Marsh : c3 out of a bigger group appeared to
be imm cachinnans 10-Apr. Armenian Gull Larus armenicus The following individuals were judged to be of this species
(in spite of their presence being rather late in the season): Phinikas:
two 6-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 7-Apr. Larnaca Sewage Works: nine,
including immatures, 8-Apr, with at least one present 2-14 Gull spp. Aspro Dam North-east (Phinikas): 104 birds including several
possible Armenian Gulls, but distance made positive ID difficult 10-Apr. Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Larnaca Sewage Works: one 26-Apr. Mandria: one 7-Apr. Paphos
Headland: at least three 15-Apr. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 16-18 Apr, two
23-Apr and seven 27-Apr. Zakaki Marsh: one 6-Apr, three 10-Apr. Common Tern Sterna hirundo At least two were seen at |