Systematic List for May 2007  

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

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  

Widely reported with family parties, including downy young, seen at Oroklini Marsh, Phasouri Reed-beds and Zakaki Marsh.  

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  

Two at Larnaca Sewage Works 23-May, was unusual.  

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo  

A couple of birds, possibly immatures, still present so late in the season. Kermia Beach : one 1-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 7-May.  

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis  

Klidhes islands, Cape Andreas : c40 counted during a joint BirdLife survey 19-May, four 28-May. Otherwise up to 11 seen at Kensington Cliffs, Limassol Port bay and Mandria.  

GREAT Bittern Botaurus stellaris  

One was seen at Zakaki Marsh: 5, 8 & 31-May.  

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  

Migrants reported mostly to mid-month, in ones and twos at Agia Varvara, Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools, Fresh Water Lakes , Oroklini Marsh, Phasouri Reed-beds, Polis Reed-beds, Secret Valley Golf Course, Nata Ford, Sotira Pools and Zakaki Marsh. Three, at least seen at Phasouri Reed-beds, plus a call heard 21-May.  

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax  

Ones and twos reported from 10 sites, mostly non-breeding birds, at Akhna Dam, Agia Varvara (Ezousas Valley), Larnaca Salt Lake, Aspro Dam Pools, Paphos Sewage Plant and Sotira Pools. Dhiarizos valley near Kouklia: three 3-May. Fresh Water Lakes : one first-summer type 8-May and seven, including 2 ads. 20-May. Oroklini Marsh: seven 5-May. Paphos Headland: 14 flew NW over sea 2-May.  

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  

Commonly reported at many wetlands and coastal rocks, all month, but most occurred during major migration 11th-14th, and largest groups listed: Cape Greco: 18 coasting east 4-Apr. Cape Pyla: 11 on rocks 14-May. Coral Bay Rocks: six 2-May, 12 on 11-May. Meneou Pools: seven 1-May. Oroklini Marsh: max. 12 on 12-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to six 10-14-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: 10 on 4-May, 12 on 14-May. Zakaki Marsh: six 12-May. Breeding: Fresh Water Lakes (South): five, including two active nests in Cattle Egret colony 20-May.  

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   

Many reports of this opportunistic nesting species, which is increasing and spreading. Cape Pyla : three 14-May. Kermia Beach : five 11-May. Meneou Pools: 32 on 1-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: at least two from 11-May, 10 in breeding plumage, suggests nearby colony, 22-May, up to four present to month end. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 1-15-May, three 19-May, seven 31-May. Breeding: 143, including 95 adults & 48 chicks/young of various ages 8-May, 120 Including at least 59 young and c32 adults still incubating 20-May.  

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 

Widely reported all month. Noteworthy reports: Cape Pyla : 16 coasting east 4-May. Coral Bay Rocks 12 on 2-May, 19 on 11-May. Fresh Water Lake (South): eight 8-May, seven 20-May. Kermia Beach : 15 coasting east 1-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : 14 on 12-May. Larnaca Airport Pool (south): seven 18-May. Oroklini Marsh: 43 on 1-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: seven 14-May. Spiros Pool: seven 2-May.  

Great Egret Egretta alba 

Oroklini Marsh: five 14-May, one remaining 16-May.  

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  

Akrotiri Salt Lake : nine 1-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : 12 on 10-May. 14 at Mandria 11-May, seen later roosting at Coral Bay Rocks, plus 15 others during the day. Oroklini Marsh: max. six 13-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: four 11-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: 15 on 13-May. Spiros Pool: eight 10-May. Spiros Pools: seven 11-May. Ones and twos also seen.  

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 

Agia Varvara: one with damaged wing 22-May. Aspro Dam Pools: one 4 & 14-May. Coral Bay Rocks: c50 on 11-May, a further eight later in the day. Evretou Dam: one 3-May. Kermia Beach : one 11-May. Mandria: one 11-May. Oroklini Marsh: max. 12 on 1-May, five 16-May, nine on 28-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: two 11-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 15 & 21-May. Zakaki Marsh: two 2-May.  

Heron sp. 

Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): 11 Grey/Purple moving north 17-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: six flying north-west 9-May.  

Black Stork Ciconia nigra  

This was a good report of a rather uncommon species: Larnaca Salt Lake : two 15-May.  

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus  

Groups of up to four birds fairly well-reported to mid-month. Coral Bay Rocks: 20 roosting on 11-May. Mandria Beach : c50 reported on 4-May. Oroklini Marsh: up to  six 1-7-May, eight 8-May, 21 on 17-May. Paphos Headland: 16 flew northwest over sea 2-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: nine 11-May. Spiros Pools beach: c40 flew east along coast 11-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: nine 1-5-May, up to five 14-19-May.  

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia  

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 20-May. Larnaca Airport Pools North: two 4-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2 & 12-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: two flying along coast 11-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 15 & 21-May.  

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber  

Akrotiri Salt Lake : 45 on 1-May, increasing to 90 on 5-May and 190 on 21-May. Avdimou: 40 flying along coast 31-May. Lady's Mile: c80 on 5-May. Larnaca Airport Pools (North): 78 on 27-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : 24 on 12-May, 50 on 15-May. Meneou Pools: 25 from 10-11-May.  

Wigeon Anas penelope  

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 22-May.  

Teal Anas crecca 

Aspro Dam Pools: one male 21-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: three males 5-May.  

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  

Many reports, including groups of newly-fledged young, at Fresh Water Lake (South), Larnaca Sewage Works, Phasouri Reed-beds and Zakaki Marsh.  

Garganey Anas querquedula 

Many late migrants reported, including up to seven at Larnaca Sewage Works 2-12-May, three drakes remaining to 27-May, and up to four Phasouri Reed-beds 2-15-May, two remaining to 21-May. Spiros Pools: pair arrived in storm conditions 11-May. Breeding: Oroklini Marsh: 11 including 8 juvs. on 27-May.  

Shoveler Anas clypeata  

A few late singles reported at Akhna Dam 3-May, Oroklini Marsh 2-16-May and Phasouri Reed-beds 2-May. Two Kermia Beach 11-May and five Larnaca Sewage Works from 12-May, one remaining 23-May to end of month.  

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca  

One was at Zakaki Marsh 4-5-May, while at least two pairs at the Phasouri Reed-beds raised at least 9 + 12 young from 1-May, with a surprising 15 adults, plus 8 young counted 21-May.  

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 

Agia Varvara: one ad. male 13-May. Baths of Aphrodite: one, with possibly 3 others over ridge, 3-May. Kensington Cliffs: two 31-May.  

Black Kite Milvus migrans  

One was seen at Apostolos Andreas 19-May.  

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus  

The only reported sightings were of five at Tunnel Beach 6-May, heading towards Kensington Cliffs, and six at the cliffs 21-May.  

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  

Migration drew to a close with only a few late birds reported. Agia Varvara: one female 8-May. Fresh Water Lake (North): one 8-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 15-May. Mandria: one 11-May. Spiros Pool area: one 16-May. At least one Phasouri Reed-beds 5-21-May, and two 14-May.  

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus 

Agia Varvara: one female 8-May.  

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 

Baths of Aphrodite: one on 3-May, was a very late migrant.  

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 

A pair was seen over the Tsada Hills area most days 3-31-May. Ezousas Valley , Pitargou: three 30-May and one was at nearby Kallepia 18-May . Kidasi: two pairs, at nest site in adjacent valley 25-May.  

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Chapotami Gorge: two ads., near nest on cliff face 25-May.  

COMMON Kestrel Falco tinnunculus  

Pairs, occasionally 3 birds, widely reported.  

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus  

A few late migrants seen. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 12-May. Lady's Mile: one 15-May.  

Hobby Falco subbuteo  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 5-May. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one 11-May. Cape Greco : one 12-May. Athalassa Park : one chasing swallows 30-May.  

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae  

Kensington Cliffs: six seen most days of May, with copulation noted 1-May and nine counted 17-May.  

Peregrine Falco peregrinus  

Singles reported at Baths of Aphrodite 3-May, Cape Drepanum 5-May, Phasouri Reed-beds 5-May, Kensington Cliffs 17 & 21-May and Cape Andreas 19 & 28-May.  

Chukar Alectoris chukar  

Family parties reported, including adult and 6 young Armou Hills 15-May, adult with 12 young Ayia Napa Sewage Works no date, one ad. with 10 young 19-May, one with c10 young near Spiro’s Pool-Meneou 7-May and one ad. and 6 young Secret Valley Golf Course 21-May.  

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus  

Birds again calling on territory at Athalassa Park, Ayia Napa, Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA), Cape Drepanum, Phasouri Reed-beds, Fresh Water Lakes, Kermia Beach, Meneou Pools, Oroklini Marsh, Paphos Sewage Plant, Strovolos, Tsada Hills and Zakaki Marsh.  

Quail Coturnix coturnix  

Quite a few interesting reports: Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): one calling 17 & 18-May plus another 19-May. Monashilakas Picnic Site: one heard 3-May. Paphos Headland: one heard 2-May. Terra: one heard 28-May .  

Little Crake Porzana parva  

Presumably migrants, still reported to mid-month. Aspro Dam Pools: one 1-14-May, with two 7-May. Fresh Water Lake (South): one Female 8-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 1-May, one 5, 14 & 15-May.  

Corncrake Crex crex  

Agia Trias Beach/fields: one found dead (shot) 11-May.  

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  

Up to four seen at Agia Varvara, Akhna Dam, Aspro Dam Pools, Athalassa Park, Kouklia, Sotira Pools and Nata Ford. Max. 30 at Phasouri Reed-beds 5-May, 24 Fresh Water Lake (South) 8-May and two downy young seen 20-May. Up to 15 at Oroklini Marsh and 14 Zakaki Marsh 5-May.  

Coot Fulica atra  

Max. numbers as follows: Athalassa Park : c50, inc at least 2 juvs. 13-May, 6 juveniles 30-May. Fresh Water Lake (South): 137 Including six broods totaling 16 downy young plus an incubating adult 8 & 20-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: max. 17 on 10-May. Oroklini Marsh: max. 50 on 25-May, when juvs. first seen. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 30 on 14-May. Zakaki Marsh: 18 on 5-May.  

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   

Breeding at all following sites: Larnaca Sewage Works: present all month, max. 21 Including a copulating pair 10-May. Meneou Pools: up to 25 present all month, assumed nesting nearby, though no activity noted. Oroklini Marsh: max. 80+ on 7-May. Many nests drowned in freak weather 11-May. Replacement nests found on higher dry land. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to four all month, courtship noted many days. Spiros Pool: up to 17 all month, one appeared to be sitting on nest 27-May. Up to five also reported Larnaca Salt Lake, Timi beach, Akhna Dam, Fresh Water Lake (South) and Lady's Mile.  

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  

There were seven at Spiros Pools 14-May, then three at nearby Meneou Pools 23-May  

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 

Acheleia Olive Grove: one 11-May. Ayia Napa Sea Caves area: one 1-May. Ayios Nikolaos (ESBA): a possible pair 17-May. Fresh Water Lake (North): one 8-May. Larnaca Airport Pools North: one 4-May. Oroklini Marsh: in adjacent fields pair and nest with 2 eggs 7-May. Tremithousa: one heard at 4am on 29-Apr  

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 

Larnaca Airport : 21 flying over airport on 2-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 12-May. Mandria: four on beach 16-May. Meneou Pools: one 27-May. Oroklini Marsh: one 15-May, four 17-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: 16 on 1-May, two 7-May, three 19-May.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Fresh Water Lake (South): one 8-May. Oroklini Marsh: up to three all month, incubating at nest 4-May, though washed away during freak weather 11-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: one 1-May. Spiros Pool: four 1-May.  

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 

Akhna Dam: two 3-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : six 10-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: two 8-May. Meneou Pools: two 12-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 15-17-May. Spiros Pool: up to five 1-16-May, with 12 on 2-May.  

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 

Akrotiri Salt Lake : six 5-May. Lady's Mile: 10 on 5-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : up to four 10-15-May. Meneou Pools: six,  plus 2 young chicks 12-May. Spiros Pools: six plus 2 chicks 12-May. Smaller numbers also reported.  

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 

Spiros Pool: one 10-12-May.  

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus 

Akhna Dam: up to five 3-21-May. Fresh Water Lakes : up to eight 8-20-May. Larnaca Desalination Plant area: two 27-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: up to two 2-12-May, four 27-May. Meneou Pools: up to 12-16-May, one 25-27-May. Oroklini Marsh: 4 nests destroyed by freak weather 11-May max. 10, juvs. first noted 17-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: up to two most days, with three 15-May. Paralimni Lake : four 19-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 2-25-May. Spiros Pool: one 20-25-May, two 27-May.  

White-tailed Plover Vanellus leucurus  

Phasouri Reed-beds: one 11-May, and another reported at Cape Drepanum 22-Apr - first records since one at Kouklia Dam, May 2004 (PF pers. comm.).  

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 

Nata Ford: two 30-Apr.  

Sanderling Calidris alba 

Spiros Pools: one 11-May, two 12-16-May.  

Little Stint Calidris minuta  

Reported all month, often in good numbers and mainly in the east. Largest numbers: Akrotiri Salt Lake : 49 on 5-May. Lady's Mile: 52 on 1-May. Larnaca Airport , Meneou & Spiros Pools: 430 on 4-May, with max. Meneou Pools, 44 on 10-May, max. Spiros Pools, 200+ on 12-May. Larnaca Salt Lake : 110 on 12-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: 36 on 10-May. Oroklini Marsh: 50 on 6-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. 21 on 14-May.  

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii 

Akhna Dam: three 3-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: up to two 1-4-May, three 5-May. Spiros Pool: one 10-May.  

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 

Larnaca Airport Pools North: nine 4-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: 12 on 10-May. Meneou-Spiros Pool: one 7-May. Oroklini Marsh: up to three 8-9-May, nine 16-May. Spiros Pool: seven 10-May, 25 flew in 11-May, two at least 13-May.  

Dunlin Calidris alpina  

Spiros Pool: one 2-4-May.  

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 10-May. Spiros Pools: two 16-May.  

Ruff Philomachus pugnax  

Seen all month in varying numbers. Best reports follow: Larnaca Sewage Works: up to 20 from 2-7-May, 57 on 10-May. Meneou Pools: 20 on 12-May, with c50 at Meneou and Spiros Pools 7-May. Oroklini Marsh: up to 30 from 1-7-May, with max. 40 on 10-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: max. c35 on 14-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: max. c30 on 4-May, 25 on 14-May. Spiros Pool: 60 on 2-May, 80 on 7-May, 76 on 2-May, up to 120 from 11-12-May.  

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus  

Paphos Sewage Plant: one possible 15-May.  

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago  

Most departed by mid-month, although a few late birds reported. Phasouri Reed-beds: ones and twos to mid-month, five 4-May, max. six 14-May, three 21-May. Singles Akhna Dam 3-May, Paphos Sewage Plant 13-May, Sotira Pools 19-May and Oroklini Marsh 26-May.  

Great Snipe Gallinago media  

Single birds reported at Oroklini Marsh 15-May and Phasouri Reed-beds 17-May.  

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Phasouri 

Reed-beds: at least one 1-15-May, with three 4-May.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two 10-May.  

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis  

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 25-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: two 2-May. Singles also reported Kouklia: 3-May, Spiros Pool 14-May, Spiros Pool, Larnaca Sewage Works 23-May and Athalassa dam 31-May.  

Greenshank Tringa nebularia  

Larnaca Sewage Works: three 10-May. Oroklini Marsh: two 1-May, three 5-May. Spiros Pool: four 1-2-May, two 5-May. Many singles reported to mid-month at these and other sites, including Paphos Sewage Plant, Phasouri Reed-beds and Sotira Pools.  

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus  

Dhiarizos valley, near Kouklia: one 3-May.  

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 

Fairly well-reported to mid-month, with largest numbers listed: Dhiarizos valley, near Kouklia: three 3-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: five 10-May. Oroklini Marsh: up to 20 from 14-May, up to 30 from 5-7-May, with 15 from 8-10-May and one remaining 15-May. Paphos Sewage Plant: three 9-May, seven 13-May, four 14-May. Phasouri Reed-beds: c10 on 2-May, up to six 4-5-May and two 17-May, was the month’s last report.  

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 16-May.  

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  

Ones and twos reported Akhna Dam, Tunnel Beach , Phasouri Reed-beds, Meneou Pools, Nata Ford, Oroklini Marsh. Four were at the Larnaca Sewage Works 10-May and at least two were present until 16-May.  

Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Larnaca Sewage Works: one 2-20-May, occasionally, or possibly a second bird at Spiros Pools 2 & 16-May.  

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 

Larnaca Sewage Works: four 6-May  

Skua sp. Stercorarius sp. 

Spiros Beach : two birds were seen very far offshore, which looked and flew most like this family 12-May.  

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 

Klidhes islands: one in breeding plumage amongst Audouin’s Gull colony, 19-May  

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 

Up to seven, though most days only two or three, at Larnaca Sewage Works and Spiros Pool areas 10-27-May.  

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei 

Larnaca Sewage Works: up to three 7-10-May. Spiros Pool: two 4-May, one 22-23-May.  

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii 

Klidhes islands, Cape Andreas : 29 on nearest islet, some on nests 19-May, six seen, certainly breeding but not proven 28-May. Kermia Beach : one 2nd-summer 11-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: one 4-May, two 12-May.  

BALTIC GULL Larus fuscus 

All seen with 2km. of Larnaca Sewage Works, with four at Meneou Pools 1-May, up to six Larnaca Sewage Works 10-12-May, one 15-27-May and one ad. Spiros Pools 11-May, two 16-May.  

HEUGLIN’S GULL Larus heuglini  

Larnaca Sewage Works: two imm. reported 15-May, may have been fuscus.  

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis

Cape Andreas/Klidhes Islands : c80 on far island, many on nests 19-May, c200 present 28-May. Larnaca Sewage Works: reportedly present all month, with max. 64 on 2-May, 78 on 10-May. Paralimni Lake : 44 on 19-May. Smaller numbers elsewhere.