Cyprus 24 - Day 19

Technical issues today, so no updates. Maybe a good thing?

First drive West this morning on the strength of a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 20 minutes up the road. No joy for me and the other hopeful, who didn't hang around. Then a message...and a half...

LESSER MOORHEN Agia Varvara

New one on me but guessing African, which would be backed up by the Saharan Dust arrival yesterday (thoughts at the time). A steady drive (played it cool...ish) through Paphos had me there some 30 minutes later. I figured it wasn't going anywhere, anytime soon?!

A local celebrity list was already in place...unsurprisingly and included Colin Richardson. I was hoping to bump into him before I left and had said so on an email last night as he wanted verification on my Reed Bunting sighting there. He told me he hadn't see one there for 10 Years and he goes every day! Hope I've got this one correct (I have pics)?! Not the Rarity I had in mind but...

Anyway, I drove the track edging carefully past the admiring group (c30). Cheekily I stopped to talk to Mark Askew and asked if it was showing. He pointed out onto the pond and there it was swimming steadily across! I fired a few shots off and moved out of the way. Pity the sun had decided to hide. Fortunate circumstances indeed. A first for Cyprus no less!!!

The rest of the day was spent on the wonderful Akamas Peninsular. The scenery up there is breathtaking! First stop, well second after a coffee at Chryso's Coffee House in Stroumpi (highly recommended and excellent for grabbing a taste of the real Cyprus. Loud but fun. I had an hour at Evretou Reservoir having my usual dip of Bonelli's Eagle. I did see a distant Long-legged Buzzard. Helluva view though...

We moved onto the Baths of Aphrodite Campground. I drove the tracks while Louise read in the sun overlooking the Bay...

I finally added Blackcap and enjoyed great views of the cute Serins. I briefly visited Smigies Campsite and the Agios Minas Chapel but didn't do them justice to be honest as we were behind on time due to phone issues. I've never been keen on Coniferous environments. Final stop was Androlikou. I always visit the Goat Farm area hoping for a Ficedula Flycatcher...or two. No joy today but still enjoyed visiting the spot.

Late back and my Pass Out day tomorrow, so I better get some kip.

LESSER MOORHEN

Trip Total - 133 Species

Cyprus 25 - Day 18

7.30

Couldn't resist another visit to Anarita Park to try for seconds of the magnificent Rock Thrush. No sign yet. I'll give it an hour before heading to Akrotiri.

No joy BUT incredible views of a pair of Great Spotted Cuckoos including copulating!!! I have some pics. I also saw my first Tree Pipit. 

14.30

I arrived at the East end of Phassouri Marsh just after 10. A few Birders present. No sign of any BCBE BUT c60 fresh in Collared Pratincoles a fine sight indeed. A team of young foreign Birders pointed out a Temminck's Stint to me and I viewed it through one of their scopes. Thanks lads! Little Stints were also present...my first of the Trip as were 3 sleeping Garganey. This really is a superb Site.

Next it was back to Agios Georgios Church. This time I finally got my Woodchat Shrike! I then drove the Gravel Pits but saw nothing! Finished back where I started. As I pulled up I could see concentrated focus. I wound the window down and asked what they were looking at..."3 BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATERS" was the reply!!!

I arrived back in Paphos for 2. I've had worse mornings...

18.18

After lunch we headed for Agia Varvara on the strength of a report of a Baillon's Crake sighting on the "Top Pools". Louise set her stall out to read in the sun and I scanned the pond. I bumped into Jonathan Wasse, a fellow Cyprus Stalwart. It was great to see him again. Eventually the Bird showed extremely well and as a bonus a Spotted Crake hopped onto a rock as we were leaving! That's the Crakes mopped up, which is a big bonus considering my present mobility issues. Another Tree Pipit was also seen.

We're out for a meal tonight so no pics. Quite a day!

Trip Total - 131 Species 

Cyprus 25 - Day 17

13.00

Better views of Stone Curlew this morning. Only saw one but it was actually walking around! 26c but strangely pleasant in overcast conditions.

More visible migration in the form of c30 distant Glossy Ibis and 5 Purple Herons.

More Yellow Wagtail enjoyment near Paphos Sewage Works. Many hundreds still present. I drove to Mandria to check out a report of a Woodchat Shrike but wasn't prepared to access the dodgy track to the PIN. Whilst there, I had a brief look for the lingering CASPIAN PLOVERS after they had been seen again. I couldn't find them which was understandable as they were in a different field!!

Rich soil producing superb potatoes!

News that the Rock Thrush is still at Anarita Park has my early afternoon sorted...

19.00

Success! I arrived to a group of 10 or so Birders with glum faces. Didn't look promising? I drove past the group and parked. Windows down...I heard a shout...there it is on the telegraph pole!!

Sure enough, there it was, albeit distantly...

ID Challenge?

Then it dropped, disappeared then re-appeared on a rock some 40 yards away. Lucky. I waved to the group but it flew. Eventually all present saw this cracking Bird. More pics on return.

Then I drove to Agia Varvara to do a touch of "Crakeing". On the way I saw a Great-Spotted Cuckoo on the road right in front of me! It didn't move but I couldn't get sorted quick enough and it would have been a p through the screen. Fortunately it flew a short distance and landed in a field allowing me some pics.

I drove up to the "Top Pools" and waited in the car...

As you can see the light was superb. No joy for 30 minutes. I tried all 4. I parked at the one that looked most promising, having more edging. Sure enough a Male Little Crake eventually appeared and performed brilliantly in the sunshine. I also saw a Reed Bunting which is rare here apparently.

I then headed for the Ezousos Valley near Episkopi. I intended to try for Barn, Cyprus Scops and Little Owls. I saw a pair of Long-legged Buzzards on the way. When I reached the Site I decided not to try on this occasion. Dusk was still quite a while away and the terrain was such that I didn't fancy a steep (and I mean steep) winding road back in the dark. I should have gone at the beginning of the holiday before the clocks changed. Silly me!

I'm off over the Akrotiri again early doors. Some good stuff seen there today including Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and Collared Pratincole. The Church I visited last time was teaming with migrants today. That's Birding!

I'll hopefully add a few pics later. Hope these updates aren't too confusing!?

Trip Total - 123 Species