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 .