ALPINE ACCENTOR

More County Twitching "fun" this morning?!

8.14 MEGA East Yorkshire ALPINE ACCENTOR Flamborough Head by Foghorn Station 

Found by Brett Richards on the wall of the garden but no further sign by Noon. I'm currently in a layby on the Leven bypass awaiting future updates. Poor I know but an unnecessary hobble from the car park seems unwise. I've contacted a couple of mates, as the Birdguides App is "down ", although I did get the MEGA Alert?

I saw the Rimac Bird in Lincs (16/11/1994). Coincidentally I was there at dawn and the first Birder I saw was...Brett Richards!

I'm in the "How long do I give it saloon"... again! Answers on a postcard. 

Time will tell...

17.25 Update

The Bird hasn't been seen again...unfortunately. I gave it till Noon then headed back. A "Double Dip" week so far! I was going to have another attempt for "The Gull" tomorrow but my mate has pulled out after trying for the AA today. I don't fancy a solo vigil watching the bread feeding fest! It could be a BIG mistake but there you go...

Locally I've added Shelduck...6 (on Snakey Lane)

Opportunist snap through the Windscreen

Luckily it and others settled on the tilled field...

...Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Linnet also added to my Village Year List bringing me to 56 Species/Patch 77.

Car service and MOT Thursday, the old girl's got her tongue hanging out! Cue MEGA Alert...

CAPE of little Hope

Sunday morning found me at Redcar Tarn, NW of Keighley in search of a CAPE GULL which was identified from photos the previous day. A First for Yorkshire. The outward journey of 2 hours (Yorkshire is a VERY large County) was smooth enough at this early hour.

I arrived just after 8.30 and parked up with an excellent view over the small body of water...

Gulls came and went with plenty of Lesser Black-backed of various ages and structures? 

A few other hopefuls were present. I remained in my car due to my present circumstances.

By 11 I'd had enough. I couldn't look at Gulls any longer! I was also aware of how long it would take to get home on a Sunday. I chose a different return route but it was still slow going. As I reached Harewood House I found myself in a contraflow and it was slow going. A message...

12.16 West Yorkshire CAPE GULL Redcar Tarn

Oh dear, I thought. Reading the full message it became clear the Bird has been seen VERY briefly (it was photographed). After the usual hindsight thoughts...I should have stayed longer etc...I carried on home. The Bird wasn't seen again.

There have been no reports today? I feel/hope the Story isn't over yet...

Cyprus 25 - Summary

So, there we go. That's me done for another Year! Overdid it as per usual (hard not to with so many great Birds and Sites) BUT great fun as always. I visited all the Sites I intended to and added some new Sites as much out of curiosity as anything else. I'm conscious of repeating things as you can obviously re-visit individual days...if you so desire?

The Birds

Disappointed to miss the CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH after making the early morning drive across the Island...not early enough in hindsight! At least I dipped in good company. I added 5 new Species to my Cyprus List, namely...

LESSER MOORHEN - a LIFE Bird

Slavonian Grebe

Temminck's Stint

White-winged Black Tern - self-found

Common Raven - self-found

...bringing my total to 228. 

I was pleased to connect with many of the "Annual Specialities" (which I mentioned in the previous post) without too much trouble and the Roller was a great finish! As you know every Trip is different, even if it is to the same place. That's the "Magic of Migration". The mass exodus of Purple Herons from Phasourri was definitely the highlight regarding visible movement although the Yellow Wagtail phenomenon pushed it close. Other memorable moments were obtaining "great views" of the following...

Stone Curlew

Collared Pratincole - largest flock. Spectacular views in flight and on the ground

Great Spotted Cuckoo - an unforgettable encounter

3 Crakes

Slender-billed Gull - my closest ever views by far 

Audouin's Gull

Squacco Heron - a single quality view

Pallid Harrier - a surprise brief appearance over my car!

Long-legged Buzzard - several great close views

Lesser Kestrel - amazing views of multiple "fresh-in" Birds

Woodchat Shrike

Eastern Orphean Warbler - a stunning close encounter

Ruppell's Warbler

Spectacled Warbler - bird on territory gave brilliant views

Rock Thrush

Isabelline Wheatear -

Finsch's Wheatear - a definite highlight of the Trip

Spanish Sparrow

Tawny Pipit

It wasn't all roses...

Misses

Griffon Vulture

Bonelli's Eagle

Owls

Masked Shrike

Cretzschmar's Bunting

Eastern Subalpine Warbler

Short-toed Treecreeper

Bluethroat

Pied Flycatcher

Collared Flycatcher

For the record my Trip List ended up at 142.

Sites

I DID spend longer periods at fewer Sites during a typical day and found that beneficial and more relaxing. More Birding, less driving! No surprise to hear Phassouri Marsh was a particular favourite...I could Bird there ALL DAY! The whole of the Akrotiri Peninsular is a top Birding Site and my personal favourite area on the whole Island. Repeated visits to the Marsh would be VERY productive with the prospect of virtually "anything" passing over/dropping in!! There were a few places I couldn't manage, the main "miss" being the Archaeological Site which probably cost me a Species or two e.g. Cretzschmar's Bunting. I managed to access most places in the car...and with the help of my crutch!

Logistics

You can be anywhere on the Island within a couple of hours, the Greek/Southern section of course. Your car insurance isn't valid in the Northern/Turkish section. The Motorway is a dream with virtually no freight traffic. The only hold up is around Limassol at rush hour but this won't be a problem at other times and when visiting Akrotiri (1hr from Kato Paphos), as you can leave it before the traffic builds up. The tourist dual carriageway along the Coast East of Kato Paphos is also an excellent route to the key Sites East of Paphos and had virtually no traffic at this time of Year! The roads to Troodos and the Akamas Peninsular are more of a challenge through the Mountains but are still very good and the Scenery is spectacular.

Final thoughts

It was good to renew old acquaintances once more and share a few stories with locals and visitors alike. Our Base remained perfect for easy access to Sites and supermarkets! Having had some time back home I feel the Island still suits my needs for an early migration rush and to get away from the British Winter (despite my love of NDC). My "Window" makes the arrivals more special somehow? Returning early April to the start of the British Spring gives a second incentive...at a MUCH lower level of intensity, it has to be said! There we are then, time to add some "home" Species...locally and at NDC...of course! 

Final word goes to my wonderful Wife Louise, who once again tolerated my wondering ways, allowing me to Bird in a completely relaxed state....which is VERY important. I'm lucky that she's always VERY supportive. In my defence she did enjoy several trips to the Malls in Paphos and Limassol and also several visits to Mandria Beach Bar and the Harbour Restaurant. The Weather was less windy this Year which also allowed her to read in more outdoor locations.

Cyprus 25 - Days 21 and 22

Day 21 (April 5th)

There's a select group of Birds that I'd hope to see on a Trip to Cyprus, during my "Window of Opportunity". Annual BUT far from guaranteed!

Having already connected with Caspian Plover, Rock Thrush, Lesser Kestrel, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Bimaculated Lark and Collared Pratincole among others, another "much hoped for" Species is the majestic Cream-coloured Courser. 

News of one late on the 4th had me interested and hence I made the trip back over to Akrotiri with Louise. After dropping her off at the Mall I made my way down Lady's Mile...and here begins my tale...

I had a PIN off the WhatsApp and when I arrived I was greeted by the sight of a large van...and I mean large! At least 20 Birders had alighted and were spread across the sand. It was Saturday and there were various vehicles around including some buggies doing handbrake turns nearby! I started to scan and after a while I picked the Bird out at some distance...

Success!

I could see a car out on the sand and a Birder. The Tour Group were advancing towards the Bird which was slowly making its way towards the Dunes. Now then...I'm not going to open the Birdwatchers Code book too far; let's just say some of the behaviour was questionable, especially as it was an organised Tour Group? It was clear the Bird was going to end up in the Dunes and I certainly wasn't going to die on the cross of moral (distant) high ground...although I have in the past on several occasions! I don't deliberately flush or trespass. 

I drove up behind the Birders and car and parked at a reasonable distance hoping to get a glimpse as it walked through the Dunes. I got lucky...

The Birding group unfortunately continued to follow the Bird well into the Dunes. I left. It's a class Species and always a special experience when I see one. Memories of Scilly 2004! Some other frame fillers appeared on-line later and a few "holier than thou" comments were made!?

I drove back North up Lady's Mile to meet Louise and have lunch. We then headed to Phassouri Reedbed for the afternoon. Collared Pratincoles were thankfully still in residence...

One of the many great spectacles that you may be lucky enough to observe whilst Birding Cyprus is the potential for mass migration. Hirundines and Wagtails spring to mind. During last Years visit I had the pleasure of watching 14 Purple Herons circling Paphos Archeological Site for a good hour. Memorable!

We settled at the Western end for my first watch and Louise's first read. It became immediately apparent that Purple Herons were present...

The Reedbed is HUGE but you can only view the Northern fringe from this location and the open water is only some 40 yards across. Black-crowned Night Herons were also present...

I enjoyed watching the Herons for some time and checked out the other Birds present. Then another Bird appeared in flight. A small black and white Bird which just had to be a Tern...

First shot of a very active Bird

It kept disappearing behind the Reeds but returned on several occasions before finally appearing to move East...

I though I glanced a second Bird but on reflection I could have been mistaken. Really pleasing to find a decent Bird...

White-winged Black Tern (Cy.228)

We finished off at the Eastern end to enjoy the Sunset. I got talking to a young Birder from England. He was concerned about the Least Sandpiper that was present back home in his County! A typical Birder!!

He then picked up the Tern flying low over the Marsh. I put the news out again on the WhatApp. A group of French Birders appeared (no doubt reacting to the message). They were overjoyed to see the Tern and thanked me. Then the young English Birder shouted..."look"! I turned to see a sight I had never seen before...

c200 Purple Herons...with a few BC Night Herons!

Estimates are not a strong point of mine...but there were "a lot"...more than I'd ever seen before. They eventually left high to the North West after even more Birds joined them!! A marvellous end to the day...Louise was even impressed.

Day 22 (April 6th)

...and so to my final morning yarn. I bet you've been on the edge of your seat!?

My target was...Roller. Could I see one before I leave. A few days from now they would be back on breeding grounds and easy to see, the challenge was to connect in the 5 hours I had remaining? Much more exciting...for me.

I started at yet another "PIN Site" (kindly provided by a WhatsApp member) North of Anarita Park. On arrival I could see the road was no more than a rough track that I definitely wasn't driving down! I scoped the area for an hour with no joy. No-one else turned up. I drove through Anarita Park on my way to Aspro' Dam but no luck there either. 

I drove the track in the wood North of the Car Park hoping I may fluke one or catch a Ficdula Flycatcher as ample consolation? In my 45 minute search I did manage to unearth this beautiful Wood Warbler that perched fleetingly...

Another message informing me the/a Roller had been seen close to where I'd been earlier! I retraced my drive. This time there was room to park by the road and view the basin where the Bird had been seen. I was soon joined by three more British Birders and another foreign Tour Group. I had a good chat with a bloke from Hertfordshire and passed on some Site information for some key Species he was hoping to see. I gave it a good hour and had brilliant views of Long-legged Buzzard...

Full crop

So, my time was up, never a great moment of realisation! Still, I'd had a great time and things needed doing before we headed for the Airport. I started back down the E606 towards Agia Varvara. As I drove through the Village (still checking bushes and trees) I saw a group of Birders lined up in a side street staring intently...surely not? I pulled over and asked them what they were looking at...ROLLER!!!

I deserved it...lol!

What a finish. Perfect. I thanked the Irish Crew and shared a joke or two with them regarding this late connection. They understood the context of the sighting. I returned to the apartment very satisfied with my last minute, last morning.

That completes the update of my daily diary. I'll be compiling an overview of my Trip and will post it on completion...

Cyprus 25 - Days 19 and 20

Day 19 (April 3rd)

Sensational News early doors when news broke of a Visitor from Africa...a LESSER MOORHEN!!! On reflection, taking a look at records on eBird a few have made it North of the Sahara with records in Spain, Corsica, Morocco and Egypt. The Bird ranges South to South Africa! So, following on from the amazing DIDERIK CUCKOO record of March 2023 I've been fortunate enough to see a couple of Firsts for Cyprus during my chosen "Window".

Circumstances favoured me during my visit to Agia Varvara despite the gathering admirers who were tolerant of my intrusion. I didn't linger but managed some pics in my fleeting visit. It was also nice to re-acquaint with some familiar faces.

The Bird is still present.

To be honest the rest of the Day was fairly uneventful as I tried some well known Sites on the Akamas Peninsular without much success. It was nice to see Serin at the Baths of Aphrodite Campsite...

Day 20 (April 4th)

After my dawn visit to the reported "Rubythroat Sp" location ended in predictable failure, I was buoyed by the continued presence of 5 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters at the Lower Ezousas. I was there for 6.30...

Migrating Swallows

...and they looked great in the early morning light...

My trip over to Akrotiri didn't result in a connection with a "fall" but I did stumble on an interesting female Wheatear at Agios Georgios Church (glad to find something here after all my efforts). After consultation with some locals it seems it was an Eastern Black-eared...

On returning to the Paphos area I couldn't resist another peep at the BCBE. Unfortunately there was no sign of them in their previous location. I checked the WhatsApp and saw I'd missed a message with a PIN which gave an updated location nearby. The location was the entrance road to another section of the Sewage Plant which wasn't ideal. I scanned the wires and sure enough a single Bird was present. I positioned myself to the side of the road and the next 30 minutes were sheer bliss...

The comings and goings of the Sewage Tankers was less than optimum BUT the views and the quality of the Bird more than made up for it!!!

Impossible to become blase about this Species, even though I did see one on the Jolly Roger in Paphos Harbour some years ago!!!

Rain!

Yes, we finally got some. I opened the curtains at 7 to see a wet road, quite a novelty of late. The local Wood Pigeons were loving it...

Snapshot through the Windscreen

Pure Joy!

I'd looked at the Forecast last night that suggested I'd be better inland...any excuse. I arrived at Duff at 9.45 after a slight delay at the Petrol Station where I had chat with another customer regarding ageing Dogs.

Haydn was already in the Hut. Conditions were overcast but it wasn't raining (it rained all the way to Howden) and it promised to get brighter. There was no wind of note. The emergent vegetation wasn't letting us down BUT there were still open areas of water and plenty of aerial activity to keep us interested.We had a good 3 hours watching what came, went and appeared. 

I eventually heard the Cetti's Warbler (79) Haydn had commented on several times! I also got a brief glimpse of a Sedge Warbler (80). Blackcaps were in evidence around the Hide but I kept missing them until they eventually perched in some nearby snags...

2 different Males. A female was also present

We had stunning views of a gorgeous Male Sparrowhawk which perched on a post by the Riverbank for a while...

Haydn had an Egyptian Goose on his Patch earlier which was a Site Tick. A couple eventually did the decent thing here late morning. He also had a lone Black-tailed Godwit in flight briefly and we both heard a Water Rail call briefly. A few Swallows (c6) came and went but the hoped for Sand and House Martins didn't materialise. We left around 1.30.

On the way home I detoured via Patrington Haven to see if any Avocets were present. I'd gone down there last week but there was hedge planting taking place...nice to see. Quiet today and a few scans revealed at least THIRTY Birds present on the 3 Islands I checked. Great stuff!

Strong Southerly tomorrow?

Ring Ouzel

As previously stated I like an "early window" for my Cyprus Trip (more on that in my review). Today backed that up when Richard found a male Ring Ouzel on Snakey Lane (I'd been down earlier!). I passed him on my way down and he said it had flown into a tree. On arrival the Bird was sticking out like a sore thumb on the grass in front of East Field Farm. As you know the Thrush Family is my favourite so the chance of good views and some pics of the "Mountain Blackbird" were just too good to miss.

The Bird fed happily on the copious supply of worms available in the grasses...

H.49

...and eventually came reasonably close to my car on occassions...

A superb Bird

 

Seen far better than on most occassions in Breeding Habitat? This is my 7th record for the Village.

It was accompanied by a lone Redwing (H.50)...

Another Superb Thrush!

Cyprus 25 - Later Days (17, 18)

Settled back in now. Still adjusting...we all do after a Foreign Trip...don't we? The last few days were affected by logistical and technical problems regarding Blogging, so I thought I'd put a bit more meat on the Bones of the final few days and add photos before doing an overall Summary.

Day 17 (April 1st)

A better view of a Stone Curlew early morning...              

The Sewage Works provided wonderful views of huge numbers of Yellow Wagtails in various confusing plumages. A few Years ago I used to try and assign them to races...now I just enjoy them! They ranged across a variety of crops and fields but were usually fairly easy to view with patience. They didn't linger in the newly ploughed field and were difficult to see in crops but they would land on the road on occasions...

...and perch at the field edges...

Early afternoon had me on the Eastern side of Anarita Park where I re-located a Rock Thrush which fortunately perched briefly on a rock some 40 yards away...

Always a highlight of the Trip.

I saw my first Little Crake later in the afternoon at Agia Varvara...

Day 18 

As already stated I started at the Rock Thrush Site...you can't have enough of this Species! I was  there at dawn and was the only Birder present. There was no sign of the Bird but a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos were providing great entertainment nearby. I hadn't had much luck with this Species on my last visit (or any visit come to that) but this morning things changed. They were feeding on caterpillars in a ditch by the side of the road and were oblivious to my car. Brilliant to observe the mating ritual at such close quarters...

They really are superb...

On arriving at Phassouri Reedbed to negative news of BCBE I was compensated in spades by my biggest ever flock of Collared Pratincoles (c60)...

A sample

Undoubtedly one of my favourite Waders. So elegant and charismatic. To see such a large number on this date was a massive bonus. One would have done! The flock made frequent flights low over the Marsh during my visit and single Birds hawked insects at some height on occasions. I saw my only Garganey of the whole trip here...

They occur on passage in large numbers in Episkopi Bay but I didn't see any there, not that I looked for long!

A group of Foreign Birders put me on the Temminck's Stint they'd found, which was a Cyprus Tick...

Hope they're correct lol!

A few Little Stints were also present.

Lunch was taken at Agios Georgios Church where I finally saw a Woodchat Shrike in the nearby scrub...

A beautiful Bird which eventually perched up for me although the light was harsh and the aspect less than ideal. No complaints though. It was satisfying to finally catch up with one. I also had close views of the captivating Tawny Pipit from the car...

Something about this Species?

My long morning finished in spectacular style. As I returned to Phassouri Reedbed I could see a small group of focussed Birders. On inquiring I was told they were looking at 3 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters!!! Quite a finale to my long morning. The Birds stayed fairly distant but I had great views through the Scope despite looking South...

I did fluke a flight shot...

After returning to the Apartment for lunch we headed down to Agia Varvara to try for the Baillon's Crake that had been reported there. The Bird eventually showed well although I was lucky to get a decent shot as the Bird was mobile...

...and a Spotted appeared as we were leaving...

Chuffed to connect with all three.

Day 19 and 20 details next...