Cyprus 24 - Day 18

"Back home" now for the rest of the Trip. I've downloaded quite a few pics from the 3 day Eastern excursion but limited time and priorities means a proper review will have to wait till I get back to East Yorkshire.

This morning news broke of a ROCK BUNTING. Of course...it was "Out East" at Cape Greco! Found by Jarrod Hadfield who also found last Spring's BAR-TAILED LARK and CINEREOUS BUNTING!!!

A second sighting some 30 minutes later had me preparing for a return visit. Then...news of a male Rock Thrush 5 minutes down the road from our place!? What to do? The former would be a Cyprus Tick BUT the latter is ALWAYS a temptation. I decided to try for the RT and see what developed regarding the RB.

It took a while to figure out access to the Rocky Outcrop...

It was another hot one today (27C) and walking on the rocks gave an extra "toasty" effect. I couldn't see anything for quite a while...then...

ALWAYS a pleasure to see this Species and a Star Bird of the Trip. It was VERY mobile so I left the area before I did myself an injury!

There were no further reports of the ROCK BUNTING...so I felt I'd made the correct decision and saved some effort and fuel!

Ispent a couple of hours this afternoon trying to locate a Stone Curlew at Timi Beach and Mandria without success. A flock of 30 Cattle Egrets at the Sewage Works was definitely notable...

Last hour at the Beach Bar produced no fly-by's but two Greater Sand Plovers were reported flying North!? Crake day early tomorrow at Agia Varvara. Three Species to try and spot in the undergrowth! 

Our Trip East obviously boosted the Total.

Trip Total - 132 Species

Cyprus 24 - Day 17

Slower start today. I contacted Andy Waller for help regarding location of Cyprus Warbler at Mav' Dam. He replied instantly with a couple of spots to try. Many thanks pal.

I arrived around 9 after a much needed lie- in...

After complete silence for a good hour, one struck up and the next hour was VERY enjoyable...

Reports came through of an influx of Masked Shrikes on the Headland. Woodchat is also present. Even though it's Saturday, it's a large area so I gave it a go...

I met a few amiable Brits who pointed me in the right direction. Eventually I got a nice pic...

Out for a Chinese tonight with friends, so again no proper write-up. I'll post when convenient but there WILL be a daily update of some description.  

I'll update today's post if I see anything else of note. There's a Wryneck just around the corner... apparently!

3.15

Me again!

Still no sign of the Wryneck but I'm happy here...hoping...under the shade of a Conifer (it's 25C today). Again spending time in one area can pay dividends, as I've just found a Nightingale and had my closest views of Masked Shrike down to 10 yards! Also 2 Isabelline Wheatears on the path.

Stay tuned...

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...

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...

Cyprus 24 - Day 14

Brief summary tonight after a loooong early drive from Paphos and a full day. Just going out for a Pizza. No pics but I've got some.

Great first day "out East". Started South of the Airport at Meneou Pools looking for Stone Curlew. No joy but a few Warblers about including Lesser Whitethroat. A flock of c30 Ruff out on the Lake behaving like Phalaropes had me going for a minute.

Had a fabulous hour in the Hide at the Treatment plant recording no less than 28 Ferruginous Ducks! c30 Garganey were also present. On the way out I had great views of 3 Spectacled Warblers. I tried the pools again on the way back and had superb views of a Ruppell's Warbler.

Onto the Salt Lake and scored with c50 Slender-billed Gulls at close quarters.

After lunch it was Oroklini Lake. I visited both hides. Highlights were 3 drake Red-crested Pochards and 14 Glossy Ibises. Mustn't forget the Flamingos.

Lastly I tried for Lesser Kestrel at Kivilisi Fields. After some initial difficulty locating the Site, thanks to eBird I found one just before dusk. A brilliant day!

Photos and totting up on return on Saturday.

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...

In previous trips I'd had the odd one or two, sometimes having to wait quite some time. Today I had 23!!!

Here's a few...

A few more through the haze...

Greater Short-toed Larks also found the conditions to their liking, with c50 present in a tight fast moving flock...

A decent flock of Yellow Wagtail sp arrived (c100), again mainly Feldegg but a few "others were present also...

Always one of the highlights of the Trip seeing all the varieties passing through. All this activity attracted another Bird...

Sparrowhawk

A significant Trip Tick which typically didn't hang around...

I also had a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos over the car. An excellent relaxed session...just the ticket!

After another failed attempt to find Stone Curlew (Old School) at Timi Forest we ended up at Mandria again and bumped into the Bloomers.Ian informed me he'd had a Woodchat Shrike near his Village at Anarita. It's only 15 minutes away and a quality target not to be ignored in my book. I found the location but alas not the Bird. It was good to improve my knowledge of the area though. This flock of Corn Buntings taken through the fence at Anarita Mast was notable, if not unusual...

On returning to Mandria I tried for the lingering Hawfinch but again no luck, so I headed for the "front" and found 3 male Northern Wheatears...

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

Definitely NOT on the expected List!!! I have seen one here before at Akrotiri Gravel Pits with Bill Stacey BUT it's still a sought after Bird on the Island. It drifted West and flew directly over the Bar. I guess watching it with a Pint would have been asking too much!?

Trip List - 111 Species

Cyprus 24 - Day 12

On site 5.50...

7.51: After watching the pool and reeds till my eyes bled, a message from Matt Smith (who'd also been present for a while also and just left with a client)...

White-throated Kingfisher half-way down the Marsh in tree with yellow flowers.

I was down there quite quickly!!! Matt was looking out to a tree some 80 yds away...

LIFER!!!

I'm sure you can imagine...Moment and Context.

Many, many thanks to Matt Smith and his "eagle eyes", spotting it from his car! Definitely worth the 4.30 start. Yesterday's disappointment seems a distant memory all of a sudden. Elated!!!

Time for some proper Birding now...

7pm

Just got back after adding another Lifer in the form of a male SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER at Asprokremmos Dam Wood...

...again found by Matt Smith!!! No pics on this one, just four brief sightings in three hours of an extremely mobile and elusive Bird. No matter...

WHAT A DAY!!!!!!

Absolutely shattered now as you can imagine...but VERY happy!

Just for the record while I was waiting for the WTK at the Western Marsh I had my first Ferruginous Duck of the Trip in the early morning light...

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...

Finally a few pics of yesterday's Long-legged Buzzard at Theletra Gorge...

Cyprus List - 223

Trip Total - 109 Species

Cyprus 24 - Day11

I'm writing this stood amongst the Goats at Androlikou hoping for an (very) early ficedula Flycatcher...

...so I hope this makes sense!

Today's Twitch for the KINGFISHER didn't go well, in fact it just didn't go at all. A combination of logistical problems and lack of knowledge of local customs meant getting up at 5am was a waste of time. This didn't please... especially when the Bird showed a couple of times and I would almost certainly have connected!!!

So things don't always work out for me. Tempers the smugness. Today's pass out...is now tomorrow!

We're out for a meal tonight, so no photos. I DID connect with Long-legged Buzzard at Theletra (another Gosney sight that's still relevant). No luck with Bonelli's Eagle at Everetou Reservoir though.

We had a couple of hours at the Baths of Aphrodite which was also very quiet.

Early night and hopefully success tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Cyprus 24 - Day 10

Back to the Ruppell's bush first thing...still no sign.

I was unsure where to head this morning but I only intended going "local". I started at Timi Beach near the Airport but it was quiet...very quiet. I was hoping for Stone Curlew or maybe a Shrike but nothing materialized. I ended up at Aspro' Dam...

...a fine sight looking North. It was time for a "Hawk Watch". This is an excellent site for Bonelli's Eagle, a much sought after Species on the Island.  I got my fix around 10.30 and wasn't disappointed! A combination of distance and light meant no reasonable pic unfortunately. A male Marsh Harrier over the water proved more obliging...

White Wagtails are still flooding through the Island...

I also saw my first Common Swifts of the Year. Skylark was also added. Before returning for Lunch I stopped off at the pools at Mandria Gardens. The area is still getting topped up by the sprinklers and therefore attracting plenty of Birds. Today I added Lesser Whitethroat.

The afternoon started at Agia Varvara and I went Crake spotting or rather I didn't. Some of the Pools look promising though...

The Boss waited patiently as always...

I did add Sedge Warbler to the Trip List...

Takes some finding

We then tried Anarita Park and Whinchat finally fell. No sign of the hoped for Lesser Kestrel though. They are back on the Island further East. We finished the day off at Mandria where a decent flock (15) of Greater Short-toed Larks remain...

We were joined at the Beach Bar...

Another nice finale...

Breaking news late afternoon...

White-throated Kingfisher, Akrotiri Marsh southern end

That's my "pass out" Day sorted tomorrow. A common Species further East BUT a Cyprus MEGA and a Lifer to boot. Exciting stuff for the old boy. Wish me luck...

Trip Total - 103 Species

Cyprus 24 - Day 9

A steadier day today after yesterday's Twitch!

I had a couple of Hours strolling around the Archaeological Site. The session started well when I added Eastern Orphean and Eastern Sub-alpine Warbler to the Trip List...in the same bush!!! 

The Orphean wouldn't play ball but I managed to "grab" the latter...just...

At least 12 Hoopoes were present during my visit...4 in one bush! I had 3 Cretzschmar's Buntings briefly before they flew off high in typical fashion...

It was another superb clear and fresh morning...

As I was admiring the view...

...and reminiscing on the Male Rock Thrush I saw at this location in 2018...this beauty appeared out of nowhere...

Black-eared Wheatear (pale-throated form)

IMHO one of the best Birds available on the Island...

That Tail!

Imade a concerted effort to find the Tree Sparrow. You can only look at House Sparrows for so long though!

The afternoon was spent checking out a few spots West of Paphos along the Coast. We started off at the Sea Caves. No Birds of note but a spectacular place I think you'd agree...

Next it was Cape Drepanum, another new spot for us both. We had a couple of hours here, which included a rather spectacular Ice Cream. I was hoping for another Cyprus special...and after some time I found one, if only momentarily. It appeared deep in a bush for a few seconds but I didn't see it again despite waiting a further hour...

Ruppell's Warbler

...a Sardinian did make a brief show though...

I'll still be checking out "the Bush" in the morning. Chuffed to find this jewel.

Final stop was Mavrokolympos Dam. Nothing on the Reservoir but c30 Red-rumped Swallows overhead was quite a sight! We then moved back down the road to the Cyprus Scops Owl Site made famous by Dave Gosney. I still have his book printed 14 Years ago! As we waited by the Cliff...

...another car pulled up and 2 Birders got out of their car. I decided to abandon the attempt as I can try another spot next week. My decision was rewarded when I spotted a Cyprus Wheatear in the top of a bush just before Dusk...

I admit to some enhancement here. I was 5.50!

Trip Total - 98 Species