Back in Cyprus for 2 weeks , this time at our favourite hotel , King Evelthon just outside of Paphos . Will try to update the blog daily .
TODAYS PHOTOS - BLUE CHEEKED BEE EATER , WOODCHAT SHRIKE
SUN 25 MARCH
Spent the morning visiting 3 sites around the Mandria area - at
Mandria - 1BLACKCAP , 2 STONE CURLEW , 15 BLACK H WAGTAIL,
2 GREY H WAGTAIL , 2 CHUKER , 5 N WHEATEAR , 3 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 3 SHORT TOED LARK ,1 TAWNY PIPIT , 1 BALTIC GULL
At Aspro Dam - 11 GARGANEY , 1 CORMORANT , 3 RED RUMPED SWALLOW , 1 ALPINE SWIFT .
12.00 Paphos Sewage Works - Watched a BLUE CHEEKED BEE EATEAR for 30 mins ( the Oroklini Marsh birds still present all day ),
100+ FLAVA WAGTAILS ,8 SPUR W PLOVER .
15.00-17.15 Paphos Headland - 10 N WHEATEAR , 5 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 25 FLAVA WAGTAILS ,2 RED THROATED PIPIT ,
1 WRYNECK , 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE , 1 HOOPOE . Also a very nice
ROSE RINGED PARAQUET ( confirmed as an escape on the island )
Looks as though the final species total for this visit is 129
Photos of LITTLE OWL , BLUE CHEEKED BEE EATER
SAT 24 MARCH
WINDS AT TIMES GALE FORCE , HEAVY SHOWERS AFTER 18.00 - A FABULOUS DAYS BIRDING CULMINATING IN THE 3RD LIFER OF THIS TRIP .SPENT THE DAY AT THE EAST END OF THE ISLAND AROUND LARNAKA , A DRIVE OF OVER 220 MILES
FIRST STOP MENEOU POOLS - 1 SLENDER BILLED GULL , 1 BALTIC GULL ,23 BLACK W STILT , 8 SHELDUCK ,3 GREENSHANK ,5 KENTISH PLOVER ,82 FLAMINGO , 35 LITTLE EGRET , 2 LONG LEGGED BUZZARD .
ON TO LARNACA SEWAGE WORKS POOLS -4GREEN SANDPIPER,
2 WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 MARSH SANDPIPER, 1 LITTLE STINT ,
2 REDSHANK ,1 SPUR WINGED PLOVER , 3 KENTISH PLOVER ,
1 HOOPOE , 1 M PALLID HARRIER ,2 FERRUGINOUS DUCK ,
1F POCHARD 2M WIGEON , SHOVELER , TEAL , MALLARD , 3 BLACK N GREBE, 5 N WHEATEAR .
AT PERIVIOLA FIELDS 4 CALANDRA LARK .
LARNACA AIRPORT POOLS -50+ SLENDER BILLED GULL ,50 RUFF ,18 LITTLE EGRET ,5 REDSHANK , 3 MARSH SANDPIPER, 1 RINGED PLOVER ,50+ BLACK W STILT
AT 15.00 - 16.45 AT OROKLINI MARSH - 1M 1F RED C POCHARD ,
9 FERRUGINOUS DUCK , MALLARD , TEAL , SHOVELER , 500+ CATTLE EGRET , 8NSPUR W PLOVER ,50+BLACK W STILT ,30 + RUFF.
FINALLY SPENT 45 MINS WATCHING 2 BLUE CHEEKED BEE EATER
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING - THE 3RD LIFER OF THIS TRIP - SOME RECORD SHOTS TO BE ADDED .
TRIP SPECIES LIST NOW 125
LAST DAY SUNDAY - WHAT WILL WE TURN UP ?
FRI 23 MARCH
Anne's birthday so a trip for lunch at Latching . On the way stopped at - Mavro Dam - 1 LESSER KESTREL , 5 CYPRUS PIED WHEATEAR , 1 LITTLE OWL., 6 GARGANEY ( 4m 2f )
At Theletra - 4 BLACK EARED WHEATEAR , 2 N WHEATEAR , BLACK FRANCOLIN .At 16.00 a BOOTED EAGLE ( DP )
EVEROTOU DAM - 6 RED R SWALLOW , 2 BUZZARD .
Lunch really enjoyable when an ad AUDOINS GULL FLEW PAST , landed on the sea - good scope views .
COUPLE OF POOR RECORD SHOTS OF THE CASPIAN STONECHAT
THURS 22 MARCH
At ZAKAKI MARSH - a KINGFISHER , SINGLES OF CATTLE & LITTLE
EGRET , 1M BLACK FRANCOLIN ( seen & heard ) 1 BUZZARD .
On the nearby pool 5 BLACK H GULL , 1 BALTIC GULL & YELLOW L &
CASPIAN GULLS
On Lady's mile - 1M HEN HARRIER , 7 KENTISH PLOVER ,
On Akrotiri Salt Lake - c 1000 FLAMINGO , 15 SHELDUCK , 17 RUFF .
At Akrotiri Marsh - 2 SQUACCO HERON , 5 (3m ) GARGANEY ,
2 SEDGE WARBLER
Secret Valley - only 1 GREY HERON
At 16.15 a GLOSSY IBIS flew east past our hotel .
late update for yesterday - sent some photos to Cyprus Birds of a CASPIAN STONECHAT taken at Paphos Headland , received confirmation of our ID- this is a rare spring migrant on the island
Species list now 110
A LOCAL LIZARD , ISABELLINE & BLACK EARED WHEATEAR
WED 21 MARCH
Another very interesting day although the main bird reported - a BLUE CHEEKED BEE EATER moved on before we arrived at Paphos Headland - however we did see - 2SHORT EARED OWLS ,1 PURPLE HERON , 4 LITTLE EGRET , 6 SWIFT , 2 M BLACK EARED WHEATEAR ,
10 + N WHEATEAR , 6 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 1 NIGHTINGALE
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 5 CORMORANT flew NW
After lunch a visit to Anarita Park - 1M PALLID HARRIER , 1F REDSTART , 1 F BLUE ROCK THRUSH , 3 CRETZ BUNTING ,
1 LITTLE OWL , 1 TREE PIPIT , 1 CYPRUS PIED WHEATEAR ,
1 GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO .
Finally another M PALLID HARRIER at Aspro Dam along with 15
CORN BUNTING & CHUKER
Species list now 104
TUES 20 MARCH
Late update due to friends , food & wine !
This morning Graham & I went to Paphos Lighthouse -
2 TREE PIPIT , 20 CORN BUNTING , 2 HOOPOE , 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT , 2 QUAIL , 6 SARDINIAN WARBLER , 1 RUPELL'S WARBLER , 20 N WHEATEAR , 2 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 5 BLACK H WAGTAIL , 1 GREY HEADED WAGTAIL , 1 SPOT FLY , 1M WHINCHAT
AFTER lunch went over to Mandria -15 WHEATEAR, 4 TAWNY PIPIT , 1 SHORT T LARK , 1 SPARROWHAWK , 1 STONE CURLEW , 1 SPUR W PLOVER , 2 HAWFINCH , 2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 M BLACKCAP , 1 LAUGHING DOVE , 2 SONG THRUSH
Final visit to Paphos Sewage Works - only 2 SPUR W PLOVER ,
2 STONE CURLEW
TRIP LIST NOW 98 .
MON 19 MARCH
Graham & Daphne made it to Bristol Arport , flight delayed several hours so it will be a late night .
This morning first visit to Agia Varvara -BLACK FRANCOLIN calling ,
4 CHUKER , 1 REED WARBLER , 3 SWIFT , 50 JACDAW , 3 HOOPOE , A GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO flew in front of the car .
At the Goat Farm -2 PALLID HARRIER , 2 BOOTED EAGLE , 1 LITTLE OWL, 2 SWIFT .
After lunch off to Mandria - 8 SHORT TOED LARK , 1 TAWNY PIPIT , 10 N WHEATEAR , 6 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 5 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL , 1 GREY HEADED WAGTAIL .1 WOOD SANDPIPER
FINAL VISIT OF THE DAY - Paphos Sewage Works - 15+BLACK H WAGTAIL , 2 RUFF , 22 SPUR W PLOVER , 1 GREY HERON
Species trip list - 92
PHOTOS FROM 17 MARCH AT MANDRIA - WOOD SANDPIPER
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, SPANISH SPARROW, SPUR WINGED PLOVER .
SUN 18 MARCH
Complete contrast of weather here- sunny & warm , compared with
Thurlestone where another snowfall - hope Graham & Daphne can get to Bristol airport in the morning for their flight
First visit was to Paphos Sewage Works - 20 SPUR W PLOVER ,
1 RUFF , 1F STONECHAT .
AT Mandria - 1 WOOD SANDPIPER , 2 RUFF , 1 SPUR W PLOVER
10 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL , 2 GREY HEADED WAGTAIL ( could be a lifer , can't remember seeing one before ), 60 WHITE WAGTAIL , 1 SHAG , 4 N. WHEATEAR , 3 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 1 TAWNY PIPIT ,1 TREE PIPIT
16 SHORT TOED LARK .
AFTERNOON drive to Theletra - on previous years visits had some good flocks of finches - today -200+ CHAFFINCH , 40 SERIN ,
1M N WHEATEAR , 4 M CRETZ BUNTING were a bonus , BLACK FRANCOLIN , 2 CHUKER
BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL , BLACK EARED WHEATEAR , RUPPELL'S WARBLER 17 MARCH
SAT 17 MARCH
Joined 30 members of the Cyprus Bird Club for a visit to Paphos Lighthouse , some evidence that spring passerine movement is starting - 2RED RUMPED SWALLOW , 50+ SWALLOW ,20+ HOUSE MARTIN ,3 HOOPOE. , 5 SARDINIAN WARBLER ,2 LESSER WHITETHROAT,1 BLACKBIRD , 2 SONG THRUSH,1 F BLACK REDSTART , 1F CHAFFINCH , 2 CHIFFY ,1M NORTHERN WHEATEAR,
1 BLACK EARED WHEATEAR , 4 RUPPELLS WARBLER .
GOOD VIEWS OF A CYPRUS CHAMELEON.
Trip species now 79
FRI 16 MARCH
After a relaxing morning set off after lunch ,first stop Paphos Sewage Works - 15 SPUR WINGED PLOVER , 2 RUFF , 10 BLACK H WAGTAIL .
At Mandria no sign of the CASPIAN PLOVER , BUT 15 SHORT TOED LARK , 20 CORN BUNTING , 2 BLACK H WAGTAIL , 1 NORTHERN WHEATEAR , 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR , 2 CHUKER .
AT 16.45 ARRIVED AT SECRET VALLEY - 6 CRAG MARTIN , 1 ALPINE SWIFT , 2 SWIFT, 1 CORMORANT ,,.
AT AGIA VARVARA - 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 HOOPOE , 1 BUZZARD , BLACK FRANCOLIN
SPUR WINGED PLOVER & SQUACCO HERON 15 MARCH
THURS 15 MARCH
Visited the Akrotiri area this morning - at Zakaki Marsh -
1 GREEN SANDPIPER , 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER , On nearby Pools -
15 BLACK H GULL , 3 SLENDER BILLED GULL , 1 BLACK W STILT ,
1 SPUR W PLOVER , On the sea amongst a flock of gulls a SANDWICH TERN , on the shore 2 BLACK SWAN . driving over to the Salt Lake BLACKBIRD &STARLING . On the Lake c1000 FLAMINGO
100 SHELDUCK .
On Akrotiri Marsh - 2 CATTLE EGRET , 3 LITTLE EGRET , 1 SQACCO HERON , 2 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 MALLARD , 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL
At Secret Valley a male SHOVELER .
Final stop Mandria - good views of the CASPIAN PLOVER which flew off at 16.30, 200+ GREENFINCH , 10 CHAFFINCH, 1 M BLACKCAP
Trip species list now 70
Confirmation from Jane ( Cyprus recorder ) Only 2 records in the last 3 years for CASPIAN PLOVER .
WED 14 MARCH
Another red letter day in my Cyprus birdwatching visits .Only a limited time available today , ALITTLE EGRET flew east past the hotel this morning . A short visit this afternoon to Mandria was superb- A flock of 20 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL & 35 WHITE WAGTAIL FEEDING CLOSE TO THE CAR , ALSO 3 RED T PIPIT .
On the rocks by the picnic site 3 GREATER SAND PLOVER (sp ) . The bird of the year watch down to 10 yards - an adult sp CASPIAN PLOVER - a lifer . It had been found earlier in the day , we had left the hotel before the news was put out so very fortunate we decided to go via Mandria . I don't know the status of rarity in Cyprus - very few records a year , but to watch an adult in sp so close fantastic!
Late afternoon at Anarita 2SWIFT flew west .
photos follow
MANDRIA 14 MARCH - SHOTS OF CASPIAN PLOVER , GREATER SAND PLOVER ., BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL
TUES 13 MARCH
A very nice sunny morning , high cloud late afternoon , light breezes
Walked around some rough ground adjacent to the hotel -highlights -1 HOOPOE , CORN BUNTING , SARDINIAN WARBLER , CRESTED LARKS, CETTIS WARBLER , ZITTING CISTICOLA , WHITE WAGTAIL
AFTERlunch drove over to Aspro Dam - A flock of 150+ GULLS containing - YELLOW LEGGED , CASPIAN , ARMENIAN , 2 BALTIC GULL.1LITTLE GREBE , 2 CORMORANT , 15 ALPINE SWIFT , PEREGRINE, CHUKER .
A very enjoyable 90 mins at Mandria produced - 20 NORTHERN WHEATEAR , 2 ISABELLINE WARBLER , 2F DESERT WHEATEAR ,
5 SHORT TOED LARK , 5 TAWNY PIPIT , 1 RED THROATED PIPIT ,
2 HOOPOE , 1 BUZZARD , 1 F HEN HARRIER, 2 LAUGHING DOVE .
In fading light a short stop at Paphos Sewage Works -5 SPUR WINGED PLOVER .
A total of 41 species recorded .
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