Cyprus Summary

I checked out another couple of sites locally on the morning of the 12th. Firstly Timi Beach near the airport. The habitat looked good for migrants and access was easy in the car. I managed a few Isabelline Wheatears (fairly common on passage in Cyprus)...

and excellent views of the elusive Chukar...

Next it was time for my first stroll around Paphos headland. I knew this area well from my trip last winter. I'd seen Greater Sand Plover then but I wanted another peep. I only found (eventually) a single bird. I wondered if there would be any sign of summer plumage, there wasn't...

After breakfast we were off to Limassol and "My Mall"!!! Well, to be more accurate Louise was! This shopping utopia is conveniently placed at the start of Lady's Mile on the Akrotiri Peninsular. Nice! Unfortunately, we had chosen today (Sunday) because the forecast was poor and boy did it live up to it's billing! While Louise was in retail heaven I was praying for a break n the torrential rain. Of course there wasn't one, in fact at one point I was seriously concerned I was going to get stranded as the pools overflowed.

I survived to bring you a few "atmospheric snaps". Bad weather can mean good birds...if you can see them. What might I see through the steamy windows? Not a lot to be honest! Then...there it was...

Then two more...

Amazed I recorded anything through a gap in the bushes in the darkness and pouring rain! I decided to head down to the southern end of the pool. I wasn't going to hang around as the water levels were rising ...FAST!  I scanned and scanned...then there were seven...

Quite a distinctive jizz!

A youngster

So there you go. A wonderful hour with an iconic species... I know...a Gull! It somehow gives off a tranquil vibe, even in foul weather! Needless to say this was the end of today's birding. I picked the boss up and we headed for Paphos.

N.B. I've posted smaller images to keep things tight but they can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Cyprus summary

So...what did I think overall?

As I sit here at home having just took Bud a walk in 8c and heavy cloud, the first thought that springs to mind is...get me back there! That's not going to happen, so let's move on.

Again, apologies in advance for repetition, there I've done it again!

How to approach this review? I've decided to take the site route, chronologically. So, to start with a few shots from around our hotel and my first trip to Anarita Park (I was determined to familiarize myself with this site).

OK, up early for a walk around the hotel gardens... and adjacent rough ground...

Poppies in March!

...before breakfast. The light was poor and it was overcast and quite cool at 6.30am. I heard some unfamiliar chirping coming from a tall palm tree. Spanish Sparrows! They were very elusive and extremely active but eventually I managed to "catch" them albeit in very poor light. The males are very distinctive but the females less so. In fact...

mmmmmmmmmm! Would this be ID'd in Britain...or even looked for?!

There is slight evidence of "grey streaking on whiter underparts". Anyway...a male...

He'd just had a bath! Great to have a notable bird by the Hotel. I also recorded Sardinian Warbler...

Stonechat (more on those later), Common Sandpiper and Shag...

oh, and of course, the ubiquitous Hooded Crow...

..and Kestrel...

As I was returning to meet Louise I noticed a distinctive Wheatear...

Desert Wheatear

A BIG bonus on my first sorte. A star you might say...one of many.

Finished the session with a dapper White Wagtail...

After a magnificent breakfast we headed to Anarita Park equipped with print out maps and information kindly provided by Dave Walker.

I found the entrance track easily but it was the overall area I was interested in familiarising myself with. We drove around for a while until I'd convinced myself I knew where I was going! Nothing of note was seen.

Then it was time for (free) lunch, so we drove up to a viewpoint which looked back over Paphos and enjoyed the view. I then heard some unfamiliar scratching noises? I like to think I'm familiar with SAWA so I was definitely interested in the source. Sylvia Warblers are notoriously secretive and I couldn't get any kind of view from the solitary bush? I've become very familiar with my cheap and cheerful camera by now (even if the viewfinder has problems). A few setting changes and bingo I had some photos.

Confirmed...Cyprus Warbler...

It never did leave the bush while I was there (c1hr).

The rest of the afternoon was Louise's...

Twists of fate



Funny how things work out...sometimes!

My Ruppell's photo reminded me ...unfortunately... of my dip at Holme in 1992.  I arrived early Saturday after an honest week of toil to find the bird had departed. There hasn't been another twitchable one since...

As I write there's a Rock Thrush...yes, Rock Thrush on that island that isn't what it used to be apparently?

If you followed my Blog throughout my Cyprus trip you'll remember my best find was indeed this species...closely followed by Hawfinch. The photo below s memorable for me as it's the first view  had of this special bird as I was trying to confirm a Finsch's Wheatear sighting...tale already told.

This bird was in view for only a few moments before disappearing over the brow of a hill...

Finding this bird gave me the biggest (Birding) rush of the holiday! More fun was still to be had though. I'd become very familiar with the Anarita Park area by the second week. It was a convenient site to visit from the Hotel being only 15 mins away. I have to admit I was aware that there was another male Rock Thrush present as I made my way around the dirt tracks. I'd left Louise reading by the farm as I walked down towards the junction. There was another car parked there. A voice informed me I'd be better off in the car! I enquired if they had seen anything. They said they were hoping to photograph a Rock Thrush. I lifted my bins..."well...there's one over there"! Suddenly, they were both...out of the car!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon with this elusive beauty. Enjoying the last hour with it all to ourselves. We even enjoyed hearing it sing. A quality experience...

I'm still having fun with the Computer...but I'll get there in the end...hopefully!

Back on line

Picked the new laptop up off Phil on Wednesday....many thanks pal. He gave me the tour of Frampton and Freiston RSPB reserves. Very nice! Right up my street... unfortunately, c100 miles away!

Work yesterday and today then over to Lancs for the weekend. Saturday...a suit fitting for my youngest's wedding in July.
Sunday...my mother's 86th...still going strong!

Hope to start searching Monday and post some pics from Cyprus.

Western Sub-Alpine Warbler at Spurn this morning. What excitement if it had been a Moltoni's?

Red Kite

Great moment this afternoon as we were on our way to Tesco?

I saw a bird being mobbed by the local corvids. A Buzzard (as usual)...no...a Red Kite!!!

One day you get lucky...

I've updated my lists and confirmed my total of 160 for my Cyprus trip. Co-incidentally my Duff and Holmpton lists are the same.

My pal Phil has kindly offered to sell me his laptop, so hopefully by the weekend I should be able to post some pics.

Easy does it

Been a bit busy since returning. To be honest it's hard to re-adjust after being spoilt!

Worked Friday and Saturday and took it easy today. I fired up the old laptop and started to add my sightings. The new one is at the doctor's tomorrow. Hopes of a resurrection are not high but fingers crossed.

After watching the footy I took Bud down to Kilnsea. A walk up to Holderness field produced the anticipated drake Garganey...an accompanying female wasn't.

Back home

"Us Birders" like a list. I'm no different... BUT it's not the main criteria. Far from it. Appreciation is the key.

Having said that...my Cyprus trip total came in at a meaningless ( except to me)...160.

I'll post some pictures once I get my laptop fixed/replaced.

The best moment award goes to my discovery of a male ROCK THRUSH at Kidasi.

Cyprus 17 - Game over

I always promise myself...and Louise, that I'll slow down on holiday. Now physically I have to but I'm afraid that once I get going I find it hard to stop. She knows I'm a nutter, which helps and I'm eternally in her debt for being so understanding. No, she doesn't read the blog!

Sounds like some kind of confession!

I like to think I share our time fairly i.e. she has a lie-in while I stagger out of bed. I've always hated getting up early. Not an ideal scenario for a Birder!

I'm writing this in Paphos airport departure lounge...unfortunately.

Thought I might post a few initial reflections on the three weeks.

1. Loved it!
2. Definitely back next March.
3. More sites with potential than I realised...and I know where they all are now!
4. Met some great people, very friendly and helpful. Some VERY skilfull birders. I've learnt a lot. Learning by experience has always been the way for me.
5. Hotel was superb in every way.
6. Infrastructure is excellent, allowing easy and fast access to all sites...and there are plenty of street signs... unlike Spain, were you could easily spend 30 mins trying to get through a village.
There's also an excellent Motorway between Paphos and Larnaca.
7. Weather - better than Britain!
8. The Birds of course...

Time to go. I'll try not to be too repetitive when I add a few pics.

Cyprus 17 - Scops Owl

Well, time's nearly up!

Yesterday was a very looooong day over at the East of the island. We left at 5am and I drove to Lake Palalimni (for a VERY good reason) while Louise slept. Using the indispensable Gosney guide we arrived at Sorita at 7. I'd been to the lake last winter but still found the access points puzzling. We tried site 2 overlooking Sorita pools which gave a panoramic view of the pools and lake. Maybe I would spot a Birder...I did!

He was walking across the dry lake towards 3 more. A Cyprus twitch!

Why? Well..CASPIAN PLOVER!!!

We made our way around to site 1 to access the lake. Louise read while I made my way out towards the group. After around 10 minutes I was looking at a stunning male through my scope. Very nice indeed. I thanked the 2 Irish lads(Joe Donaldson and John Lovatt) who had found the birds (3/4 last night). Other birds present were initially thought to be Lesser Sand Plovers but they turned out to be Greater. A special moment and a great bird to bring up my 150 for the trip. I got some pics but the birds were distant and I didn't want to harass them. Colin, Bill and his mate Pat Dwyer turned up around 30 mins later. It was Colin that texted me last night with the news. You could say I was quite... grateful!!!

After a pit stop at McDonalds we headed for Cape Greco. We parked the car behind another. It was the above...again! Small world, the Birding world. Even smaller when Lance Degnan came along shortly afterwards! Colin had told him about the CP so he was on his way. We shared views of an interesting Eastern Stonechat before he left. We also "had" a female Pallid Harrier.

He saw "the Plover" and got a great pic.

The fest of our day was spent visiting sites around the Larnaca area. I added Greenshank, Shelduck and Black-necked Grebe (153) to my trip list.

I'm writing this in Armou square as we wait in anticipation of a Scops Owl appearance. Lance again managed a photo the other night, so I thought I'd give it one last try.

Back at the hotel with the tinternet. THREE Owls SEEN!!!

Camera/Moi had a nightmare but who cares. Louise held the torch but we were treated to great views by streetlights and even had flight views of this tiny Owl. We also got the resonating one note "song". Amazingly loud and pure.

A great end to another great day...

Cyprus 17 - Troodos

I had Paphos Headland to myself this morning, can't be bad. Still plenty of wildflowers and BIRDS!

Just a summary for now...

Eastern BE Wheatear
Ruppell's Warbler 5
Sub-Alpine Warbler 2
Nightingale 5
Cretzschmar's Bunting
Quail 4s
Hoopoe

A wonderful couple of hours before breakfast. Back again tomorrow.

After brekky we headed for the hills... mountains to be precise. The village of Troodos is over 5000ft and obviously offers the opportunity to find different species.

Also Matt Smith a Paphos Birder had found a PINE BUNTING (9th record) yesterday which added some spice to the trip!! He was kind enough to give me directions.

We arrived around noon and had lunch. Then it was time to search.

Another VERY special moment occurred which I'd like to bore you with. However, I'm in the middle of a crucial game of knock-out whist with "she who must be obeyed" so I'll have to leave the full story until our return.

As I'm sure you're aware, searching for sightings among the conifers can be gruelling. Today bucked the trend in a BIG way!

I also had another of those "small world" moments when I got a shout..."Alan"!? It was Lance Degnan having lunch with his wife!!! We had a brief chat but they were in the middle of their meal...so we left them in peace. Good to see him though..nice guy.

Back to the cards.

Trip total 148

Cyprus 17 - Akrotiri re-visited

Re-visited the Akrotiri Peninsula today in search of migrants... retracing my route with Bill yesterday.

Today's additions were Caspian Gull, Great (White) Egret and Purple Heron which takes the trip list to 140.

It was a another beautiful day with the temperature hitting 23c. There was more evidence of migrants with larger numbers of common birds like Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

I saw an interesting and very smart Redstart at Agios Georgios Church. It showed evidence of a white wing panel (Ehrenburg's) but not as much as illustrated in the Collins guide. I have some excellent photos which I'll post on return.

Another trip out onto the Salt Lake in search of Gull-billed Tern proved fruitless and confusing but we managed to find our way back! The journey wasn't wasted though as it produced the 2 GWE.

A good thrash around Paphos headland in the morning...

Cyprus 17 - a day with Bill

I can't do justice to today until I get home. Suffice to say I had a wonderful time in the company of a true legend...Bill Stacey.

Cyprus 17 - Akamas Peninsula

Started at Agia Vavara hoping for a GS Cuckoo. I didn't find one but I did locate 2 Cretzschmar's Buntings in the same bush!

Then it was back to Anarita Park, curious to see if the Rock Thrush was still present. On my way in I had my first Spectacled Warbler singing on top of a bush... very nice. I then made my way down to the site I last saw the RT but it didn't show in the hour I spent there. Made it all the more special. I did see what was probably the same Eastern BE Wheatear though.

I also bumped into Ian Bloomer who had led the walk around Paphos headland on Saturday. We had an enjoyable chat about Birding and staying on Cyprus. Very interesting.

He then carried on his way and I mine. I was just about to go back for breakfast when another 4x4 appeared. It was another English couple out Birding. The chap told me about a Little Owl site and took me to it. Sure enough... there it was! Not a self-found this one but always nice to see.

After breakfast we had a drive north to the Akamas Peninsula, yet another great Birding area.

It's a bit early for the Flycatchers but I thought it was worth a visit besides it was a new area for Louise. We tried the Gosney sites in order.

Firstly Polis reedbed. As already mentioned I wanted to reccy as many sites as possible to see if they would be worth visiting again. The reedbed is extensive but access is limited. Probably worth another peep when visiting the area but I spared Louise an extended vigil today. As we were returning to the main road I noticed a bird on a wire that sent alarm bells ringing. It didn't fit. I asked my chauffeur to do a U-turn which put me on the viewable side. Now then...any ideas? Sightings are always in context...rare, scarce etc etc. You've already heard the RT eulogy​. It's a species that is VERY elusive. My text to Colin confirmed​ it to be "very scarce" especially this winter.

Hawfinch....on a wire some 30ft above the car! Extremely chuffed with this sighting... even though I say so myself lol!

We spent the next 3 hours strolling around the "Baths of Aphrodite" area. The caravan site is major migratory hotspot...but not today...too early. However, it didn't stop me getting great views and passable pics of an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler. It's characteristic fly-catching behaviour was clear to see. I also saw my first Whitethroat. Returning to the car a Peregrine zoomed by taking the trip total to 132.

Big day with Bill tomorrow...

Cyprus 17 - Detention over!

Right...let me see if I could correct my error.

Left at 5.30 and was at Mandria Gardens for 6. I positioned the car so I had the rising sun behind me and then looked across to the area around the dead tree. Quite a few Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves were around.

Then at 6.10 a Dove flew in from the East over my car and landed in the tree.

There it was! I love my "interest".

I rattled a few shots off but the light was still poor. It was definitely a Turtle Dove sp lol! Quite a relief after yesterday's blunder.

As I'm sure you can appreciate I'm on holiday with my VERY understanding partner! I haven't got the time to study the finer points of Turtle Dove ID. A few of the island Birders are happy with it as a RTD meena. I've seen a few images that show contrasting features? Colin's pics on his Facebook site... Cyprus Birder" do show pale/white fringes to the coverts and no white on the neck. My impression of jizz this morning suggested a stocky (Stock Dove) bird but my time with the bird was very brief.

Time will tell...and it was time to leave for Limassol...car wouldn't start!!

Eventually it did. Sod it...I'm off!

Arrived at the hide at Zakaki around 7.15. Parked, forgot about the car... there's a BAILLON'S CRAKE to find. As I started to climb the steps...a movement to my right. Little...no BAILLON'S!!!
Images were obtained.

I was planning on meeting Bill at 9 but my thoughts now turned to the car. I couldn't start it! Not good to be stranded down Lady's Mile. Miraculously it eventually fired. I HAD to return to Paphos. I hadn't said which day to Bill...so I'll return on Thursday.

So back for breakfast and a car change. Worked out a treat and we ended up with a new Ford Focus!

I took Louise for a walk from the hotel to Kato Paphos...NO Birding.

After lunch she chilled out by the pool and I headed for Anarita Park to follow up on the reported Rock Thrush (old school).

Arrived around 3 and scanned from the extremely comfortable car seat. As you know I'd already had my surprise moment with this iconic species... which will NEVER be bettered...but I'm greedy! I've invested days/weeks over the years trying to find this species.

After around 30 mins I was enjoying "crippling views" of my second male... down to 30 feet...and singing...softly.

All to myself and not a soul in sight. Wonderful.

Anything else is secondary for me...but I did have excellent views of a stunning Eastern Black-eared Wheatear.

Not a bad day...

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Cyprus 17 - Schoolboy error!

Monday

Tried for the possible RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE (meena) at the Dove hotspot of Mandria this morning.

Colin Richardson had kindly texted me the info yesterday. I crept out of our room at 6.45am. Halfway down the corridor I
realised I didn't have my old Nokia with the Cyprus SIM card!?

I didn't want to wake Louise so I matched onward.6

I found the site of Mandria Gardens and started my search. Around 7.45 a small yellow car pulled up along side me...it was Colin. "I've been texting and calling you, I've found the Dove!".

We made our way back to the spot, he located it as it departed.

Oh dear...or something like that!

I gave it a few sessions throughout the day but the bird didn't show.

A slightly different feeling than last night...and my own fault.

Got a pass out for the day tomorrow. I'm meeting Bill Stacy at Zakaki Marsh and he's going to show me some good spots on the Akrotiri Peninsula. Should be a great day. Chance of Baillon's Crake.

Might just pop back to Mandria first though...

Cyprus 17 - Long day with a BIG finish

Early start at 5 this morning. Drove over to Akrotiri (45 mins) and sat in the hide at Zakaki for 4 hours!

No show on the Baillon's Crake but the Little showed well. I also saw a Penduline Tit again and even managed a horrendous pic. Other highlights included 2 pairs of Ferruginous Ducks and a pair of Garganey (my first). I also heard a strange "lapwing like" call. I couldn't pin it down so I got in the car and drove across to a patch of wasteland. Eventually I saw the source...a singing Black Francolin..very smart!

After a short break I drove down the first part of Lady's Mile. I added Med' Gull and Kentish Plover to my trip list. I also had extremely close views of Ruff (c40). Some of the Flamingos were very close also.

After lunch back at the hotel we headed for Kidasi. This site is good for Finsch's Wheatear and I'd seen them well there the previous Winter, you may recall?

We arrived around 2.30 and walked up the excellent track. It's a beautiful spot.

Cyprus Wheatear was soon seen, then very close views of a female Isabelline. Further up the track I saw my first male Northern but no sign of a FW.

We returned to the car then drove back up to the top of the valley. It was now 5pm but the sun was still shining on the eastern slope. I saw another black and white Wheatear high up the slope? I needed a better view so I made my way up as inconspicuously as I get these days!

I managed a few more pics before it departed. I was reasonably confident it was a Finsch's (confirmed Anyway, as I descended in my stealth-like manner something caught my eye. Oh no...I hear you cry...not another of his lucky connections!

I'm afraid so.

There not 30yds to my right...one of my most wanted...

MALE ROCK THRUSH!!!!

Oh YES.

Again if you're into this game, you'll appreciate the satisfaction of finding a top bird unexpectedly. It's a scarce passage migrant in Cyprus, no big deal to locals But a massive deal to yours truly having searched extensively over the years in Europe for this species.

Off for a beer now... Marvelous

Cyprus 17 - Paphos Headland

Joining the Bird group for the walk around the headland certainly paid off!  Nice to see some familiar faces from last winter. I also gleaned some excellent local tips regarding sites and access.

The birds...
Alpine Swift 2
Ruppell's Warbler 2
Cretzschmar's Bunting 3
Tawny Pipit
Short-toed Lark 8
Woodlark
Blue-headed Wagtail
Hoopoe 3

PLUS a Cyprus MEGA...Gannet!!! A tick for many of the stalwarts.

Not a bad 3 hours in glorious sunshine walking among a carpet of wildflowers.

I'll add more meat to my tales on return.

The afternoon involved a trip to Mav' Dam to twitch Tufted Duck! A Great crested Grebe was present and Cyprus Wheatear and Warbler were seen well.

On the way back we stopped at a Gosney site for Scops Owl and heard the familiar sound.

Back to Zakaki first thing tomorrow to look at more reeds...and maybe a Baillon's Crake?

Trip total 113

Cyprus 17 - Akrotiri Peninsula

Great day.

Started at Zakaki Pool after dropping Louise off at My Mall. Time to study some reeds. In view immediately was a pair of Ferruginous Ducks albeit asleep!. A Lesser Whitethroat bobbed around below me.

More scanning high and low. WOW...PENDULINE TIT!!! Not a bird I have had the opportunity to study very often. This was again the case...but at least I'd found one.

Another Birder arrived. Turned out to be a nice chap called Bill Stacey who's a regular visitor to the island.

We had a good chat and then we were joined by a local called Mario's who informed us a LITTLE CRAKE had been reported!!

The three of us grilled the reeds and after around 10 minutes we were all enjoying prolonged views of this tiny jewel. I even managed a record shot.

Marios soon departed but I stayed with Bill till 11.30 before I went back to the Mall to have lunch with the boss.

We then headed to the other side of the peninsula via Lady's Mile. I saw my first adult Armenian Gulls (2) and a superb Marsh Sandpiper at close range (pics). I also "had" 49 Ruff and 35 Black-headed Stilts. A Hoopoe zoomed North over the car.

More exploring ensued with mixed results! I won't bore you with the details but I saw three more Hoopoes and an impressive flock of Cormorants (146).

I ended up back at Zakaki (Louise returned to Costa). I had another sighting of the LC and added Water Rail (seen well) to my trip list. Three Reed Warblers were belting it out, a Little Egrets dropped in and the Heron count rose to 15.

The day concluded with the sound of a Curlew (scarce in Cyprus).

Tomorrow morning I head for Paphos headland to join the local group. Fingers crossed...

Slow day.

Stayed local. We started after a late breakfast at Anarita Park. The weather is still inclement but it's a change!

Further cracking views of 2 Lesser Kestrels were obtained and some better pics. I managed a couple of perched views. Also seen was a dashing Cyprus Pied Wheatear but I still can't find a Finsch's.

Further quality included 2 Blue Rock Thrushes one of which was singing it's understated song. A Quail was also "wetting it's lips".

The main event came when I tracked down and photographed (from the car) a superb male Isabelline Wheatear. Great to have time to study the subtle differences in plumage and structure. A very upright and lanky species.

After lunch we were going to have a ride up to Kadasi, another Finsch's Wheatear site were I saw 3 last winter but the clouds looked heavy so we ended up back at Agia Vavara admiring a pair of Great Spotted Cuckoos.

Another big day out around Limassol at the Akrotiri headland tomorrow. Forecast looks promising and plenty of great sites to visit. Maybe I'll see my Great Black-headed Gull (Pallas's).

Species count 93

East is good! We started at Oroklini Marsh, arriving at 9am following an early breakfast. It's one of many superb sites at this end of the island. Highlights here included
Red-crested Pochard 2 males
Spur-winged Plover 4
Greater Flamingo 50
Ferruginous Duck male

Onto the nearby Achna Dam. We started at the dam end, parked the car and made for a convenient bench. There was a raft with a Cormorant resting on it. There was also a white "lump"...surely not...WHITE PELICAN!!! Very satisfying and very rare in March.

Flushed by this success we headed for the "shallow end". What a superb area with some outstanding habitat. I added...
Little Stint
Ruff 9
Little Ringed Plover 10
Dunlin
Water Pipit
As we were leaving we crossed a beautiful meadow carpeted with wild flowers. There were hundreds of White Wagtails, Swallows and Swift's present...a remarkable sight! Then I spotted it, a bird I was particularly keen to see. A stunning Black-headed Wagtail. Happy days indeed!! We also had great views of a Hoopoe as we approached the road.

Our final couple of stop were around Larnaca airport. Firstly Menou Pools. There were hundreds of Flamingos present, always a pleasure to see. They weren't my target on this occasion however. I pulled the car up by the edge of the pool and started to scan. Took a while but I don't eventually found 6 Stone Curlews. Nice!

Last stop was the hide overlooking the Sewage works. While I was setting my stall out I could hear the typical scratching noises of a Sylvia Warbler. This one was a fine Sub-Alpine in all it's finery. Yet another pair of Spur-winged Plovers were noted.

THEN...the strangest thing happened! There were hundreds of Swallows around the hide. Some were trying hard to enter obviously nest prospecting. They banged into it on more than one occasion! Then the sound of fluttering wings, I looked down expecting to see a Swallow on the hide floor...but no...I was looking at a...SWIFT!!!

The bird was stunned and lay there motionless. What to do...how about pick it up! I walked down the stairs with it and showed it to Louise. When she'd recovered I asked her to take a pic. Then it was time for the big moment. It seemed to have recovered as it was now scratching my hand and screeching! I threw it gently into the air over some long grass
...and up and away it went... wonderful! A close encounter with one of the most enigmatic species and a personal favourite to boot. I should have videod the moment.

To finish off the best day of the trip so far we flushed a Black Francolin on the way back to the road.