Systematic List for February 2007

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Largest groups at Ayia Napa Sewage Works with 56 on 1-Feb, 23 on 12-Feb and 42 on 17-Feb, Phasouri Reed-beds with 12 on 24-Feb and 23 on 24-Feb. Up to six only, at Aspro Dam Pools, Athalassa, Fresh Water Lake (North), Fresh Water Lake (South), Larnaca Sewage Works and Oroklini Marsh.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 

Very few this year. Akhna Dam: one 4-Feb. Ayia Napa Sewage Pools: one 9-Feb.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one 17-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: three 3-Feb, two remaining to at least 17-Feb and one on 19-Feb.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Migration noted in the third week of the month when flocks started returning north. Larnaca Sewage Works: 39 on 13-Feb, up to 69 from 19-23-Feb. Manglis Lake, Lakatameia: 24 on 2-Feb, declining to 13 on 16-Feb and one on 22-Feb. Meneou Beach: five coming inland off sea 19-Feb. Potamos Liopetri: 28 on 17-Feb. Mandria: 35 flying north-west in v-formation 26-Feb. Agios Sozomenos, near Nicosia: 20 flying high northwest 23-Feb. Texefta, Akamas: 51 flying 27-Feb. Ones and twos also reported Akhna Dam, Athalassa and Fresh Water Lakes .

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Very few reports. Geroskipou-Koloni beach: one 9-Feb. Mandria: two 18-Feb. Ormidhia Coast: one 9-Feb. Spiros Beach buoys: one 9 & 17-Feb.

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 

One immature bird remained at Larnaca Sewage Works to 23-Feb.  

GREAT Bittern Botaurus stellaris  Kannaviou  

Dam: one 18-Feb, was a good discovery.  

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax   

Athalassa Dam: three 23-Feb , was the month’s only report.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   

Appears to be spreading and increasing. Fresh Water Lake (South): colony of up to 105 present from 2-20-Feb. Geroskipou fields: c7 on 16-Feb, four 19-Feb. Mandria-Koloni canal: up to four 7 & 8-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to five 3-28-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to five all month with six 24-Feb. Vrysoulles Pool: one 16-Feb.  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta   

A few early migrants reported. Agia Thekla & Potamos Liopetri: one 17-28-Feb. Kermia Beach: one 17-Feb. Manglis Lake, Lakatameia: one 9-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: two 23-Feb. Paralimni Lake : c10 on 28-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: at least one 18-27-Feb, with three 25-Feb.  

Great Egret Egretta alba   

Akhna Dam: one 4-Feb. Athalassa: one 22-Feb.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea   

Up to five reported at Akhna Dam, Asprokremmos Dam, Athalassa, Fresh Water Lake (South), Larnaca Sewage Works, Manglis Lake and Oroklini Marsh. Zakaki Marsh: 23 on 8-Feb, six 10-Feb.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber   

Akrotiri Salt Lake : c300 on 8-Feb, was the only count received. Larnaca Airport Pools: c800 on 20-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : max. 1785 on 23-Feb. Meneou Pools: 30 on 13-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to 12 on 1 & 2-Feb.  

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons  

Larnaca Sewage Works: 22 from 3-23-Feb at least.  

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea   

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

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna   

Only reported at Larnaca, with 367 at Larnaca Salt Lake 23-Feb and 18 at Larnaca Sewage Works 13-Feb.  

Wigeon Anas penelope   

Reported from 5 sites. Bishops Pool: two 10-Feb. Evretou Dam: 25 on 7-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (North): 85 on 20-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: c70 on 13-Feb, declining to 42 on 23-Feb. Spiros Pool: seven 23-Feb.  

Gadwall Anas strepera  

Rather localised as usual, and probably at these sites all month. Bishops Pool: three 10-Feb . Fresh Water Lake (South): two 2-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: six 24 & 25-Feb.  

Teal Anas crecca   

Fresh Water Lake (North): 280 on 20-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): 144 on 2-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 330 on 13-Feb, 278 on 19-Feb, 230 on 23-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: c100 on 1 & 2-Feb, up to 23 from 18-23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to 45 on 24 & 25-Feb. Up to five Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools and Athalassa.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Largest numbers at Fresh Water Lake (North), with 42 on 20-Feb and Larnaca Sewage Works with a peak of 129 on 23-Feb. Less that 15 together elsewhere.  

Pintail Anas acuta   

Best records follow: Athalassa: four 22-Feb. Fresh Water Lakes: one 2-Feb on south lake and 28 on 20-Feb on north lake. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. four 23-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: two 23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. six 25-Feb.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata   

Some quite large flocks present locally. Fresh Water Lake (North): 66 on 20-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): max. 34 on 2-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 120 on 13-Feb, max. 162 on 23-Feb. Meneou Pools: 37 on 19-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: max. 90 on 2-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 27 on 24-Feb. Spiros Pool: up to 30 from 19-23-Feb. Up to 10 at Akhna Dam, Zakaki Marsh, Larnaca Salt Lake and Athalassa.  

Pochard Aythya ferina   

Rather localised, with most reported at Larnaca Sewage Works. Fresh Water Lake (North): four 20-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: six 3-Feb, 14 on 9-Feb , 11 on 19-Feb, five 23-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: one 17-Feb .  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca   

Noteworthy numbers reported at Athalassa Dam, with 28+ on 4-Feb, 8+ on 21-Feb and 10+ on 23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 24-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: two 21-Feb .  

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Potamos Liopetri: three females 17-Feb, present since November 2006.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus    

Up to seven present at Kensington Cliffs and Episkopi Garrison all month.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus    

Up to four at Phasouri Reed-beds all month. Zakaki Marsh: two 10-Feb. Singles reported at Ayios Nikolaos, Fresh Water Lake (North), Kouklia Dam, Kannaviou and Larnaca Sewage Works.  

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus   

Not so widespread, compared to previous winters. Tsada Track: one ♀ on 6-Feb. Kannaviou: one 12-Feb . Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one ringtail 15-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one ringtail 18-Feb . Ayios Nikolaos fields: 1 adult male 28-Feb . Larnaca Sewage Works: one ringtail 23-Feb. Paphos Sewage Plant: one ringtail 21-Feb. Aspro Dam wall: one ♀ on 23-Feb  

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis  

One at Kalo Khorio Klirou chasing pigeons 13-Feb. One, possibly two including a female calling in Ezousas Valley north of Episkopi 11-Feb.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  

Singles throughout the month seen at Armou Hills, Aspro Dam Pools, Fresh Water Lakes , Mansoura, Phasouri Reed-beds and Inia.  

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  

Singles reported throughout the month at Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools, Ayios Nikolaos, Chrysochou – Polis river area, Stroumbi, Ezousas River valley, Oroklini Marsh, Kritou Terra, Mandria, Kensington Cliffs and Kerynas cliffs. Ayia Napa Sewage Works: one 12-Feb, two 17-Feb. Curium Stadium area: four calling and talon-grappling in pairs 24-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 13 & 17-Feb, two 23-Feb. Mandria Canal: three 8-Feb. Phasouri Reed Beds: six 19-Feb, otherwise one most days 4-24-Feb. Zakaki Marsh: two 10-Feb . Skouli: two 19-Feb .  

Buzzard species  

Stroumbi: one 18-Feb.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  

Armou Hills: pair on ground, male rising and displaying 9-Feb, seen again on fieldtrip 17-Feb. Axylou: one 19-Feb . Ezousas River valley: one, probably two, calling 11-Feb. Goudhi: one 4 & 7-Feb. Limonia: one 19-Feb. Mansoura: 1juv. most days 4-21-Feb. Theletra: one 16-Feb  and on Stroumbi-Theletra Road 28-Feb. Tsada Hills: two over distant hills 16-Feb. Lysos: one 2-Feb.  

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 8-Feb .  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus  

Goudhi: two still with some imm. plumage 7-Feb and one at nearby Evretou Dam 25-Feb. Vretsia: one 25-Feb.  

COMMON Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Commonly reported everywhere.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus  

 Single birds seen at Armou Hills 2-Feb, Evretou Dam 7-Feb, Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA) 15-Feb and Fresh Water Lake (North) 20-Feb.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar   

Quite well-reported, usually in pairs, at Armou Hills, Aspro Dam Pools, Ayia Napa Sea Caves area, Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA), Fresh Water Lake (North), Kidasi, Larnaca Desalination Works, Larnaca Sewage Works, Mandria, Marathounta, Strovolos, Oroklini Marsh and Strovolos. Larger groups seen at Souni, Cape Greco and Manglis Lake .  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Heard or seen calling at Akhna Dam, Athalassa, Axylou, Skouli, Cape Drepanum , Fresh Water Lake , Goudhi, Kermia Beach , Mandria, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Sewage Plant, Pyla, Timi and Inia.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix   

Ayia Napa Sea Caves area: one calling 28-Feb.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Up to five seen at Aspro Dam Pools, Athalassa, Oroklini Marsh, Zakaki Marsh and Fresh Water Lake (North). Largest number at Fresh Water Lake (South), with 47 on 2-Feb.  

Coot Fulica atra   

Very common resident, supplemented by large wintering population. Max numbers: Akhna Dam: 74 on 22-Feb, 56 on 23-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (North): 61 on 20-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): 47 on 2-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 50 on 19-Feb, 34 on 23-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: 78 on 23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: 69 on 24-Feb.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  

Oroklini Marsh: up to three 25-28-Feb.  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus   

Nata: 12 on 1-Feb . Acheleia olive grove: nine 6-Feb, 22 on 26-Feb. Larnaca Airport Pool North: one 3-Feb. Inia: one, prob. more calling 16-Feb.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  

Oroklini Marsh: four 18-Feb, up to three 19-28-Feb.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus   

Very few records of this usually frequent species. Akhna dam: three 8-Feb. Kermia Beach : one 17-Feb. Larnaca Airport Pools: two 20-Feb . Spiros Pool: one 19-Feb.  

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii   

Agia Trias: two 28-Feb. Kermia Beach: at least three most days 12-18-Feb, with five 17-Feb and seven 28-Feb. Paphos Headland: up to three 18-28-Feb, probably all month.  

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva   

Paphos Headland: one 20-22-Feb, will be the 4th record if accepted.  

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria  

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 57 on 15-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works fields: two 3-Feb. Mandria: 24 on 8-Feb, 49 on 18-Feb, at least three to 26-Feb. Paphos Headland: 24 on 18-22-Feb, with only four from 28-Feb.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola  

Larnaca Airport Coast : one 17-Feb.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus  

34 at Fresh Water Lake (South) on 2-Feb was the largest group reported this month. Akhna Dam: up to 23 were present 8-22-Feb, although only one was found on 23-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): 14 on 20-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: up to three were seen all month, with five 9-Feb . Paphos Sewage Plant: a peak of eight 1-Feb , with six 6-Feb and five present to 21-28-Feb. Paralimni Lake : three 28-Feb .  

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus   

Good numbers early in the month, though most appeared to have departed by mid-month. Oroklini Marsh: 30 on 2 & 7-Feb, 50 on 4-Feb, one 19-Feb. Mandria: 20 on 4-Feb . Paphos Sewage Plant: c49 on 1-Feb , 66 on 4-Feb, 170 flying around in 2 groups 6-Feb, probably preparing to migrate. Akhna Dam: 11 on 6-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works fields: c50 on 3-Feb. Freshwater Lakes: 17 on 8-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): nine 15-Feb. Mazotos/Petounta: six 19-Feb. Aspro dam: one 28-Feb.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

 Lady’s mile: three 3-Feb . Oroklini Marsh: four 18-Feb, up to two 26-27-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 24 & 25-Feb. Spiros Pool: one 19-Feb.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina    

Phasouri Reed-beds: two 24-Feb, three 25-Feb.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax   

Oroklini Marsh: one 27-Feb.  

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus   

Meneou Pools: one 23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 19-Feb , two 27-Feb .  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago   

Oroklini Marsh: one 20-22-Feb, 19 on 23-Feb. Paphos Sewage Plant: two 1-Feb , three 18-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 8-Feb , five 24-Feb, eight 25-Feb.  

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa   

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 24-25-Feb.  

Curlew Numenius arquata   

Akrotiri Gravel Pits: two 19-Feb. Six were at Spiros Beach and Pool 3-Feb and five – possibly part of the same group – at Larnaca Sewage Works fields 9-Feb.  

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus  

Paralimni Lake : one 18-Feb .  

common Redshank Tringa totanus   

All reports follow: Akhna Dam: two 22-Feb. Fresh Water Lakes: up to two at south lake 2 & 20-Feb and one at north lake 20-Feb. Lady's Mile: one 25-Feb . Paralimni: three 18-Feb. Larnaca Airport Pools: one 20-Feb . Oroklini Marsh: one 3 & 18-Feb, 23 on 21-Feb and 17 on 23-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 27-Feb .  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus   

Athalassa Dam: one 4-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 15-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (North): one 20-Feb. Manglis Lake , Lakatameia: one 9-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: one 25-Feb. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 6 & 8-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 24-Feb.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos   

Agia Thekla: one 17-Feb. Evretou Dam: one 7-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): one 2-Feb. Liopetri River Coast: one 9-28-Feb. Manglis Lake , Lakatameia: one 2-Feb. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 24-Feb.  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres   

Paphos Headland: one 18-Feb  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: five ads. 23-Feb. Limassol Seafront: two, including 1 ad. 25-Feb . Liopetri River Coast : one 1st-winter 28-Feb .  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus   

Some large congregations reported in the east and Limassol: Fresh Water Lake (South): 515 moving west towards Famagusta Tip 2-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (North): 240 on 20-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : 810 on 23-Feb. Oroklini Marsh: c200 on 7 & 18-Feb.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei   

Liopetri River Coast : one 9-Feb . Agia Trias: one 17-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : two 23-Feb. Lady's Mile: two 25-Feb.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii   

Two were seen off the coast between Agia Thekla and the Liopetri River 18-28-Feb. Kermia Beach: four 12-Feb, up to three 17-28-Feb. Agia Trias: one 28-Feb. Cape Greco Park: one ad. 28-Feb .  

BALTIC GULL Larus fuscus  

Paralimni Lake : one 28-Feb.  

HEUGLIN’S GULL Larus heuglini  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one prob. heuglini 3 & 9-Feb. Paralimni Lake : one 28-Feb. Timi Beach : two 6-Feb.  

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis   

Asprokremmos Dam: 49 on 8-Feb, c300 on 28-Feb. Cape Drepanum: 120 on Yeronisos Island 16-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): 25 moving west towards Famagusta Tip, not assigned to race 2-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: 72 mainly juveniles 19-Feb. Timi Beach: 160 floating in bay 6-Feb.  

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans   

Larnaca Salt Lake : 112 on 23-Feb. Larnaca Sewage Works: c50 from 3-17-Feb , 303 on 23-Feb. Paralimni Lake : c40 on 9-Feb, c10+ on 28-Feb . Timi Beach : 40+ floating in airport bay 6-Feb. Cape Greco Park: one 28-Feb.  

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus   

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 10 from 3-19-Feb, with c15 on 9-Feb, one 23-Feb. Limassol Seafront: c5 on 25-Feb . Paralimni Lake : c5 on 28-Feb. Larnaca Salt Lake : four 23-Feb.  

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis   

Spiros Beach Buoys: three 9 & 17-Feb. Acheleia beach: one 17-Feb. Agia Thekla area: one moving east along the coast 17-Feb. Agia Trias: one 28-Feb.  

Black Tern Chlidonias niger    

Zakaki Marsh: one 28-Feb , was unseasonal.  

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus   

Common and widespread, with largest numbers listed here. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 145 on 16-Feb. Chrysochou – Polis valley: 110 in trees near Skoulli 23-Feb . Fresh Water Lake (North): max. 63 on 20-Feb. Geroskipou: 250+ on 9-Feb. Kerynas cliffs: 100+ on 25-Feb.  

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto    

Largest numbers, Akhna Dam: 19 on 22-Feb. Geroskipou: 25+ on 9-Feb. Paphos Sewage Plant: 15 on 4-Feb. Up to five regularly reported.  

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius   

The first few arrived on schedule. Akhna Dam: two 22-Feb. Dhiarizos Valley: three at ‘big boulder pass’ 23-Feb. Armou Hills: one 27-Feb. Cape Greco: two 27-Feb. Aspro Dam Pools: one 28-Feb.  

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus  

Souni: one early arrival seen flying up the valley 22-Feb.  

Barn Owl Tyto alba   

Kakopetria: two flying together 23-Feb; one bird was also heard on several evenings during the whole month. Larnaca: one calling and flying around long-term SkyPark yard after dark 9-Feb. Mansoura: one seen and heard just after 4am on 1-Feb.  

Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius    

Kensington Cliffs: one calling 9-Feb . Souni: one heard most evenings and early mornings from 9-25-Feb, two on phone wires 23-Feb. Pissouri: one flying over 10-Feb. Lythrodontas: one heard 10 & 27-Feb . Goudhi: two calling 12-Feb. Kakopetria: one heard in valley above Agios Nikolaos Stegis 13-Feb and a bird regularly heard in Kakopetria from 18-Feb. Koilinia: two heard 19-Feb. Mansoura: up to two heard, occasionally seen, from 13-Feb, with three recorded at 5am on 25-Feb. Marathounta: one calling most evenings after dark from 20-Feb. English School Nicosia : one seen and heard calling 21-Feb. Tremithousa: one calling 23-Feb.  

Little Owl Athene noctua   

Aspro Dam Pools: one 8-Feb. Athalassa Park: one 21-23-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one calling 19-Feb, two on 24-Feb. Mansoura: one 1 & 20-Feb. Potamos Chapotami: one at entrance to Secret Valley golf club 20-Feb.  

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus  

Paphos Headland: one 25-Feb .  

Common Swift Apus apus   

Oroklini Marsh saw some of the country’s first migrants, with one 2-Feb, 10 on 9-Feb, 12 on 10-Feb and six 11-Feb, peaking at 40 on 20-Feb. Elsewhere Lythrodontas held the first inland report with two from 12-Feb . Akhna Dam: five 15-Feb. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): four 15-Feb. Manglis Lake , Lakatameia: two 16-Feb. Regular, mostly in east and north from the 20-Feb with max. numbers as follows: Oroklini Marsh: 40 on 20-Feb. Manglis Lake, Lakatameia: up to 11 from 20-22-Feb. Fresh Water Lake (South): 12 on 20-Feb. Akhna Dam: 51 on 22-Feb. Strovolos: seven 22-Feb . Small numbers seen in Kakopetria regularly from 22-Feb . Vrysoulles Pool: four 22-Feb.  

Swift sp.  

Athalassa Dam: three almost definitely Pallid Swifts. 4-Feb .  

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis    

Cape Drepanum : two 16-Feb. Potamos Liopetri: one 17 & 24-Feb.  

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis  

Amathus Beach , Kato Paphos: one from 27-Feb , apparently present since late November. Potamos Liopetri: one 28-Feb.  

Hoopoe Upupa epops   

Akhna Dam: one 28-Feb. Aspro dam: one 28-Feb. Paphos Headland: two 25-Feb. Paphos Sewage Plant: one 26-Feb.  

Calandra Lark