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