Systematic List for February 2006

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Resident birds reported: Up to 15 at Zakaki Marsh, up to 16 at Larnaca Sewage Works, 12 at Ayia Napa Sewage Works, c10 at Phasouri Reed-beds and max. eight at Oroklini Marsh. Up to three at many other sites.  

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 

Only reported at Akhna Dam with up to six 6-20 Feb.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 

Larnaca Sewage Works: counts mostly between  12-16, with max. 19 on 10-Feb, 27 on 13-Feb and 30 on 235-Feb. Akhna Dam: three 20-Feb, one 28-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 22-27 Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 27-Feb.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Max. numbers: Akhna Dam 35 6-Feb. Cape Pyla: seven 9-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 83 on 10-Feb. Akhna Dam: 75 on 20-Feb. Bishop's Pool: 14 on 22-Feb.  

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Only reported at Kensington Cliffs with max. 10  on 16-Feb, 11 on 22-Feb and at Mandria with three 20-Feb.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

One was noted at Mandria Canal 1-11 Feb and Aspro Pools 16-20 Feb, probably the same bird. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to four 3-Feb and up to eight 12-Feb to month end. Zakaki Marsh: two 12-Feb.  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

Ayios Nikolaos: two flying SW on 2-Feb. Ayia Thekla: one 4-Feb. Archangelos: one at pool near motorway 17-22 Feb. Strovolos: one over riverbed 25-Feb. Phasouri Reed Beds: two 27-Feb.  

Great White Egret Egretta alba 

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 14-27 Feb. Akhna Dam: one 18-28 Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 22-Feb, possibly same bird as at Phasouri Reed-beds. Athalassa dam: two 28-Feb.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 

Up to three Akhna Dam, Kannaviou Dam and Manglis Lake . Zakaki Marsh: max. 62 on 12-Feb, with 50+ normal most days from late month.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 

Larnaca Salt Lake: 97 on 2-Feb, c400 on 10-Feb and 158 on 25-Feb. No reliable counts at Akrotiri Salt Lake available.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 

Larnaca Sewage Works: 37 reported 2-25-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: two 6-Feb. Evretou Dam South: one 14-Feb.  

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 

Paralimni Lake : 13 on 21-Feb, was an interesting record.  

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Larnaca Salt Lake: rather variable numbers with 121 on 2-Feb, c18 from 6-10 Feb, 390 on 12-Feb, 46 on 13-Feb and 39 on 25-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 22 on 2-Feb. Akrotiri Salt Lake: max. 160+ on 22-Feb.  

Wigeon Anas penelope 

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 70 from 4-19 Feb, with 140 on 6-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one male 12-Feb, eight 22-Feb. Evretou Dam South: 15 on 14-Feb.  

Gadwall Anas strepera

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to eight from 2-Feb, 12 on 4-Feb, with nine 17-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 12-Feb, 13+ on 22-Feb and up to 26 from 23-27 Feb.  

Teal Anas crecca 

Akhna Dam: up to 18 from 6-20 Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 48 on 12-Feb, declining to c20 on 27-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: variable numbers reported with a max. 30 on 22-Feb. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: 14 flew in 22-Feb. Akrotiri Salt Lake : possibly c400 on 22-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: c150 on 1-Feb. Though no counts received, there were large numbers at Larnaca Sewage Works. Smaller numbers other sites.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 

Akhna Dam: max. 27 on 6-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 45 on 10-Feb, though no other counts received. Zakaki Marsh: 30 on 12-Feb, 90 on 22-Feb. Athalassa: 10+ on 19-26 Feb. Kannaviou Dam: five 21-Feb. Smaller numbers other sites.  

Pintail Anas acuta 

Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 15 on 2-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : max. 24 on 6-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: three 12-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: five 12-Feb, 15 on 22-Feb. Aspro Pools: two 16-Feb, one female 17-Feb.

Shoveler Anas clypeata 

Akhna Dam: 15 on 20-Feb, 31 on 20-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 300+ (not accurately counted all month) 10-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 160 on 22-Feb, 60 on 27-Feb. Athalassa: c10 on 19 & 26 Feb. Oroklini Marsh: 25 on 25-28 Feb. Less than 10 several other sites.  

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 

Larnaca Sewage Works: 2m, 1f on 2-Feb, one fem. 5-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 12-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb.  

Pochard Aythya ferina 

Larnaca Sewage Works: 12 on 2-Feb, declining to eight from 13-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: six 7-Feb, nine 12-Feb. Oroklini marshes: three 1-21-Feb. Bishop's Pool: three 22-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds six 22-Feb.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 

Phasouri Reed-beds: three most days from at least 12-Feb, with eight 22-Feb. Athalassa Dam: two 24-Feb.  

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 

Only seen at Larnaca Sewage Works, with a ‘pair’ present  2-13 Feb.  

Smew Mergus albellus   

This was a surprise find, being the 4th Cyprus record. Phasouri Reed-beds: one fem. first seen, though not recognised, 12-Feb, then three females 22-Feb (Waterfowl Count team), remaining to at least 24-Feb.  

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 

Akrotiri Salt Lake: three 18-Feb.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 

Souni: three 3-Feb. Kensington Cliffs: five 12-Feb, with up to four 13-22. Vretsia vulture cages, Ayias Ioannis: nine inside cages 15-Feb.  

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus 

Only seen at Kensington Cliffs, Episkopi with sightings on 16 and 22-23-Feb.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 

Phasouri Reed-beds: max. three 12-Feb, four 22-27 Feb. Zakaki Marsh: two 12-Feb, max. four 27-Feb. Ones and twos all month at Oroklini Marsh, Larnaca Sewage Works and Larnaca Salt Lake .  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 

Single females (and immatures) reported throughout the month at Ayios Nikolaos, Larnaca Sewage Works, Armou Hills, Larnaca Salt Lake , Tsada, Mandria, Episkopi, Zygi, Akhna Dam and Avgourou. One male at Koilinia 23-Feb.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 

Troodos: one 2-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos: one 14-Feb. Agios Theodorus: one 16-Feb. Armou Hills: one 17-Feb. Athalassa dam: one 28-Feb.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 

Many individuals, presumed wintering at Kouklia Reed-beds 1 & 22-Feb, Mandria 7-Feb, Emba 2-Feb, Neo Chorio 3-Feb, Acheleia 14-Feb, Pentalia 14-Feb, Ayia Napa Sewage Works 15-Feb, Aspro Pools 16-Feb, Xeros Potamos 20-Feb and Choirokoitia 21-Feb. Akhna Dam: up to two 6-18 Feb, Larnaca Salt Lake: one 6-13 Feb and later, probably same bird at Larnaca Sewage Works to 25-Feb with two on 17-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds up to two 12-22 Feb, with four 27-Feb.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus   

Seen regularly in Psathi, with single birds 6-10 Feb and a juv. 24-Feb and over Tsada Hills with one most days 10-19 Feb and three together on 19-Feb. Kantou Dam: one 1-Feb. Moni: one 5-Feb. Aspro Pools: one 6-Feb. Vrysoulles: one 10-Feb. Petra tou Romiou: one 12-Feb. Polemi: two 14-Feb.Kallepia: one 15-Feb. Armou Hills: two 26-Feb. Koilinia: two adults 26-Feb.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 22-23 Feb.  

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 

Commonly reported widely.  

Merlin Falco columbarius 

Agios Theodorus: one reported 20-Feb.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus 

Mandria: one still present 4-Feb, since December. Kensington Cliffs: up to two 12-16 Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : one 13-Feb. Aspro Pools: two 16-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 25-Feb.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar 

Groups of up to 10 widely reported.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus 

Calling from mid-month at Ayios Nikolaos, Paphos Headland, Akhna Dam, Xeros Potamos, Kannaviou Dam, Goudhi, Athalassa and Agia Varvara.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix 

Early birds reported calling at Ayios Nikolaos 3-Feb and Mandria 18-Feb  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 

Aspro Dam at least one 6-Feb and 20 Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb. Akhna Dam: one 18-Feb.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 

Max. numbers Bishop's Pool: 16 on 22-Feb, Zakaki Marsh: max. 10 on 27-Feb. Less than 10 at Aspro Pools, Oroklini Marsh, Akhna Dam, Petounta point, Athalassa and Geroskipou beach.  

Coot Fulica atra 

Max. numbers Larnaca Sewage Works, with c1000 on 10-Feb and Akhna Dam with 247 on 6-Feb and 275 on 20-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: max. 150 on 27-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to 80 all month.  

Crane sp. 

Lachi Harbour: c50 unidentified cranes flying over 19-Feb.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 

A few early migrants reported. Oroklini Marsh: up to three 26-28Feb. Akhna Dam: one 28-Feb.  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 

Larnaca Salt Lake: one was present 13-17 Feb.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus   

Ayios Nikolaos: a max. 104 on 1-Feb, with 61 on 15-Feb, 20 on 18-Feb and 27 on 26-Feb. Cape Pyla : 31 on 9-Feb. Larnaca Airport Pools North: 9 visible, probably more present, 10-Feb  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius   

Ayia Napa Sewage Works: two 26-Feb. Akhna Dam: three 28-Feb.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 

Paralimni Lake : c5 on 21-Feb. Lady’s Mile: one 22-Feb and 27-Feb.  

Ringed plover sp.

Larnaca Salt Lake : one 10-Feb.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 

Larnaca Salt Lake: up to 40 from 2-13 Feb. Lady's Mile: up to 25 from 22-27 Feb. Kermia Beach : one 26-Feb.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 

Kermia Beach: four 26-Feb.  

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 

Marathounta plateau: a flock of 39 flying around over foothills 6-Feb. Paphos Headland: 49 on 17-Feb, 18 on 28-Feb.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 

Spiros Coast:  two 5-Feb. Cape Pyla : one 9-Feb.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus 

Oroklini Marshes: up to three most days with six 22-Feb. Mazotos Marshes: one 5-Feb, three 17-Feb. Akhna Dam: 13 on 6-Feb, 11 from 11-28 Feb. Petounta Point: one 17-Feb.  

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Oroklini Marsh: 150 on 3-Feb, declining to 12 on 21-Feb and last, seven on 23-Feb. Mandria: up to three 4-6 Feb, 17 on 7-Feb, six 14-Feb. Paralimni Lake : three 21-Feb.  

Sanderling Calidris alba 

Lady's Mile: two 22-Feb.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta 

Larnaca Salt Lake: two 2-Feb, 40 on 12-Feb. Lady's Mile: c50 on 22-Feb, c150 on 23-Feb, 40 on 27-Feb.  

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii 

Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb. Paralimni Lake : one 21-Feb.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina  

Larnaca Salt Lake: 11 on 10-Feb. Lady's Mile: 168 22-Feb. Lady's Mile: c150 on 22-Feb, 50 on 27-Feb.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 19-Feb, 12 on 25-Feb.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 

Akhna Dam: three 6-Feb, becoming seven 18-Feb and six 20-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: three 12-Feb, one 27-Feb. Mazotos Marshes: three 17-Feb and two at Petounta point on same day may be same birds. Limassol Port reeds: one 22-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to five 23-28-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 27-Feb.  

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13-Feb. Akhna Dam: up to three 18-28 Feb.  

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 

Paphos Lighthouse: one on rocky shore 28-Feb.  

Curlew Numenius arquata 

Spiros Pools: three 2-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: four 5-Feb. Larnaca Airport : 13 on 13-Feb, 18 on 17-Feb.  

Redshank Tringa totanus  Larnaca Salt Lake : seven 2-Feb, increasing to c50 from 6-10 Feb, then 34 on 25-Feb. Akhna Dam: five 18-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with max. five 24 &  27 Feb.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 

The only report: Larnaca Salt Lake : one 13-Feb.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Larnaca Salt Lake: one 13-Feb, was the only record.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Mandria Canal : one 6-11 Feb. Oroklini Marsh: one 9-26 Feb, with up to three 21-23 Feb. Zakaki Marsh: two 12-Feb, one A 27-Feb. Akhna Dam two 25-Feb, three 28-Feb.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 

Only seen at east of island. Cape Pyla : one 9-Feb. Ayia Thekla: one 16-Feb. Kermia Beach : one 26-Feb.  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Paphos Headland: three near Castle 17-Feb.  

Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus 

A rare winter visitor: Larnaca Sewage Works: one adult 2-Feb and one, possibly a different bird noted as 1st-spring plumage 5-17- Feb, occasionally behind Meneou Pools.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 

Larnaca Salt Lake: five imms. 10-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: one ad. 17 & 25-Feb.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Largest numbers reported: Larnaca Salt Lake : 460 on 10-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: c200 on 25-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: max. 250 on 5-Feb.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei 

Main passage not yet started with just ones and twos reported… Liopetri River Coast : one 1-Feb. Potamos: one 9-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : one 13-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two 13 & 25-Feb. Ormidhia Coast : one 21-Feb.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii 

Fontana Amoroza, Akamas: two 17-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2nd-winter 17-Feb. Cape Greco Park : one 21-Feb.  

Common Gull Larus canus 

Lady’s Mile: one 12-Feb, with two 22 & 23-Feb.  

Baltic Gull L.f.fuscus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: only one 4-Feb.  

Siberian gull L.f.heuglini  

The predominant ‘lesser black-backed gull’ in winter.   Mandria: up to two in mixed gull flock 7-20 Feb. Lady’s Mile & Zakaki: two 12-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works & nearby Meneou Pools: three at least 17-19 Feb.  

Yellow-legged Gull Larus c. michahellis  

Up to 200 all month at Asprokremnos Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works and Lady’s Mile.  

Caspian Gull L.c.cachinnans 

Oroklini Marsh: one with B-h Gulls 3-Feb. Mandria: 100+ most visits all month with 210 on 7-Feb. Numbers present at Larnaca Sewage Works but not counted, 13-Feb.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus  

Mandria: Up to three, including 2 ads. 7-24 Feb, with nine 20-Feb. Lady’s Mile: four 12-Feb, one 22-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works & nearby Meneou Pools: c26 on 17-Feb, six 25-Feb.  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 

Petounta point: two 15-Feb. Cape Zevgari , Akrotiri: one 21-Feb. Cape Greco : four 21-Feb. Ormidhia Coast : one 21-Feb.  

Rock Dove Columba livia  

Feral pigeons a pest but the following were reported as ‘pure’: Aspro Pools: 10 appeared and flew on 6-Feb. Koilinia-Kerynas cliffs: 15+ on 26-Feb. Akhna Dam: one 18-Feb.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 

Noteworthy flocks as follows: Ayios Nikolaos: c500 roost 1-Feb. Kouklia Reed-beds: 170 on 1-Feb. Mandria: 150 on 6-Feb. Akhna Dam: 66 on 20-Feb. Xeros Potamos: 90 on 20-Feb. Koilinia-Kerynas cliffs: 65+ on 26-Feb.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 

Becoming more abundant. Largest numbers reported were at Vrysoulles with 72 on 15-Feb.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius  

The year’s first report was at Androlikou, Akamas, with two on territory 28-Feb.  

Barn Owl Tyto alba 

Sadly so often found dead…Tseri: one 5-Feb. Mari: one was found dead on Lemesos - Lefkosia highway 2km west of the village 12-Feb. Episkopi: one dead on road 27-Feb.  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius   

Episkopi, Paphos: two heard, one seen 11-Feb, was the first breeding report of spring. Marathounta: two heard 11-27-Feb. Strakka (near HQ Birdlife Cyprus ): one 11-Feb. Lakatameia: one 12 & 13-Feb. Lythrodontas: one 18-23 Feb. Goudhi: one 26-28-Feb.  

Little Owl Athene noctua 

Ayios Nikolaos: one from 5-Feb to month end.  

Common Swift Apus apus 

The first reports of the year: Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Feb, two 27-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 13-Feb, was the year’s first sighting there. Oroklini Marsh: 20 on 13-Feb, with up to 12 seen most days 14-26-Feb. Penanoutos point near Zigi: three 15-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 17-Feb. Akhna Dam: a large influx of migrants from mid-month, c120 on 18-Feb, 160 on 20-Feb, 210 on 20-Feb. 

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis  

Cape Pyla: one 9-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 10-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 22-27 Feb.  

Hoopoe Upupa epops 

RAF Akrotiri: one 26-Feb, was one of the first reports of the month.  

Wryneck Jynx torquilla 

The first report of spring (or perhaps an over wintering) was one at Vretsia 14-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: one 19-Feb.  

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra

Up to three (at least) at Spiros Pool 5, 13 & 25-Feb.  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Very common locally, usually in pairs or small groups.  

Woodlark Lullula arborea

Wintering locally, on low ground. Max. numbers seen: Akhna Dam: up to 17 on 6 & 20-Feb. Armou Hills: up to six most days, with 33 on 17-Feb and 22 on 21-Feb. Marathounta plateau: 26 on 13-Feb. Tseri five 13-Feb. Nata: 15 on 14-Feb. Episkopi: three 15-Feb. Koilinia: three 15-Feb. Mazotos Marshes: max. three 17-Feb. Anarita Park : 16 on 25-Feb. Tsada Hills: 13 on 27-Feb. Also reported in ones and twos Mandria Canal , Ayios Nikolaos and Souskiou.  

Skylark Alauda arvensis  

Locally very common. Max. numbers reported: Kouklia Reed-beds: 35 on 1-Feb. Lakatameia: c30 at Manglis Lake 3-Feb. Mandria: up to 290 from 4-7-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to 50 from 5-14-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : 30 on 13-Feb. Tseri: 40 on 13-Feb. Armou Hills: 42 on 17-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos: c50 on 18-Feb. Mazotos: c30 on 19-Feb.  

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  

Evretou Dam South: three 14-Feb.  

Swallow Hirundo rustica 

One of the most commonly reported species, after their first sighting on 6-Feb. Earliest sightings, Akhna Dam: two 6-Feb. Mandria: two 6-Feb, three 7-Feb. Lakatameia: two 8-Feb. Cape Pyla : one 9-Feb. Becoming common with large passage towards mid-month with up to 30 at Larnaca Sewage Works from 10-Feb, 40 at Phasouri Reed-beds 12-Feb, c50 at Zakaki Marsh 12-Feb, 80 Oroklini Marsh 13-Feb and 60 Akhna Dam on 20-Feb. Two on territory at Skoulli 23-Feb. Many birds arriving throughout remainder of month.  

House Martin Delichon urbica 

Many birds drifted in with vanguard arrival of Swallows: Phasouri Reed-beds: six 8-Feb, was the year’s first sighting, with 12 on 12-Feb and 40 on 27-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: 10 on 12 & 27-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: max. 20 on 13-Feb. Lakatameia: up to 10 at Manglis Lake 14 & 20-Feb. Penanoutos point: 15 on 15-Feb.  

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 

Ubiquitous winter visitor. Largest numbers as follows: Mandria: 20 on 24-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 20 on 12-Feb. Tseri: 15 on 13-Feb. Armou Hills: 12 on 17-Feb. Tsada Hills: 20 on 27-Feb. Many reports of 10 or less.  

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus  

Only reported in Mandria area of Paphos: Mandria Canal : six 4-Feb, two 6-Feb. Mandria fields: up to five 14-24 Feb.  

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 

Rather scarce and unassuming. Oroklini Marshes: one 1-Feb. Mandria Canal : one 11-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb. Limassol Port reeds: one 22-Feb.  

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 27-Feb, was the year’s first migrant.  

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  

Mandria Canal : up to two 1-20 Feb. Lythrodontas: one on swimming pool cover 5-Feb. Aspro Pools: up to two 6, 11 & 16-Feb. Stavros tis Psokas: one 15-Feb. Avgas Gorge: one seen during fieldtrip 18-Feb. Xeros Potamos goat farm: one 20-Feb. Episkopi, Paphos: one 25-Feb.  

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 

Abundant and widespread. Larnaca Sewage Works: 20 on 10-Feb. Episkopi, Paphos: 25 going to roost 11-Feb. 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 

Agia (?): one 15-Feb. Avgas Gorge: two nest-building 18-Feb.  

Dunnock Prunella modularis  

Oroklini Marsh: one 26-Feb.  

Robin Erithacus rubecula 

Commonly, up to 4 birds reported seen and heard in suitable bushy habitat.  Vretsia eight 14-Feb. Strovolos: 4+ on 22-Feb. Koilinia: six 26-Feb. 

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica  

Oroklini Marsh: one fem. 1-Feb, one 26-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : one 13-Feb.  

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 

A common and widespread winter visitor usually in ones and twos. Mandria: six 14-Feb. Vretsia: five 14-Feb. Koilinia: four 15-Feb. Souskiou: four 16-Feb. Armou Hills: six 17-Feb. Fontana Amoroza, Akamas: five 17-Feb. Paphos Headland: c10 on 17-Feb. Avgas Gorge: five 18-Feb. Cape Greco : nine 27-Feb.  

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 

Very common visible winter visitor, usually in pairs. Cape Pyla : eight 9-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: nine 12-Feb. Mandria: 11 on 14-Feb. Agios Georgios: 18 on 17-Feb. Paphos Headland: 10+ on 17-Feb, 16 on 28-Feb. Mandria: nine 20-Feb, 20 on 24-Feb. Anarita Park : eight 25-Feb. Tsada Hills: 10 on 27-Feb. Androlikou: eight 28-Feb. 

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 

All reports follow: The first spring record was at Cape Greco Caves : one 21-Feb. Ayia Napa Tip: three 26-Feb. Tsada Hills: two 27-Feb. Cape Greco one 28-Feb.  

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe  

All records follow; most, if not all, males: The first was at Agios Georgios: one 17-Feb. Kritou Terra: one 25-Feb. Cape Greco : one 26-Feb. Goudhi: one 26-Feb. Akrotiri Salt Lake : two 27-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos: one 27-Feb. Tsada Hills: one male 27-28-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: three 27-Feb.  

Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca  

The first and only record, of the season, so far: Akrotiri Salt Lake : one 14-Feb.  

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii 

Cape Greco Caves: one seen on most visits 1-26-Feb. Ayia Napa Tip: one male 9-Feb, male & female 26-Feb [could refer to same birds/same possible site]. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one male 15-Feb. Agia Varvara: one fem. 11 & 25-Feb, two 14-Feb. Evretou Dam South: two 14-Feb. Akamas SE: one at known site 25-Feb.  

Wheatear sp.

Androlikou: two probably Isabelline and very shy 28-Feb.  

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius  

Kensington Cliffs: one 12 & 13-Feb. Fontana Amoroza: one 17-Feb. Cape Drepanum : two males 18-Feb. Cape Greco Park : one male 21-Feb. Anarita Park : one male 25-Feb. Ayia Napa Tip: one male 26-Feb.  

Blackbird Turdus merula 

Ones and twos reported wintering widely, more often heard or seen flying away! Max. numbers seen, Lakatameia: up to four 2 & 27-Feb. Avgas Gorge: four 18-Feb. 

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 

A scarce winter visitor this year. Ayios Nikolaos: one 18 & 21-Feb.  

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos  

Locally very common, probably more than records suggest. Up to five seen at favoured sites, with max. numbers as follows: Kouklia Reed-beds: 12 on 1-Feb. Armou Hills: 26 seen in one hour walk on 3 -26-Feb, 10 on 17-Feb. Akhna Dam: 41 on 6-Feb. Lakatameia: 6+ on 6 - 16-Feb. Fontana Amoroza: 14 on 17-Feb. Koilinia: 30+ on 26-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: max. 15 on 24-Feb.  

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti 

Very vocal all month and widely reported.  

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis  

Reported widely, and in song from the second week of February.  

Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon  

Mazotos Marshes: one 5-Feb, one at Petounta Point 17-Feb, may refer to same site. Aspro Pools: three reported by most visitors to the site 6-20 Feb.  Zakaki Marsh: one 12-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 2 seen, a further three heard 22-Feb.  

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 

Aspro Pools: one in song 11-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three in song 22 & 27-Feb.  

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata 

Lakatameia: one was at Manglis Lake 3 & 24-Feb. Akhna Dam: three 6-Feb. Cape Pyla : three 9-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : two 13-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: max. six 25-Feb. Cape Greco : four 26-Feb. Tsada Hills: three 27-Feb. Androlikou: two in song flight 28-Feb.  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 

Common, and apparently resident, approx. west of Paphos. Otherwise records as follows: Oroklini Marsh: one 7-17-Feb. Kensington Cliffs: two 12 & 13-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : one 13-Feb.  

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax 

All records of a species only found in the west of the island in February and usually more elusive than S. melanocephala: Aspro Pools: four 6-Feb, two 16-Feb. Mandria Canal : one in song 11-Feb. Souskiou: four 16-Feb. Kensington Cliffs: two 22-Feb. Cape Greco : one male 27-Feb. Tsada Hills: two 27-Feb.