Systematic List for August 2006  

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

Little Grebes were reported at nine sites, the largest population being at the Larnaca Sewage Works where numbers appeared to be building up from about 75 on the 2nd, to 141 on the 23rd, while a survey of the Ayios Loucas (Fresh Water) Lake on the 18th, turned up 82 birds. Significant numbers were also found at the Phasouri Reed-beds, with less than 10 elsewhere. Single Black-necked Grebes were at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 5th and 20th, although this may refer to the same elusive bird. Three Cory’s Shearwaters and a Yelkouan’s Shearwater were spotted during a seawatch off Lachi on the 20th, while five unseasonal Cormorants were sighted off Pomos on the 27th. Small numbers of Shags were seen lounging on rocks off Mandria, Paphos harbour and Petra tou Romiou, with up to 12 at Kensington Cliffs at least from 15-28th. Three Little Bitterns were at Zakaki Marsh on the 1st, with up to two from the 6th and one was at Athalassa Lake on the 27th. Good numbers of Night Herons were reported, especially at Athalassa, with 13 there on the 20th and eight on 27th, while 47 passed Cape Greco heading south on the 28th. A few were reported at Phasouri Reed-beds, with peaks of two on the 10th, nine on 26th and three on 31st, while at Zakaki Marsh up to two were present from the 26th - 31st and five were at Bishop’s Pool on the 30th. Usually scarce in autumn, single Squacco Herons were at Akhna Dam, Ayia Napa Sewage Works, Dhiarizos Valley , Phasouri Reed-beds and Zakaki Marsh, with at least two at  Phasouri on the 10th and five at Ayios Loucas Lake on the 18th. NWC noted a regular movement of Cattle Egrets passing over Ayios Nikolaos at sunset from mid-month, with up to 72 on 16th & 18th, up to 39 from 21st – 25th, 47 on the 26th and 22 on the 30th.  Ones and twos were at other sites with up to five at Phasouri Reed-beds on 10th & 15th and one to month end. Numbers of Little Egrets peaked at 44 at Ayios Loucas Lake on the 17th, with 10 at Akhna Dam on the 27th and c30 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31st, though less than 10 were reported at other times and at other places. A Great White Egret seemed to take up residence after first appearing at Zakaki Marsh on the 26th, where it remained well into September. There were no great counts of Grey Herons yet off the Akamas, with less than 10 being normal at several wetland sites, and one Purple Heron at Zakaki Marsh on the 10th was, oddly, the only report of a species which can occur in large migrating flocks along the Akamas peninsula in August. Glossy Ibis, as expected were seen in good numbers this month, with peaks of three at Akhna Dam on the 27th, eight at Larnaca Sewage Works 16th, 32 passing Lachi on the 20th and 41 on the 22nd, up to four at Phasouri Reed-beds from the 13th and two at Zakaki Marsh on 28th. With both the main salt lakes being dry, Greater Flamingos were only seen on passage, including a peak of 50 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 5th and c30 on the 20th with smaller numbers at other times, 12 passing Lachi on the 16th and five flying over the Phasouri Reed-beds 31st. Of migrant ducks, Teal started appearing from the 7th when the first arrived at Phasouri Reed-beds, after which numbers there built up to around 40 by 28th. Less than 10 were also seen from mid-month at Ayios Loucas Lake , Athalassa, Akhna Dam and Larnaca Sewage Works. The more interesting long-distance migrant, Garganey was seen passing Lachi, with 35 on 20th, 150 on the 22nd and c200 on the 26th. It was also seen at onshore pools, though in small numbers, with up to two at Akhna Dam from 5th – 11th, up to four at Aspro Pools on 21st and 31st, five at Evretou Dam 15th – 29th, eight at Ayios Loucas Lake 18th  and up to 22 at Phasouri Reed-beds from the 10th. Shoveler also arrived; largest numbers were at the Larnaca Sewage Works, with 58 on the 16th rising to 74 on the 23rd. Six Ferruginous Ducks were on show at the Phasouri Reed-beds on 1st, with up to three most other dates.

                One of the biggest events of autumn is the passage of Honey Buzzards, and migration tentatively started in August , with single birds at Phasouri Reed-beds on the 10th & 18th and one at Armou on the 25th. The maximum number of Griffon Vultures was at Tunnel Beach, Episkopi, with four on the 10th, while up to three could be found on Kensington Cliffs most of the month. The Black Vulture was present at the cliffs on the 10th. Single Marsh Harriers could be seen at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2nd, Phasouri Reed-beds from the 10th, with two on the 21st and three on the 23rd. One was at Bishop’s Pool on the 31st. A juvenile Pallid Harrier was at the Phasouri Reed-beds for several days from the 28th and single stunning male Montagu’s Harriers were at Larnaca Sewage Works on 20th, Akrotiri Salt Lake on 26th (juv.), Ayia Napa Sewage Works 29th, Tsada Golf Cub track (male) on the 29th and Phasouri Reed-beds on 31st. Goshawks are always elusive, so it was good to receive several reports, including singles at Selemani on 2nd & 12th, Kalo Chorio on the 20th and two likely candidates at Troodos on the 23rd. Of buzzards, a Common Buzzard was seen at Armou on the 19th, with three at Akhna Dam on the 21st and three, not identified to species, seen from the highway at Aradippou on the 31st. Single Steppe Buzzards were seen at Akhna Dam on the 30th and at the Phasouri Reed-beds on the 10th. Up to two Long-legged Buzzards were seen all month during most visits to the upper Ezousas River Valley and near the Tsada golf course, while singles were seen at Marathounta on the 1st, the Paphos sewage Plant on the 27th, the Aspro Pools on the 21st & 31st, the Dhiarizos Valley and Evretou Dam on the 29th and Pentalia on the 31st. A significant eight were seen on the 10km drive between Tsada, Stroumbi and Polemi on the 29th. Bonelli’s Eagles were well-represented in the west, with an adult pair seen most afternoons in the Ezousas Valley, near Episkopi, and single immatures at Pissouri on the 15th and Stroumbi on the 29th. A male Lesser Kestrel was at Pissouri on the 15th, while six early Red-footed Falcons were reported on the 18th at the Asprokremmos Dam and another in the Ezousas Valley on the same day. One was also seen on the Tsada Hills on the 19th. Single Hobbys were seen at the Ezousas Valley , Larnaca Sewage Works, Troodos and the Paphos Sewage Plant, with up to two regularly at Phasouri Reed-beds from the 16th to the end of the month.  Up to 12 Eleonora’s Falcons were seen most days at Kensington Cliffs, with fewer regularly seen over the Akrotiri Salt Lake , Phasouri Reed-beds and Bishop’s Pool. Singles were seen at Pissouri on the 15th and at the Asprokremmos Dam on the 17th. Single (probably migrating) Peregrines were reported at Akhna Dam on the 5th & 17th, Aspro Pools on the 14th and Tsada Hills on the 29th. Two were at Cape Greco on the 27th and one of the resident pair were at Kensington Cliffs on the 15th.

                Lots of large parties of Chukar were seen, including 26 at Akhna Dam on the 5th, 80 at Phasouri Reed-beds on the 15th, 36 at Armou on the 19th and 10 at Evretou on the 29th. Proving rather elusive Black Francolin were not widely seen, but one or two did show at Akrotiri and Phasouri from 13th – 23rd including one in song at the Curium fish ponds on the 15th, two were in the Dhiarizos Valley on 29th and a maximum of three were at Oroklini on the 22nd. Up to two Water Rails were calling at the Phasouri Reed-beds 10th and 21st and one juv. was seen on 26th, an interesting record. A young Little Crake was also at the Phasouri Reed-beds on the 28th. It was reassuring that Demoiselle Crane arrived right on schedule, with the first report being four at Akrotiri Salt Lake on 23rd. This was followed by 33 on our crane-watch field trip at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the morning of 26th, 160 flying over the Ezousas Valley on the afternoon of the 27th, 75+ over Kamares, Paphos on the 30th, 45 at Akrotiri Salt Lake on the 30th and 118 there on the morning of the 31st.

                There were several good reports of Black-winged Stilt, including peaks of 10 at Akhna Dam on the 31st, 21 at Ayios Loukas Lake 18th, 61 at Larnaca Sewage Works 23rd and eight at Phasouri Reed-beds on the 18th. Of Stone Curlew, 17 were at Acheleia on the 21st, one at Oroklini Marsh 17th and one calling at Ayios Nikolaos on 9th & 25th. There were 12 records of Collared Pratincoles, the most interesting being 29 at Akhna Dam on the 8th, 13 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2nd and six at Bishop’s Pool on 31st. A juvenile remained at the Phasouri Reed-beds from the 21st to end of the month. At Akhna Dam the number of Little Ringed Plovers peaked at 22 on the 2nd, with 20 on 17th declining to seven on the 31st., while at Phasouri Reed-beds up to four were present from the 7th, with a maximum six at Paphos Sewage Plant on the 27th. Ones and twos were also reported at the Larnaca Sewage Works, Fresh Water Lake and Evretou Dam. One or two Ringed Plovers were seen from mid-month at Lady’s Mile, Paphos Sewage Plant and Larnaca Sewage Works, with six at Akhna Dam on the 30th and four at Phasouri Reed-beds on 31st. Kentish Plovers were regular at Akhna Dam and the Larnaca Sewage Works with a maximum 45 at Lady’s Mile pools on the 28th. Two Greater Sand Plovers were on Paphos Headland all month with three there on the 6th, while elsewhere up to two were at Lady’s Mile from 13th – 28th and two were at Akrotiri Gravel Pits on 31st. A Golden Plover was on Paphos Headland on 27th and a Grey Plover was at Larnaca Sewage Works on 5th, and were the only reports of these two plovers. All month, up to 12 Spur-winged Plovers were at Akhna Dam, with up to four at Larnaca Sewage Works, 16 at Oroklini Marsh, one at Phasouri Reed-beds, one at Zakaki Marsh and six at the Paphos Sewage Plant. Two Lapwings were at the Paphos Sewage Plant from 21st, while Little Stints were found at most suitable wetlands, with up to 40 at Akhna Dam and up to 30 at Lady’s Mile all month, peaks of 84 at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 2nd, 10 at Zakaki Marsh on 30th and eight at Phasouri Reed-beds on 28th. The more interesting Temminck’s Stint was only reported from three sites, with up to two at Akhna Dam most of the month, peaking at six on 5th, one at Phasouri Reed-beds 13th - 15th and one at Evretou Dam on the 29th. Curlew Sandpipers were seen at three sites for most of August, with up to three at Akhna Dam 8-31st, up to four at the Larnaca Sewage Works 1-15th and two at Phasouri Reed-beds 7-13th. Up to four Dunlin were at Lady’s Mile 13-15th, up to three at the Larnaca Sewage Works 2-20th, one at Phasouri Reed-beds 7-13th and one at Akhna Dam on 31st and one of the star birds of the month was a Broad-billed Sandpiper at Akhna Dam from 30-31st. Ruff were commonly seen, with up to 10 at a number of sites including the Phasouri Reed-beds, Larnaca Sewage Works and Akhna Dam, while Snipe started to appear from the 5th with two at Akhna Dam, followed by singles at Phasouri Reed-beds and Zakaki Marsh on 7th. A Black-tailed Godwit at Akhna Dam on the 30th was the month’s only report. Three Whimbrel were at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 23rd and four passed Paphos Headland on the 27th, while Curlews were even more scarce with only singles at Phasouri Reed-beds on 15th and 23rd. Single Spotted Redshanks were at Larnaca Sewage Works on the 1st and at Ayios Loukas (Fresh Water) Lake on the 18th, while up to seven Redshanks were at Larnaca Sewage Works, Phasouri Reed-beds and Fresh Water Lake throughout the month. Marsh Sandpipers and Greenshanks were seen all month at their favoured sites, Akhna Dam, Fresh Water Lake , Phasouri Reed-beds and Larnaca Sewage Works. Green Sandpipers passed through steadily all month, with peaks of 17 at Akhna Dam on 11th, three at Aspro Pools on 21st and five at Phasouri Reed-beds 13th. A similar situation with Wood Sandpiper, which was only seen at four sites, with max. 21 at Akhna Dam on 30th, nine at Fresh Water Lake on 18th, up to three at Larnaca Sewage Works 2-23rd and up to five at Phasouri Reed-beds from 7th - 31st. Common Sandpiper was reported widely, all month, with peaks of nine at Akhna Dam on the 11th, nine at Fresh Water Lake on the 18th, eight at Larnaca Sewage Works the 15th and seven at Paphos Headland 27th. Single Turnstones were at the Larnaca Sewage Works 2nd - 23rd and up to four were at Paphos Headland 9th - 27th. A Red-necked Phalarope was a good find, feeding amongst the 24 Slender-billed Gulls at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 31st. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was also at Larnaca Sewage Works pools from 16-23rd, while the American Franklin’s Gull, at the sewage works from the end of July, was last reported on the 5th, before it moved on. At Cape Greco there was one Audouin’s Gull on the 23rd and a very respectable 12 there on the 25th. An early Baltic Gull was reported at the Larnaca Sewage Works on the 13th & 16th, while the sewage works was the only place to see Gull-billed Tern during August, with an adult and a juv. present 1st – 16th. Up to five Common Terns, including at least 2 juvs, were still present at the Larnaca Sewage Works until 8th, with two remaining until the 23rd, when they were last reported, while up to 10 Little Terns remained there until the 8th, two to the 18th and one until the 23rd. Up to eight Whiskered Terns were at the Larnaca Sewage Works all month, up to four at Zakaki Marsh and a maximum of three at Akhna Dam on the 30th, while the more common White-winged Black Tern was present all month at the Larnaca Sewage Works peaking at c10 on the 1st and seven on the 2nd, while up to two were at Akhna Dam on the 2nd & 7th and one at the Ayia Napa sewage Works on the 25th. Black Terns were only seen at Akhna Dam, with one juv. on 10th and the Larnaca Sewage Works with up to two 1st – 23rd and four on the 6th.

                Of doves, Turtle Dove were still widely reported all month, mostly in the west, with maximums of five at the Asprokremmos Dam 17th, three in the Dhiarizos Valley on the 29th & 30th, up to nine in the Ezousas Valley 2-18th, 15 at Kalo Khorio all month and ones and twos at Akrotiri, Phasouri Reed-beds, Aspro Pools, Bishop’s Pool, the Akamas Peninsula and Selemani.  A Great Spotted Cuckoo was found drowned in the Chairman’s pool on the 2nd, which is oddly the only August report so I wonder how it got there! A Common Cuckoo was seen at the Ayia Napa Sewage Works on the 25th. Three species of owl were reported: single Barn Owls were seen at Paphos Airport on the 7th, the Kallepia – Polemi road on the 8th and at Phasouri Reed-beds on the 13th, while Scops Owls were at the English School Nicosia on the 1st and at Erimi Gardens on the 23rd. The more common Little Owl was seen at Asprokremmos Dam, Ayios Nikolaos, Kamares and Lara Beach. MC reports seeing one or two Nightjars every evening at Kalo Khorio, while the only other report was of one at Selemani on 13th. Up to 10 Pallid Swifts were seen at Troodos from the 8th - 23rd and two were at the Phasouri Reed-beds on the 10th. Alpine Swifts were on the move particularly from mid-month when 51 were counted at Kensington Cliffs on the 15th. Otherwise groups of up to eight were seen at Phasouri Reed-beds most days, at Giolou and Evretou 24-29th and at Avdimou on the 29th. One of the most common species in August was Kingfisher, with 38 records consisting of 83 birds, mostly seen at coastal locations, feeding on rocky shorelines and breakwaters and at perennial marshes and lakes from the first days of the month. The most noteworthy sightings were up to three at Akhna Dam from the 10th, seven at the Dhiarizos Valley 29th, up to four at Paphos Headland 6th - 12th, up to three from the 10th, but at least six at the Phasouri Reed-beds on 28th and up to four at Zakaki Marsh from 10th – 31st. The two female Pied Kingfishers remained at Akhna Dam throughout the month, even participating in a hole-nesting ritual and another was seen perched in front of one of the goat farms at the Phasouri Reed-beds on the 10th. Up to 18 juvenile Bee-eaters were feeding and roosting in the Ezousas River Valley , near Episkopi from 2nd – 18th and six were at Athalassa on the 10th. The first migrants passed over very high and were heard only, at Tsada on 25th, Akrotiri and Kalo Khorio on the 26th and Ayios Nikolaos on the 30th, with the first sighting being 10 at Phasouri Reed-beds  on the 31st.  Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, one was reported at the Akrotiri Info Centre on 31st. Rollers were in short supply this month, with up to two at Armou until 25th, one near Phasouri Reed-beds 18th – 21st, one at Ayia Napa Sewage Works 25-28th, one at Athalassa 27th and one at Ayios Nikolaos on 30th. By contrast, there was a good showing of Hoopoes, with over 30 seen all over the island, mostly in ones and twos, including at Troodos. Up to two early Short-toed Larks were at Evretou Dam from 24-30th and four Woodlarks were at a nature trail near Troodos on the 14th. The first Sand Martin of autumn was at Akhna Dam on the 11th, but they were hard to find, until they finally arrived in numbers on the 31st, with 10+ at Akhna Dam and 20 at the Phasouri Reed-beds. A visiting birder was lucky being the only person to find Crag Martin, when he saw four at Troodos on the 14th and eight somewhere ‘between Paphos and Troodos’ on the 19th. Most reports of Swallow were of less than 20 birds, although 200+ at Spiros Pool on the 8th and c200 Akhna Dam on the 10th suggests significant migration, while Red-rumped Swallows were flocking all month, with peaks of up to 35 in the Ezousas Valley from 2nd – 18th, 32 at Kato Arodes on 24th, 16 at Kiti Dam on the 20th, c30 at Tsada Hills and c30 at Troodos on 30th. House Martins were seen in massive numbers, with literally 1000+ in the sky over the Troodos forest and Mount Olympus from 8th - 30th and c200 over the Tsada foothills from 2nd – 25th as just two examples. A Blue-headed Wagtail at Akhna Dam on the 5th, followed by 16 on the 10 saw the spearhead of Yellow Wagtail passage through Cyprus, with dozens arriving at favoured sites by the end of the month, including 28 at Akhna Dam 17th, 32 at Phasouri Reed-beds 21st, 74 at the Paphos Sewage Plant on 21st and 18 at Evretou Dam on the 24th. Meanwhile Grey-headed Wagtails arrived in the fourth week, with two at Evretou Dam on 24th, the first of the season, with 15 present at the Paphos Sewage Plant on 27th and up to 10 at Evretou Dam by 29th. A few Black-headed Wagtails, less than five and probably breeding birds, were seen at Phasouri Reed-beds and Akhna Dam all month. At least one, seen by CR & DW at Evretou Dam from 24th – 30th may have been lutea. One Citrine Wagtail was at Akhna Dam from 30th – 31st. Elusive as ever, Wrens were reported at Oros Sina and Troodos, with c5 at Livadhi tou Pasha on 23rd and three at Ayios Nicolaos – Kakopetria on 22nd, though it is suspected most may have been reported on voice only! A Rufous Bush Chat, was in a garden at Archangelos, Nicosia , which stayed for only an hour on the 21st. The season’s first, and the month’s only Whinchats were two at Neo Chorio on 20th and one at Cape Drepanum on the 31st. Isabelline Wheatears started passing through in August, with three at the Larnaca Sewage Works from the 20th, one at Neo Chorio on the 20th, two on the Tsada golf course track on the 25th and one at Paralimni on the 31st. There were 32 records of Cyprus Wheatears, comprising 140 birds, including 21 in the Smygies area on the 20th and 30 seen from Platres to the Dhiarizos Valley on the 30th.

One Blackbird was reported, at Livadhi tou Pasha on the 23rd, and one Savi’s Warbler was seen at the Phasouri Reed-beds on the 21st. A few migrant Sedge Warblers were found at wetland reed beds, including one at the Aspro Pools on the 14th, three at Phasouri Reed-beds 15th, one at Zakaki Marsh on 16th and one at Akhna Dam on the 30th. Two or three Reed Warblers were present throughout the month, at Akhna Dam, Phasouri Reed-beds, Zakaki Marsh and the Ezousas Valley near the Episkopi Weir. The larger Great Reed Warbler was seen from mid-month, mostly singles, at Phasouri Reed-beds, Aspro Pools and Zakaki Marsh, with up to five at Phasouri from the 26th – 28th, while one Icterine Warbler was found in the Dhiarizos Valley on the 29th. Spectacled Warblers were only reported from Cape Greco , Oroklini Marsh, Monastery of the Cats Akrotiri and the Tsada and Armou Hills. The most healthy population was near Tsada with up to eight seen on most visits to the hills. Sardinian Warblers were common in the Paphos and Akamas areas and western areas, plus one on the Artemis Trail, Mt. Olympus on the 17th, while Cyprus Warblers needed some determined searching in places away from their strongholds in the west, around Paphos and the foothills, where up to four were seen regularly in the Ezousas Valley, Aspro Dam and the Tsada Hills. The largest number and probably a record, was 68 reported in the Dhiarizos Valley on the 29th by MM. Up to two were at Kalo Khorio all month and one was at Mandria, near Platres on the 30th. Single Orphean Warblers were at Pissouri on the 15th and Ayia Napa Sewage Pools on the 27th, while, around four, of an even more scarce migrant, Barred Warbler were found at the Ayia Napa sewage Pools on the 27th. There was a little flurry of Lesser Whitethroats on the 27th, with single birds turning up at the Ezousas Valley, Ayia Napa Sewage Pools and Paralimni, whereas single Common Whitethroats at Troodos on the 23rd, Cape Greco on the 29th and Akhna Dam on the 30th were eclipsed by a count of c15 at the Ayia Napa Sewage Pools on the 27th. An early Blackcap was at Akhna Dam on the 5th, although more did not appear until the end of the month, with five at Ayios Nicolaos-Kakopetria and two at Oros Sina on the 22nd then a trickle of singles to month end. The first returning Willow Warbler arrived to feed on the fennel grass on the Tsada track on the 15-17th, with more arriving in other locations from the 22nd, with 15 in the Stavros tis Psokas valley, near Evretou and 31 in the Dhiarizos Valley on 29th. A Spotted Flycatcher at Armou on the 10th was the first migrant, while family parties were found in the forests around Troodos from mid-month, with the largest being 11 on the Artemis Trail on the 13th and up to 10 in the Troodos area 23rd & 30th. There were a further seven birds seen in a number of locations from 18th to the end of the month. Coal Tits were seen in forest habitat on the Artemis Trail, Caledonia Falls , Selemani, Platres and Kalo Khorio. The first Golden Oriole of autumn and the only report, was at Agios Georgios in the Dhiarizos Valley on the 30th. There were 45 Red-backed Shrikes reported in August, a common migrant, with the earliest being three at Akhna Dam on the 2nd, and the most noteworthy, four in the Akamas on the 24th and three in the Ezousas Valley on the 27th. Even more common was Lesser Grey Shrike, with 72 birds seen, starting the month with one at Akhna Dam on the 10th and one at the St. Nicolas Monastery of the Cats, Akrotiri on the same date. The largest numbers seen were three at Episkopi on the 15th, 11 at Ayia Napa Sewage Pools on the 25th, with six there on 28th and six at the Paphos Sewage Plant on the 27th. A solitary Woodchat Shrike was seen at Smygies on the 16th. The most common shrike, during their peak migration month, was Masked Shrike, with 159 birds reported. The most noteworthy of these were four juvs. at Tsada track on 2nd, nine there 7th & 19th, seven on 9th, five in Armou on 10th and 14 in the Dhiarizos Valley on 29th. Jay  was well-represented too with ones and twos seen at Platres, Troodos and Prodromos, plus three at Selemani on 25th and seven between Ayios Nicolaos and Kakopetria on the 22nd. Magpies, Jackdaws and Hooded Crows were seen in good numbers with no exceptional counts reported. Always scarcely seen, it was good to receive a couple of Raven reports, with three at Mount Olympus on 19th and one at Livadhi tou Pasha on the 23rd. Amongst the more exciting discoveries were single immature Rose-coloured Starlings at Phasouri Reed-beds on the 15th and at the St. Nicolas Monastery of the Cats on the 16th. Spanish Sparrows were locally abundant, with the highest numbers, 66 at Akhna Dam on 5th and c600 at Armou from 14th – 20th, while Chaffinch was common in the forest; the most was 15 reported between Ayios Nicolaos and Kakopetria on the 22nd. Serins were localised too, with only three reports: five between Ayios Nicolaos and Kakopetria on 22nd, two at Mandria (Platres) on 30th and up to 10 birds daily at Kalo Khorio all month. Other finches Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Linnet were ubiquitous and fairly widely reported, usually in flocks of over 20, even Greenfinch which seems to be occurring in ever-increasing numbers. Crossbill was described as ‘common’ in Troodos on the 8th, although was often elusive to others, with only up to five seen there 14th & 23rd. Single Ortolan Buntings were at Neo Chorio/Smygies on 22nd, Evretou Dam on 24th, Akhna Dam on the 30th and the Dhiarizos Valley on the 30th, while Cretzschmar’s Buntings were a little more common with eight reports of up to 17 birds, including up to four daily at Kalo Khorio, one at Aspro Pools 3rd, up to two at Episkopi weir most days from 7th, one in Stavros tis Psokas valley on 29th and six in the Dhiarizos Valley on the 29th. Corn Buntings were restricted only to the shallow end of two dams, with up to nine at Evretou Dam south 24th & 29th and up to 43 on dead tamarisk branches at the receding end of Akhna Dam from 5th to month end.

Also reported: Mallard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Crested Lark, Cetti’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Great Tit, Short-toed Tree-creeper and House Sparrow.

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