Everyone met on time
at Gatwick airport. The plane also left on time and after
four and a half hours we were arriving at Paphos, Cyprus.
The weather was decidedly dull. There had been storms for
the last few days and a lot of rain. From the airport we were
chauffeur driven to our hotel and after settling in, we had
a snack and a drink after which we all went for a look on
the nearby headland. Pulling up in our 4-wheel drive Jeep
we first saw a Woodchat Shrike sat on a nearby bush. Moving
along there was a Common Cuckoo and a Kestrel, while in the
shorter grassy areas we came across a couple of flocks of
Short-toed Larks. A little further along beside a fence and
a few bushes there was a superb male Collared Flycatcher,
and a very close and showy male Ruppell's Warbler, along with
several Whitethroats, Wood Warblers and at least half a dozen
Nightingales. Searching the area more thoroughly we then found
several Whinchats, Redstarts, Yellow Wagtails, Black-eared
and Northern Wheatears and more Pied and Collared Flycatchers.
A Quail failed to show itself after its initial sighting in
the long grass but a small group of Tawny Pipits were seen
well. With more of the same species being seen again we returned
to the jeep and headed back to the hotel.
Collared Flycatcher
DAY 2 Monday
24th April
Graham and myself were
up early at 7.00am. From our room we could hear, and eventually
saw, a Black Francolin who was sat on top of a mound giving
his loud and very distinctive call. A sound we were to become
familiar with and would hear throughout the island We then
drove off to check the headland. It was quite obvious that
there were a good number of migrants around. We first spotted
a Montagu's Harrier and several Pied Flycatchers. Then a Cyprus
Pied Wheatear and a Black-eared Wheatear were watched chasing
each other around, whilst a Hoopoe flew over and the regular
Crested and Short-toed Larks either sang or flew around. Other
birds seen included Whitethroats, Whinchats, Woodchat Shrikes
and passing by the sea, a Squacco Heron and two Slender-billed
Gulls. Flocks of Yellow Wagtails were also seen which included
both Blue-headed and Black-headed races. We then returned
for breakfast. Michael and Margaret meanwhile had taken a
walk to the Tomb of the Kings and found an obliging Wryneck
as well as also seeing and hearing the Black Francolin. With
breakfast over we all decided to return to this site and soon
found the Wryneck again and enjoyed superb views as it sat
sunning itself on a dead tree. A Montagu's Harrier was then
spotted and seen flying in off the sea. We then drove along
the coastal road to the headland where we watched Yellow Wagtails
and Short-toed Larks as well as a group of nine Ruff. A couple
of Quail flew from the short grass and a Red-throated Pipit
proved illusive. On the beach side of the headland a Little
Stint landed beside a puddle and a Common Kingfisher was seen
on the rocks. We then decided to leave and drove to Mandria
where we searched for birds amongst the weedy and freshy ploughed
farmers fields. Our first stop produced a Black Francolin,
lots of colourful Bee-eaters sat on wires and a distant female
Red-footed Falcon. In between the heavy showers, we also saw
five superb Golden Orioles feeding in some fruit trees and
good numbers of close Alpine Swifts and Red-rumped Swallows.
Continuing on down towards the beach we parked up and had
our picnic lunch. Here we watched Short-toed Larks, and a
Spur-winged Plover as well as Stone-curlew, Marsh Harriers,
two Squacco Herons and a group of ten Black-crowned Night
Herons flying in from the sea. After our lunch we then drove
round a few more fields and found several Chukor, and in a
freshly ploughed field a flock of ten Collared Pratincoles
which showed very well. Leaving Mandria we then headed to
Asprokremmos Dam. Here beside a small reed fringed pool we
were soon enjoying excellent views of a very close and very
obliging Little Bittern.
Also on this small pool were several Little Grebes, while
around the back we watched Great Reed Warbler and a singing
Cyprus Warbler. Graham then spotted a Great Spotted Cuckoo
together with a Common Cuckoo. Back by the pools we watched
as a superb male Little Crake which came right out into the
open. A beautiful pair of Rollers were then spotted on a nearby
cliff face where they jostled with two Jackdaws while behind
us two great Spotted Cuckoos showed very well. A Wood Sandpiper
flew around and then Alpine Swifts came in and drank from
the pool in front of us. We then left this site and returned
back to the hotel where just Graham and myself went and checked
the headland before dinner. The best find we had was another
Wryneck.
Little Bittern
DAY 3 Tuesday
25th April
Today everyone met
for an early morning walk on the headland. Generally it was
quiet but we did find a nice male Subalpine Warbler and a
female Collared Flycatcher alongside several Pied Flycatchers,
and a group of Yellow Wagtails. With little else seen we returned
for breakfast. After we had eaten we jumped in the Jeep and
headed for Phassouri. When we arrived here we found there
was no water near the reed beds at all and hence no wading
birds. Compensation was had though by two male and a female
Red-footed Falcon which showed very well as they hunted dragonflies
right in front of us. An Olivaceous Warbler showed briefly
and while driving further around the back we found a single
Kentish Plover, three Rollers some Tawny Pipits plus a male
Collared Flycatcher. We then continued on to Bishop's
Pool. There were lots of flycatchers en-route
including mostly Spotted and Pied, with a few Collared. Once
at the pool we watched eight Squacco Herons, a pair of Great
Reed Warblers and five Black-winged Stilts. Right at the back
of the pool a male Little Crake was seen as well as a flock
of European Bee-eaters. We then tried to leave the pool by
the back route where we found a gate was locked although a
lovely male Red-backed Shrike posing for us on a small bush
was good compensation As we came back past the pool, we then
saw a White-winged Tern hawking for insects from the surface.
Driving around lake Akrotiri and then on to Ladies Mile Road
it was rather quiet for birds although a lone Greater Flamingo
was spotted. We decided to have our lunch this side of Zakaki
Pools, where a summer plumaged Marsh Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper
and a Greenshank fed alongside each other allowing good comparisons.
A Purple Heron was spotted hiding in the reeds while Black-winged
Stilts, squaccos and several Ruff were also seen. Returning
along the back of Akrotiri Salt Lake we stopped to have a
look at a Roller sat on a dead tree and then we found at least
five super Golden Orioles sat out in the open as well as two
Lesser Whitethroats and an Olivaceous Warbler. We then continued
on and drove to Kensington Cliffs. En- route we passed lots
of Rollers plus several Red-footed Falcons. From the top of
the cliffs we had very distant views of Griffon Vultures and
Eleanora's Falcons so we then decided to try a different spot.
Once here we enjoyed absolutely stunning views of ten Eleanora's
Falcons flying around very close and we also had good views
of five Griffons. We then drove back to Paphos with a half-an-hour
stop at the Asprokremmos Dam. Around the small pool a second
year Night Heron sat on the bank while Rollers were again
on the cliff face. A Great Spotted Cuckoo was seen, Alpine
Swifts drank from the pool and a Little Bittern flew past,
while two Little Crakes were seen creeping around the reeds.
After a great day we then returned back to our hotel.
Bishop's Pool
DAY 4 Wednesday
25th April
A Quick pre-breakfast
walk on the headland produced a group of seven Slender-billed
Gulls flying past and a male Black-headed Bunting. After our
breakfast we headed north to Evretou Dam. Once there
we walked along the edge of the inlet stream. Several Squacco
Herons were seen and five Glossy Ibis fed beside the lake.
A female Garganey was found and Wood Sandpipers, Little Bittern
and three or four Little Crakes were seen. We then tried the
other side of the stream where our totals ended up seeing
six Little Crakes, two Purple Herons, three Little Bittern,
a male Black-headed Bunting, Great Reed and Common Reed Warblers
as well as lots of Corn Buntings and a White-winged Tern.
Leaving here we then continued north for the Akamas Peninsula.
We decided to have our picnic lunch in the caravan park where
amongst the trees we found dozens of Pied and Collared Flycatchers
as well as lots of Wood Warblers and a few Woodchat Shrikes.
Afterwards we set off on a walk along the coastal path to
Fortuna Atascosa. Here we had exceptionally close views of
Golden Orioles, lots of Sardinian Warblers and Cyprus Pied
Wheatears as well as hundreds of European Bee-eaters flying
over in flocks and a Eleanora's Falcon. Once we had returned
back we then drove to Smyies Picnic Ground where, after a
short search through the Woodchat Shrikes we then found a
superb male Masked Shrike. Leaving this area we decided
to take the long bumpy coastal road back to Paphos. Alongside
this tortuous route we did however find three Cretzschmar's
Bunting including an obliging male singing from a treetop
and we almost ran over a Black Whip Snake.
Evretou Dam
Masked Shrike
DAY 5 Thursday 27th April
A pre-breakfast walk on the headland
today produced good views of a Red-throated Pipit and a
Lesser Short-toed Lark together and two or three Ortolan
Buntings. A Bimaculated Lark was seen to fly off, while
several Short-toed Larks and a Stone-curlew flew over. Michael
and Margaret on their walk also spotted a Purple Heron.
After our breakfast we then headed for Mandria. It was generally
quiet although a Collared Pratincole and a Roller were seen
to fly past. We left here and had a quick look at the Asprokremmos
Dam again but it was quiet here also so we decided to drive
to the rear of the reservoir where we found that the water
level was much reduced. A nice male Black-headed Bunting
was seen singing from a bush while waders at the lakeside
included Ruff, Little Ringed Plovers, Little Stint, Black-winged
Stilt and two Grey Herons. Leaving here we then crossed
over a ford and headed inland to Arminou, where we had our
lunch. Several Griffon Vultures were seen circling around
before we decided to leave and go to the Troodos. En-route
a Serin was heard singing, so we made a quick stop and after
a short while we found a Cretzschmar's Bunting and not one
but up to seven Serin's, two masked Shrikes, and a Coal
Tit. We eventually got to the Troodos where we drove right
up to the top of Mount Olympus to admire the view. As we
returned back down we made a quick stop where we found two
Short-toed Treecreepers, while further down we made another
stop where a Coat Tit was seen and, after a lot of glimpses,
we all eventually saw a single Crag Martin amongst the other
hirundines. While we were looking for this Crag Martin an
adult Bonelli's Eagle was spotted being mobbed by an Eleanora's
Falcon. Leaving here we then returned towards Paphos with
a quick stop en-route to look at two Stone-curlews.
DAY 6 Friday 28th
April
A pre-breakfast walk
on the headland produced a male Collared Flycatcher, while
out to sea several distant Cory's Shearwaters were seen as
two Quail flew in low over the water, as well as a Night Heron.
After breakfast we drove to the back dirt tracks of Azouza
where a Hoopoe was spotted and then, beside a small pool,
a Little Bittern was seen to fly away. Continuing on we found
ourselves down the side of the Aspro River beside the sea
where six Squacco Herons were on the beach and a couple of
probable Jack Snipe were seen by some of the group. From here
we decided to try the Akrotiri Peninsular again. En-route
we saw two Griffons and at Phassouri, with still no water
in the area, we searched and found nothing. We moved on to
Bishop's Pool where a Purple Heron flew from the road as we
approached. At the pool itself we saw four Garganey a Night
Heron, a Little Bittern and two Little Crakes as well as Squaccos
and Little Egrets, Great Reed Warbler and a lone Bee-eater
sat on the wires. We then drove down Ladies Mile Road where
a Greater Flamingo was spotted stood alongside four Spoonbills.
We also saw lots of Little Stints and Kentish Plovers, while
at the Zakaki Pool there was Ruff and Black-winged Stilts
as well as several Wood Sandpipers. We returned to Paphos
and spent the last part of the day at the Asprokremmos Dam
pool. Three Night Herons were seen flying around and inside
a tunnel underneath the dam, we found an adult Barn Owl stood
alongside its fluffy white chick. As a fitting end to the
day we watched as two lovely Alpine Swifts came down and skimmed
the pool right in front of us for a drink.
DAY 7 Saturday
29th April
Myself, Eileen and Graham had
a pre-breakfast walk on the headland where we were able
to compare an Isabeline Wheatear beside a female Black-eared
Wheatear. Out at sea we could see both Cory's and Mediterranean
Shearwaters, a White-winged Tern and several Lesser Black-backed
Gulls. On a puddle we saw three Little Stints and a Ruff
while a Wryneck was also spotted sunning itself on a rock.
Michael and Margaret, who had walked along the coastal path
towards the Tomb of the Kings, had come up trumps when they
found a Great Snipe beside the fence. Unfortunately we could
not re-find it after breakfast despite a good search of
the area. We then drove up to the headland where it was
a bit showery. At first we saw a flock of seven Cattle Egrets
flying out to sea, a male Black-eared Wheatear was found
and also two Whimbrel. We then decided to drive to Kuhouros
where we stopped to overlook a steep gorge. A pair of Spectacled
Warblers proved rather illusive as they carried food to
their young. They became even harder to see when a Kestrel
swooped in and caught the male. We then continued on to
Evretou Dam visiting the shallow end of the lake. Here we
decided to have our lunch. Rolls and drinks were dropped
when a pair of Bonelli's Eagles came over the hillside and
circled a few times before drifting across the valley and
away. Over the lake a White-winged Tern fed and three Garganey
hid in the grassy edges. We walked along the inlet stream
and saw several Wood Sandpipers and four Glossy Ibis.
In the small reed bed two Night Herons flew out and then
around the other side we sat down and enjoyed excellent
views of a Little Bittern fishing and a pair of Little Crakes.
While here we also managed to find yet another Little Bittern
and a Purple Heron. Moving on we then drove back to Mandria
where a couple of Rollers were seen on telegraph wires.
While at Mandria a shower of rain looked like it might produce
some migrants but generally it was still quiet. We decided
to visit the Aspro Dam for a look. In the dried up river
bed, we found Cyprus Warblers, Zitting Cisticolas and a
Wryneck, while lots of Bee-eaters flew over and landed on
nearby telegraph wires giving us wonderful views. As we
watched these a group of five Night Herons came in circling
high and in the distance two groups of Glossy Ibis totalled
forty birds. Alpine Swifts were also seen and a Great Spotted
Cuckoo sat in a nearby bush on the hillside. We then returned
to the hotel and Graham and I had a quick look at the headland
where a mixed race group of Black-headed and Blue-headed
Wagtails were seen.
Glossy Ibis
DAY 8 Sunday 30th
April
An early morning walk on the
headland was a rather quiet affair with only a Pied and
Spotted Flycatcher plus two or three Woodchat Shrikes being
seen and a Cuckoo. A reported Thrush Nightingale in the
Lighthouse garden was watched well and we re-identified
it as a Common Nightingale, proving that care should be
taken in the identification of certain species and you shouldn't
always believe what others think they have seen! Michael
and Margaret saw the Black Francolin
well this morning and also had great views of a Quail. Out
at sea several Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew past and distant
Cory's and Mediterranean Shearwaters were noted. A last
mornings walk around then produced two Tawny Pipits, some
Yellow Wagtails, Short-toed Larks, a Stone-curlew, Black-eared
Wheatear, another Common Nightingale and an Olivaceous Warbler
was heard singing. We then returned to our hotel ready for
our lift to the airport at the end of another exciting tour
to this lovely island.
Thank you to everyone who
participated in this tour. Steve Bird
