Cyprus 18 - Day 18

This was my pass-out day in the East while Louise enjoyed a relaxed day around Paphos.

I'd arranged to meet Joe Donaldson and his buddy John Lovatt at Cape Greco at dawn. I made it...just. I saw John first marching across a field to greet me. After a chat we then noticed Joe walking towards us from his car.  Lance Degnan and his group were also present...small world (again) and all that!

We spent the morning touring some of the sites they regularly check which was VERY helpful for me regarding future planning. The first species of note was the elusive Cyprus Warbler. Apparently more common on this side of the island we soon found a singing if mobile bird...

With some manoeuvring by John and I we eventually got a better view...

A Chukar by the roadside also showed well...

At another site on the headland I managed to grab a pic of a Spectacled Warbler that showed briefly...

We then headed to Protaras and the chaps apartment for some refreshment. Next stop was Lake Paralimni the site of my Lifer CASPIAN PLOVER last year. I followed the lads in my car as they navigated their way to our first stop. It was hot...pushing 30C. I followed them down to the small pools...all that was left of the "Lake" I was hoping to connect with two more Cyprus ticks.

The first bird seen was a fast disappearing LRP...

I managed to find another...

We all settled in around the main pool and scanned. After around 10 minutes the first target came into view...

Spotted Crake

I was cooking now but it's funny how the heat doesn't bother me as much...when I'm viewing great birds!!

We'd seen a few White Wagtails but I was hoping for something more spectacular. Eventually, it gave itself away...

Citrine Wagtail

The bird was at the far end of the pool and the heat haze was horrendous but  thought t was worth showing this one of it perched in a bush. Over the next 20 minutes we enjoyed stunning views of the lemon marvel...

Joe and I never altered our position and the bird wasn't flushed. It just walked right over to us...magic!

Closer and closer...

A fantastic experience...yet another!!!

After thanking Joe and John I started to make my way back to Paphos. Then something unusual happened. I got a text message from Jane informing me that she was watching 2 Audouin's Gulls right now at Kermia beach. That was 10 minutes away!

I knew where Kermia was and I knew where "a" beach was...BUT was it the right one? I'd tried this spot both this year and last with no success. Anyway I arrived but no Gulls were to be seen. I called Jane. I was in the wrong spot! After a few more navigational problems we eventually met and she took me in her 4x4 along a track that would have been far to much for my Ford Focus. Alas some young lads had decided to do what young lads do...and that was that...no AG on the rocks. I thanked her for thinking of me and all the information she'd sent me and we went our separate ways. It was good to meet her at last.

Fuelled by this near miss I tried a few more spots along the coast between Agia Napa and Larnaca without any success. Last try was Pervolia lighthouse, again no joy but I did get great views of a Laughing Dove. The bird gave off some great shades in the late afternoon sun...

Cyprus 18 - Day 17

Today we finally made it to Troodos. I'd deliberately left it till late in our visit due to the weather and the hopeful arrival of a certain species which I missed last year.

We took a direct route north from Limassol rather than the winding route from Paphos we endured last year. I had a few locations I wanted to try for Masked Shrike. The first was Almyrolivado just to the North of the Village. A three hour search produced...nothing!

It was time for lunch in the Village. As we drove up the road I noticed a bird fly up and land in a tree. Yep, you guessed it...

The bird was singing which was a nice bonus! It was also very mobile and soon disappeared. Fortunately, I managed to pick it up hiding behind a trunk...

Despite another concerted attempt in the afternoon I didn't enjoy another sighting. I did spot other birders though. While I was searching near another site...Lavadi tou Pashia...a car pulled in. It was Dave and Jan Walker with their son. Another example of the small Birding world! We had a chat for a while then they continued through the picnic site. Two minutes later I received a text from them...Masked Shrike just down the slope from you!!! Ah well!

I also saw a few more (Cyprus) mountain specials...

Pallid Swift
Jay
ST Treecreeper
Coal Tit
Blackbird
Mistle Thrush
Crossbill

Cyprus 18 - Day 16

Today I started at dawn at Mandria. On a whim I decided to try Mandria gardens, a residential development where I saw a RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE last year.

Guess what was sat in the same dead tree...a Turtle Dove sp!!!!!!! Deja Vu?

Now then, it's VERY early for Eurasian Turtle Dove, even in Cyprus. Also ANY TD is noteworthy these days...unfortunately. I sent Colin Richardson a text. The bird was tucked in behind a few Collared Doves. The light was poor but I was getting excited! Circumstantial evidence has caught me out before on more than one occasion but could this possibly be the same returning bird? I managed a few record shots from the car before the bird suddenly flew off north. I looked at the BOC images and compared the images with my Collins app'.

Colin replied and I arranged to meet him. Turns out it was a Eurasian...but it didn't half wake me up lol! The dilemma is...balancing releasing the news of a potential MEGA against looking a chump! Fortunately I've looked the latter on several occasions, so I guess I'm immune to it now!

After breakfast I received another message off Colin. Had he changed his mind? Just kiddin! He'd found a BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER at the Sewage Works! We soon located a very actively feeding bird near the stables. Unfortunately the location and time of day meant the photos were strongly back-lit. This was my best effort...

Always special...

We then moved onto Mandria again as a female Desert Wheatear had been reported there. Louise loves it here...there's a beach bar!

No other birders around and in no time at all I was enjoying stunning views of a very entertaining and striking bird...

It was interesting to note the way the bird behaved completely differently to the Northern and Isabelline Wheatears also present...

Lovely bird...

Cyprus 18 - Day 15

Yellow Wagtails!

We don't get much variation in Britain...to put it mildly! So it's great to see the variations and numbers passing through Cyprus.

Last year I never experienced a "fall" but boy, did I make up for it this year!! I found large numbers around Paphos Sewage Works and Mandria...

One evening as we were returning "home" we passed large numbers feeding intently by the roadside. They were totally oblivious to our car which allowed me to get some closer...

I had another look for the CCC but it had departed (more later). There were still plenty of birders searching. I did get great views of this feeding Kestrel...

We then drove over to the Akrotiri peninsular for lunch. It was then time to visit Bishop's Pool at the southern end. I'd just left the car when I received a message from Jane...

Cream-coloured Courser Akrotiri gravel pits in same area as the Bimacs!

That was only 15 minutes away. I drove the pebbles north. I passed a pair of Cypriots, saying hello as we crossed. No sign of the CCC in 4 drives. As I was leaving I noticed the 2 chaps again. Turned out they were birders and they'd seen the CCC!!! I managed a brief view before it was flushed by a male Pallid Harrier and flew high south. Never mind, mustn't be greedy. It was almost certainly the Mandria bird. Lucky to see it again.

I had a decent search to try and re-locate it but it's a vast area and I struck out. I did see this Little Egret...

Also present was a freshly bathed Isabelline Wheatear...

A set definitely worth sharing I feel.

We then moved onto Akrotiri Marsh were I had my first Cyprus experience of a flock of Glossy Ibis...

A nice flock of 36.

Cyprus 18 - Day 14

The day started back on Paphos Headland searching in vain for a probable CASPIAN STONECHAT. It turned out that the directions I'd been given were incorrect...which didn't help! Never mind. I then bumped into Paul Foster again. We had a chat and then tried another area. We found it! Time will tell?

We were then joined by Ian Bloomer who told us a probable spot for Wryneck. We made our way to the area and within 10 minutes I was fortunate enough to pick it out...

After a bit of manoeuvring by the admiring group, we all obtained stunning views, as we watched the bird enjoying the morning sun...

Cyprus tick!

A nice start to the day.

I hope I can do justice to what happened next...

I received a text from Ian Bloomer informing me a CREAM-COLOURED COURSER had been found by Victor Tjernberg at Timi beach!!! I was nearly back at the apartment when I received this news. Fortunately Louise was ready for the day so we quickly made our way down there. I dropped her off at the beach café and made my way to the site by the pergola.

No sign of a CCC or any birders. I gave Victor a call. He said the bird had been flushed by a dog walker but they had miraculously managed to re-find it by a track nearer to Mandria. He did his best to give me directions but I was struggling to "get the gist". Ian (fortunately) turned up with his wife Kate. I gave the phone to him and sped off to tell Louise the latest development! She was dying to know lol! I figured I'd use the time wisely while Victor gave Ian directions. Ian soon arrived (with my phone) and I followed him...which was a great relief. Louise unsurprisingly remained at the café!

Around 10 minutes later we joined Victor and his client who were encouragingly looking intently into a field from a raised bank. A quick scramble out of the car and I was looking, albeit distantly, at my first CCC for Cyprus and only my second ever after the 2004 Scilly bird. I set my scope up and showed the bird to Kate. As she was admiring the bird it took flight and flew strongly east and out of view. Disappointingly, I wasn't able to obtain any pics.

We were all obviously keen to re-find the bird and headed off towards Mandria along the track. As we drove down the road towards the beach an pulled along side me and suggested we split up and search different areas...a very good idea indeed! He decided to try some inland fields...I new exactly were I was going. The CASPIAN PLOVER spot! Surely I couldn't be THAT lucky?

I pulled up by the picnic area and scanned. The adrenaline was flowing! There not 10yds away was...

My first view!

Another re-find! I phoned Ian and put the news out. We enjoyed stunning views of a stunning bird...

 

After having my fill I returned to Timi to pick up the boss. Some admirers were...shall we say...getting carried away!?

We returned early afternoon (2.30), not knowing what to expect really? Well, no birders...so presumably no bird? WRONG...

"Just" a(nother) great bird!!! All to myself. Marvellous.

The bird was flushed by a Hooded Crow at 2.58 and wasn't seen again despite extensive searching later in the day.

Another experience that's "right up there"...and beyond!

Cyprus 18 - Day 13

BIG Day out east...with a 5am start. I'd been looking forward to a FULL day after the cycle race disaster.

Pervolia was the first port of call. It brought back many memories from our winter visit a few years ago. I'd been given directions by Jane Stylianou and I found the area of farmland without much bother.

Calandra Lark was the target bird here. Distant flight views were obtained but to be honest I was disappointed with the visit. However I DID get a massive bonus when I saw this grey ghost flying low across the fields...

Male Pallid Harrier

A superb species...

Fabulous to get such stunning views.

Eleven Avocets on Menou Pools on the way back to the motorway was an unexpected bonus...

No sign of any Stone Curlews in the usual spot.

So, onto Cape Greco. It was quiet...very quiet. No guarantees at migrant "hotspots". The wind was in the East but no-one had told the birds! Entertainment was provided in spades by a pair of migrant Hoopoes...

They kept their distance but eventually one gave itself away...

Another stunner!

...........................................................................................

News of 1/2 Firecrests around Beacon Ponds pricked my ears up this morning. So, after lunch  left my friend at home and had a stroll down a waterlogged Beacon Lane. No sign in an hour at site 1 (north end of the lane). The wind was increasing and I must admit I considered giving site 2 a miss! Glad I didn't...

It took me 90 minutes to get a 60 second view. It was constantly moving low in the bushes so I was pleased to get this image of this jewel of a bird.

Brief interlude

Forecast lived up to it's billing, which made my decision to visit Duff a good one...well maybe?

As you can see... significant flooding. An impressive sight but a disaster for potential breeders. That's the way it is here... totally at the mercy of the elements.

No sign of any BN Grebes (plenty of Little) or Garganey. The only migrants seen were Chiffchaff (4).

A few small flocks of Ducks remained including 3 Pochard. No Whoopers in evidence.

I had 6 Buzzards in the air at one time. A large female Sparrowhawk zoomed past the Geoff Smith hide.

I also met Lucy, one of the English Nature staff. She'd come down to Garganey hide to open the windows in case of flood. Hopefully this won't happen, especially after they've just repaired it! My latest check of the river level at Bubwith revealed it was thankfully dropping.

Just as I was thinking of leaving a car pulled in to the car park. I wasn't paying much attention as I was talking to my friend! I then noticed the personalised number plate. My hunch was correct, it was Barry Bishop. Nice to see you pal!

As I approached the village on my return I noticed a pair of Shelduck in a flooded field. Great to see but alas only temporary. If only there was more habitat...if only!

A Barn Owl was also noted.

More on Cyprus tomorrow...

CYPRUS 18 - Day 12

At last I hear you cry? Well...maybe not! Here goes anyway...

Just to refresh I'd seen my life BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER the day before. Any excuse for a name drop.

Wednesday 21st

The BCBE was reported at dusk in the harbour the previous evening, so guess were I headed pre-dawn! I joined the fisherman and joggers by the quayside. Needless to say a clear, warm morning. It had reported by the Port Authority building and red speedboat, I found the spot and waited. A long shot...but worth it. Then I heard it! Flying in from the east over the harbour and landing on the Jolly Rodger...

Great stuff!

I managed to sneak one from below in the early morning light...

Then around 6.30 it flew west into the Archaeological site. It's a large area. Anyway, I gave it a go...and got lucky...

Don't be too impressed. I figured yesterdays tree would be favourite...and it was! Great to see it again in the now clear morning sunshine. I was getting the full treatment on my latest LIFER.

A few more...

It's all about special moments like this...for me...

After letting other birders know I returned to the apartment for breakfast.

A male Desert Wheatear had been reported at the nearby Timi Beach. This ticked all the boxes...great bird and beach location for Louise! We parked by the Pergola and I started to search the immediate area while she set her stall out. Within ten minutes I was enjoying great views...

A good morning!

After lunch we had a ride up to Aspro' Dam for the first time. Louise went for a walk while I scanned the dam. Blue Rock Thrush female...

I also had a Black-eared Wheatear briefly.

The morning definitely "had it" though...

Cyprus 18 - re-starts tomorrow!

More re-adjustments than anticipated means a delayed re-start to my report. Plenty more to come...

Cyprus 18 - Postponed

Very busy Easter with family and friends. I'll continue my review on Tuesday...