Systematic List for January 2006

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 

Max. numbers: Larnaca Sewage Works: 12 on 5-Jan, seven 31-Jan. Asprokremnos Dam: a flock of 26 on 15-Jan. Athalassa: six 15-29 Jan. Up to three Kannaviou Dam, Mandria Canal, Akhna Dam, Oroklini Marsh and Aspro Pools.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 

Wintering numbers picking up slowly: Akhna Dam: up to two 9-10 Jan, up to three 14-21 Jan. Asprokremnos Dam: five 15-Jan, six 19-Jan, two 25-Jan.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-Jan Larnaca Sewage Works: c15 at least till 11-Jan, 27 on 15-Jan, 17 on 18-Jan, 11 on 31-Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake/Zakaki Pond: one 15-Jan. Evretou Dam: one 15-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 15-21-Jan.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

Most (if not all) reports of sinensis race. Akhna Dam: numbers crashed compared to last year, up to 11 all month, compared to c.200 in January 2005. Larnaca Sewage Works: 65 on 2-Jan, 97 on 5-Jan. Bishop’s Pool: 50+ on 13-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: 40+ on 18-Jan, c80 on 31-Jan. Up to five many other sites.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Kensington Cliffs: three 14-Jan – the month’s only report.  

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two from 2-Jan, until last report on 11-Jan.

Bittern Botaurus stellaris  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 5 & 22-Jan. Xeros Potamos reeds, sea: one 22-Jan.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 

Athalassa Dam: 1 ad. 2-Jan and 2 juvs. at duck pond 13-Jan.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   

Akhna Dam: one 4-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: three 4-Jan, six 13-Jan, four 15-Jan, 11 on 25-Jan. Aspro Pools: up to two 11-19 Jan, one 24-Jan. Zakaki Marsh: two 14-Jan.  

Great White Egret Egretta alba  

Akhna Dam: one 15-Jan.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 5-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: one 9-Jan. Cape Pyla: one 22-Jan. Agia Thekla: four 19-Jan.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Generally fewer than 10 birds reported at most sites. Zakaki Marsh: 54 on 13-Jan, was the only noteworthy record.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber    

Larnaca Salt Lake: 155 on 15-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two 2-5 Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 8,640 on 15-Jan. This represents virtually all the birds on the island.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 21 still present to 14-Jan, 34 on 15-Jan and 33 on 31-Jan.  

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 15 on 7-Jan and eight 8-Jan, was an interesting record.  

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna  

Numbers of this late winter visitor increasing steadily. Larnaca Sewage Works: nine 5-Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 250 on 7-25 Jan. Larnaca Salt Lake: 63 on 15-Jan, c200 on 31-Jan.  

Wigeon Anas penelope  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 94 on 5-Jan, with c100 present to month end. Oroklini Marsh: two 5-Jan. Evretou Dam: six 15-Jan.

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Athalassa Dam: two 2-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 4-Jan, 12 on 14-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: 10 on 5-Jan, eight from 11-31 Jan.  

Teal Anas crecca  

Large numbers at Larnaca Sewage Works, with 633 on 5-Jan, 1086 on 15-Jan and c700 on 31-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: 140 on 5-Jan, with max. c175 from 18-20 Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake : 865 on 15-Jan. Bishop's Pool: 56 on 15-Jan. Akhna Dam: present all month with max. 33 on 17-Jan. Asprokremnos area: 26 at the dam and pools 25-Jan. Athalassa: nine 15-Jan. Smaller numbers other sites.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Max numbers Larnaca Sewage Works, with 310 on 5-Jan, remaining to month end. Akhna Dam: max. 25 on 9-Jan, with 12 on 17-Jan. Asprokremnos Dam, Phinikas: max. 70+ on 25-Jan. Athalassa: 58 on 15-Jan, with c40 on 29-Jan. Up to five several other sites.

Pintail Anas acuta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 15 on 5-Jan. Larnaca Airport Pools: 15 on 18-Jan, may have been same flock. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 61 on 15-Jan.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

Phasouri Reed-beds: 120 on 4-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: 730 on 5-Jan, c850 on 31-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: seven 5-Jan, 25 on 6 & 8 Jan and 50+ on 22-Jan. Akhna Dam: 27 on 9-Jan, 37 on 17-Jan and 42 on 21-Jan. Athalassa: 37 on 15-Jan and c50 on 29-Jan. Spiros Pool: 70 on 31-Jan.  

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina   

Three (1m, 2f) were at the Larnaca Sewage Works from at least the 4-Jan, with two (1m, 1f) remaining to month end.  

Pochard Aythya ferina  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 142 was an accurate count on 5-Jan, with c150 to at least 11-Jan and only c8 there 31-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: two 30-Jan Phasouri Reed Beds: two 15-Jan. Yermasoyia Dam: two 15-Jan.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Phasouri Reed-beds: five 5-Jan, one male 22-Jan. Athalassa Dam: 2m, 1f to at least 19 Jan.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two (1m, 1f) present from at least 4-Jan to month end 31-Jan.

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus  

The lone bird was seen at Kensington Cliffs on 3-Jan.

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus  

Up to 8 birds still reported between coastal cliffs at Episkopi and feeding station at Agios Ioannis. Kensington Cliffs (also known as Quarry Beach): seven 2-Jan, five on same day (two pairs appeared to be establishing nests) 2-Jan, six on 3-Jan, eight inc. at least 4 imms. 13-Jan, 2 pairs 14-Jan. Aspro Pools: two 9-Jan. Salamiou Ridge: four 15.30h, distant views from Panagia tou Sinti 9-Jan. Agios Ioannis feeding station: one outside on the cage 28-Jan.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Up to two reported Larnaca Desalination Plant and Larnaca Sewage Works, Zakaki Marsh, Akhna Dam and Akrotiri Salt Lake (Masts) all month. Phasouri Reed-beds: three 2-Jan, with up to seven 5-13 Jan.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  

Ayios Nikolaos: one ring-tail several days 1-28 Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: one ring-tail 1-5 Jan. Armou-Tsada track: one female 2 & 21-Jan. Spiros Pool: one 4 & 31-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: one male 5-Jan. Akhna Dam: one ring-tail 9 & 17-Jan. Panagia tou Sinti: one 9-Jan. Asprokremnos Dam: one 15-23-Jan. Nata-Choletria Ford: one adult male 15-Jan.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

Athalassa Dam: two 2-Jan, one 13-Jan. Asprogia: one 3-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 10-Jan. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley two 21-Jan. Cape Pyla : one 22-Jan  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

Relatively widespread this winter. A6 near Larnaca: one 1-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1 & 4-Jan. Akrotiri Masts: four 2-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 2-14 Jan, three dark birds 13-Jan, five 25-Jan. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one 10-Jan. Mandria: up to two most days 13-24-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 17-Jan. Armou Hills: one 21-Jan. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley : two 21-Jan. Xeros Potamos reeds: two 22-Jan.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Pissouri Bay : one adult brown morph 1-Jan. Armou-Tsada track: one pale-phase 2 & 7-Jan, three during field trip 21-Jan. Kensington Cliffs: one light morph 5-Jan. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley : three 21-Jan. Tsada: one 10-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: one 1st-w 13-Jan. Pentalia: one 15 & 28-Jan.  

Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus  Goudhi: one adult 2-Jan, details awaited.    

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  Akrotiri Masts: one juv. 2-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: one imm. 2-Jan. Aspro Pools: one 3rd-year 12-Jan. Agia Varvara: one ad. 19-Jan. Armou: 1 ad. 21-Jan. Koilinia: one ad. 28-Jan.  

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Appears to be common all over the island, with up to seven seen together.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus   Kensington Cliffs: two ads. of brookei present 2-14 Jan. one ssp brookei 14-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1st w. probably ssp. calidus 8-Jan. Paphos Headland: one 8-Jan. Mandria: one 12-Jan. Pissouri gorge: one male 13-Jan.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar Groups of up to 30 widely reported.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Heard or seen calling at Kouklia, Paphos Airport,  Agia Varvara, Xeros Potamos reeds, Oroklini Marsh, Akhna Dam and Pyla.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix  

In northern Cyprus three at Stazousa Point, east of Kyrenia 3-Jan, was the only report.  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus  

Zakaki Pond: six 15-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: five 15-Jan. Up to two each, seen and heard at Athalassa Dam Duck Pond, Kouklia, Akhna Dam and Aspro Pools.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

This resident only reported from 6 sites. Max. numbers, three Aspro Pools 5-24 Jan, 12 Oroklini Marsh 7-Jan, eight Akhna Dam 17-Jan, six Athalassa 15-Jan, two Acheleia Bridge 22-Jan and two Athalassa 29-Jan.  

Coot Fulica atra  

Locally abundant winter visitor. Max. numbers: 3,300 at Larnaca Sewage Works 5-Jan, up to 80 all month at Oroklini Marsh with c50 there 22-Jan, 193 at  Zakaki Marsh 15-Jan, 521 Akhna Dam 21-Jan, 35 Athalassa 15-Jan, 44 Evretou Dam 15-Jan and 37 off Phinikas on Asprokremnos Dam 25-Jan.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  

An unseasonal bird was at Oroklini Marsh on 13-Jan.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Xeros Potamos: 36 between Nata and Choletria 3-Jan. Larnaca Salt Lakes : 101 on 15-Jan. Xeros Potamos: 70+ at roost 18-20 Jan.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 4-Jan.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Oroklini Marsh: one 1-5 Jan, up to four 7-8 Jan.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to four 1-4 Jan. Lady’s Mile: 10 on 2-Jan, seven 5-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: max. three 4-Jan. Larnaca Salt Lake : 192 on 15-Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake : 62 on 15-Jan. Cape Pyla : one 22-Jan. Meneou Pools: eight 31-Jan.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii   

Cape Pyla: one 22 -Jan, present since December and three at Paphos Headland seen 14 & 23 Jan, also wintering.  

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

Ayios Nikolaos: only four 1-Jan with 67 on 27-Jan. Paphos Headland: up to 27 from 8-14 Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 18 on 15-Jan. On the hills above Paphos, c30 were seen at Tsada on 30-Jan and 42 on Marathounta plateau 31-Jan.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola  

Singles only reported, seen Larnaca Sewage Works 4-Jan, Meneou Pools 4-Jan, Paphos Headland 14 & 24 Jan and Spiros Pool one 21-Jan [possibly same bird involved, at Spiros, Meneou Pools and Larnaca Sewage Works].  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Akhna Dam: up to 13 at least from 9-21 Jan. Aradippou Dam: 12 on 13-Jan. Paphos Sewage Works: up to three 18-22 Jan. Oroklini Marsh: max. four 15 & 29-Jan.  

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  

Reportedly present all month from four sites with 37 at Ayios Nikolaos Jan and 60 on 9-Jan, up to 44 around Larnaca Sewage Works 1-5-Jan, 32 at Oroklini Marsh 5-Jan and 60 on 8-Jan and a peak of c50 at Mandria 19-24-Jan.  

Sanderling Calidris alba  

Lady’s Mile: two 2-Jan.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Larnaca Sewage Works and salt lake: two 1-Jan, 15 on 4-Jan, 30 on 5-Jan, up to eight 5-18 Jan. Oroklini Marsh: up to two 1-21-Jan. Lady’s Mile: 39 on 2-Jan, 20 on 20-Jan. Akrotiri Salt Lake/Zakaki Pond: 52 on 15-Jan.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina   

Oroklini Marsh: up to two 1-8-Jan, three 10-Jan. Lady’s Mile up to 111 from 2-5 Jan and four 22-Feb.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Oroklini Marsh: two 5-Jan, though max. was 10 on 6-Jan. Akhna Dam: nine 9 & 17 Jan. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley: one 28-Jan.  

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola   

Athalassa Park: two 2 & 3-Jan.  

Curlew Numenius arquata  

Larnaca Sewage Works & area: one 5 & 11-Jan, with nine at Spiros Pool 8-Jan.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  

Only one report: Oroklini Marsh: one 13-Jan.  

Redshank Tringa totanus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1-Jan. Larnaca Airport Pools North: nine 5-Jan. Larnaca Salt Lake : four 18-Jan, eight 31-Jan, 13 on 15-Jan. Oroklini Marsh: three 5-Jan, with max. eight 16-17- Jan. Akhna Dam: one 9-Jan. Lady's Mile: one 16-Jan.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Oroklini Marsh: one 3-29-Jan. Athalassa Dam: one 6-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 9-21-Jan. Mandria Canal : one 11-Jan. Aspro Pools: one 12-Jan. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 13-Jan.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos   

Agia Trias area: one 21-Jan. Cape Pyla : three 22-Jan.  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Paphos Headland: one 14-Jan.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two adults and two 1st-winter birds 1-8-Jan. Larnaca Salt Lake : 3 ad. and one 2nd-winter 11-Jan.

Little Gull Larus minutus  

Akhna Dam: one 1st-winter 4-Jan, was the only record.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  

Locally abundant.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Agia Trias: one adult 21-Jan, was an early record.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Kyrenia: 13 adults at Alagardi turtle beach 3-Jan. Agia Trias: three Adults 21-Jan.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus   

Lady’s Mile: one 16-Jan.  

Siberian gull L.f.heuglini  

Larnaca Airport Pools South: up to two 1-4 Jan. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 1 & 18-Jan. Meneou Pools: four 4-Jan.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus c. michahellis   

Some of these reports may refer to Caspian Gull (see below). Larnaca Salt Lake & Pools: 378 on 5-Jan, c100 at Larnaca Sewage Works 31-Jan and c20+ from 4-11 Jan. Paphos Headland: six 8-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 9-Jan. Asprokremnos Dam: c62 on 25-Jan, c100 on 26-Jan.  

Caspian Gull L.c.cachinnans  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 150 from 24 Dec - 18-Jan, with c200+ counted at this site and Larnaca Salt Lake 4-11 Jan.

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 10 most visits in January, with c10 there and Meneou Pools 4-Jan, two 5-Jan, six on 18-Jan and up to three 22-31 Jan. Larnaca Salt Lake: c15 on 11-Jan.  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 

Limassol Port: two 2-Jan. Spiros Beach buoys: five 8-Jan.  Oroklini Beach : one fishing 50 metres off beach 26-Jan.  

Stock Dove Columba oenas  

Phasouri Reed-beds: seven 5-Jan.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

Max. numbers shown: Ayios Nikolaos: 185 on 1-Jan, 300 on 28-Jan. Ezousas Valley to sea: 120 on 6-Jan. Mandria: 800+ on 11-Jan. Akhna Dam: 64 on 17-Jan. Xeros Potamos reeds: 70 on 22-Jan.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  

The largest count this month was of c300 at Mandria 11-Jan.  

Barn Owl Tyto alba  

Polis army base: one heard 22-Jan. Trimithousa: one 23-Jan. Kannaviou: one 24-Jan. Koilinia: one 28-Jan.  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius   

Polis army base: two heard until the end of the month 23-Jan, one of the earliest reports of the species calling.

Little Owl Athene noctua 

Athalassa Park : two in nest hole 2-Jan. West of Famagusta: one 3-Jan. Panagia tou Sinti monastery: one 9-Jan. Ayios Nikolaos: one 13-Jan to month end.  

Long-eared Owl Asio otus  

Larnaca Airport : one hunting roosting house sparrows 15-Jan.  

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis  

Zakaki Marsh: one 2-Jan. Kyrenia one near “Bahceli” 3-Jan. Akhna Dam: one 9-Jan. Mandria Canal : one 11-Jan. Athalassa duck pond: two 13-Jan. Lakatameia: one Manglis Lake 17-Jan. Cape Pyla : one 22-Jan.  

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

Larnaca Desalination Plant: 14 on 1-Jan and at least two nearby 8-Jan.  

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to eight on salt scrub behind raised pools 4-8 Jan.  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Widely reported, usually in small parties, at Ayios Nikolaos, Larnaca Sewage Works, Koilinia, Akhna Dam, Manglis Lake, Oroklini Marsh, Xeros Potamos reeds and Kannaviou Dam.  

Woodlark Lullula arborea  

Reported fairly widely, with noteworthy numbers reported as follows: Asprogia: 20 on 3-Jan. Kyrenia: 17 at “Alagardi turtle beach” 3-Jan. Pissouri Bay : 40 on 5-Jan. Ayios Nikolaos: 16 on 27-Jan. Athalassa Park : 11 on 13-Jan. Akhna Dam: eight 17-Jan. Armou Hills and Tsada track: up to 16 from 17-30 Jan. Mandria: seven at this site was unusual, 24-Jan.  

Skylark Alauda arvensis   

Large numbers feeding in fields and arable land, difficult to obtain accurate counts. Largest numbers as follows: Ayios Nikolaos: up to 83 from 1-16 Jan. Mandria 190 on 11-Jan, 350+ on 26-Jan. Up to 50 reported Larnaca Salt Lake, Larnaca Sewage Works, Armou, Lakatameia and Oroklini Marsh.  

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis  

Very common and widespread. Largest numbers, Mandria: 170 on 11-Jan. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley : 30 on 12-Jan. Up to 15 reported from dozens of sit