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.
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