Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Numbers declining to late month as birds depart to unknown localities. Akhna Dam: eight 2-19-Dec, nine 26-Dec. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: c60 on 9-Dec, 51 on 23-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 20 on 4-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): max. 17 on 6-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: max 38 on 4-Dec, declining to three by 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. 12 (date not provided), with four 4-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: up to 22 from 8-30-Dec. Smaller numbers Aspro Pools. Paphos Sewage Plant, Mandria canal, Moni Quarry pool, Kannaviou Dam and Bishop's Pool.  

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus 

Only reported from three sites: Akhna Dam: one 2-29-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam nr. Phinikas: one 2-26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 8-9-Dec, only.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  Numbers down on previous years: Akhna Dam: one 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to four 4-16-Dec, eight 29-Dec, with ‘up to seven’ at other times. Spiros Beach: one inshore 28-Dec.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo  

Noteworthy reports follow: Akhna Dam: up to five all month, very small numbers compared to previous years. Bishop's Pool: 46 on 8-Dec. Lady's Mile: 130 offshore, around the Fish Farm pens 8-Dec, 50 on 16-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 45 on 10-Dec, 59 on 4-Dec, 84 on 21-Dec. Smaller numbers also reported. 

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Up to six each, reported Kensington Cliffs, Potamos Liopetri area, Mandria, Petra tou Romiou and Tunnel Beach. Spiros Beach buoys: up to c10 all month.  

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 2-4-Dec, one remaining 5-29-Dec. 

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax   

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-Dec, was an interesting report.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis  

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 26-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): up to 164 on 6 & 20-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to five to 17-Dec, with c15 on 10-Dec.  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 6-Dec. Potamos Liopetri area: two 9-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: three 3-Dec.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

A good spread of winter visitors reported. Max. numbers follow: Akhna Dam: max. six 14-Dec. Lady's Mile: 18 offshore, around the fish farm pens 8-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. seven 4-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: max. 27 on 30-Dec. One or two at several other locations.  

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia  

Only seen at two sites: Akhna Dam: three 11-16-Dec, one 26-29-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 29-Dec.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber  

Numbers declining rapidly, with birds dispersing to unusual locations, as salt lakes dry out. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 1180 on 11-Dec, c1200 on 14-Dec. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: 32 on 10-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): max. 69 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 105 on 2-Dec,  65 still present 21-Dec. Larnaca sewage works: max. c45 arrived at dusk 6-Dec, 12 still present 8-Dec. Meneou Pools: four 10-Dec, one with broken wing 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. c200 on 12-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two deep in the marsh 19-Dec. Lady’s Mile: one juvenile 30-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: seven 30-Dec.  

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons 

Only one flock seen, at Larnaca Sewage Works, with 10 to 10-Dec and 15 present to month end.  

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna   

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 248 counted 11-Dec, c140 on 14-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: c70 on 6-Dec, 117 4-Dec, max. 222 on 16-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 50 most days, 2-21-Dec, with up to six to month end. Larnaca Sewage Works: 287 8-Dec. Meneou Pools: up to 50 from 10-29-Dec, may be same birds as seen at Larnaca Sewage Works. Oroklini Marsh: one 24-Dec, two 26-Dec.  

Wigeon Anas penelope  

Rather localised wintering duck, with most at Larnaca Sewage Works. Asprokremmos Dam, nr Phinikas: nine 2-Dec, c18 on 26-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec, six 14-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): three 6-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): eight 21-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 2-Dec, building up to 78 on 4-Dec and 65 on 21-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: two 8-Dec.  

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Aspro pools: one 8-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three seen most days from 8-Dec, with six 11-Dec, and 17 on 17-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 6-Dec, three 20-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 29-Dec, max. eight to month end.  

Teal Anas crecca  

Seen at a dozen sites, with max. 21 at Akhna Dam 29-Dec, nine Aspro pools 2-Dec, four Ayia Napa Sewage Works 23-Dec, 15 Bishop's Pool 8-Dec, 12 Evretou Dam 13-Dec, c13 at Phinikas: 26-Dec, 108 Fresh Water Lake (South) 6-Dec, 219 at Larnaca Sewage Works 24-Dec (AT), 290 Oroklini Marsh 4-Dec, c200 Phasouri Reed-beds 11-Dec and 12 Zakaki Marsh 30-Dec. 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Max. numbers: Akhna Dam: 19 on 26-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam-Phinikas: c57 on 2-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 14 on 6-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: 12 on 5-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 216 on 29-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: 10 on 4-Dec.  

Pintail Anas acuta  

Fresh Water Lake (South): two 6-Dec, five 20-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): two 4-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: four 21-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: four 4-Dec, one 11-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: max. 21 on 8-Dec, 14 on 14-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: four 16-Dec, one 30-Dec.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

Max. numbers as follows: Ayia Napa Sewage Works: 23 on 23-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 17 on 20-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 14 on 21-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 383 on 4-Dec, 72 on 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max 200 on 23-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: 52 on 8-Dec, 42 on 19-Dec. Smaller groups also reported.  

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 

One of the interesting birds of the month. One female was at Aspro Pools 8-23-Dec.  

Pochard Aythya ferina  

Asprokremmos dam nr. Phinikas: two 24-Dec. Bishop's Pool: four 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: variable numbers, with 14 on 2-Dec, 22 on 4-Dec and four 16-29-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: two 4-8-Dec, nine 26-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 8-Dec.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

One ♀ at Larnaca Sewage Works 9-Dec, was an interesting report and large numbers were at Phasouri Reed Beds: at least seven from 4-Dec, with 18 on 11-Dec (CR, AWG) and 21 on 16-Dec.  

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula  

Phasouri Reed Beds: one 17-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 30-Dec.  

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator  

Potamos Liopetri mouth: three were first reported 5-Dec, with four there from 6-Dec to month end.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 

Kensington Cliffs: at least four daily, with seven 7-Dec, 11 on 1-Dec. Souni: three 3-Dec, seven 7-Dec.  

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus  

Kensington Cliffs: the single bird only seen 14-Dec.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Singles widely reported in suitable habitat, including at Akhna Dam, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Larnaca Sewage Works and Oroklini Marsh. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three most days 4-26 Dec, with four 8 &10-Dec. Aspro Pools: one oddly spotted juv. remained until 9-Dec, when the lower settlement beds were emptied and bulldozed to remove reeds.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  

Single female/juvs. reported all month at Akhna Dam, Armou, Aspro Pools, Ayios Nikolaos, Kouklia, Larnaca Sewage Works, Mandria, Oroklini Marsh, Phasouri Reed-beds and Tsada Hills. Two in Xeros Potamos (Nata area) 23-Dec.  

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis  

Selemani: one 15-Dec.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

khna Dam: one 19-Dec. Aspro Pools: two hunting together at dam wall 31-Dec. Bishop's Pool: one 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 6-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works surrounding fields: one 16 & 26-Dec. Pera: one 31-Dec.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

Fairly localised winter visitor. Akhna Dam: one 11-26-Dec. Aspro Pools: one 5-31-Dec. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 11-Dec. Cape Greco: one 28-Dec. Agia Varvara South: one 1-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 6-Dec. Goudhi: one 31-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-21-Dec. Mandria: one 31-Dec. Mandria canal: one 22-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 1-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 4-Dec, with one most visits 14-17-Dec. Pyla: one 13-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 30-Dec.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Only found in the west, with most, if not all, records pertaining to resident birds. Agros: one 3-Dec. Acheleia Dam Valley: one attacking lone possibly sick gull 9-Dec. Armou Hills: two 13-Dec. Evretou Dam South: one 13-Dec. Marathounta: one 22-Dec. Pentalia: one 3-Dec. Pissouri: one over highway junct. 29-Dec. Tsada: one seen most days 6-21-Dec, with two 10-Dec. Vasa: one 17-Dec. Akamas NE: one 10-Dec. Vouni Panagias: one 23-Dec.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Aspro Pools: one juv. 7 & 23-Dec. Phasoula/A.Yeoryios: two ads. 15-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one with Common Buzzard 16-Dec, was interesting. Selemani: one 16-Dec, pair 29-Dec. Trachypedoula: two ads. 29-Dec.  

COMMON Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Widely seen, with no unusual numbers reported.  

Merlin Falco columbarius   

Larnaca Sewage Works, surrounding fields: one 8-Dec.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus   

Asprokremmos Dam Pool: one juv. 7-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-Dec, one juv. calidus race 26-Dec. Mandria: one male 7-31-Dec.Oroklini Marsh: one 18-22-Dec. Pano Platres: one 3-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Largest coveys of 10-15 birds together reported at Akhna Dam 19 & 26-Dec, Armou Hills 8-Dec, Ayios Nikolaos 21-Dec, Kerynas cliffs 23-Dec, Larnaca Airport Pools (North) 16 & 21-Dec and Selemani 28-Dec. Dramatic decrease reported at Oroklini Marsh, with only one reported 8-Dec.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

All reports of birds follow, none calling: Akhna Dam: one 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one male 16-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. two on many dates.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix  

A few unseasonal birds reported. Akhna Dam: one 13 & 16-Dec. Mandria: one was flushed from a vegetable field 24-Dec.  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 

It was a good month for the species. Aspro Dam Pools: up to two heard (though rarely seen) 4-26-Dec. Episkopi ford and weir, Ezousas River valley: three 1-Dec, two seen along river 5-Dec, one 9-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: at least two seen or heard 8-30-Dec, c4, including one seen, 14-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: two 8-Dec, one 30-Dec.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 

Akhna Dam: up to 10 all month. Aspro Pools: up to three all visits, then surprisingly 12 were in the open as pools were bulldozed 9-Dec. Bishop's Pool: 10 on 8-Dec. Episkopi Weir, Ezousas: five 5-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): max. 52 on 6-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: up to 10 all month. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 22 on 11-Dec, Zakaki Marsh: max. seven 8-Dec.  

Coot Fulica atra  

One of the most commonly reported species with highest counts as follows: Akhna Dam: 188 on 26-Dec, 262 on 11-Dec. Evretou Dam: 48 on 21-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: c76 on 14-Dec, c136 on 30-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 179 on 6-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 88 on 29-Dec, 161 on 4-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: 114 on 4-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: 354 on 8-Dec.  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: ­one 23-Dec (SC with A Kephalas). Meneou Pools: two 26-Dec – possibly same bird/s involved.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Acheleia olive grove: two 7-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam, nr. Phinikas: one in olive grove 24-Dec. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 14 on 4-Dec, eight 16-Dec, two 9-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools North: four 16-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 10-Dec.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Akhna Dam: up to two 11-13 Dec, one 26-Dec. Meneou Pools and beach: four all month. Larnaca Airport Pools north: seven 17-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: two 2-Dec, one 6-Dec. Potamos Liopetri: one 25-Dec.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Lady's Mile: 21 on 8-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (South): 101 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 65 on 16-Dec, max. 128 on 21-Dec. Meneou Pools: max. 47 on 4-Dec. Smaller numbers at other times and places.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii  

Kermia Beach: three 23-Dec, was the month’s only report.  

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 42 present on the golf course 9-31-Dec. Larnaca Airport fields south: 19 on 1-Dec, 12 on 4-Dec and 31 on 12-Dec. Mandria: up to 31 from 7-31-Dec. Paphos Headland: 46 on 15-Dec, 25 on 25-Dec.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola  

One was present at Spiros Beach 4-16-Dec.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus 

Present all month with 25 at Akhna Dam, six Avdellerou (pig farm), one Oroklini Marsh and four Paphos Sewage Plant. 26 at Fresh Water Lake (South) on 6-Dec and 66 there on 20-Dec  

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  

The species is wintering in healthy numbers this year. Noteworthy records follow: Akhna area: 48 on 26-Dec. Avgourou area: 25 moving northeast at 3-Dec. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): apparently present all month with 26 on 28-Dec and 41 on 9-Dec. Phinikas: up to 20 from 2-26-Dec. Larnaca Airport fields south: present all month, with 29 on 12-Dec and 21 on 28-Dec. Mandria: c20 on 5-Dec, 57 on 7-Dec, with c40 from 24-31-Dec. Phasouri Reed Beds: max. 15 on 17-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 on 3-Dec. Smaller numbers also reported.  

Sanderling Calidris alba  Larnaca Airport Pools (South): one 2-4-Dec and one at Larnaca Sewage Works 23-Dec.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Reported at 6 sites, mostly with up to five birds. Larnaca Airport Pools (South): 41 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 21 on 16-Dec, 12 from 17-21-Dec, c60 on 10-Dec. Meneou Pools: c100 from 2-4-Dec.  

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii  

Akhna Dam: two 26-Dec. Lady’s Mile: one 10-Dec.  

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea  

Normally very rare in winter, so this one seen at Lady’s Mile 10-Dec was unusual.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina   

Seen at 7 favoured sites. Akhna Dam: Lady’s Mile: max. 10 on 8-Dec, with up to two from mid-month and six 26-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 11 on 4-Dec, 30 on 16-Dec with four 17-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (South): 47 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: up to 45 from 4-16-Dec, three 21-Dec. Meneou Pools: max. c100 on 2-Dec. Up to eight at Oroklini Marsh. Fewer other sites. 

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus  

Oroklini Marsh: one 6-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 11-Dec.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago  

Up to three throughout the month at Anarita Park, Aspro Dam Pools, Phinikas, Episkopi Weir, Paphos Sewage Plant and Zakaki Marsh. Akhna Dam: at least three all month, with eight from 19-24-Dec, four to 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: up to two from 2-Dec to month end with 12 on 4-Dec and 4 on 17-Dec.Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three most visits, with max. five 8-Dec and seven 11-Dec.  

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 

Koilinia: one 23-Dec. Kornos: one flew across motorway 26-Dec.  

Curlew Numenius arquata  

Paphos lighthouse area: one 25-Dec. Larnaca Airport south and Spiros Beach area: up to 15 all month.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 25-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 18-21-Dec.  

common Redshank Tringa totanus  

Ones and twos Akhna Dam, Agia Thekla shore, Akrotiri Gravel pits and Lady’s Mile. Fresh Water Lake (South): four 6-Dec, five 20-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): up to 43 from 4-8-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: at least four all month with 19 on 2-Dec, 28 on 17-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. 10 from 1-3-Dec, with four 4-16-Dec.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia  

Oroklini Marsh: one 26-27-Dec, was the only report.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus  

Agia Varvara settling beds: one 29-Dec. Akhna Dam: one 5 & 14-Dec. Akhna Dam: one 14-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: one near Phinikas 24-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 7 & 25-Dec, two 4-Dec.  

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  

Phasouri Reed Beds: one 4-Dec, was the only report.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos   

Agia Thekla shore: one 25-Dec. Evretou Dam: one 21-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-Dec. Liopetri River area: one 9-Dec. Paphos Headland: one 8-15-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 16-Dec.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Lady’s Mile: one 10-17-Dec. Larnaca Seafront: four 26 Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: two 23-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 5-Dec.  

Little Gull Larus minutus  

Oroklini Marsh: one 19-Dec, was the only report.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  

Locally common, with most reported at Akrotiri and Larnaca. Lady's Mile: c300 on 8-Dec, c450 on 30-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 101 on 4-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 220 on 4-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. 200 on 5-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: 457 on 4-Dec.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Dhekelia power stn..: two 31-Dec. Potamos Liopetri: one 9-Dec.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Kermia Beach: two 23-Dec.  

Common Gull Larus canus  

Larnaca Seafront: one 1st-w 28-29 Dec. Lady’s Mile Mile: nine 30-Dec, unusually high numbers.  

HEUGLIN’S GULL Larus heuglini  

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 1-Dec, up to two 4-9-Dec. Lady’s Mile: eight 30-Dec, evidence required for such a high count.  

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis   

Acheleia Dam Valley: 300 flew over to new Paphos waste tip 9-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: 380+ on 2-Dec, with up to 300 most days on dam or flying over Aspro Pools all month. Larnaca Sewage Works: 88 not assigned to race 4-Dec, c100 on 6-Dec. Mandria bay (Timi Beach): up to 250 most days 4-24-Dec (AW, CR). smaller numbers other sites.  

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans   

Only reported at Larnaca. Larnaca Salt Lake: 31 on 21-Dec, up to c50 all month. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to c20 all month. Larnaca Seafront: c5 all month.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus   

Lady’s Mile: one 10 & 11-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to four 2-4-Dec. c100 reported all month along the Larnaca coast, more details sought.  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis  

Larnaca Seafront: up to eight all month, more details requested. Ormideia coast: one 9-Dec.  

Rock Dove Columba livia  

Very few genuine pure wild birds reported. Kerynas cliffs: 20+ on 23-Dec. Tunnel Beach: 12 on 14-Dec.  

Stock Dove Columba oenas  

This species is hard to identify and may be overlooked. Phasouri Reed-beds: eight flying over 19-Dec.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

Largest flocks seen: Akhna Dam: up to 90 on 14 & 19-Dec. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 151 on 11-Dec. Mandria: 750 on 4-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: 400 going to roost 4-Dec.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  

Noteworthy records: Acheleia: 30+ on 25-Dec. Akhna Dam: 23 on 26-Dec. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 26 on 31-Dec. Mandria: 35 on 4-Dec.