Systematic List for March 2006

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 

Widely reported at pools and ponds, with max. numbers as follows: Oroklini Marsh: 12 on 2-Mar. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: nine 7-Mar. Athalassa: c10 on 10-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 18-Mar. Paralimni Salt Lake : 11 on 22-Mar.   

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Only at two sites: Akhna Dam: nine 1-Mar, declining to two 14-Mar and one 20 Mar. Asprokremnos Dam (Phinikas): six 3-Mar, five 4-Mar, one 28-Mar.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis     

Reported from 3 sites. Larnaca Sewage Works: 36 on 1-Mar, 27 on 6-Mar, 12+ on 6-Mar, eight 10-Mar, three 12-Mar and up to 5 to month end. Akhna Dam: one 4-6 Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 18 & 28-Mar.  

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea   

Only one report of this scarce offshore migrant. Paphos: eight following a fishing trawler 31-Mar.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo   

Most wintering birds were moving out by mid-month with good passage observed as follows: Mandria: c200 on 11-Mar. Aradippou: c50 flying over 12-Mar. Sea Caves , Coral Bay : 50+ flying 13-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: c50 & c100 flocks flying NW 14-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: 38 flying over 16-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: 150 flying over 29-Mar  

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Only reported at 3 sites…There were up to three all March, with singles at the Karpas Peninsula 17-Mar and off Baths of Aphrodite 31-Mar.  

Bittern Botaurus stellaris   

Always a good discovery.. Zakaki Marsh: one 16-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 22-Mar.  

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax  

Larnaca Sewage Works: six flying over 21-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 23-28 Mar, with two 26-30 Mar and eight 31-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: one 23-Mar. Mandria Canal : one 27-Mar. Aphrodite's Rock: nine landed on the rocky hillside 28-Mar, three roosting 31-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: two 30-Mar. Athalassa Dam: one 31-Mar. Paphos Headland: one 31-Mar.  

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides   

A few early migrants reported: Phasouri Reed-beds: one 17-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 21 & 22-Mar. Akhna Dam: nine 30-Mar.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   

Phasouri Reed-beds: up to five all month with seven 28-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 8-31 Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 14-16 Mar. Famagusta (That Su Lake): c6 on 23-Mar.  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

Single birds reported early month, including at Cape Drepanum , Archangelos, Cape Pyla and Agia Thekla. Panagra Dam (Geçitköy Res): c6 on 19-Mar. Mazotos marshes: two 21-Mar. Cape Greco : four 22-Mar. Mandria: 13 on  31-Mar. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: two 27-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: five 30-Mar. Paphos: 10 on 31-Mar.  

Great White Egret Egretta alba   

Akhna Dam: one 1-Mar, six 4-Mar. Akrotiri Salt Lake : one 17-Mar. Salamis ruins: one 23-Mar.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea     

Largest numbers reported as follows, with notable passage from mid-month: Akhna Dam: 13 on 4-Mar, seven 6-Mar, five on 29-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: five 8-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: 22 on 16-Mar, 12 on 18-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: 22 on 21-Mar. Agios Georgios ( Cape Drepanum ): 30 flew north 27-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: 14 landed in trees 27-Mar. Asprokremnos Dam: nine 26-Mar.  

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea   

Noted only from late month as migrants started to pass through Cyprus : Asprokremnos Dam: 17 on 28-Mar, with three at nearby Aspro Pools 31-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 28-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: three 30-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: three 31-Mar. Aspro Pool: three set course north 31-Mar, possibly birds from sewage plant?  

Black Stork Ciconia nigra     

Asprokremnos Dam, Phinikas: one present 3-30 Mar. Akrotiri: one 30-Mar. Sotira Pools: one mid-March.  

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus   

Earliest spring migrants in east of island: Akhna Dam: one 20-22 Mar. Sotira Pools: one 22-Mar.  

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia   

Zakaki Marsh: one 17-Mar, was the only record.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber   

Extraordinary clear-out of species from island, particularly from Akrotiri Salt Lake which held over 500 all March in 2005. Akrotiri Salt Lake : four 18-Mar, was the only report from the salt lake. Larnaca Salt Lake : 156 on 1-Mar, 142 on 6-Mar, c40 on 14-25 Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 17-18 Mar.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons  

Larnaca Sewage Works: nine 1-Mar. Larnaca Salt Lake : one 6-Mar.  

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 1-Mar. Kanli Dam (Kanlikoy Res): one 21-Mar.  

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 

Large flock at Larnaca Salt Lake quickly declined and disappeared by mid month. Larnaca Salt Lake : 384 on 1-Mar, 230 on 6-Mar, 95 on 14-Mar. Spiros Pool: one 2-Mar.  

Wigeon Anas penelope   

Steady decline of wintering birds. Larnaca Sewage Works: 100 1-2 Mar, 83 on 6-Mar, 10 on  25-Mar. Spiros Pool: six 2-Mar. Phinikas: 15 on 4-Mar. Evretou Dam: 11 on 7-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 27-Mar, four 28-Mar.  

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to six 3-6 Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to seven 6-18 Mar, with two remaining 28-Mar.  

Teal Anas crecca   

Reported all month, with numbers decreasing to month end. Max. numbers follow:  Akhna Dam: 27 on 4-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: c50 on 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: up to 100 on 1 & 3 Mar, with 75 on 6-Mar. Ones and twos at less than 5 other sites. Phasouri Reed-beds: four 16-Mar. Galatia ( Mehmetcik Lakes ): c10 on 17-Mar.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   

Reported all month, with max. numbers as follows: Larnaca Sewage Works: c100 from 2-12 Mar. Akhna Dam: 10 on 4-Mar, eight 20-Mar. Athalassa: 10+ on 5-Mar, six 10-12 Mar. Oroklini Marsh: eight 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: two 6-Mar. Galatia ( Mehmetcik Lakes ): c10 on 17-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 17-Mar. 

Pintail Anas acuta   

Small numbers reported, mostly to mid-month, from following sites: Larnaca Salt Lake : max. 17 on 1-Mar, two 12-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: two males on passage 5-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: two 6-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 6-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: up to two 17-28 Mar. Akrotiri gravel pits: one 18-Mar.  

Garganey Anas querquedula   

Very few reported, with no sign of major passage yet…Kannaviou Dam: 16 on 15-Mar. Athalassa: 10 on 15-Mar. Galatia (Mehmetcik Lakes): four 17-Mar. Zakaki marsh: one male 20-Mar, two 24-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: max. 10 on 23-Mar. Prodromos Dam: 10 on 23-Mar, was interesting, suggesting some passage over mountains. Akhna Dam: max. three 29-Mar.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata   

Larnaca Sewage Works was still the major site with c400 from 2-12 Mar, after which all departed. Spiros Pool: 24 on 2-Mar. Akhna Dam: max. nine 4-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: 80 on 3-Mar, 60 on 6-Mar, c10 remaining 25-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 12 on 16-Mar. Galatia ( Mehmetcik Lakes ): c10 on 17-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: 14 on 18-Mar.  

Pochard Aythya ferina   

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 1-Mar, was the month's only record.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca   

Athalassa: two 10-Mar. Polmedhia Dam: one 15-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to three 18-21 Mar, with five 28-Mar.  

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula   

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 6-Mar, Phasouri Reed-beds: one 24-Mar, were the only reports.  

Smew Mergellus albellus    

Phasouri Reed-beds: the three, first reported 12-Feb,  were still present 3-Mar, when last seen - 4th Cyprus record.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus   

Platanisteia: one immature 25-Mar, oddly was the month's only report.  

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus 

These reports of a relatively scarce migrant, may refer to the same bird/s: Evretou Dam: one 11-Mar. Aspro Pools: two 15-17-Mar. one 20-Mar.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Still regular all month, though in small numbers, at all suitable wetland sites: Max. numbers: Mandria: two 25-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 16 & 17-Mar (surely under-recorded). Aspro Pools: two 29-Mar. Pakhyammos Point: three 31-Mar. Singles were reported at Oroklini Marsh, Larnaca Sewage Works, Agia Napa Sewage Works, Cape Greco , Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Larnaca Salt Lake , Ayios Nikolaos, Panagra Dam, Zakaki marsh,  Aspro Mast, Paphos Sewage Works and Akamas.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus   

Fairly well-reported all month, mostly single female-types. Interesting reports as follows: Mandria: one male 3-Mar. Koilinia: one male, one fem. 5-Mar. Tsada Hills: one male 20-Mar. Aspro Pools: one male 24-Mar. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: two 24-Mar. Cape Greco : two females 24-Mar.  

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus   

The first spring reports were several singles, presumably all males, on 19 March.  Agia Napa Sewage Works: one 19-Mar and Cape Kormakiti (Sadrazamkoy & Koracam): one 19-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 19-Mar. Sotira Village : one male 19-Mar. Then followed 12 reports of singles to month end, at Ayios Nikolaos, Cape Greco , Aspro Pools, Mandria, Peristorona, Anarita Park , Kritou Terra and Pachyammos Point.  

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus   

Asprokremnos Dam: one male 19-Mar, was the only report.  

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis   

Kormakiti ( Korucam Valley Lake ): one 24-Mar, was the month's only report.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus   

Akhna Dam: two 4-Mar. Dasaki Achnas: one moving north 20-Mar. Lithrodontas: one 23-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 29-Mar. Pano Panageia: two en route 29-Mar.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo    

Wintering in small numbers: Akhna Dam: two 1-Mar, one 4-22 Mar. Aspro Pools: up to two most visits 1-19 Mar, with one to month end. Larnaca Salt Lake : two 1-6 Mar. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one 7-14 Mar, with two 22-Mar. Goudhi: one 10-Mar, another pale-type 30-Mar. Paphos - Polis road: one 10-Mar. Ayios Filonas: two 11-Mar. Ayios Therissos: one 11-Mar. Avgorou area: one 13-Mar. Panagra Dam (Geçitköy Res): one 16-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 16-21 Mar. Polis: one 18-Mar. Geroskipou fields: one 29-Mar.  

Steppe Buzzard B.b. vulpinus    

These are probably passage birds and some are uncertain: Zakaki Marsh: one rufous morph 18-Mar. Kalo Chorio (Kalkanli Olive grove): two 21-Mar. Asprokremnos Dam: one 28-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 28-Mar. Nata: one 29-Mar. Kedares: one 30-Mar.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Tsada & Paphos Hills: one most visits 1-27 Mar and two 8-Mar. Pentalia: one 4-Mar. Koilinia: one 5-Mar. Khapotami gorge: one 6-Mar. Paphos - Polis road: two 10-Mar. Stroumpi and Kathikas area: up to two 15-30 Mar, may refer to a resident pair, and three 26-Mar. Paramytha: one 17-Mar. Mandria: one 18-Mar. Arodhes: one 27-Mar.  

Aquila sp.  

Akrotiri: one 'possible Golden Eagle' 30-Mar.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus   

Akamas SE: two flew in to take a Magpie 27-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 27-Mar. Marathounta: one adult 28-Mar.  

Osprey Pandion haliaetus  

Paphos Headland: one 27-Mar, was the only record.  

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni   

Asprokremnos Dam: 12 seen east of dam [may refer to birds seen in Choletria area subsequently] 29-Mar.  

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus   

A ubiquitous species. Noteworthy reports follow: Aspro Pools: two probably nesting in canal pump house. 6-Mar, two mating 22-Mar and nest with 2 eggs 30-Mar. Boghaz to Yialoussa: 10 on 11-Mar. Trikomo to Boghaz: seven 11-Mar. Mandria: six 14-Mar. Mar.  

Merlin Falco columbarius   

Akhna Dam: one 4-Mar, was the only report.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus   

All reports as follows: Larnaca Salt Lake : one 1-Mar. Avgas Gorge: one present 8 & 13 Mar. Aspro Pools: one present most visits 10-31 Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 14-Mar. Ayios Nikolaos: one 16-21 Mar, with two on 31-Mar. Bishop's Pool: one 18-Mar. St. Hilarion Castle: one 20-Mar. Akamas SW: one 23-Mar.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar   

Reported widely.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus   

Fairly commonly reported Paphos, Nicosia , Akhna Dam area and Oroklini. Lysos: two at about 500m altitude 24-Mar. Pano Akourdhalia: one 28-Mar, were interesting high altitude reports.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix   

About 25 reported all month, many calling. Some at Cape Drepanum and Paphos Headland in mid-month just arrived in off sea. Nata: one 4-Mar, was the month's first. Ayios Nikolaos: five calling 10-Mar until month's end. Avgourou area: one calling 13-Mar. Kannaviou Dam: 1 heard 13-Mar. Cape Drepanum: one calling 13 & 16-Mar. Akhna Dam: four calling 17-Mar. Karpas Peninsula : heard on 17-Mar. Paphos Headland: two flushed 21-Mar. Cape Greco : calling 22-Mar. Kathikas Area: one heard 26-Mar. Episkopi: one heard 27-Mar. Evretou Dam: one heard 31-Mar. Kritou Terra: one heard 31-Mar.  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus   

Zakaki Marsh: one heard 18-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 19 & 28-Mar. Klepini Dam (Arapkoy Res): one 22-Mar. Episkopi: one weir 27-Mar.  

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana  

Polis Reed-beds: one 27-Mar.  

Little Crake Porzana parva  

Fairly common and many showing well from 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 6-30 Mar, with three 17-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: one male 12-Mar. Aspro Pools: one 19-Mar, up to two 20-31 Mar and up to four 23-30 Mar. Sotira Pools: one 19-24 Mar. Episkopi Ford: one male 26-Mar.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Only reported resident from 7 sites. Up to five at Aspro Pools, up to two at Akhna Dam, c20 at Athalassa 10-Mar, up to six Oroklini Marsh, one Geroskipou beach 19-Mar, two Klepini Dam 22-Mar and three Ezousa River mouth 28-Mar.  

Coot Fulica atra   

A very common resident and migrant. Max. numbers as follows: Larnaca Sewage Works: 1524 on 1-Mar, c800 on 6-Mar, c600 12-Mar. Akhna Dam: up to 248 from 4-Mar, 268 on 22-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: 145 on 22-Mar, although up to 75 counted most other days. Athalassa: c60 on 10-Mar.  

Common Crane Grus grus  

Nicosia city: c50 flew NNE on 12-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: 12 over-flying 19-Mar. Archangelos: 14 on 25-Mar.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   

Numbers of migrants and visiting breeders building up all month. Larnaca Sewage Works: nine 3-Mar, 16 on 25-Mar, 29 on 27-Mar. Akhna Dam: one 4-Mar, building up to 11 on 22-Mar, 16 on 29-Mar, 18 on 30-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: six 6-14 Mar, 18 on 22-Mar, 12+, including a mating pair 25-Mar, max. 50 on 30 & 31-Mar. Latchi: three 12-Mar. Akrotiri Salt Lake : eight 18-Mar. Panagra Dam (Geçitköy Res): five 19-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: four 20-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: four 21-Mar. Sotira Pools: four 22-Mar. Meneou & Larnaca airport saline lagoons: 20+ on 26-Mar. Phasouri Reed-beds: 6+ on 28-Mar, Ones and twos also reported.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus   

Residents and probably some migrants reported. Cape Pyla : 28 on 2-Mar, one on 4 & 15-Mar. Akhna Dam: one 4 & 13-Mar. Acheleia olive grove: up to five 5-31 Mar and eight 24-Mar. Ayios Nikolaos: up to three 5-23-Mar and eight 31-Mar. Ayios Filonas: three 11-Mar. Agios Georgios: one 19-Mar. Armou Hills: three 23-Mar. Spiros Pool: two 28-Mar. Mandria: one 31-Mar.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 

One at Agios Georgios 10-Mar and four Evretou Dam 10 & 30-Mar. Most opportunist breeders were in by mid month with up to four birds each, reported from Oroklini Marsh, Akrotiri Gravel Pits, Kanli Dam, Agia Napa Sewage Works, Larnaca Sewage Works, Mandria and Paphos Sewage Plant. There were six at Spiros Pool 21-Mar and 21 at Akhna Dam 17-Mar and 12 there 22 & 29-Mar.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula   

Spiros Pool: three 12-Mar. Evretou Dam: three 22-Mar. Paralimni lake: one 22-Mar. Clapsides ( Famagusta ): two 23-Mar. Spiros Pool: one 27-Mar.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Reported all month. Spiros Pool: one 2-Mar, up to three to 12-Mar, eight 25-27 Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: 10 on 6-Mar. Larnaca Salt Lake : up to 13 from 10-25 Mar. Lady's Mile: 10 on 18-Mar, 20+ on 28-Mar. Paralimni lake: one 22-Mar. Meneou Pools: three 27-Mar.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 

Ayias Trias: one 6-Mar, was the month's only report.  

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

All records follow: Paphos Headland: six 2-5 Mar. Mandria: one 11-Mar.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola  

Paphos Headland: one 2-Mar. Larnaca airport coast: one 21-Mar and 'all month'.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus    

Akhna Dam: up to six all month, with seven 4-Mar. Paphos Sewage Plant: the well-watched birds remained all month, with up to five most days and six 13-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: up to 12 reported most visits, including eight 22-Mar. Kanli Dam (Kanlikoy Res): c6 on 21-Mar. Larnaca: one 21-Mar. Mazotos marshes: four 21-Mar.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta   

Larnaca Sewage Works: 13 on 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 11-Mar. Spiros Pool: four 12-Mar, 20+ on 18-Mar, 30+ on 28-Mar. Akhna Dam: one 22-Mar.  

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii   

Clapsides ( Famagusta ): two 23-Mar, was the month's only report.  

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea   

Only reported at Lady’s Mile, with three 21-Mar and c15 on 28-Mar.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina   

Larnaca Sewage Works: 16 on 6-Mar. Lady's Mile: six 18-Mar, 10 on 21-Mar and three 28-Mar.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Influx from mid-month. Up to seven Larnaca Salt Lake 1-14 Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 12 from 2-27 Mar. Akhna Dam: 15 on 15-Mar, increasing to 46 on 17-Mar, with only seven 22-Mar. Galatia ( Mehmetcik Lakes ): c6 on 17-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: less than 15 to mid month, 30 on 22-Mar, c10 on 25-Mar. Spiros Pool: 14 on 27-Mar. Ones and twos elsewhere.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago   

Max. numbers reported: Akhna Dam: 19 on 1-Mar, 39 on 4-Mar, up to 17 on 15-22 Mar. Ones and twos Paphos Lighthouse, Oroklini Marsh, Nata, Akrotiri gravel pits, Phasouri Reed-beds, Sotira Pools, Aspro Pools and Nata.  

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa   

Akhna Dam: up to three 1-15 Mar, with one 31-Mar. Mazotos marshes: one 21-Mar.  

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus   

Elyseum Hotel Beach , Paphos: one 30-31 Mar.  

Curlew Numenius arquata   

Larnaca Salt Lake : seven 1-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 10-Mar. Akrotiri Gravel Pits: two 13-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: a group of 19 migrating on 13-Mar. Mandria: nine on passage 24-Mar.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  

Larnaca Salt Lake : one 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: one 14 & 25 Mar. Clapsides ( Famagusta ): one 23-Mar. Mandria Canal : one 23-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 25-Mar.  

Redshank Tringa totanus  

Larnaca Salt Lake : max. 52 on 1-Mar, 22 on 3-Mar, 30 on 6-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 6-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: max. 10 on 8-Mar. Smaller numbers, mostly ones and twos, Akhna Dam, Cape Greco, Paphos Sewage Plant, Clapsides and Agia Napa Sewage Works.  

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis  

Akhna Dam: up to three from 1-22 Mar, with five 15-Mar, two 29-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 7-Mar, three 25-Mar. Meneou Pools: one 14-Mar. Evretou Dam: one 31-Mar. Oroklini Marsh: three 31-Mar.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia   

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 25-Mar. Coral Bay : four 31-Mar. Ones and twos Oroklini Marsh, Meneou Pools, Akhna Dam, Phasouri Reed-beds and Spiros pool.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus   

Fairly common all month, with ones and twos widely reported at wetlands. Akhna Dam: three 1-4 Mar, five 15-Mar, seven 17-Mar, nine 22-Mar. Aspro Pools: three 18-Mar, eight 19-Mar. Zakaki Marsh: four 28-Mar. Evretou Dam: three 31-Mar. 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola   

The first of the season were one at Sotira Pools 19-Mar and one Oroklini Marsh 20-Mar. Kannaviou Dam: two 20-Mar. Three were at Oroklini 23-Mar, four at Akhna Dam 29-Mar, seven at Agia Napa Sewage Works 25-Mar. Singles were also reported.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos    

Ones and twos reported at Paphos Headland, Akhna Dam, Coral Bay , Cape Pyla and Clapsides ( Famagusta ).  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres   

Paphos: six feeding on rocky shoreline 31-Mar, was the only record.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: at least four 6-Mar, one adult 14-Mar and one 25-Mar.  

Little Gull Larus minutus   

Oroklini Marsh: one 5, 11 & 18-Mar. Larnaca Salt Lake : one adult 14-Mar.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus   

Up to 500 at Larnaca Salt Lake and sewage works pools to 12-Mar, with only 20 counted there 21-25 Mar. At least 200 Oroklini Marsh from 1-4 Mar, and 100 there 25-Mar. Lady's Mile: 40+ on 18-Mar. Generally departed by month end.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei   

Main site was Larnaca Salt Lake , with one 1-Mar, 55 from 3-6 Mar, 109 on 13-Mar, 215 on 14-Mar and 145 on 25-Mar, when last noted. Up to seven visited the Larnaca Sewage Works pools during 3-21 Mar. 13 passed Paphos Headland 22-Mar and ones and two were seen at other sites from 2-30 Mar.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii   

Ayios Filonas: two 11-Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2nd-winter 14-Mar. Paphos Beach : one distantly off coast 31-Mar.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic Gull) Larus fuscus fuscus  

Surprisingly few. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 1-Mar and up to three 21 & 25 Mar. Zakaki Marsh: four 18 & 28-Mar, were the only reports.  

Siberian gull L.f.heuglini    

Only reported at Larnaca Sewage Works, with one 6-Mar and two 12 & 21-25 Mar.  

Yellow-legged Gull Larus c. michahellis  

Cape Drepanum : 50+ on 13-Mar at colony. Mandria: 35 on 2-Mar, 10 on 11-Mar and five 31-Mar. Paphos Lighthouse: six 13-Mar. Karpas Peninsula : one 17-Mar. This rest of the list includes many central Asian Caspian Gull, which are difficult to separate. Aspro Dam: 200+ on 3-Mar, c100 on 10-Mar and up to 55 from 11-28 Mar. Larnaca Sewage Works: c100 of uncertain race 6-12 Mar, c40 on 21-Mar.  

Caspian Gull L.c.cachinnans   

Larnaca Sewage Works: 50, mostly imms. 6-Mar, c5+ to month end. Marathounta new dump: 350, mostly cachinnans 10-Mar, 100+ over dump 26-Mar. Ayios Philonas: six 11-Mar. Boghaz: four 11-Mar. Khelones to Cape Andreas : 12 on 11-Mar. Lady's Mile: two 18-Mar. Asprokremnos Dam: 350 on 30-Mar, may be same population as at Marathounta rubbish dump.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus     

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 6 & 25 Mar. Lady’s Mile: four 18-Mar. Ormidhia coast: one 20-Mar. Asprokremnos Dam: 3+ on 30-Mar.  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensisn   

A very poor month for terns! Ayias Trias: four 6-Mar. Paphos Headland: two 27-Mar.  

Rock Dove Columba livia   

Ayios Filonas: 10 11-Mar. Khelones: 12 on 11-Mar. Cape Kormakiti (Sadrazamkoy & Koracam): two 18-Mar.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus   

Good numbers reported with max. numbers as follows: Mandria: c75 on 3-Mar. Akhna Dam: 56 on 4-Mar. Acheleia: 80+ on 11-Mar.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto   

Becoming widespread. Vrysoulles: 138 on 10-Mar, was the largest count received.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius   

Reported all month, with numbers building up from the second week. Aspro Pools: one heard 1-Mar. Polis army base: one 1-Mar. Akhna Dam: three 4-Mar. Khapotami Mouth: three 6-Mar. Souni: two 7-Mar. Agios Minas: two 10-Mar. Thereafter common with 57 birds reported to month end.  

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus   

Phinikas: one 20-Mar. Nata: one 29-Mar - were the only reports.  

Barn Owl Tyto alba  

Nicosia : one 3 & 17-Mar. Polis army base: one heard, occasionally seen, 19-23 Mar. Polemi: one 24-Mar.  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius    

A common and widespread species, though rarely seen. All following are heard-only records: reported at Tsada Hills, Akamas, Baths of Aphrodite, Polis army base, Marathounta, Lithrodontas, Ledra Palace, Koilinia, Armou Hills, Evretou Dam, Agios Minas, Kritou Terra, Goudhi and Phterykha (Ilgaz Gerne). One seen at Akamas SE 27-Mar.  

Little Owl Athene noctua  

Karpas Peninsula : two 17-Mar. Singles seen at Ayios Nikolaos 1-Mar, Athalassa 5 & 12 Mar, Asprokremnos Mast 11-Mar, Khelones 11-Mar, Aspro Pools 15-Mar, Drousha 28-Mar and Goudhi 28-Mar. Nata: one 31-Mar.  

Long-eared Owl