Systematic List for December 2007  

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

The following list contains records that have not been corrected or corroborated. Compiled by Colin Richardson & Nigel Cottle.  

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Agia Napa Sewage Works: 25 on 3-Dec and 18 22-Dec. Akhna Dam: numbers fluctuated somewhat with 42 on 4-Dec, 33 10-Dec, 39 14-Dec, 46 18-Dec, 14 19-Dec, 33 29-Dec and 19 30-Dec. Athalassa Park: five 9-Dec and nine 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: five 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 27 on 10-Dec, 19 18-Dec and 25 29-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: 25+ on 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: numbers decreased during the month from 123 1-Dec to 54 23-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with a max. count of five on both 27-Dec and 28-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 2-Dec, four 28-Dec and two 30-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: 20+ 8-Dec, 25 21-Dec and 10+ 29-Dec.  

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 

Asprokremmos Dam: three 8-Dec and 25-Dec, two 23-Dec.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Larnaca Sewage Works: the flock size increased from three 1-Dec to six 11-Dec, seven 15-Dec, 10 23-Dec and 12 on 31-Dec.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Akhna Dam: present all month with 11 18-Dec and 13 30-Dec being the only double-figure counts. Asprokremmos Dam: four reported on four dates during the month. Athalassa Park : three 9-Dec and two 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: c60 8-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake : 18 flying over 11-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 18 1-Dec, c25 10-Dec, 15 11-Dec, c100 12-Dec, 66 15-Dec, 10 19-Dec and 27 23-Dec. Spiros Pool: 22 flew out to sea at 16.20h 31-Dec.  

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Dekeleia buoys: 21 10-Dec, five 29-Dec and 19 20-Dec. Potamos Liopetri two 8-Dec, one 11-Dec.  Spiros Beach buoys: up to 10 all month.  

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

Larnaca Sewage Works: juvenile 28-Dec.  

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Fresh Water Lake (South): an adult was seen on 10-Dec and 29-Dec.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Akhna Dam: five 10-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: one 30-Dec. Frenaros area: two 11-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 112 10-Dec, 184 18-Dec and 177 29-Dec. The Akhna Dam and Frenaros birds reported above may well have been members of the Fresh Water Lake (South) colony. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 15-Dec. Manglis Lake , Lakatameia: one 11-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 17-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: reported on seven dates from 9-Dec until month's-end with a max. of 13 on 14-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 8-Dec. Polis ( Natura Beach ): one 15-Dec.    

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Agia Thekla coast: three 14-Dec. Athalassa Park: eight 9-Dec and two 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 29-Dec. Kermia Beach: one 3-Dec and 22-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one present on six dates between 2-Dec and 24-Dec. Potamos Liopetri: two 15-Dec.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Akhna Dam: reported all month with a max. of seven 19-Dec. Akrotiri Salt Lake : six 8-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: two 8-Dec. Athalassa Park: two 9-Dec. Dekeleia Power Station coast: one 20-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 29-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: one 26-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: eight 10-Dec, 14 12-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: nine 1-Dec, six 11-Dec, one on 12-Dec and six 23-Dec. Manglis Lake, Lakatameia: one 7-Dec. Meneou Pools: 12 1-Dec and five 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one reported on four dates between 15-Dec and 28-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: 68 8-Dec.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 

Akrotiri Salt Lake: 490 8-Dec, 2000+ 29-Dec. Lady's Mile: 18 29-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 265 11-Dec, 210 12-Dec, c380 12-Dec, c110 13-Dec, 141 23-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (South): 115 23-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 405 1-Dec, 471 11-Dec, c400 12-Dec, c520 13-Dec, 418 23-Dec and 63 31-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 33 1-Dec, 11 11-Dec, 39 23-Dec and 42 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with c225 20-Dec and 338 24-Dec.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Larnaca Sewage Works: the flock size increased during the month with 18 present 1-Dec and 2-Dec, 20 from 8-Dec until 23-Dec, 27 on 26-Dec then 37 from 28-Dec until month's-end.  

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Akrotiri Salt Lake : 58 8-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 73 11-Dec, 25 on both 12-Dec and 13-Dec, 81 23-Dec and 51 31-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 13 1-Dec, 16 2-Dec, 46 11-Dec, 46 23-Dec and 42 31-Dec. Meneou Pools: 44 9-Dec, 25 22-Dec and 33 31-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: two 29-Dec. 

Wigeon Anas penelope

Larnaca Sewage Works: numbers increased during the month with 27 on 1-Dec, 34 11-Dec and 72 23-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two females 8-Dec, five 21-Dec and 10 29-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: two 8-Dec.  

Gadwall Anas strepera

Akhna Dam: female 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one male and two females 18-Dec, female 29-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 1-Dec, two 2-Dec, two 11-Dec and four 26-Dec.  

Teal Anas crecca

Akhna Dam: two 4-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: two 30-Dec. Athalassa Park: c20 9-Dec and 22 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: 20+ 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 291 10-Dec, 346 18-Dec and 193 29-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: three males 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: numbers increased during the month with 678 1-Dec, 822 11-Dec and 879 23-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: first reported 18-Dec when two were present; by 27-Dec the count had reached 150 and numbers remained at this level until month's-end. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 8-Dec, c160 21-Dec and 30+ 29-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: 30+ 8-Dec and six 29-Dec.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Akhna Dam: two 10-Dec and three 18-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam: 14 14-Dec, 31+ 23-Dec and 28 25-Dec. Athalassa Park: c20 9-Dec and 31 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: five 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): three 18-Dec and two 29-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: 7+ 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: numbers remained stable through the month with 232 on 1-Dec, 249 11-Dec, 259 23-Dec and 200+ 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: regularly seen during the month with a max. count of six on 21-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 21-Dec. Timi Bay, Mandria: two 20-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: five+ 8-Dec.  

Pintail Anas acuta

Akrotiri Salt Lake : one 8-Dec. Bishop's Pool: one 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 29-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 1-Dec, eight 11-Dec and 15 23-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: eight 25-Dec, four 26-Dec and two 28-Dec.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Agia Napa Sewage Works: 11 on 3-Dec and one 22-Dec. Akhna Dam: three 30-Dec. Athalassa Park: eight 9-Dec and 14 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: five 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): six 10-Dec, nine 18-Dec and 51 29-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 837 on 1-Dec, 867 11-Dec, 612 23-Dec and 600+ 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: first reported 6-Dec when two were present; numbers then fluctuated somewhat before reaching a high of 80 on 31-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: three 21-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: c10 8-Dec.  

Pochard Aythya farina

Larnaca Sewage Works: 52 1-Dec, 76 11-Dec and 113 23-Dec.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca

Larnaca Sewage Works: present all month with a maximum count of 38 on 2-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 8-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: three 8-Dec.  

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula

Larnaca Sewage Works: Two present all month although one female-type may have been a hybrid.  

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 

Potamos Liopetri coast: four females were first reported 7-Dec; by 11-Dec they had been joined by a fifth female. These five remained until month's-end.  

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 

Larnaca Sewage Works: the male and female first reported 28-Nov were present until 20-Dec on which date four were seen. Thereafter there were no further sightings.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Akhna Dam: one 14-Dec. Aspro Dam Pools: one with rope attached to left leg 25-Dec. Lady's Mile: two 8-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one or two seen on most visits this month. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 21-Dec and one 29-Dec. Timi Bay, Mandria: one 29-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: two 8-Dec.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 

Single female/ringtail except where stated. Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): 30-Dec. Akhna area: 8-Dec. Akhna Dam: 29-Dec. Armou Hills: 3-Dec and 11-Dec. Astromeritis area: 23-Dec. Koilinia: 22-Dec. Lady's Mile: 8-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: near-adult male 28-Dec and male 12-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: male 2-Dec and one, possibly two, 9-Dec. Souni: 30-Dec. Tsada Hills: one reported regularly throughout the month.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 

Asprokremmos Dam: male and female 30-Dec. Athalassa Park: female 29-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

Akhna area: one 16-Dec. Akhna Dam: singles 8-Dec, 10-Dec and 19-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam/Pools: two 7-Dec, one 18-Dec and two 30-Dec. Avgorou area: one 10-Dec. Bishop's Pool: one 8-Dec. Dromolaxia area: one 23-Dec. Episkopi, Limassol: one 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 18-Dec. Kritou Marotou area: one 20-Dec. Larnaca Airport Coast : two 23-Dec. Larnaca area: two present all-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: singles 12-Dec, 13-Dec and 16-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 24-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: singles 8-Dec and 21-Dec with two 29-Dec.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus

Akhna Dam: singles 4-Dec and 29-Dec. Anarita Park: one 12-Dec. Armou Hills: singles 11-Dec and 18-Dec with two present 22-Dec. Marathounta: one 27-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 2-Dec. Tsada Hills: one regularly seen throughout the month. Xylofagou area: one 21-Dec.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Pentadaktylos Range : two adults 26-Dec.  

COMMON Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Common, widespread and seemingly under-recorded. Reports received from 14 sites this month. Highlights: Aspro Dam Pools: seven 7-Dec. Larnaca Desalination Plant area: a copulating pair 23-Dec. BWP states that 'display and pair formation begin early; first copulation sometimes more than two months before egg-laying.' Marathounta: two mobbing a Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 27-Dec.  

MERLIN Falco columbarius

Paphos Sewage Plant: pale male racing low over fields 9-Dec.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 30-Dec. Athalassa Park: one 9-Dec. Episkopi Cliffs: one 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 18-Dec. Larnaca Airport Fields: one regularly seen between 2-Dec and 22-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: a juvenile F. p. calidus type 2-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 23-Dec and 28-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 19-Dec. Tsada Hills: one 25-Dec. Tunnel Beach, Episkopi: two calling 16-Dec were probably the resident pair.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar 

Obviously under-reported with records only received from four sites this month.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus 

Oroklini Marsh: heard calling 7-Dec, 9-Dec, 20-Dec and 25-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: male flushed 19-Dec and female 24-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: male 8-Dec. Polis ( Natura Beach ): one 17-Dec. Tsada golf course: female 18-Dec. Zakaki: two males 8-Dec.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): one flushed from lucerne field 12-Dec.  

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Asprokremmos Dam: one 30-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 10-Dec with singles 18-Dec and 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: singles regularly seen between 1-Dec and 19-Dec with two 4-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two on both 8-Dec and 21-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one calling 21-Dec.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Akhna Dam: three 4-Dec and two 10-Dec. Athalassa Park: 10+ 9-Dec and nine 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: 10+ 8-Dec. Episkopi Valley area: one 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 28 10-Dec, 51 18-Dec and 29 29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month; max. count of 15 on 23-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: three 29-Dec.  

Coot Fulica atra

Agia Napa Sewage Works: 17 3-Dec and three 22-Dec. Akhna Dam: numbers increased during the month with 86 4-Dec, 101 10-Dec, 102 14-Dec, 105 19-Dec and 148 29-Dec. Asprokremmos Dam/Pools: six 8-Dec and nine 23-Dec. Athalassa Park: 10+ 9-Dec and 25 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: 10+ 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 36 10-Dec, 62 18-Dec and 54 29-Dec. Kannaviou Dam: 70+ 26-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: a decrease in numbers was noted as the month progressed with 344 1-Dec, 241 11-Dec and 151 23-Dec. Manglis Lake, Lakatameia: one on both 4-Dec and 11-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with 50 counted on several dates. Paphos Sewage Plant: two 2-Dec and 30-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: 50+ 8-Dec, only two 21-Dec and 30+ 29-Dec.  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 1-Dec with one remaining 2-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one first reported 8-Dec was still present 31-Dec.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA). 76 3-Dec and 71 21-Dec. Dekeleia: 91 20-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): max. count of c90 15-Dec.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Akhna Dam: present all month with a max. count of eight 7-Dec.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Akhna Dam: up to five present all month. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): five 1-Dec, and singles reported on five dates between 11-Dec and 31-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake : five 11-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present between 1-Dec and 21-Dec with max. count of two on both 4-Dec and 12-Dec.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Agia Thekla coast: 22 on 3-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 61 1-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake : 90 1-Dec, 129 11-Dec, c100 12-Dec and 37 31-Dec. Meneou Pools: 13 on 31-Dec. Paphos Headland: juvenile type 4-Dec.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultia

Kermia Beach : two 22-Dec. Potamos Liopetri coast: one 8-Dec. Paphos Headland: four on 4-Dec, 15-Dec and 23-Dec.  

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): three 3-Dec and two 21-Dec. Larnaca Airport field: 14 1-Dec. Paphos Headland: 27 4-Dec, 49 15-Dec and 62 23-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 28-Dec.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Kermia Beach: one 22-Dec. Larnaca Airport coast: singles reported on 2-Dec, 16-Dec, 22-Dec, 26-Dec and 28-Dec with five 16-Dec. Paphos Headland: one 4-Dec and 15-Dec. Spiros Beach: two 1-Dec, three 8-Dec and two 16-Dec.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus

Akhna Dam: 30 4-Dec, five 7-Dec, 13 10-Dec and 28 19-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 56 10-Dec, 41 18-Dec and 21 29-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 21-Dec. 

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): eight 3-Dec and 11 21-Dec. Dekeleia: five 15-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works and surrounding fields: 15 1-Dec, seven 10-Dec, 37 12-Dec and 20+ 26-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: three 4-Dec, one 20-Dec and two 22-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: 41 2-Dec, 58 9-Dec and one with an injured wing 30-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: 24 on 21-Dec. Timi Bay, Mandria: 25 on 20-Dec. Xylofagou area: nine 12-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 8-Dec.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Akhna Dam: present all month with a max. of 11 on 14-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 82 1-Dec, 31 15-Dec, 52 23-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 40+ 1-Dec, 26 11-Dec and 17 31-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 90+ 1-Dec and two 31-Dec. Meneou Pools: c40 2-Dec and 28 21-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: reported on ten dates during the month with a max. of 15 on 4-Dec.

TEMMINCK'S STINT Calidris temminckii

Oroklini Marsh: singles on 4-Dec and 12-Dec with two present 13-Dec.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Akhna Dam: five 4-Dec, nine 10-Dec, 10 18-Dec, nine 29-Dec and seven 30-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 89 1-Dec, c90 12-Dec, 135 15-Dec, one 23-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 44 11-Dec, 30 12-Dec and 73 15-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 14 1-Dec. Meneou Pools: c50 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: reported on six dates during the month with a max. count of 15 on 1-Dec.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Akhna Dam: four 4-Dec, three 8-Dec, two 10-Dec and two 19-Dec.  

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Oroklini Marsh: singles reported 8-Dec, 18-Dec, 19-Dec and 28-Dec with two present 15-Dec and 23-Dec.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Akhna Dam: one 4-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with a max. count of 20 on 1-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: reported on seven dates this month with a max. of eight on 14-Dec and 24-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 8-Dec.  

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola

Episkopi, Ezousas Valley area: one 29-Dec.  

Curlew Numenius arquata

Larnaca Airport Beach : two 23-Dec and one 26-Dec. Spiros Beach: five 8-Dec and eight 21-Dec.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 1-Dec and 16-Dec.  

common Redshank Tringa tetanus

Agia Napa Sewage Works: one 3-Dec. Agia Thekla coast: three 23-Dec. Akhna Dam: five 4-Dec, two 29-Dec with a single bird reported on a further five dates. Fresh Water Lake (South): three 10-Dec, two 18-Dec and four 29-Dec. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): one 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: four 1-Dec, one 10-Dec, two 11-Dec, three 23-Dec and five 31-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with a max. of 30 on 6-Dec.  

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 29-Dec.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 10-Dec.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

Oroklini Marsh: seven 9-Dec, six 13-Dec and four 15-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Agia Thekla coast: one 23-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 10-Dec. Potamos Liopetri coast: one 8-Dec, two 11-Dec and three 15-Dec. 

Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus 

Larnaca Sewage Works/Meneou Pools: one 26-Dec, two 28-Dec and one 31-Dec.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Larnaca Salt Lake: one adult 1-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight (all first-winter birds) 1-Dec, 11 (six first-winter, two second-winter and three adults) 2-Dec, 11 (eight first-winter and three adults) 8-Dec, three 9-Dec, three (first-winter birds) 11-Dec, five (four first-winter and one adult) 15-Dec, seven (five first-winter and two adults) 16-Dec, two (one first-winter and one adult) 22-Dec, two (both first-winter birds) 26-Dec and four (two first-winter and two adults) 28-Dec.  

Little Gull Larus minutus

Zakaki Marsh: a first-winter bird was reported on 21-Dec.  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Asprokremmos Dam: two 25-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 327 29-Dec. Lady's Mile: 600+ 8-Dec, 400+ 29-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake: 27 1-Dec, c50 12-Dec, 182 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 910 1-Dec, 1030 11-Dec, 37 23-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: present all month with a max. count of 78 23-Dec. Timi Bay, Mandria: 45 20-Dec.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

Paphos Headland: two on 4-Dec.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii

Kermia Beach : two adults 22-Dec, three 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one first-winter 16-Dec.  

Common Gull Larus canus

Larnaca Sewage Works: a first-winter bird was seen on 22-Dec and 28-Dec.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus/heuglini

Larnaca Sewage Works: five 12-Dec.  

BALTIC GULL Larus fuscus

Larnaca Salt Lake : one 15-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 11-Dec, one 12-Dec, one 15-Dec, one 22-Dec. Meneou Pools: one 28-Dec and five 31-Dec. Timi Bay, Mandria: one second-winter 20-Dec.  

HEUGLIN’S GULL Larus heuglini

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 9-Dec and 11-Dec with up to five reported all- Dec. Timi Bay , Mandria: four adults 20-Dec.  

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis 

Asprokremmos Dam/Pools: 24 overhead 7-Dec, 85 8-Dec, c280 departing towards the coast at sunset 14-Dec, 60+ 23-Dec and c130 25-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): 27 on 29-Dec. Lady's Mile: 3+ 8-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake : 21 1-Dec and 43 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: six 11-Dec. Timi Bay/Beach fields, Mandria: c100 7-Dec, c280 early-am 14-Dec, c650 20-Dec and 308 30-Dec.  

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans

Fresh Water Lake (South): four 10-Dec. Larnaca area: numbers built up to c100 by month's-end. Larnaca Sewage Works: 31 on 11-Dec.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus

Asprokremmos Dam: four 14-Dec. Lady's Mile: eight 8-Dec. Larnaca area: c25 all-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: eight 1-Dec, five 11-Dec and six 15-Dec. Ormideia Fishing Harbour: one 8-Dec.  

Rock Dove Columba livia 

Episkopi cliffs: six 29-Dec, was the month’s only report of genuine wild birds. Otherwise, feral varieties were noted ubiquitously across the island.  

ROCK/Stock Dove Columba sp.

Phasouri Reed-beds: 800+ flying over in several flocks 8-Dec.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Fairly common and widespread. Max. groups: Bishop's Pool: c500 flying over in 2 flocks 8-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: 60+ 24- Dec. Timi Bay , Paphos: c250 on 20-Dec.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 

Max. numbers reported at Fresh Water Lake (South), with up to 33 most visits 10-29-Dec. Smaller numbers elsewhere.  

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Acheleia main road: one road kill 28-Dec. Armou: one flew across road at 11pm 10-Dec. Paphos: one 9pm flying near Tomb of Kings junction 29-Dec. Tremithousa: one perched on road sign 11-Dec. Tsada Golf Club: one 4-Dec.  

Little Owl Athene noctua

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): at least two present all month. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 18-Dec.  

Common Swift Apus apus

Oroklini Marsh: one 31-Dec.  

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Akhna Dam: one 8-10-Dec. Athalassa Park: one 6-31-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 18& 29-Dec. Liopetri River Coast: one 11-15-Dec. Paphos Headland: one 4-Dec.  

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

Akhna Dam: one female 4-19-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 24 & 27-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 8-Dec.  

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  

At least four (possibly up to 10) seen in field west of Larnaca Airport and Desalination Plant area 1-23-Dec.  

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 

Larnaca Sewage Works: c20 reported at dusk 12-Dec.  

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens

Frenaros: seven 6-Dec. Larnaca Desalination Plant fields: one or two flying over 1-Dec, one 4-Dec.  

Crested Lark Galerida cristata  

Fairly widely reported, sometimes in loose groups of 10 or more.  

Woodlark Lullula arborea  

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): seven 30-Dec. Akhna Dam: nine 29-Dec. Armou Hills: up to 33 seen most visits 3-31-Dec. Aspro Amenity Area: nine 25-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): six 29-Dec. Koilinia: three 22-Dec. Nata Ford: one 12-Dec. Statos-Agios Fotios dam: two 26-Dec. Tala hills: one 2-Dec. Tsada Hills: six 25 & 27-Dec.  

Skylark Alauda arvensis

Very common, usually in fields and open cultivated areas. Max. numbers: Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): 145 on 30-Dec. Geroskipou fields: 50+ on 28-Dec. Larnaca Desalination Plant area: c50 on 23-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 70 on 1-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: max. c90 on 24-Dec. Timi Bay - Mandria: c60 on 20-Dec. Tsada Hills: c160 on 27-Dec.  

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 

Abundant winter visitor, seen in farmland and foothills. Largest numbers listed: Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): 55 on 3-Dec, 45 on 30-Dec. Akhna Dam: 52 on 10-Dec. Armou Hills: 32 on 13-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 40+ on 1-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: 50+ at dusk going to roost 12-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to 380 on 2-9-Dec, c225 on 19-Dec, 120+ on 24-28-Dec.  

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus 

Anarita Park : seven 12-25-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Pools surroundings: up to 16 all month, 20+ including many near Meneou pools 1-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to 10 all month.  

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 

Often overlooked. Akhna Dam: c5 on 8-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: up to five all month. Paphos Sewage Plant: six from 9-Dec, c25 perched on fence and feeding on ground in works 19-Dec, at least three to month end. Phasouri Reed-beds: four 8-Dec.  

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Larnaca Sewage Works: one race not identified 1-Dec.  

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flava 

Larnaca Airport Pools (South): at least one in area 1-19-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one tail-less 9-Dec, a different bird 30-Dec.  

BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava feldegg 

Paphos Sewage Plant: one washed-out dark-naped bird, 24-Dec.  

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 

Athalassa Pond: one 6-Dec. Bishop's Pool: one 8-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): up to three 10-29-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: one 2-4-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 24-Dec. Psilon Dendron Restaurant, Platres: one 23 & 30-Dec. Statos-Agios Fotios dam: one 26-Dec.  

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

Abundant, reported nearly everywhere. Noteworthy reports. Larnaca Sewage Works: 21 on 1-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: 60+ on 24-Dec.  

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Kakopetria: two 30-Dec. Psilon Dendron Restaurant, Platres: one 23 & 30-Dec.  

Dunnock Prunella modularis  

A rare and elusive winter visitor. Tala hills: two heard 2-Dec, one heard 26-Dec. Tsada Hills: two perched up calling to each other 25-Dec.  

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Ubiquitous. Noteworthy reports: Episkopi valley area: nine 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): nine 10-Dec. Tala hills: 15 heard 2-Dec.  

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

Akhna Dam: two 4-Dec, one 18-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: up to two all month, one prob. of red-spotted race 8-Dec, one ♀ type 28-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to three 2-28-Dec, seen most visits. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec.  

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 

Common and widely reported.  

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 

Very common and ‘pairs’ seen at all sites, except in mountain forests. Up to 10 around Paphos Sewage Plant and fields area throughout the month. Up to six at other sites.  

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii

Agia Napa Sewage Works area: one 22-Dec. Anarita Park: 1 male, 1 on 12-Dec. Cape Greco: two 3-Dec. Koilinia: one 22-Dec.  

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius  

Asprokremmos Dam: one male present from 5-Dec.  

Blackbird Turdus merula

Mostly reported from mid-month. Bishop's Pool: one heard 8-Dec. Armou Hills: ones and twos seen most visits from 11-Dec. Aspro Amenity Area: max. four 25-Dec.  Episkopi cliffs, Ezousas: two 29-Dec, four Ezousas-Valley, Episkopi area 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one male 29-Dec. Kerynas cliffs: two 22-Dec. Koilinia: one 22-Dec. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 30-Dec. Tsada Hills: one heard 20-Dec. Tunnel Beach, Episkopi Garrison: two 16-Dec.  

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Akhna Dam: two 10-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): two 10-Dec.  

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 

Akhna Dam: reported all month, with max. 12 on 18-Dec. Armou Hills: up to five all visits 3-22-Dec. Aspro Amenity Area: four 25-Dec. Athalassa Park: three 29-Dec. Bishop's Pool: two 8-Dec. Episkopi valley area: eight 29-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): up to two 18 & 29-Dec. Kerynas cliffs: two 22-Dec. Koilinia: 20+ on 22-Dec. Lakatameia, Nicosia : three 13-Dec. Nata Ford: two 12-Dec. Oroklini Marsh: max. two 30-Dec. Smaller numbers other sites.  

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Livadi tou Pasia, Troodos: at least one 23-Dec.  

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti  

Seen and heard widely.  

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis 

Agios Nikolaos (ESBA): five 3-Dec. Akhna Dam: max. five 4-Dec. Also reported in smaller numbers Armou Hills, Larnaca Sewage Works, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Sewage Plant, Phasouri Reed-beds and Mandria.  

Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon

Aspro Dam Pools: up to two most visits 18-30-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 11-Dec. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Dec. Zakaki Marsh: one 8 & 21-Dec.  

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata

Up to three reported all month at Agia Napa Sewage Works area, Akhna Dam, Armou Hills, Larnaca Salt Lake area, Larnaca Sewage Works, Manglis Lake , Oroklini Marsh and Tsada Hills.  

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 

Fairly commonly reported in Paphos area. Winter visitors reported in east. Agia Napa Sewage Works: one male 23-Dec, eight 22-Dec. Akhna Dam: five 4-Dec, two 10-Dec. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 18-Dec, two 29-Dec. Larnaca Salt Lake : eight 2-Dec. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two all month. Oroklini Marsh: one 3 & 4-Dec.  

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax 

Seemingly becoming rather scarce. Armou Hills: singles seen 3, 22 & 31-Dec. Aspro Amenity Area: one fem. 25-Dec. Tsada Hills: two 27-Dec.