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Cyprus 11.04.2002 - 25.04.2002,
My non-birding wife and my not yet birding son Tom (20 months) wanted a family holiday in Cyprus. Never having visited Cyprus before we selected the Elia Latchi Hotel village in Latchi to be our base for 14 days. We have chosen this resort on the basis of its location in a small village close to the birding hot spots of Evretou dam, Bath of Aphrodite, Neo Chorio and Polis reeds which all were within 15 min drive by car from the hotel. Generally I did pre-breakfast walks around the hotel - which yielded almost all species we saw by driving with our hired car. We hired a 4x4 car for 10 days to visit the more distant areas such as Phassouri and Stavros tis Psokas. In all we saw 90 species of birds. Birding more intensively would probably have resulted in quite a number of additional species.
The weather was ok throughout with regular showers and cool days especially in the mountainous areas.
Our field guide was: Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East, Porter, Christensen & Schiermacker-Hansen. For sites we used Finding Birds in Cyprus, Dave Gosney, priced £5 (cheques payable to Birdguides Ltd), post free, from Gostours, Jack House, Ewden, Sheffield S30 5ZA; and A Birdwatchers Guide to the Birds of Cyprus, Oddie & Moore (Suffolk Wildlife Trust). We also used the great variety of trip reports available on the various sites in the internet.
From the point of view of a family holiday the trip was enjoyed by the whole family.
List of species (English name, German name, Scientific name)
1. Grey Heron - Graureiher Ardea cinerea
6 flew across the affluent end of Evretou dam close to Evretou villane at 13/4.
2 were seen at Phassouri reeds at 16/4.
2. Purple Heron - Purpurreiher Ardea purpurea
1 at Polis reed at 14/4; 2 at Phassouri reeds at 16.4.; 1 at Asprokremos dam
pool at 17/4.
3. Squacco Heron - Rallenreiher Ardea ralloides
(Scopoli 1769)
1 at Evretou dam at13/4. 1 on an offshore rock at Mandria beach at 16/4 and
several at Phassouri reeds at 16/4.
4. Little Bittern - Zwergdommel Ixobrychus
minutus
1 at Asprokremos dam pool at 21/4.
5. Glossy Ibis - Brauner Sichler Plegadis falcinellus
(Linnaeus 1766).
1 flying along Mandria beach at 16/4 and about 100 at Phassouri reeds at 16/4.
6. Greater Flamingo - Rosaflamingo Phoenicopterus
ruber
Several hundreds at Akrotiri salt lake at 21/4.
7. Mallard - Stockente Anas platyrhynchos
A pair at Evretou dam at 21/4.
8. Garganey - Knäkente Anas querquedula
One at Evretou dam at 14/4 and a pair at Phassouri reeds at 16/4.
9. Long-legged Buzzard - Adlerbussard Buteo
rufinus
1 at Asprokremos dam mobbed by a hooded crow at 17/4 and 1 seen between Polis
and Paphos at 22/4.
10. Western Marsh Harrier - Rohrweihe Circus
aeruginosus
1 female at Evretou dam at 13/4; 1 female hunting over arable land close to
Elia Latchi Hotel, Latchi at 15/4 and 21/4. 1 female close to Mandria beach
south of Paphos.
11. Northern Hen Harrier - Kornweihe Circus
cyaneus
1 female at Lara north of Polis at 15/4.
12. Montagu´s Harrier - Wiesenweihe Circus
pygarcus
1 male at Phassouri reeds at 16/4 and 1 male hunting over arable land close
to Elia Latchi Hotel, Latchi at 21/4.
13. Peregrine Falcon - Wanderfalke Falco peregrinus
1 at Aphrodite rock at 16/4.
14. Eleonora´s Falcon - Eleonorenfalke Falco
eleonorae
6 at Kensington cliffs at 21/4 and 1 at Bath of Aphrodite at 24/4
15. Kestrel - Turmfalke Falco tinnunculus
1 male close to Elia Latchi Hotel at 13/4 and 14/4. Several observed in Dhiarizos
valley at 17/4 and 1 at Kensington cliffs at 21/4.
16. Chukar - Chukarhuhn - Alectoris chukar
cypriotes Hartert 1917.
Common in the arable fields around Latchi and at Evretou dam. Almost seen daily.
17. Black Francolin - Halsbandfrankolin Francolinus
f. francolinus (Linnaeus 1766).
Common in the arable fields around Latchi and at Evretou dam. Seen daily.
18. Quail - Wachtel Coturnix coturnix
At 13/4 one seen in a meadow between near the road between Panavia and Polis.
One seen 14/4 from the road between Polis and Steni.
19. Moorhen - Teichhuhn Gallinula chloropus
Several seen at Evretou dam at 13/4, 14/4, 19/4 and 21/4 and at Asprodemnos
dam at 16/4, 17/4 and 21/4.
20. Coot - Blässhuhn Fulica atra
Several seen at Asprodemnos dam at 16/4, 17/4 and 21/4.
21. Black-winged stilt - Stelzenläufer Himantopus
himantopus
One seen at Polis reedbed at 15/4 and one seen at Asprodemnos dam at 20/4 and
21/4.
22. Stone Curlew - Triel Burhinus oedicnemus
One seen on the beach at Cape Drepanum at 15/4.
23. Little ringed Plover - Flußregenpfeifer Charadrius
dubius
One seen at Asprodemnos dam at 17/4.
24. Little stint - Zwergstrandläufer Calidris
minuta
One seen at Evretou dam at 20/4 and 2-3 seen at 21/4.
25. Ruff - Kampfläufer Philomachus pugnax
Several seen at Phassouri reeds at 16/4.
26. Great snipe - Doppelschnepfe Gallinago
media
One seen at Evretou dam at 20/4.
27. Wood sandpiper - Bruchwasserläufer Tringa
glareola
One seen at Evretou dam at 21/4.
28. Green sandpiper - Waldwasserläufer Tringa
ochropus
Several seen at Asprodemnos dam at 16/4 and 17/4.
29. Common sandpiper - Flussuferläufer Tringa
hypoleucos
Several seen at Evretou dam at 19/4 and 21/4.
30. Yellow-legged Gull - Weißkopfmöwe Larus
cachinnans
Regularly seen in low numbers along the coast
31. Rock Dove - Felsentaube Columba livia
Seen at Petra tou Rominou at 16/4 and at the rocks above Bath of Aphrodite at
23/4.
32. Wood Pigeon - Ringeltaube Columba palumbus
Seen around the hotel Elia Latchi at 12/4, reedbeds of Polis at 14/4 and at
Evretou dam at 21/4.
33. Eurasian collared dove - Türkentaube Streptopelia
decaocto
Regularly seen around settlements
34. Great spotted cuckoo - Häherkuckuck Clamator
glandarius
Seen at 14/4 on the road north of Skoulli in bushes; one specimens flew across
the beach at Cape Drepanum at 15/5; a family group was observed at 16/4 at Phassouri
reeds during pouring rain. At 20/4 a single specimen was seen in the hotel gardens
at Latchi.
35. Common cuckoo - Kuckuck Cuculus canorus
Several were seen at Akrotiri salt lake at 21/4
36. Scops owl - Zwergohreule Otus scops
Regularly heard in the hotel gardens at Latchi. One specimen was found injured
on the road to the bath of Aphrodite at 21/4.
37. Little owl - Steinkauz Athene noctua
One was seen sitting in a crevice in rocks above bath of Aphrodite at 23/4.
38. Common swift - Mauersegler Apus apus
Regularly seen at many places
39. Pallid swift - Fahlsegler Apus pallidus
Several were observed at Bath of Aphrodite at 12/4 hunting with common swifts.
40. Kingfisher - Eisvogel Alcedo atthis
One observed on the beach between Latchi and Polis at 15/4. One each at Asprodemnos
dam at 16/4 and 17/4 and at Evretou dam at 19/4.
41. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Blauwangenspint Merops
superciliosus
Two individuals were observed sitting on wires over agricultural land adjacent
to the hotel Elia Latchi in Latchi at 24/4 and 25/4. During 24/4 they were together
with a group of European bee-eaters which travelled on.
42. European Bee-eater - Bienenfresser Merops
apiaster
One was heard and later seen adjacent to Latchi at 20/4. Flocks of up to 100
bee-eaters passed the hotel at 22/4, 23/4 and 24/4.
43. Roller - Blauracke Coracias garrulus
At 16/4 one was seen sitting on a wire south of Paphos. At 20/4 and 21/4 two
were seen above the orange groves on the way to Evretou dam. A further two were
seen flying over orange groves close to Polis reeds at 22/4.
44. Hoopoe - Wiedehopf Upupa epops
Hoopoe, mostly one or two were seen at Bath of Aphrodite (12/4, 18/4, 23/4),
Cape Drepanum (15/4) and Phassouri reeds (16/4).
45. Wryneck - Wendehals Jynx torquilla
One was seen in low bushes close to the beach of Mandria south of Paphos airport
at 16/4.
46. Short-toed lark - Kurzzehenlerche Calandrella
brachydactyla
One at Cape Drepanum at 15/4. Several dozens on the beach of Mandria south of
Paphos airport at 16/4 and five to six on a ploughed field adjacuent to the
hotel at 23/4.
47. Crested lark - Haubenlerche Galerida cristata
Regularly observed in agricultural areas.
48. Sand martin - Uferschwalbe Riparia riparia
Several were observed hunting over fields adjacent to the hotel Elia Latchi
at 23/4.
49. Barn swallow - Rauchschwalbe Hirundo rustica
Common at many places, observed daily.
50. Red-rumped swallow - Rötelschwalbe Hirundo
daurica
Several were observed amongst barn swallows close to the hotel at 12/4 and 23/4.
51. Northern House-Martin - Mehlschwalbe Delichon
urbica
Several individuals were observed at Evretou dam (14/4), the bath of Aphrodite
(18/4) and onver the fields adjacent to the hotel (23/4).
52. Tawny pipit - Brachpieper Anthus campestris
One foraged in a ploughed field adjacent to the hotel at 11/4.
53. Yellow wagtail - Schafstelze Motacilla
flava
Regularly seen on migration in flocks of up to several thousand. Mostly blue-headed
(M. f. flava) grey-headed (M. f. thunbergi) and black-headed (M. f. feldegg).
Thousands at Cape Drepanum beach at 15/4.
54. White wagtail - Bachstelze Motacilla alba
One was seen on the lawn of the hotel at 12/4 and 23/4.
55. Wren - Zaunkönig Troglodytes troglodytes
One was heard singing and seen at the mufflon enclose in Stavros tis Psokas
at 19/4.
56. Redstart - Gartenrotschwanz Phoenicurus
phoenicurus
A male was seen at the camping ground of Bath of Aphrodite at 24/4.
57. Winchat - Braunkehlchen Saxicola rubetra
Regularly seen at many places
58. Northern Wheatear - Steinschmätzer Oenanthe
oenanthe
Several were observed at Mandria beach south of Paphos airport at 16/4.
59. Cyprus wheatear - Zypernsteinschmätzer Oenanthe
cypriaca
Regularly and almost daily observed at many places
60. Black-eared wheatear - Mittelmeersteinschmätzer
Oenanthe hispanica
One each was observed close to the hotel at 14/4 and in Dhiarizos valley at
17/4. Several were seen south of Latchi at 21/4.
61. Cetti´s Warbler - Seidensänger Cettia cetti
Regularly seen and commonly heared at wet places such as Polis reeds and Bath
of Aphrodite.
62. Fan-tailed Warbler - Zistensänger Cisticola
juncidis
Commonly seen in cereal fields between Latchi and Bath of Aphrodite
63. Spectacled Warbler - Brillengrasmücke Sylvia
conspicillata
One was heard and seen in the bushes close to Asprodemnos pools at 21/4.
64. Subalpine Warbler - Weißbartgrasmücke Sylvia
cantillans
A male was seen on the camping ground of Bath of Aphrodite at 18/4.
65. Sardinian Warbler - Samtkopfgrasmücke Sylvia
melanocephala
Seems to be the most common warbler in western Cyprus and obviously outcompetes
the closely related Cyprus warbler. Seen daily.
66. Cyprus Warbler - Schuppengrasmücke Sylvia
melanothorax
A single male was observed singing in a game reserve behind the hotel in Latchi
from 12/4 to 25/4. All other warblers in the area proved to be Sardinian warblers.
67. Garden Warbler - Gartengrasmücke Sylvia
borin
One was seen at Neo Chorio at 17/4.
68. Blackcap - Mönchsgrasmücke Sylvia atricapilla
Small flocks on migration were seen regularly. Singing males were heard at the
hotel gardens daily.
69. Wood Warbler - Waldlaubsänger Phylloscopus
sibilatrix
Several were seen at Bath of Aphrodite at 23/4.
70. Spotted Flycatcher - Grauschnäpper Muscicapa
striata
Several dozens were sitting in the willows and bushes surrounding Asprodemnos
pools at 16/4. Several were seen at Neo Chorio at 20/4 and in the hotel gardens
at 22/4. A single bird was seen at bath of Aphrodite at 23/4.
71. Collared Flycatcher - Halsbandschnäpper Ficedula
albicolla
A male was seen at 21/4 on a tree south of Latchia. Several males and females
on the trees of the camping ground at bath of Aphrodite (23/4). A single male
in the hotel gardens (23/4, 24/4).
72. Pied Flycatcher - Trauerfliegenschnäpper Ficedula
hypoleucos
Several males and females at Neo Chorio (20/4), a single male each at bath of
Aphrodite (22/4) and the hotel garden of Elia Latchi hotel (23/4).
73. Great tit - Kohlmeise Parus major
Great tits were seen at Monashilakas restplace close to Panayia (13/4), Neo
Chorio (15/4) and Evretou dam (21/4).
74. Golden Oriole - Pirol Oriolus oriolus
Flocks of up to 15 males were seen above Latchi (20/4) and in the game reserve
behind the hotel (22/4).
75. Masked shrike - Maskenwürger Lanius nubicus
A single male was seen at Monashilakas restplace close to Panayia (13/4) and
on the road to Kato Pyrgos (18/4):
76. Woodchat Shrike - Rotkopfwürger Lanius
senator
Woodchat shrikes were observed at Phassouri reeds (16/4), Neo Chorio (17/4),
bath of Aphrodite (18/4), Latchi (20/4) and in the hotel garden at 22/4.
77. Eurasian Jay - Eichelhäher Garrulus glandarius
Several jays were observed in the pine forest around Stavros tis Psokas at 19/4
78. Magpie - Elster Pica pica
Observed daily
79. Jackdaw - Dohle Corvus monedula
Regularly observed in small numbers
80. Hooded crow - Nebelkrähe Corvus corone
Observed daily
81. House sparrow - Haussperling Passer domesticus
Observed daily
82. Spanish sparrow - Weidensperling Passer
hispaniolensis
Observed daily, as there was a colony in the palm trees of Elia Latchi hotel
83. Chaffinch - Buchfink Fringilla coelebs
Single males were observed at Monashilakas Restplace close to Panayia at 13/4
and in the pine forest around Stavros tis Psokas at 19/4.
84. Serin - Girlitz Serinus serinus
One was observed at Monashilakas Restplace close to Panayia at 13/4
85. Greenfinch - Grünfink Carduelis chloris
Regularly in the hotel gardens of Elia Latchi hotel
86. Goldfinch - Stieglitz Carduelis carduelis
Small flocks were observed at bath of Aphrodite (12/4, 18/4), Neo Chorio (20/4)
and the hotel garden (12/4, 24/4).
87. Linnet - Bluthänfling Carduelis cannabina
Several were seen at Mandria beach south of Paphos airport at 16/4.
88. Ortolan bunting - Ortolan Emberiza hortulana
One was seen at Evretou dam at 14/4 and a small flock of 5-6 individuals was
observed at 14/4 between Kios and Filousa. A single specimen at Neo Chorio at
15/4 and several above Latchi at 20/4.
89. Cretzschmar's Bunting - Grauortolan Emberiza
caesia
A single specimen was observed foraging in an abandoned vineyard at Monashilakas
Restplace close to Panayia at 13/4. A male was singing from a telephone wire
between Kato and Pano Pyrgos at 18/4.
90. Corn bunting - Grauammer Miliaria calandra
Very common throughout the open areas visited.
If anyone wants further information, my email is michael.riffel@rifcon.de
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