Sunday 31 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 18
Saturday 30 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 17
Friday 29 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 16
6...
Started back at Perivolia Fields for Calandra Lark.
Unfortunately the harvest has started! Fortunately the Birds are still displaying!! One way up high. A great start...
7...
Onto the "Desal Fields" behind the Airport...
... hoping for Bimaculated Lark?
Gave it a good go till 8.30. No joy but a Red-rumped Swallow was some compensation. Going back to the Hide...
11...
Just left the Hotel. My surprise Great-crested Grebe and Pintail additions yesterday evening were somewhat diluted this morning when I found the former had multiplied by 3. The latter had doubled to 2 pairs! Ah well, the moment was still a good one. I did add Greenshank and saw another 5 Marsh Sandpipers.
Heading for Oroklini again as a Great Reed Warbler (Cyprus Tick) has been reported. Then on to Cape Greco via Paralimni Lake to try for the Citrine Wagtail...
I was hoping something special might turn up while "out East". Strangely, this is my second record at this site.
3...
At Cape Greco now searching for Cyprus Warbler...
4.30...
No joy...BUT report of a HOODED WHEATEAR had me down below the Army Cliffs, where Peter Wragg was already in situ. No sign of the Bird unfortunately. I have seen one here in April 1995 when visiting with the family. Time to head back West to Paphos.
I'll do a brief summary of my mini--trip when time allows...
Stay tuned...
Thursday 28 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 15
Posted at noon CT...
The good lady is behind the wheel today so I'm giving it the "as things happen" approach.
I started at 6...10 minutes from our Hotel at Perivolia Fields, the only reliable site for Calandra Lark on the Island...as far as I'm aware?
Scored in spades with 5 Birds in 30 minutes giving display views over the Barley...yes Barley. It looked like England in July. I even got some record shots! VERY pleased.
I then returned to Kivilisi to get seconds of the Lesser Kestrel/s. I drove many tracks in my 2 hour visit but only saw "ours". I finished off at the eBird co-ordinates and blow me down I had THREE birds overhead!!! Again photos were obtained. Also female Pallid Harrier and Black-eared Wheatear.
After a late breakfast we set off for Oroklini via the Salt Lake. I managed better views of SBG. I also had 6 LRP and a lone male Garganey.
Moving onto Cape Greco at 1.30...
2pm update...
Cape Greco off...as I've just had stunning views of 2 adult Audouin's Gulls at Lebay Beach, Oroklini. Always better to "find yer own". I was going to try at Kermia Bay near Greco but no need now. Another 2 hours driving doesn't appeal.
Back to Oroklini, I might fluke the male Little Bittern?
Thinking of finishing off at the Sewage Works area. Less driving , more Birding...
3.30
No LB but great views of a Purple Heron lifting out of the reeds in front of the Hide. My first.
6
Last chilled hour in the Hide at Larnaca Sewage Works produced 3 more Trip ticks. On the way I had distant views of a beautiful male Pallid Harrier flying north over Meneou Pools. As already stated Gulls are not common on Cyprus, so 8 Black-headed were much appreciated, as was a single Great Crested Grebe and a surprise pair of Pintail.
Stay tuned...
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 14
Tuesday 26 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 13
Slower start this morning...hope you're not disappointed!
I stayed local all day as our 3 day "Holiday within a Holiday" at the East End of the Island starts tomorrow. Early start at 5 to get through Limassol before the "Rush Hour".
I found this field just West of the Sewage Plant...and watched it...for an Hour...
Sparrowhawk |
It was now 5 and I was about to join Louise at the Beach Bar when something caught my eye from above...
Short-eared Owl |
Monday 25 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 12
On site 5.50...
LIFER!!! |
Nice light at 6.15 |
I also added Wood and Marsh Sandpiper plus Spotted Redshank. I did a run down the East side of the Peninsular before news of the SCF broke but nothing of note was seen at the Gravel Pits or Church...
Sunday 24 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day11
Saturday 23 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 10
Takes some finding |
Friday 22 March 2024
Cyprus 24 - Day 9
Black-eared Wheatear (pale-throated form) |
That Tail! |
Ruppell's Warbler |