Cyprus 23 - Day 16

We decided (OK I decided) to head West today, back to the Baths of Aphrodite. My reasoning being, it's the closest headland (1hr) to Paphos...and I prefer it to Cape Greco (2.5 hrs). My quest to "find my own" Flycatchers continues.

We left at 8 and headed for Evretou Dam. I'd visited this Site on previous trips. We managed a coffee on the way at Giolou...

On reaching the Reservoir with the usual combo of Google Maps and Gosney we found ourselves at yet another magnificent overlook...

It was quiet "Birdwise" but we had a pleasant hour enjoying the stunning scenery.

We then continued towards the B of A but did a detour along the road we'd used previously between Androlikou and Neo Chorio...scene of our Goshawk success. We stopped again by the Goat Farm...

I'd seen a post from Matt Smith saying he'd "had" a couple of Semi-collared Flycatchers around here a few days previous. We decided to linger here and have some lunch...

As you can see it was a small area of isolated trees fringed by a small stream...

I''d only been looking a few minutes when I got a brief view of a Black and White bird! At last!!! After no Flycatchers in 17 and 18 today was to be enjoyed to the FULL. The next hour or so was truly special as I enjoyed my self found Collared Flycatcher...

I just can't follow that. Goodnight!

Trip Total 124

Cyprus 23 - Day 15

Better day today, although the wind was still strong in Paphos as I found out when I had a couple of hours around the Archeological Site as "The Boss" had a lie in after our "Indian in Cyprus" last night...very nice it was too. I do like a Chicken Tikka "How'syerfather"!

I covered what sheltered areas I could find but it wasn't pleasant and I found nothing of significance. I spoke to some other brave souls but they were struggling to find anything. No wonder.

Back to base for 10.30. Louise was waiting for today's plan. I felt today would be the ideal day to try for "The Vulture". The viewpoint at Kensington Cliffs is on a SE slope with decent vegetation, which should give some shelter from the continuing Northeaster?

Good old Google Maps (most of the time) gave a journey time of 50 minutes. A combination of GM and Gosney had us parked up by 12.15. I walked to the best spot (I've been before) gave it 30 minutes before returning for lunch. Nothing seen, except an exceptional view...

The Vulture side...

My balance isn't great these days...and I had to be...aware...

As we were dining... another "What's that"? from Louise. I got up, turned around and scanned... Griffon Vulture circling the Cliff in the distance. Nice timing!?

Back to it. Another 90 minutes...not a sniff. It was now 3pm and I needed a change. We headed for The Mall at the start of Lady's Mile. A quick Costa was needed. Louise has an hour in the Mall and I birded the North end of Lady's Mile...everyone was happy! A quick check of the first pool revealed 2 Gulls. One was a Yellow-legged, the other a Baltic...I think? I'm sure you can appreciate that the more challenging ID's need a little more chewing over than I have time for. Lack of experience of certain Species plus the incredible light (which can make Birds look completely different) combine to make errors more likely...especially from me...lol! Anyway...I'll stick my neck out...

Baltic Gull

I have a dodgy Lark and a Gull or two to discuss when I get home!

I drove the Mile...a while, then returned to Zakaki Hide after the coast had cleared (2 Bird Tour groups present). The Hide was now empty; I climbed the stairs, scanned and there was a Water Rail! A German couple joined me, the chap spotted a Warbler at the base of the reeds which then gave a distinctive reel. We both agreed we were watching a Savi's Warbler!

I picked Louise up from the Mall at 4.30 and returned to the Cliffs, for another crack at "The Vulture". It was now 5. I made my way back to the Viewpoint and I could immediately see a solitary bird surveying his domain...

Even at some 800yds the size of the Bird could be appreciated. I was going to give it till 6.15 to try and get a flight shot. As 6 approached there was no movement off the Cliff. Then I was rewarded for my patience...

Unfortunately the Cliff was in deep shade by now but I'm pleased I got "something". Time for "home".

Trip Total 123

Cyprus 23 - Day 14

Blowing a hooley today, which obviously made Birding difficult/impossibe. We had a late start as I was feeling it after 2 days of driving distance. I had a go at Timi "Forest"!!!? You were right Phil...not even a small Wood. Trying to find cover was difficult as the trees here are thinly spread.  Miraculously I did see 2 Stone Curlews, This one trying to shelter from the Gale...

It was hard to hold the Camera still taking this pic. Next I tried below Asprokremmos Dam a historic location which used to have some excellent habitat. The pools here regularly attracted Crakes and Herons amongst other Species...

The Dam overflowed some Years ago destroying the habitat unfortunately. Nothing of note was seen here. We then drove up to the Dam and parked in the Trees. I spent 3 hours here looking for Flycatchers. One had been reported but there was some conjecture over which one. As I packing up at 5.30 I heard a shout from a memeber of the group present. I made my way down the path to the Dam and gave it another 20 minutes. I didn't see anything and left. Got you there...bet you thought I was going to see it lol!

So, a very quiet day "Birdwise" if not "Weatherwise". Well it can't be exciting all the time, can it? The slow day fitted in well as we're out for an "Indian in Cyprus" tonight!

To brighten this post up, here's a pic of a Cyprus Warbler I found at Cape Greco last week...my only sighting so far...

Trip Total 119

Cyprus 23 - Day 13

Quick summary tonight as rather tired after another day out East. Phil's last full day. I picked him up at 7.25 and we made good time through Limassol as the traffic was thankfully lighter than anticipated. I'd planned to show him the Sites around Larnaca but an attempt at The Cuckoo proved too tempting! 

We headed for Lake Paralimni, which is North of Ayai Napa. On arrival we could see a few Twitchers milling about but there was no real focus. We parked, gathered our gear and started to check the area. The guy who found the bird was present. We gave it an hour but there was no sign of the bird. Phil did spot a gorgeous Woodchat Shrike though which was gracious enough to allow us to photograph it...as it bounced in the wind...

Next it was Cape Greco. Unfortunately the wind had picked up and activity was limited. We did see a few Cyprus Wheatears and a Blue Rock Thrush. As we were leaving I picked up a lone Gull flying West. It was a fast disappearing Audouin's...

Phil got a diagnostic pic of the bill. Pleased to pic one out passing.

We then moved to an open area on the East side of the peninsula. It was also quiet but the views were again stunning...

Slightly bluer and clearer than Holmpton...

The Campsite was next but nothing again except for a calling Chukar (common here). I then received a message off Pete Wragg (many thanks) replying to my request for information on yesterdays Flycatchers. We tried the spot near the Visitors Centre but no joy there either.

Then a message...

Two Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Phasouri Reedbed

I asked Phil if he was interested. After some deliberation he said yes. Before we left the area we tried for the Auduoin's Gulls at Kermia Beach. We found 6 and got good photos...

Another detour to Larnaca Salt Lake for Slender-billed Gull but this time we dipped.

After a couple of errors we arrived at the Reedbed around 4.30. We bumped into a Birder who told us they hadn't been seen since the initial sighting. No matter we birded for a couple of hours; highlights being Little Crake...

Squacco Heron (2)...

at the "middle hide. Then Kingfisher, Great White Egret (4)...

Spur-winged Plover (8) and Spoonbill (2)...

We saw them fly off at 6.30

at the Tower Hide. The Heron and Spoonbill was new for the Trip. 

A mixed day but some good birds seen in great company. 

Trip Total  119

Cyprus 23 - Day 12

I'm sure you can appreciate that balancing Birding and Blogging can be a fine line at times but I'm happy with how its gone so far. Also looking through pics can only be fleeting...I don't have any fancy editing software. My plan of longer stays at fewer Sites is also working well. Very relaxing...except when chasing Rare Birds...which is also fun I may add!

I had a couple of hours first thing down at Agia Varvara, Crake hunting. I'm a glutten for punishment. It was a fresh 10C on arrival but fortunately my coat was in the car to help offset the shorts! I scanned all three pools intermittemtly but nothing showed for 30  minutes. Then, a Reed Warbler followed shortly after by a Sedge. Something moved in the reeds...a brief sighting of a Baillon's Crake. 20 minutes later I'd also added Spotted. At last I'd connected with all three.

A few Swifts hawked low over the pools some taking a drink. One was rather larger...

Really chuffed to finally grab an image of this lightening quick Species.

Today we headed West for the first time as our destination was the Baths of Aphrodite, a major tourist attraction but also a Migrant hot spot. Fortunately in March (like a lot of places)...it's dead. The roads are empty, the car parks quiet and the Campsite is a peaceful retreat. Bliss. Just need to find some Birds now.

I'd cut and pasted an item some time ago giving me some information on a minor road from Kato Arodes to Neo Chorio. The Birder had seen Bonelli's and Booted Eagles, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Long-legged Buzzard and Common Buzzard! Definitely worth a detour on the way. The problem was, no specific watchpoint was mentioned and as I'd never passed this way before it was going to be pot luck.

If you're not familiar with Cyprus...it's Mountainous! The road West to Polis reaches up to around 2,000 feet. We reached Kato Arodes OK with the help of Google Maps, which worked amazingly well. It then took us through tiny Villages and along the minor roads with ease. Once past Androlikou we came across a Goat Farm where a flock in excess of 200 Jackdaws was present feeding around the Goats!

We continued. I then saw a distant large Raptor ahead of us. A quick look (the road was rather remote) gave enough detail to confirm Bonelli's. I pulled over, got out and scanned. It had disappeared. Louise also got out for a stretch. She gets embarrassed sometimes when she shouts..."What's that"?.. and I gently tell her it's something common. I've always encouraged her to keep calling. As I continued looking for the Eagle..."What's that"?...rang out...A sinister bulky Raptor glided low, straight and fast just above the tree line...a tell tale pale area glistening in the sunshine...

Goshawk

Definitely one of the Birds of the Trip and a Cyprus Tick to boot. The surprise sightings are the Best.A calling Quail finished off the break well.

In case you're passing sometime...

It's more than a 3 minute walk to Paphos!!!?

We arrived at "the Baths" at 1 and spent a relaxed 4 hours on the deserted Campsite...

It was fairly "Birdy" with around half-a-dozen Common Restarts showing really well supplemented by similar numbers of Black.

Taking some shade

It was also nice to see Serin...my first sighting...

Eastern Bonelli's was also in evidence again... flycatching! I like to think I'm cautious with my ID...and sometimes inaccurate! I've seen plenty of Swifts in bright sunshine by now. One passed over this afternoon and did a couple of circuits before moving on. It looked different? A sandier bird with contrasting primaries and an obvious pale throat with dark eye.. I'm happy it was a Pallid. 25 species were seen. Some excellent habitat here...and a definite Migrant trap...

A truly beautiful spot...we'll be back...

Phil's last day tomorrow so we're heading East to Cape Greco then the Larnaca sites. All 3 Flycatchers were seen at the former today. Pity they weren't at the West end!

Trip Total 116

Cyprus 23 - Day 11

Summer time is here...at least in Cyprus! Apologies to folks back home.

Phil picked me up just after 8 and we entered the Archaeological Site as it opened at half-past. Very quiet both bird and people wise today. A Purple Heron flew over just before we went in and was one of the highlights of the session. A nice early addition. We covered a fair area again; not bad for two Pensioners!

The most productive area was the ruins below the Lighthouse...

where we had Blue Rock Thrush...

and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear...

...virtually side by side! While Phil was waiting for another opportunity to photograph the Eastern Sub-Alpine Warbler we saw on our previous visit (it didn't show or had  moved on)I had a stroll along an adjacent path. I spotted a bird some 80 yds away in a bush that looked "different". It appeared to have a reddish throat? It was only there for a minute but I managed a couple of shots. Glad I did, as later scrutiny revealed the bird was indeed a Wryneck...

A decent spot...even though I say so myself lol!

After lunch Louise and I drove up to Asprokremmos Dam...

Another attempt to "get" my Flycatcher/s. Still no luck there BUT I did get great views and a decent pic of an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler in the Woods...

The flycatching behaviour of this species helps locate/identify it but it's a VERY active bird, so I was pleased with this effort.

Next onto Mandria Beach Bar where Louise had a glass of wine and I had a brief Seawatch. Nothing was seen. I also had a drive around Lark's Corner where I saw yesterdays Collared Pratincole. The field was also full of Yellow Wagtails. None today, as the field had settled after being ploughed!

We finished off at Anarita Park which was more Birdy than on our last visit but nothing new was added. Nice to see more Wheatears and a lovely Cretzschmar's Bunting in the sun. Unfortunately all the birds were in front of the car on a narrow track, so no photos were obtained. I was hoping for an early Lesser Kestrel...like the one on Scilly!!!

A transitional day with the clock change. Nearly half-time now, so time to concentrate on new Sites and Species. We're heading West for the first time tomorrow to try the Baths of Aphrodite...maybe I'll get my SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER there?

Trip Total 111

Cyprus 23 - Day 10

 Must remember the Clocks go forward tonight. Means I can Bird sooner tomorrow.

A slower day today after yesterdays (exciting) madness. We left the apartment at 9 and arrived at Agia Varvara 30 minutes later. Baillon's Crake was the Target Bird. I'd checked with Colin Richardson (the finder) as to which of the three nearer pools he'd seen it on. He kindly replied that it was the nearest from the road.

I set up my scope and started to scan. A lone Green Sandpiper was my first of the Trip. A Black-headed Wagtail was also present briefly. A Birder appeared, it was Alan Crane who stays in Mandria. He gave me some useful information on the Site, which was much appreciated. He was also looking for the BC. After he left another Birder appeared and walked up the pools. When he returned he told me he'd had a brief view of a Crake that he considered to be a female Little. I thanked him and made my way to an area I could view the spot from. After some 30 minutes I got a brief but unsatisfying glimpse. I to thought Little Crake female. I didn't see it again. However, I DID add Reed Bunting (male)...a BIG surprise, as they are scarce on Cyprus.

Zitting Cristicola is a common bird here and can be frequently heard "zitting"around. Getting a good view of one can be difficult. Today I got lucky when one perched long enough, and close enough, for me to get a decent photo...

A Kingfisher then zipped past. I guess if you stand somewhere long enough you'll eventually see something. My Mantra for the Trip...most of the time!

Time for our picnic lunch. It was another beautiful day (21C) as we sat in the shade of an Acacia. The relaxation was quelled when I received a message from Jonathan...

Collared Pratincole at Larks Corner, Mandria. 

Would it wait for me? We were there in no time and as I turned the corner I could see Jonathan talking to what turned out to be a couple from Yorkshire! Another couple appeared to be looking at the bird in the ploughed field. They gave me directions and I could then see it distantly...

After a short while it took off (which I was hoping for) and started to fly around the area calling...

I managed a half decent pic...

Collared Pratincole

A superb Bird and one I was hoping to just catch at the end of my trip (April 7th). eBird reports show they turn up in early April, so this one is early and a much welcome bonus for me. Handy also. It flew around for a while longer then it was gone. Bird of the day...so far.

The Yellow Wagtails had also arrived in force. Many races present, a mind-boggling array of plumages. I just enjoyed them in the afternoon sunshine...while Louise had a large Sauvignon Blanc at the Beach Bar. Everyone was happy!

feldegg

Then a surprise. A couple of Mediterranean (Lesser) Short-toed Larks briefly, close by the car. A Cyprus tick! A few tour companies had arrived. A shout went up...SANDGROUSE! A fast disappearing bird was just about captured in the heat haze...

I rejoined Louise at the Beach Bar and we then left for Agia Varvara once again for a second stab at the Baillon's. As I arrived, so did one of the groups (Heatherlea). The leaders were sound and they told me if they saw anything they'd let me know, although I would prefer to find it myself. Despite a good hours searching of all three pools the bird wasn't seen. A Sedge Warbler was though, for another Trip tick...

Half a dozen or so Alpine Swifts zoomed overhead, some coming quite low over the water, giving fantastic views. Far too fast for me to get a pic though! The group moved on and I gave it till 5.30 before leaving. A bonus Long-legged Buzzard (another first) over the car as we left, completed another great day on the Island.

I have some more photos to share (not too many). For example; from my Trip to Cape Greco. I may fit them in here or share them on return. After all...it's the Birding that matters most...right. With the exception of the good lady of course!

Trip Total 108