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Just arrived back after a whirlwind Weekend. An interesting easyJet special and a wonderful day with family at my Mother's 92nd Birthday...

It'll obviously take a bit of time to finalize lists and photos but I hope to get cracking soon as I recover from my exploits. The poor weather forecast will help!

A few initial thoughts. After a gap of 5 years I was interested to see how I'd find it. I loved it! Great birds (with the daily chance of a rarity), easy logistics, great weather and renewed acquaintances.

5 main area covered, all within a couple of hours of Paphos. I got lucky with the Rarities, although I did put the effort in. I like to think I got the balance right between chasing and searching?

That'll do for now. My review will begin soon...

Cyprus 23 - Day 23

This morning...I DID go...

BAR-TAILED LARK 

A brilliant finish to an excellent Trip. Full write up on return.

Not quite. A report of a WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER at the Lower Ezousas never came to anything BUT whilst looking 9 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters turned up just before I had to leave for the Airport. Magic!!! More jam than Hartley's...

Trip Total 148

Cyprus 23 - Day 22

Be another running Post today as we cover the Western end of the Island. Firstly though, I'm out looking for Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters! I'm trying the area where three were seen yesterday afternoon. I drove the Coast as much as possible on the way down...

Gave it till 8.30...no joy.

Off to Theletra now to try for Long-legged Buzzard.

11am Update

Finally found the spot. Following in the footsteps of Gosney...

As we arrived a LLB flew across...too fast for a pic but a great view. Just had another view way up high.

A message...

BAR-TAILED LARK at Cape Greco

No...I won't be going.

3pm Update

Found another Flycatcher! The power of suggestion is strong. Immediate thoughts were Semi-collared, probably more in hope than judgement! After mulling it over and sharing BOC with a few pals...alas, I feel it's a Pied. In my defence I don't have much/any experience with this bird...as it's a Lifer! Trip tick though...

Just going to find a SCF now...

6pm

Back at the Ranch. No SCF but great views (no pic) of another LLB. The Collared Flycatcher remained in the same area...

Out with friends tonight before last session tomorrow. Still time...

Trip Total 146

Cyprus 23 - Day 21

Relatively late start this morning after two decent drives. I made my way down to the Headland for opening time at 8.30...

A lovely fresh morning with plenty of sunshine and a pleasant 18C with a light breeze. Great conditions for a gentle stroll round...seeing what I would see...

Apparently the Hume's Warbler is still present. I gave it a feeble 15 minutes with no sign before continuing my stroll. This would be my last visit of the trip. I was hoping (as always)) for something...different.

The "difference" duly arrived at 9.55...

15 Purple Herons "in off"

As mentioned previously...maybe not a "big deal" to a local, BUT an enormous deal to yours truly; definitely one of the Highlights of the Trip!! What happened next was also fascinating. They circled the Headland constantly (maybe looking for somewhere to land?), drifting off in various directions before returning, sometimes going out over the Sea. They were in view for over an HOUR! It was breathtaking.

The contrast between the birds and the bright sky made for difficult photography but here's a few to give you a flavour of the occasion...

Definitely one of the Highlights of the Trip.

After lunch we headed for Anarita Park...possible Lesser Kestrel, Rock Thrush (optimstic) and Little Owl possibly on offer. None seen in an hour BUT significant compensation was had in the form of this beautiful Whinchat...

Then a message...

LITTLE SWIFT at Phasouri(Akrotiri) Reed-beds from low hide

Only 40 minutes away. Had to be attempted. Got there had an hour no sign...and returned. On return another message...

3 BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATERS Lower Ezousas

Again, had to be attempted. Again...no sign...and that was that for today. Last full day tomorrow. Heading West again...still time for my Semi-collared Flycatcher?

Maybe a quick look for BCBE early doors?

Trip Total 145

Cyprus 23 - Day 20

 We headed up around 9, arriving at Platres (3,900 feet) around 10.30.We parked by the Trout Farm and I went for a stroll while Louise did her puzzles (the same book she bought at the Airport!). I could immediately hear a Mistle Thrush singing. Try as I may I couldn't see it. Eventually I heard three birds...but saw none. In this micro-climate I was hoping to see other "British" birds to add to my Trip List.

I soon came across a "Cyprus" Coal Tit, a common bird "up here"...and distinctive...in call and looks...

I was contiually "trunk checking" for ST Treecreeper...makes a change from "reed checking"! Next a Chaffinch...

It was like being back home...well, not quite. Then...the familiar alarm call of...a Blackbird! There's a limited number of Species available but looking for them is fun.

I returned to the car park and started to survey the Trout Farm. The bird that always springs to mind is...

Grey Wagtail

This was probably my only shot at this Species so I was relieved to pick it up so quickly. I then walked around the back of the building and stood in the shade for a while...

I was hoping for a Wren...and I got one...blasting out its powerful song. I then noticed a movement in a tall tree...

Not something you see every day...

We then continued skywards to Troodos Village (4845 feet). It was a beautiful day. We decided to head here due to the forecast of 26C on the Coast. It was 17C here so the plan had worked...partly. There was a much stronger wind than had been suggested!!

While not spoiling the Birding "on top", it certainly affected it. We decided to head for a sheltered picnic site for lunch...hopefully...

It wasn't too bad. As we settled down to enjoy our lunch a bird perched on a fence...

Masked Shrike

As you can see...an odd pic, due to the fact I'd not changed my settings from last nights Scops Owl outing! I left Louise to read and headed for the Botanical Gardens just a mile down the road. After around 10 minutes I picked up 3 Crag Martins circling...the Crag! I also heard another Mistle Thrush. I returned to the Picnic area and slowly drove the tracks hoping to pick up the Shrike again as I figured it was "on territory". Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the jewel on a small branch...

Basking in the sun

As already mentioned, the brightness here is amazing and can change the appearance of Birds. Fortunately the Bird remained for some 5 minutes, allowing me to get a better shot from the car...

I'd achieved my target of seeing a Migrant (at Cape Greco) and a Bird on its Breeding grounds. We returned to Troodos Village and had a coffee, Louise remained for a wine and I started my rounds of the Village...more trunk watching...more failure! I couldn't even find a Jay. I returned to the Cafe/Bar at 5 before returning to my search. The wind was even stronger by now. I then saw a couple of Jays on a bin!

The camera wouldn't "grab". As I approached the Village centre again I saw another...this time it did...

I worked hard for this one. Still no STT. More Swifts were appearing as 6 approached. I had another 4 definite Pallids. Another bird flew swiftly into a nearby tree...

Blackbird

Looks slightly...different? Larger "billed"?

Finished off with a Cyprus Wheatear which Louise found by the car, while I was in the bushes! So, 8 new birds and 3 dips...

Short-toed Treecreeper

Siskin

Crossbill

Considering the near Gale force wind I was happy with my haul. Another great day...which got even better late evening...

The Yellow-browed Warbler I saw on the Headland has been re-identified on call as a Hume's...a FIRST for Cyprus no less!

Trip Total 144

Cyprus 23 - Day 19

Something different today as I'll be back late. Thought I'd do a "running" diary...

I'm back at Lake Paralimni (7.20) and I've just connected with yet another Rarity! This time it's a MENETRIES WARBLER, the Sixth record for Cyprus. Remarkably I saw it in the same "pit" as the DIEDERIK CUCKOO.

Onto Cape Greco now...

1.30 Update

First bird I saw as I took the track to the Sea Caves was my first Masked Shrike...

By the Caves I saw Cyprus and Spectacled Warbler. I took a walk and glad I did as I found a Tawny Pipit...

On the way out a Lesser Kestrel lingered just long enough for an ID.

I checked out a couple of Flycatcher sites and scored with my second Collared by the Visitor Centre.

Onto the Larnaca Sites now...

Tried the Salt Lake first. This time 6 Slender-billed Gulls were present, albeit distantly in the heat haze. 

Then a message...

Probable MOURNING WHEATEAR at Mandria on Larks Corner

The day out East was curtailed and I headed pronto back West. 90 minutes later I was back at Mandria. Fortunately the bird was still present in the "magic" ploughed field (same one as the Collared Pratincole was in). It kept its distance but stood out like a sore thumb in the bright sunshine...

I'm trying for Cyprus Scops Owl at Dusk. I've had worse days.

I'll tidy things up later now I'm "back over".

9pm - Brief summary as rather tired aka knackered...happy though. I made the journey for the Owl. I'd only been there 5 minutes when they struck up. At least three birds calling. I walked up a steep road near the dead tree...and...

...I was amazed to SEE it behind the dead tree stump. It didn't fly off immediately, allowing me to get some sort of image.

Troodos tomorrow...

Trip Total 136

Cyprus 23 - Day 18

Had a couple of hours down at the Archeological Site first thing. Doors opened early which was a result. Belated news (to me) of a Yellow-browed Warbler seen again yesterday. Rumours it had been present TWO WEEKS!? I followed the "blue dot" left on map by a helpful Birder. I gave the area an hour but no sign of the bird...

A couple joined me and I mentioned what I was looking for. "Oh... you're in the wrong place"! If you recall this is the second time this has happened. Never mind. I thanked her and moved on. I followed her directions and sure enough I found "the tree" it was being seen in...

After another 20 minutes a few more hopefuls appeared. One pleasant guy I'd met before suggested he'd go around the other side and give me a shout if he saw it. Made sense. Sure enough some 10 minutes later...he found it. I made  y way round (rather hastily) and luckily it remained in the same area for a good 5 minutes. I even managed a pic...

Wasn't on the short list. Less than 20 records for Cyprus apparently. Another nice bonus.

I returned to our place flushed with success and we then headed for Akrotiri. I dropped Louise off at "My Mall" and Birded the top end of Lady's Mile for 90 minutes, while she had a good look around the shops...fair enough.

I had no intention of driving any distance, so I checked out the first pool. Even though it was Sunday there were some waders present. I parked adjacent to them and was please to see Spotted Redshank...my first...

Also present were 5 smaller birds. At first glance they suggested Ruff...but the bils were too long. Be gentle with me, I don't see many Marsh Sandpipers...

After the mandatory Costa we headed fro Phasouri Reedbed for the rest of the afternoon. No new ticks (which isn't the prerequisite) just a quality Birding experience in a superb setting and glorious weather...

Wood Sandpiper

Spur-winged Plover

Cattle Egret

I gave him my Banana...skin and all!

A wonderful place...

Last blast out East tomorrow...

Trip Total 128

Cyprus 23 - Day 17

I wanted a long morning at Agia Varvara and today I got it...

Things started brilliantly as I heard a Great Spotted Cuckoo as I pulled up. A bit of early morning fumbling meant I wasn't quick enough for a pic. Fortunately one lingered long enough for me to get one...

Really pleased to connect with this Special bird... only took me TWO weeks! Other Species seen included...

Little Egret...

Purple Heron

Purple Heron into the sun. Splayed toes and angled neck keel both apparent.

Hoopoe

Kingfisher

I covered most areas in the 3 hours I was there (8-11). I even had a walk down to the bridge...

...and was rewarded with views of a pair of Peregrines under the bridge...

Male

The size difference between the sexes was definitely apparent here......

Female

Sardinian Warblers are common on Cyprus but are very "skittish".  This one was a bit slow this morning...

I recorded 25 species.

I then moved onto Anarita Park, which is just a mile or so up the road. First bird I saw was this Corn Bunting, a fairly common species on Cyprus in the right habitat...

I was hoping I might find a Lesser Kestrel as they arrive around now...if not before. I didn't have any luck but I did see this stunner...

I see a white-backed Wheatear...suggesting Finsch's? I'd seen Eastern Black-eared (dark-throated) already. This pale-throated threw me completely...I'm a bit rusty! The brilliant light and angle of the bird had me puzzled. Still learning and happy to do so...

A cracker whatever!

As I was leaving another/the same Wheatear landed on the path in front of me. This time the light wasn't as dazzling...

Intriguing!

The afternoon was split between Aspro' Dam and Mandria. Nothing else to report except Louise got her Prosecco on the Beach!

A Yellow-browed Warbler has been seen at the Archaeological Site. It was found yesterday and I did have a stab late afternoon. I was in the right spot but no luck. I'm having another go tomorrow. Who'd have thought it?

Trip Total 125