Cyprus 26 - Day 4

*I've added some photos to yesterday's post*

Steady morning after last night's treat. I headed down to Agia Varvara via my Stone Curlew Site (thanks again Dan). Sure enough, they were "in situ" as I parked the car and used it as a "Hide"....as I frequently do...

Smart against the green background...I thought. There were 4 Birds actually and they were mobile. Eventually I got a better view of one...

Always nice to see this unusual looking Species on a Trip.

Things were quiet when I reached the Valley but I did see a Long-legged Buzzard distantly...

Never been greener?

No Crakes were seen.

I'd gone there hoping to see the SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER that was seen yesterday afternoon. No luck there. I did have a significant Sighting though in the form of Colin Richardson (who'd had the same idea regarding the Flycatcher! It was great to see him again. We had a good chat before going our separate ways. Hopefully I'll see him again during the Trip? Plenty of water in the Lower Ezousas...

On the way back for lunch a message informed me that a male COLLARED FLYCATCHER had been seen by the Archaeological Site. The finder had left a PIN so as it was handy I gave it a go. On arrival I saw a few Birders looking focused...on the other side of the exit turnstile! They soon dispersed though and I couldn't see anything through the fence. I'm not having much luck with the Ficedula family...yet.

This afternoon I tried Asprokremmos Dam...in the rain. Remarkably I managed decent pics of Eastern Bonelli's Warbler despite the dull and wet conditions...

The rain eased and we had a quick look from the Dam Wall...

Unsurprisingly fuller than usual which is good news but no "edges" for the Birds! We eneded up (or thought we had) at Mandria. Today is a Bank Holiday... hence the rainiest day so far! We did a circuit seeing very little...then a message...

Male SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER Aspro' Dam Wood

Oh dear. We went back and spent till 5.45 but no sign of the Bird. I did see a rather bedraggled EBW in the twilight...

We're off to the Akrotiri Peninsular early doors tomorrow for a full day out. Stay tuned...

Trip Total  - 57 Species

Cyprus 26 - Day 3

Out tonight for an Indian, so I'm posting early from Spiro's Pool, Larnaca. We're treating ourselves after a flat tyre situation yesterday evening and this morning! 

Why am I out East? Well, I've just added my third Cyprus Tick in 3 days! Namely Red-necked Phalarope...

Cyprus 219

Other Species seen included Greater Flamingo, Spur-winged Plover, Ruff (c70)...

Reeve

Temmincks Stint, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper...

...Marsh Harrier, Black-headed Wagtail...

and Cyprus Wheatear.

As I left I came across a pair of courting Spur-winged Plovers by the roadside. They looked superb amongst the grasses...

The rains have completely transformed Sites, making various habitats far more conducive to Birds. The temperatures have been excellent for Birding, ranging between 14 and 18c. Louise is hoping for a slight improvement which will undoubtedly come...I hope!! Happy Days!

Cyprus 26 - Day 2

*As promised, I've added some pics to yesterdays post*

Back to Mandria first this morning on news from Colin Richardson of a Greater Sand Plover by the Picnic Area. Maybe I missed it yesterday!? Sure enough, there it was...

As I went around "Larks Corner" I noticed a Warbler in a single bush. At first I thought Sardinian, the default black headed type here. However...

I positioned the car in a favourable position...and waited. I could see the Bird from time to time through the branches but couldn't get a clear view. It was interacting with a Chiffchaff...

...which as you cab see was showing MUCH better! I decided to try the other side of the Bush. This proved to be a good decision...

Ruppell's Warbler

A couple of the most wanted in the bag before 9. I drove down the road where the NAMAQUA DOVE was present yesterday but no luck. A few Birders were "in situ" but it wasn't seen by 1pm so looks like it's unfortunately moved on. I was lucky...this time!

I decided to have a run up to Anarita Park but as I entered the approach road I received a message informing me of an Isabelline Shrike sp on the Headland. Another potential Cyprus Tick...I had to try for it. Luckily the reporter has given coordinates which when entered gave me a much better idea of the specific area ( it's a big place).

After some initial access issues I parked and walked along the path towards the Lighthouse. I found a bench and scanned through the fence. Not ideal but it saved me a long walk. I soon picked up a Blue Rock Thrush through the haze...

and a Caspian Stonechat type.  I could see Birders on the ridge looking down into the area but it was difficult to see exactly where they were viewing. Rather frustrating but never mind I had an hour before lunch. Then, I had it, only briefly but conclusively. I had my second Tick in 2 days, my luck was in.

There was a wall some 80 yards away with a couple of bushes by it. I was looking into the sun but the jizz looked good for a Rock Thrush...it turned out to be...

I was having quite a morning, especially with when the Shrike appeared again and this time showed well on a snag. Alas, too quick for a pic BUT I had my Tick.

After lunch we headed to Anarita Park for our first visit. It was quiet BUT this beauty made it worthwhile...

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear

Cyprus 26 - Day 1

The travel doesn't get any easier with age (no sympathy expected). However...it's worth it!!!

Understandable slow start this morning. We headed for Karlina for a "Full English". A place we've passed countless times but never been too. Highly recommended!

Louise then decided to have a walk to the Mall while I headed for Mandria. No surprises on either count! My target was NAMAQUA DOVE. I'd seen my Lifer in the UAE but it would be a Cyprus Tick! On arrival at the PIN I couldn't see any Birders BUT there was a lone Bird in the wire...and that was it!!! I snatched an image through the windscreen before it flew off towards the nearby Villas...

Not the best!

At least you cab see the jizz!

Flushed with success I did a loop of the front, seeing my hoped for Isabelline Wheatear...

Subtly stunning

Greenfinches look...greener!

I also had a brief glimpse of a Common Redstart which was a nice surprise. 4 Alpine Swifts zoomed inland low over the fields and a few Spanish Sparrows twittered away in the nearby palm...

One of 8 Greater Short-toed Larks in the area...

Then a message informing me that the DOVE was showing again. I returned to the Site and this time managed some better pics...

Just before I headed back to meet Louise I drove past a large flock of Yellow Wagtail sp (c200)...

One of my classic "through the window" shots. This is an annual event but never ceases to amaze!

Unfortunately I didn't have time to linger. There'll be other opportunities.

After a late lunch we returned to Mandria to meet Ian and Kate Bloomer. We've known them for many years now. It was great to see them again. After a good chat they departed and we headed for the Beach Bar. . It was a tad fresh but we enjoyed a drink before heading back. Nothing else of note was seen.

Tidy up

Monday started on Skippy with Haydn before we moved onto Duff at 11. No luck with Woodlark unfortunately. Once ensconced we enjoyed a good session. 

Highlights...

40 White-fronted Geese

c400 Pintail

Spotted Redshank

c200 Black-tailed Godwits

5 Oystercatchers

Great White Egret

Male Sparrowhawk

The Carrs is looking a picture (except for the heavy cloud) now with optimum water levels for most Species...

Islands forming

Spits forming

Dabbling Ducks moving in

Another pleasure of Patch watching on a flood plain is observing the subtle (and not so subtle) changes in conditions and habitat. A Great White Egret finally gave "great" views...

...before flying back towards Bubwith...

Coots starting to do what Coots do...

As I left I noticed a huge number of Swans across the road on the Farm fields. I pulled over and estimated at least 200 Whoopers...

Once back on the Coast I checked a few local Sites for an early Wheatear. No luck but 6 Red-throated Divers close in off the Old Sewage was a nice surprise...

Tuesday afternoon I had a ride down Pat' Haven. Still no sign of any Avocets. I checked out the large Greylag flock in the adjacent fields. I'd had some Pinkfeet there recently, you may recall? Two dark-headed Birds stood out, even with the naked eye and despite the unfavourable aspect? They warranted a closer look.

Orange Bill and distinctive head profile

I'd found a couple of Tundra Bean Geese! 

Size and leg colour comparison 

Always better to "find your own"!

Wednesday started earl as I'd arranged to take a Steve Lawton up into the Wolds to try Raven and Peregrine, hopefully the latter hadn't lived up to the latin meaning!? We started at Skippy and bumped into Dave Tate. Still no Woodlark but we had a good chat before moving on to "you know where"! We did hear some yaffling but alas no views.

23 White-fronted Geese appeared after some time in front of Garganey Hide...

...and we picked out the continuing Spotted Redshank ...

...as well as a FOY Ringed Plover (81). I also added Linnet (82).Some 45 Whooper Swans were present at the far end but 4 decided to fly across to the Farm giving us superb flight views...

Around 11.30 we decided to head for the Hills. It took us around an hour to reach the area and we pulled up at the same spot I'd watched with Haydn. Immediately we could hear..."cronk, cronk" and one bird was in view across the valley...

Exuding power

It was nice to see the "sheen" in the sunshine on this beautiful afternoon. It was soon joined by a second bird...

We both remarked how they looked longer-winged than the pestering Buzzards. They also seemed totally unconcerned by the hassle.

The Peregrines also gave an amazing prolonged show all over the area for quite some time. The weather was obviously helping, being the warmest day of the Year so far.

We also saw a couple of Red Kites as well as c8 Buzzards. It was an idyllic couple of Hours. After saying goodbye to Steve I made my way back through Hull and noticed the obvious presence of numerous Lesser Black-backed Gulls by the Docks, so I pulled over and got a pic of one on a Lamp post...

A sign of Spring

After a great day, things went South on the Hedon Bypass when my Gearbox packed up!! I managed to get her home with the help of my Breakdown cover. She'll have to sit there now until I return from Cyprus. We leave on Saturday morning. Hopefully I can get her fixed?

I'll hopefully be Blogging from Paphos, so stay tuned...

p.s. I haven't forgotten my Oman Summary but I'll need more time to do it justice. Maybe one for the looooong Summer Days...