Systematic List for October 2006 

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Seen at half-a-dozen main sites. Zakaki Pool: up to 14 on 2 & 25-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 241 on 3-Oct, with 150+ most days and 98 on 27-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. c20 on 10-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to seven to mid-month, with 19 on 20-Oct. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: max. 13 on 19-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): a noteworthy 112 were counted 11-Oct and 109 on 23-Oct. Six or less at other sites.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to three counted most visits 3-29 Oct, with five 9-Oct and four 16-Oct.  

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 

Pomos point: c50 of the nominate form diomedea, also known as Scopoli’s Shearwater, seen about 2 miles offshore 22-Oct. Cape Kormakiti : at least one 28-Oct.  

Levantine Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan 

Also known as Yelkouan Shearwater. Spiros Beach: two seen distant probably this species. 10-Oct. Pomos point: two about 2 miles offshore 22-Oct.

Shearwater sp.  

Cape Kormakiti: six 27-Oct.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one first seen 10 Oct, with numbers building up to seven 27-Oct and c15 there by month end. Panagra (Getikoy) Dam: two 28-Oct. No other reports.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 

Up to five were on Mandria rocks most days, with nine on 20-Oct. Spiro's Beach: six loafing on buoys 9-Oct, five 10-Oct. Kensington cliffs: four 10-Oct. Singles birds were reported passing Pomos point 8-Oct.and Cape Kormakiti 27 & 28-Oct.

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 4 - 6 Oct. The single (escaped bird) was at Akhna Dam all month.

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  

Aspro Pools: one 30-Sep.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax  

Fresh Water Lake (South): one juvenile seen 11-Oct.  

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 5-Oct. Zakaki Pool: one 19-Oct.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one present all month. Fresh Water Lake (South): one on 11-Oct, then a noteworthy 152 on 23-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 11-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 17-Oct.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 24 from 2-3 Oct, seven 9-Oct and one 10-16-Oct. Akhna Dam: nine 4-Oct, five 6-10 Oct, three 20-Oct, one remaining to 25-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): eight 11-Oct, two 23-Oct. Ones and twos other sites all month.  

Great White Egret Egretta alba  

Akhna Dam: one 1-10 and 30 Oct, may refer to same bird. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 2-4-Oct , one 27-31 Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 3-5 Oct. Evretou Dam: one 23-Oct.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Larnaca Sewage Works: max. numbers 32 on 3-Oct, 26 on 9-Oct, 21 on 16-Oct, six 27-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to 11 from 4-17 Oct, with 15 on 10-Oct and three still present 25-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: roost present all month with max. 33 on 5-Oct and 51 on 10-Oct. Akourdhalia: 22 including 11 of a smaller species 14-Oct. Latchi: 11 on 16-Oct.  

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one in scrub just behind the pools. 6-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 21-Oct.  

White Stork Ciconia ciconia 

Paphos Sewage Plant: 30 in fields 26-Sep, with one remaining to 7-Oct. Cape Greco : one on 14-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: one on 29-Oct.  

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus  

Paphos Sewage Works: three 4-Oct , one 12-Oct. Akhna Dam: four 1-Oct. Meneou Pools: one 2-Oct.  

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia  

Phasouri Reed-beds: 11 on 29-Sep , c25 on 16-Oct. Akhna Dam: seven 2-4 Oct, with one present 6-25 Oct and two 28-31 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 24 most days from 2-Oct, with 25 on 13-16 Oct, three 23-Oct and six 31-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 11-Oct  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 

After the rain mid-month this species started to return in good numbers. Akhna Dam: 2 juv 1-Oct was an unusual site. Larnaca Sewage Works: c45 on 2-Oct, increasing to 141 on 3-Oct and  up to 170 on 5-9 Oct., though numbers declined to 40 on 29-Oct, as the Larnaca Salt Lake then attracted most birds from mid-month. Larnaca Salt Lake : 99 on 27-Oct, c150 on 29-Oct and c500 on 29-Oct. Larnaca Airport Pools: 14 on 27-Oct. Akrotiri Salt Lake: 40 on 17-Oct, increasing to c150 on 22-Oct and c200 on 31-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: 13 over flying 19-Oct. Two flew past Cape Kormakiti on 27-Oct and one was at Lady's Mile 31-Oct.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 

Larnaca Sewage Works: two seen from 26-28 Oct.  

Wigeon Anas penelope 

Zakaki Marsh: two 10-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: five 15-Oct , declining to three 16-Oct and two 27-Oct.  

Gadwall Anas strepera 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 16-Oct, to end of month.  

Teal Anas crecca  

Locally quite common. Larnaca Sewage Works: c20 on 2-Oct, with up to 10 from 3-16 Oct with13 on 27-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds:: 25 on 2-Oct, up to 95 from 5-Oct to end of month. Fresh Water Lake (South): 58 on 11-Oct, 36 on 23-Oct. Up to five other sites.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

The largest group were reported at the Larnaca Sewage Works: c150 most visits with 185 on 3-Oct and 194 on 9-Oct. Seen in smaller numbers - up to 40 birds - at Phasouri Reed-beds and Akhna Dam. Less than 10 at other sites.  

Pintail Anas acuta  Migrants seen at four sites: Phasouri Reed-beds: four 2-Oct, eight 5-Oct and 14 on 10-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 9-Oct, increasing to five 27-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): four 23-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: up to seven 25-30 Oct.  

Garganey Anas querquedula  

Rather scarce. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-Oct. Lakatameia: one Manglis Lake 3-Oct. Aspro Pools: two 7-Oct.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata   

Apparently on passage as numbers trailed off through the month. Larnaca Sewage Works: a peak of 182 were seen 3-Oct , with 92 on 9-Oct and 43 on 29-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: 24 on 5-Oct, 15 on 10-Oct and eight 30-Oct. Fewer at other sites.  

Pochard Aythya ferina  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 6 & 19-Oct, with six 9-Oct. Panagra (Getikoy) Dam: two drakes 28-Oct.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

Impressively, seen at four sites. Zakaki Marsh: one male 1 & 31-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: four 2-Oct , two 30-Oct. Aspro pools: one present 12-26 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one on 19-Oct.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus  

A few late birds reported. Akrotiri Salt Lake : four 2-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: one most days 3-9 Oct. Panageia: one 3-Oct. Akourdhalia: one 5-Oct. Lady's Mile: one 5-Oct. Tsada Track: one 19-Oct.  

Black Kite Milvus migrans  

Only seen on the Akrotiri Peninsula . Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1 & 5-Oct , four on 6-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: one juv. 10-Oct  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus  

Kensington cliffs: Seen most days with max. count eight 30-Oct. East of Pentaleia (In valley): two from church 12-Oct. Vretsia Cliff: two 12-Oct. Livadi tou Pasha, Troodos: three flew over 29-Oct. 

Black Vulture Aegypius monachus   

The single bird, now an adult,  was seen at Quarry Beach 30-Oct.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  Singles widely seen. Up to three were at Phasouri Reed-beds all month and a max. two were at Zakaki Marsh 10-Oct.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus  Early arrivals included singles at Mandria 3-Oct  and Tsada Hills 8-Oct. Most birds seen from mid-month. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 16-Oct. Cape Kormakiti : one fem. 28-Oct. Souni: one 28-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 30-Oct. Phasouri Reed Beds: one 30-Oct. Mandria: one 30-Oct.  

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus  

Evretou Dam: one imm. 1-Oct. Mandria: two, male & fem. 8-Oct. Cape Greco Caves : one adult male 14-Oct.  

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus  

Paphos Sewage Plant: one 15-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one juv. 16-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: one juv. 22-Oct.  

Harrier spp. 

Aspro Dam Pools: one ringtail (not Hen Harrier) 16-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: one juv. 18-Oct.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

A good autumn for the species as follows: singles Phasouri Reed-beds 8-Oct, Akhna Dam 10-Oct, Sylvana Restaurant 10-Oct, Tsada Track 11 & 21-Oct, Paphos Sewage Plant 12 & 18 -Oct, Kokkina 22-Oct, Agia Varvara 24-Oct,  Neo Chorio 27-Oct and Ayia Eirini (Akdeniz) coast 29-Oct. Three were at Vretsia 12-Oct, two Akhna Dam 17-Oct , two at Paphos Sewage Plant 22-Oct  and two in the Ezousa Valley , Episkopi 28-Oct.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-Oct. Larnaca town: one 22-Oct. Cape Pyla area: one 24-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 28-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: one 30-Oct.  

Steppe Buzzard B.b.vulpinus  

Phasouri Reed-beds & area: up to two 2-5, 14 & 21 Oct. Cape Greco: one 14-Oct. Ayia Varvara to Aradippou Highway : one 29-Oct.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

All records from the west of the island. Aspro Dam: up to two 28-Sep – 16-Oct and three 2-Oct. Mavrokolymbos Valley: one 1-Oct. Tsada Hills: one seen most days 1-26 Oct. Paphos-Polis road: one 8-Oct. Ormideia area: one 10-Oct. Akourdhalia: one 14-Oct. Letymbou-Choulou track: one 14-Oct. Kidasi: one 16-Oct. Evretou Dam: 1 adult 23-Oct. Episkopi, Ezousas Valley : one 28-Oct.  

Buteo spp. 

Vrysoulles: two 6-Oct.  

Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina  

One was at the Phasouri Reed-beds 29-Sep – 5-Oct.

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus  

One pale-phase bird was present and seen well during most visits from 29-Sep – 21-Oct.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Mostly single birds seen in the valleys of the west. Arodhes: one 1-Oct. Ezousas Valley , Episkopi: one imm. 1-Oct and another 28-Oct. Aspro Pools: one 4-Oct. One east of Pentalia and another, possibly the same bird, at Vretsia Cliff 12-Oct. Gerovasa: two 16-Oct. Mansoura: two 22-Oct. Argaka, Magounda Dam West: one 29-Oct.  

Osprey Pandion haliaetus  

Single birds were at Avgourou 3-Oct  and Cape Greco 14-Oct  with up to two at the Larnaca Sewage Works 3-4 Oct.  

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni  

Aspro Pools: one fem. 20-Oct.  

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 

Very common and widespread. Noteworthy reports include: Phasouri Reed-beds 11 on 2-Oct. Ezousas Valley , Episkopi: seven feeding on aerial insects 13-Oct. Tsada Track: seven 19-Oct. Vrysoulles: 13 hawking for insects with Jackdaws 29-Oct.  

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus  

Passage continued in good numbers to mid-month, with a max. of  36 at Mandria 4-Oct , 85 at Phasouri Reed-beds 5-Oct and 33 there 8-Oct. Up to 10 at Limni, Tsada Hills, Akhna Dam, Phasouri Reed-beds, Ayia Napa Sewage Works, Paphos Sewage Plant, Larnaca Sewage Works, Zakaki Marsh, Fresh Water Lake, Letymbou-Choulou track and Tsada -Kallepia Road to mid-month. At Phasouri Reed-beds four were shot at by hunters 5-Oct. Late birds included, Tsada Track: three 21-Oct, six 24-Oct. Aspro Pools: 26 feeding 20-Oct. Akrotiri: six 21-Oct. Panagra (Getikoy) Dam: one juv. 28-Oct.  

Merlin Falco columbarius   

Cape Greco: one 8-Oct.  

Hobby Falco subbuteo  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 3, 21 & 23-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-Oct. Tsada Hills: one 4-Oct. Mavrokolymbos Valley: four 5-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 17-Oct.  

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae 

Aspro Pools: one 30-Sep. Kensington cliffs: max. 11 on 10-Oct, with four 21-Oct and one on 30-Oct. Bishop's Pool: one 31-Oct.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus  

Quite well reported. North Akamas track: one 1-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 3-Oct, one juv. 7-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: one 7-Oct. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one 8-Oct. Kensington Cliffs: two 9-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 15-Oct. Aspro Dam Pools: two 16-Oct. Mandria: one male 20-Oct. Ezousa River: 1 juv. 22-Oct. Evretou Dam: 1 juv. 23-Oct. Mandria Canal: one fem. 26-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 27-Oct. Cape Kormakiti: one 28-Oct.

Falcon spp. 

Phasouri Reed Beds: one, possible juv. Peregrine 30-Oct.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Parties of  12 or more seen at Larnaca Sewage Works, Mandria, Sotira Army Base, Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA), Tsada Track, Agia Varvara, Akhna Dam, Ayia Eirini and Oroklini Marsh.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Ones and twos seen at Mandria, Phasouri Reed-beds, North of Salamis, Paphos Sewage Plant, Lakatameia and Oroklini Marsh. Heard calling at Episkopi Ezousas Valley , Fresh Water Lake (South), Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA) and Akhna Dam.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix 

Paphos Sewage Plant: one flushed from verge 30-Oct. Souni: one 30-Oct.  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus  

Reported at Zakaki Marsh 10-Oct, Mandria Irrigation Canal 3-Oct, Phasouri Reed-beds 5 & 8-Oct, Aradippou Dam 17-Oct  and Fresh Water Lake 23-Oct.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Largest flocks: Phasouri Reed-beds: up to 50 on 5 & 10-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: 47 on 10-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): 19 on 11-Oct, 31 on 23-Oct. Panagra (Getikoy) Dam: 12 on 28-Oct.  Otherwise, small groups, sometimes up to five together, at Akhna Dam, Aspro Pools, Oroklini Marsh and Athalassa. 

Coot Fulica atra  

Largest flocks: Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 108 on 3-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: c30 on 10-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: 68 on 10-Oct , 94 on 25-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): up to 33 on 11 & 23-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to 30 from 13-25 Oct. Panagra (Getikoy) Dam: 78 on 28-Oct.  

Common Crane Grus grus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 3-Oct, one 10-Oct and four on 13-Oct. Meneou Pools: two 4-Oct. Frenaros area: c350, in 12 skeins at varying heights 8-Oct. Akhna Dam: many groups, flying over continuously estimated 2,000 birds on 12-Oct , 231 in several flocks, moving SW 25-Oct. Avgas Gorge: 32 heading south east 21-Oct. Cape Greco Park : two 22-Oct.  

Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo  

Larnaca Sewage Works and Meneou Pools area: one 3-9-Oct.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: three 2-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): nine 11-Oct, one 23-Oct.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus  

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 79 on 8-Oct, one 16-Oct, 10 on 23-Oct. Mandria: nine 15-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c130 on 26-Oct , seven 27-Oct.  

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola  

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 27-Sep. Akhna Dam: one 13 & 17-Oct.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  

Akhna Dam: 12 on 4-Oct, nine 9-Oct, declining to two from 13-25 Oct. Mandria: three 4-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 5-6 Oct, one 10-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 11-Oct.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  

Fairly common, with six Mandria 3-Oct, up to 19 Akhna Dam 4-25 Oct, up to four Phasouri Reed-beds 5-10-Oct, up to five in the Larnaca Sewage Works, Spiros Beach and Meneou Pools area 4-28 Oct, up to six Oroklini Marsh 18-24 Oct and three at Paphos Sewage Plant 20-27 Oct. Smaller numbers elsewhere.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  

Max. numbers at Lady’s Mile, with up to 85 from 5-8 Oct and 101 on 10-Oct, 96 at Meneou Pools 16-Oct and 311 Larnaca Salt Lake 27-Oct.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii  

Up to three were at Paphos Headland most visits 17-23 Oct, though undoubtedly present all month.  

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

At least one at Paphos Headland most of the month, with two reported 21-Oct.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola  

Paphos Headland: one 17 & 23-Oct.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

Paphos Sewage Works: at least six present all month, with seven 16-Oct  and nine there 20-Oct. Akhna Dam: three 4-Oct. Lady's Mile: one 5-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 6-Oct, increasing to three 17-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): 48 on 11-Oct, 54 on 23-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: one 23-25 Oct.  

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 3-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 4-Oct, increasing to two 9-Oct, three 13-Oct and six 17-23 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: four 4-18-Oct and seven 26-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to three one 4-20 Oct. Zakaki: one 7-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): two 23-Oct. Evretou Dam: one 23-Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to four 24-29 Oct.  

Sanderling Calidris alba  

Mandria: one 3-Oct. Meneou Pools: one 16-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: four 19-Oct, two 30-Oct.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Present all month. Max. numbers: Lady's Mile: up to 15 from 5-10 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 12 on 3-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to 20 on 4-10 Oct, up to seven 16-25 Oct. Meneou Pools: 16 on 16-Oct. Larnaca Salt Lake : 15 on 27-Oct. Less than five Phasouri Reed-beds, Spiros Beach, Zakaki Marsh, Fresh Water Lake (South), Paphos Sewage Plant and Larnaca Airport Pools. 

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii  

Akhna Dam: one from 4-Oct, four 21-Oct, three from 25-Oct.  

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos  

Akhna Dam: one remained until 1-Oct, present since 28-Sep, the 3rd record for Cyprus.  

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea  

Phasouri Reed-beds: three 2-Oct , two 29-Oct. Meneou Pools: two 16-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 30-Oct.

Dunlin Calidris alpina  

Akhna Dam: up to nine 4-17 Oct, with four 25-Oct. Lady's Mile: two 5-10 Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: eight 5-Oct, four 10-Oct, one 30-Oct. Spiros beach: two 10-Oct. Meneou Pools: 11 on 16-Oct, up to three 17-22 Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to six 20-30 Oct. Larnaca Airport Pools: five 27-Oct. Larnaca Salt Lake: six 27-Oct.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Phasouri Reed-beds: four 2-Oct, up to 11 from 5-10 Oct, six 10-Oct and one 29-30 Oct. Ones and twos at Akhna Dam, Fresh Water Lake , Paphos Sewage Plant, Oroklini Marsh and Larnaca Sewage Works.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago  

Reported all month. Max. numbers: Aspro Pools: two 2-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 2 & 29 Oct. Akhna Dam: up to two 10-25 Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): four 11-Oct, nine 23-Oct. Oroklini Marsh: at least three most days, with five 14-15 Oct, eight 18-Oct, 12 on 20-Oct and up to five 21-31-Oct. Singles seen at Evretou Dam and Paphos Sewage Plant.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa  

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 29-Oct.  

Curlew Numenius arquata  

Several seen in the Larnaca area, only. One at Larnaca Sewage Works 9, 26 & 27-Oct , three on 15-Oct  and four at nearby Spiros Beach 29-Oct.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 3-22-Oct, with two 16-Oct. Akrotiri: one 21-Oct.  

Redshank Tringa totanus  

Fairly common, with max. numbers as follows: Larnaca Sewage Works: 16 on 2-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to three 5-17 Oct. Lady's Mile: two 8-Oct. Oroklini Marsh: up to two from 10-30-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): six 11-Oct, nine 23-Oct. Larnaca Airport Pools: 18 on 27-Oct.  

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 5-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 21-Oct, three 23-Oct.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia  

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 2-Oct, with one 3-29-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 6-25 Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 23-Oct.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Lakatameia: two Manglis Lake 6-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): three 23-Oct.  

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  

Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two present 3-10 Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-Oct. Akhna Dam: one 17-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 23-Oct.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos   

Fresh Water Lake (South): max. four 11-Oct. Singles at Evretou Dam, Paphos Headland and Phasouri Reed-beds.  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres  

Kissos Hotel beach, Paphos: three 22-Oct.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Zakaki Marsh and nearby Lady’s Mile: two 30-31 Oct.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  

Common with 100+ at Larnaca Sewage Works, Zakaki Marsh and Lady’s Mile. Fewer at other locations, although scarce in the west.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei  

Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 12 on 2-Oct, with up to five 3-16-Oct. Lady's Mile: three 31-Oct.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii  

Konnos Bay , Cape Greco : 13 on the rocks 5-Oct , 11 nearby on 8-Oct. Kato Pyrgos: two 21-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 27-Oct. Orga (Kayalar), east of Cape Kormakiti : one 28-Oct.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus   

Lady's Mile: one 31-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: single adults and imms. were seen most days 6-31-Oct. Pomos: one 8-Oct.  

SIBERIAN GULL L.f.heuglini   

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2nd W on 10-Oct , one adult 27-Oct.  

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans   

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 24 in area 10-27 Oct.  

CASPIAN GULL L.c.cachinnans  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one adult, from 19-Oct , one 1st W. on 27-Oct.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2-9 Oct, up to five 10-23 Oct, two adults 27-Oct. Spiros Beach: one at least 2-Oct. Larnaca coast: two 4-Oct. Lady's Mile: one 16-Oct.  

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 5-9 Oct.  

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 10 on 2-Oct , with up to five 3-16 Oct, one 26-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 2-5 Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 11-Oct.  

Black Tern Chlidonias niger   

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 3-Oct. Akhna Dam: one imm. 10-Oct.  

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 5-Oct , was the month’s only record.  

Stock Dove Columba oenas  

Phasouri Reed Beds: nine flew over 3-Oct.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus  

A very common species, with the largest flocks reported as follows: Fresh Water Lake (South): up to 72 on 11 & 23-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: c200 on 15-Oct. Pyrgos Dam: 100 on 22-Oct.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  

Common and widespread with no exceptional numbers reported.  

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur   

A few very late birds reported. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 3-Oct. Akhna Dam: two 4-Oct. Frenaros area: two 6-Oct.  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius  

Tsada Hills: one sitting on telegraph pole next to house 1-Oct.  

Little Owl Athene noctua  

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): at least one present all month 3-Oct.  

Long-eared Owl Asio otus  

Cape Greco Park, one mobbing Raven 22-Oct.  

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus  

Armou: one on home balcony 15-Oct. Kathikas - Akourdalia: one 11-Oct.  

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus  

St. Barnabas, Salamis area: four 7-Oct.  

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis   

One seen infrequently at Phasouri Reed-beds, 3 & 9-Oct , 19 & 21-Oct  and 29-Oct , probably the same bird reported 3-Sep (12th record).  

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis  

Quite widely reported all month, with ones and twos at Evretou Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works, Acheleia bridge, Cape Greco Park, Zakaki Marsh, Mandria, Pachyammos, Akhna Dam, Fresh Water Lake, Aspro Pools, Paphos Headland, Skarphos Bridge, Pyrgos Dam and Orga, with three at Phasouri Reed-beds 5-Oct , three Kissos Hotel beach, Paphos 22-Oct  and three Panagra (Getikoy) Dam 28-Oct.  

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis  

One (of two birds seen over the summer) still present at Akhna Dam 6-Oct.  

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster  

Healthy passage continued until mid-month, with largest numbers as follows: Kamares: 57 on 1-Oct , up to 17 flying over daily until 21-Oct. Meneou Beach : 70 during morning 1-Oct. Skoulli: c30 on 1-Oct. Aspro Pools: c40 on 2-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c40 on 2-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 20 on 3-Oct, 27 on 4-Oct, nine 16-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: 50+ on 3-Oct , 26 on 5-Oct, c10 on 10-Oct. Tsada Hills: c20 on 3-Oct , 16 on 6-Oct. Tala: 23 on 4-Oct. Ayia Napa Sewage Works area: 24 on 5-Oct. Marathounta: c40 on 6-Oct. Merit Cove, Iskele: 72 on 7-Oct. St. Barnabas, Salamis area: 31 on 7-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one present at least 16-25-Oct , was the latest record.  

Roller Coracias garrulus  

All reports: Ayia Napa Sea Caves area: one 5-Oct. Cape Greco : one 7 & 10-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 10-Oct.  

Hoopoe Upupa epops  

Akhna Dam: one 4 & 17-Oct , were the only reports.  

Wryneck Jynx torquilla  

Ayios Minas: one trapped and ringed 3-Oct. Oroklini Marsh: one 25-Oct.  

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

Mandria: at least eight most days at ‘lark corner’ 1-15 Oct, with nine 12-Oct  and 10 on 30-Oct. Field behind Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 23 from 10-31-Oct with c35 on 28-Oct. Livera - Cape Kormakiti : one 27-Oct.  

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla  

A few migrants still present. Mandria: two 4-Oct , 15 on 8-Oct , five 30-Oct. Larnaca Desalination Plant area: two 27-Oct.  

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens  

Several records of this interesting species. Tsada Track: one on stubble field 1-Oct. Mandria: one on 8-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works fields: c7 on 26-28-Oct, including one brownish prob. ssp. Minor, on 28-Oct , 10, including two probable of minor race 29-Oct.  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Very widely reported, often of loose groups of 20+ birds together.  

Woodlark Lullula arborea   

Mandria: one 3-Oct. Agia Eirini (Akdeniz): three 27-Oct, 10 on 29-Oct. Tremithousa: two 29-Oct. Tsada Track: one 31-Oct.  

Skylark Alauda arvensis  

First reports of winter visitors this month. Larnaca Sewage Pools Fields and area: c8 first seen 19-Oct, c30 on 26-Oct , 81on 27-Oct. Armou - Tsada Track: one 23-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): five 23-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 23-Oct. Many birds arrived by the end of the month: Cape Kormakiti : 32 on 28-Oct. Mandria: 300 on 30-Oct.  

Sand Martin Riparia riparia   

Very localised. Phasouri Reed-beds: 15 on 2-Oct, two 10-Oct. Akhna Dam: seven 4-Oct.  

Swallow Hirundo rustica   

Active migration noticeable 1-3 Oct, but came to a virtual halt by mid-month. Meneou Beach: 60+ heading out to sea from 12-1pm on 1-Oct. Larnaca Sewage Works: c200, continuous movement 2-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: c250 on 3-Oct. Akhna Dam: 35 on 4-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 44 on 8-Oct, 57 Including 50 moving south 16-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: 40 on 8-Oct and 80 on 12-Oct, assembling on wires. Fresh Water Lake (South): 31 on 11-Oct. Letymbou-Choulou track: 15 on 14-Oct. Armou - Tsada Track: seven 23-Oct. Zakaki Marsh: six 25-Oct. Larnaca Desalination Plant area: 11 on 27-Oct. Frenaros area: three - late for these birds in this area - 31-Oct. Smaller numbers also reported.  

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica  

Akhna Dam: 2+ last seen 17-Oct. Giolou north: one 28-Oct, was the last of autumn.  

House Martin Delichon urbicum  

Frenaros area: five 2-Oct  

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris  

Mandria: up to two most days until 20-Oct, with six 4-Oct and four 8-Oct. Tsada Track: four 1-Oct. Kidasi: two A 16-Oct.  

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis  

Passage peaked mid month: Mandria: up to 25 from 12-15 Oct, with 12 on 16-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): nine 8-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: 14 on 12-Oct, 20+ on 15-Oct, declining to one 30-Oct. Tsada Hills: c50 on 16-Oct. Smaller numbers reported Evretou Dam, Akhna Dam, Larnaca Sewage Works and Anarita Park throughout the month.  

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis  

Winter visitors started to appear mid-month: Lakatameia: one Manglis Lake 18-Oct. Anarita Park: one heard 25-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 26 & 29-Oct. Agia Thekla: two 28-Oct. Evretou Dam: four 28-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: three 30-Oct. Tsada Track: one 31-Oct.  

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus   

A good influx reported this autumn, with many large flocks occurring from mid-month. Paphos Sewage Works fields: two 7-Oct, 19 on 14-Oct, 235 on 18-Oct , 100s on 21-Oct , c130 on 22-Oct  with 25 on 30-Oct. Mandria: at least three 8-Oct, two 12-Oct, 125 on 20-Oct. Ayia Napa: two 10 & 19-Oct. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two present 10-30 Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): on the station football pitch two 11-Oct, eight 14-Oct, 12 on 17-Oct and 15 on 24-Oct; 108 on Lucerne crop 23-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to 40 from 13-15 Oct, with 44 on 17-Oct and two 21-Oct. Ones and twos at Paphos Headland, Larnaca Desalination Plant area and Evretou Dam late month. 

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta  

Evretou Dam: one 28-Oct, was the season’s first, and month’s only, report.  

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava  

No race specified: Phasouri Reed-beds: up to four seen most days 2-30 Oct. Ayia Napa: one 10-Oct. Kidasi: one 16-Oct.  

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flava  

The greatest numbers were at Paphos Sewage Plant with c50 on 4-Oct, c300 on 7-Oct , c800 on 8-Oct, declining to 90 on 18-Oct and c20 on 20-Oct , as White Wagtails arrived to take their place. Evretou Dam: c90 on 1-Oct, c30 on 7-Oct. Akhna Dam: up to 19 from 4-10 Oct, one remaining to 17-Oct. Mandria: max. 120 on 4-Oct, 40 on 16-Oct, c10 on 20-Oct.  

GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava thunbergi 

Evretou Dam: c10 on 1-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: c15 on 4-Oct, c20 on 8-Oct.  

BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava feldegg  

Rather uncommon this autumn. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 12-Oct.  

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  

Stavros tis Psokas valley: one metal bridge 1-Oct , was the first of autumn. Lakatameia: up to three Manglis Lake 17-24 Oct. Pyrgos Dam: three 22-Oct. Frenaros area: three 23-Oct. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 23-Oct. Mandria Canal : four 26-Oct. Singles also reported at Roudia Bridge , Gerovasa, Athalassa Pond and University Park Nicosia.  

White Wagtail Motacilla alba  

Numbers built up quickly as massive passage got underway mid-month. c40 Evretou Dam on 1-Oct, and 12 Lara area on 1-Oct , indicated the main start of the autumn passage. Mandria: 37 on 4-Oct , c50 on 8-Oct, c600 on 12-Oct, c200 on 15-Oct, declining to 40 on 20-Oct. Paphos Sewage Plant: 20 on 4-Oct, c800 from 11-12 Oct, up to c500 on 15-16 Oct, 2200 on 18-Oct, 2600 on 20-Oct, including 1500 in one field, c1500 on 22-Oct , 590 on 30-Oct. Letymbou-Choulou track: c100 on 14-Oct. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 102 in Lucerne crop 23-Oct. Evretou Dam: 300 on 28-Oct. Smaller numbers elsewhere.  

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes  

Livadi tou Pasha picnic area, Troodos: 5+ calling on 29-Oct.  

Robin Erithacus rubecula  

The season’s first report was of one at Sylvana Restaurant track 29-Sep. Other early reports include: Ayios Minas: one adult, also early, trapped during ringing demo 7-Oct. Paphos Sewage Works: one 8-Oct. Robbers Rock South: one 16-Oct. Lakatameia: one 18-Oct. Most reports from late Oct, with birds heard or seen widely across the island from 21-Oct. Avgas Gorge Area: three 21-Oct. Lara: one 21-Oct. Evretou Dam: five 23-Oct. Ayios Minas: seven 23-Oct. Meletis Forest : four 24-Oct. Akhna Dam: four 25-Oct. Armou: four 25-Oct. Akamas: nine 27-Oct. Agia Eirini (Akdeniz): four seen, plus 15 heard 27 & 29-Oct. Cape Kormakiti : c10 on 28-Oct. Orga (Kayalar): c30 in the coastal cliff sc