Sunday, 14 April........a slow start , but what a finish !

The initial decision was to spend a full day on the Akrotiri Peninsula, however things changed !

An early visit to Zakaki Marsh produced little other than overflying Common Swifts and Swallows. However, a marauding Marsh Harrier disturbed two Night Heron , which we'd not been able to see previously.  It seemed , at that point that we were surrounded on all sides by singing Reed And Cetti's Warbler which were giving it all they'd got !

By pure chance I picked up two birds in the reedtops, one was a Blackap and the other a Penduline Tit, both of which showed quite well for a while.
We moved on to Lady's Mile where we had single male and female Marsh Harriers moving east. A few Dunlin, a Caspian Gull ,2 BHG , and a Yellow legged Gull were all that we then managed along the whole series of lagoons , other than a few Greater Flamingo.  The Akrotiri  area produced little . Most of the waders had reduced in number except Black winged Stilt of which we had over 20. After a fruitless search over a couple of areas we saw around 120 Glossy Ibis arrive at the main marsh, always a thrill

It was then that we received the call from Colin !!  " A good idea to come over to Mandria.", which we did in record time, only to discover the star bird had disappeared. We made do with sightings of Black-headed, and Grey headed Wagtails, 8 Bee-eaters moving north and a couple of Night Heron on a small island off the coast. Turning to a fresh area in the hope of seeing Citrine Wagtail ( we didn't ) , the second telephone call came, "It's back ", and off we sprinted yet again ( well hurried slowly, given a combined age of over 150 years ! )

And there it was , courtesy of Mike Hamzee's telescope facilities .......CASPIAN PLOVER . A nice female, which eventually came much closer .

Not the best photograph , I know, but sufficient to prove the case !

At that poit we decided on a leisurely return east and a rewarding drink.!!


As a final comment on the day I offer this as an insight into the focussed bu carefree lifestyle enjoyed on Cyprus.  Nearby to where we'd been the residents of one of the villages had an issue with the Government about subsidence affecting their properties. So what to to when your Government won't act ?   They strung themselves across the road and blocked the east-west Motorway for around 15 mins after which they melted away whence they came , no doubt to enjoy their success !   Can you imagine Jacob Rees-Mogg, a copy of Erskine May held aloft, marching down the centre of the M25 whilst his group of Brexiteers held back the traffic !!  It amused me greatly .

Saturday, 13 April........rather quiet , and then.....

We decided to head east and visit the various wetland areas around Larnaka. An hour or so later we were at Meneou lagoon where a  pair of Shoveler , 8 Garganey ,odd Coot and Mallard and £ Little Egret were on show , but little else except numbers of Swallow and Common Swift overhead. On to what is known as Larnaca Airport south which had a few Greater Flamingo , but nothing else. A pool on the opposite side of the road looked promising, but held only a Marsh Sandpiper and a few Black winged Stilt.

Next was Spiros Pool where a single Little Tern sat atop a post in the water, around 20/30 Black winged Stilt , a Ruff,  Kentish Plover and a party of Garganey were in evidence. An area of scrub nearby had a calling Black Francolin, Cetti's Warbler, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, and Sardinian Warbler. I was back at the car when I picked up a raptor moving east which proved to be a male Pallid Harrier.  Ho ho !   Within only a few minutes, and purely by chance , I then picked up a party of birds moving east that showed well for only a short time before disappearing east too. White winged Terns. Wow, what a purple patch !.

Larnaka Sewage Works was somewhat disappointing with only around 30 Mallard, a Garganey, Coot, and a few Black winged Stilt, which this part of the island seems to have more of than elsewhere. Larnaka Saltlake was similarly devoid of birds with nothing of note other than a few Greater Flamingo.

After some masterful navigation on my part,  which got us on the wrong road entirely, we discovered ourselves at Oroklini Lake, the flagship site of BirdLife Cyprus.   We did see odd Red crested Pochard for which the site is the only stronghold on Cyprus as well as around 40 Garganey, a few Little Grebe and numbers of Black winged Stilt  ( again ).  The site is also extremely important for Eels, which spend an appreciable amount of time maturing in its waters.

So, rather a mixed day, hard work at times, but with a couple of valued surprises!

Friday, 12th April "Things, they are a'changing" !

We'd decided in advance to have a full day of the Akrotiri Peninsula, so it was off to the Tower Hide at the Akrotiri Reserve overlooking the full expanse of the main reed bed.

Other than a Marsh Harrier we had virtually nothing until I located a Black Francolin male on the very edge of the reed bed chasing a female. Both showed their patterns and colours off well as the male enthusiastically circled the female bird with his wings half open, which reminded me of Black Grouse males in display.

We went down to the next hide and, again , had very little until a male and female Little Crake  chased around in front of us. Shortly afterwards a single Glossy Ibis flew in and commenced to feed immediately in front of us , showing off its iridescence and plumage colours to good effect.

A quick visit to Agios Georgios produced an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, a flyover Bee-eater and various common species. A nice way to spend lunch !

As we'd not been to Bishop's Pool for several days we thought it wise to call in.  The female Teal was still present and 19 Night Heron's were new.These latter cascaded out of a waterside tree and proceeded to twirl about in formation for 10 minutes , providing wonderful views and admirable aerobatics !

Back to Rabbit Farm Pools where wader numbers appeared to have reduced significantly. Two marsh Sandpiper were still present as well as a few Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. Information from a visiting fellow birder abot terns and waders sent us off to Lady's Mile pools where we soon found a good flock of Little Stints and numbers of Ringed and Kentish Plover. Unfortunately we couldn't locate the terns.  What was in store for us was far better  !  A party of five Pallas's Gulls had dropped in, one of which showed the classic black head, and all provided reasonable views despite the heat haze. Sadly they were off after a few minutes as quickly as they'd arrived so our careful stalking and telescope preparations came to naught !!

And that was today ! At the hotel the Friday night dancers and entertainers delighted everyone and the lead male dancer managed to balance 15/16 glasses on his head whilst gliding around the floor. Impressive......I'll try and get a picture next week !!

Thursday, 11th April.. Not too much in evidence , it has to be said !

After deciding to check whether any gulls were in the Lady's Mile area we travelled direct to site after fuelling up the  "Chelsea tractor ". It was quiet with not a gull in site and the only evidence of birdlife being a few Greater Flamingo, odd Black winged Stilt ,3 LRP's, and a couple of Kentish Plover.  Rather disappointing.

We struck off road towards the outfall from Zakaki Marsh to the Akrotiri Salt Lake. Overnight rain had added  a " frissant"  effect to the journey but we managed without any adventures !  Other than three Grey Heron there was nothing in sight at all despite the whole area being undisturbed . We did manage to listen to a Spectacled Warbler in full song and see both an Isabelline Wheatear and a Black eared Wheatear .

After a look at the area around the Fish Farm and along the coastal track, which produced nothing, we centred down on the pools at the Rabbit Farm. At first the area seemed devoid of waders but we then discovered at least 20 or so Ruff  in the far corner. Time provided sightings of Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, a single Collared Pratincole and a Ringed Plover. The flock of Glossy Ibis ( 47/48 ) were still present in the main Akrotiri Marsh area along with Little and Cattle Egret, but nothing else. A spell up the Tower Hide produced three fly by Ferruginous Duck but no other movement.

Finally a visit to Agios Georgios promised very little at first , but then a Common Redstart , a couple of Blackap and several Lesser Whitethroat were located deep in cover and either feeding or resting in what now was quite blustery wind conditions.

A slightly earlier return than normal allowed me to get this Blog up to date !!!  I'm hoping to include more genearl material from now on , so watch this space.  I also had to remind myself that the first quarter of my visit is already over  ( shame !! ) but, if the remaining period is as productive and enjoyable as the first spell, then I shall be very happy indeed.

Wednesday, 10th April. Routine but productive.

Other arrangements dictated that we needed to return to the hotel for early afternoon , so we concentrated on sites on the Akrotiri Peninsula. First to the Tower Hide where we had a croaking Little Bittern that refused to reveal itself !  Moving on,  a Black Francolin in flight was noteworthy, but little else was seen around the coastal track.

With time running on we settled in at the Rabbit Farm pools. A good selection of waders was present. Most of the LRP had moved on , but Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Sandpiper were still around ( or were they new birds ? ).  Patient grilling of the site produced two Sanderling in Spring plumage which then promptly disappeared. Once things had settled down  a concentrated examination of the site yielded up a Temminck's Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper. This was in transitional plumage and the forerunner of what I understand is likely to be a greater presence of birds very shortly.

A visit to Agios Georgios produced a Common Redstart but virtually nothing else  ( at least this provided a useful baseline against which to more easily judge future new arrivals ! ).

9th April......a day to remember.

Immediately after breakfast we set off to meet up with Colin Richardson for a days  "birding in the west"!.   We met at Asprokremnos Dam ( which is now full after quite a long period of being below capacity ), and covered the woodland near the car park. After a "gossip catch up" we set off to examine the woodland area.This produced a Lesser Whitethroat and a Wood Warbler, but little else , so we moved to the eastern end of the dam wall. The small patch of mud held a Wood Sandpiper, Little Egret and a Purple Heron whilst some Alpine and Common Swift flew overhead. A Marsh Harrier  was in view and a busy adult Sardinian Warbler looked after some recently fledged young.

We moved on to Timni Beach and looked over the various pools and into the flooded woodland. Little Egrets, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron , Black winged Stilt, Ruff, Greenshank , and Marsh Sandpiper were all on view , but the stars of the show were two Stone Curlew which "bombed" through the woodland and flew right over our heads!! Odd Yellow legged Gull flew along the coast and a few Northern Wheatear fed on the open "turf" areas behind the beach.

After examining a small stand of mature woodland, where we had a Green Sandpiper on a tiny pool, we moved on again to the Vivara area ( may be wrong spelling incidentally ).  On our way Colin kindly screeched to a halt in the village and pointed out a Laughing Dove pair. Shortly before this we'd stop to watch at least 200 plus Swallows feeding over a grazing sheep flock dutifully watched over by a young shepherd.  After negotiating a rather "exciting" track we came on a series of square irrigation pools , all of which were fringed by a band of luxuriant vegetation. Then the excitement began !!  In recent days there had been up to 15 Little Crake  counted in the area  ....  I was more than satisfied to get great views of four, particularly as we then saw the Baillons Crake nonchalantly parading about in the corner of one pool and also standing still under the vegetation, which allowed for tremendous telescope views.  I suspect prayers must have been offered up to St. Jude by someone  in the party as , yes, we then saw a Spotted Crake. Unbelievable , and all the "players"   providing excellent telescope views , even including some aggressive behaviour and chasing by two of the male Little Crake.  A supporting cast of Red-rumped Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow gathered over one of the pools and a Great Spotted Cuckoo flew over. Really, what's not to like about birding ?

To end the day we then went to Anarita Park where we  looked carefully at 10 plus feeding Kestrels, all of which were Common and not the forerunners of arriving Lessers.  A brief view of Ortolan Bunting and then more Great Spotted Cuckoo ended what had been a great days birdwatching.

Monday 8th April. A slightly quieter day !

We started off the day in the Tower Hide at the main Akrotiri Reserve , but things were rather slow. A party of 8 Grey Heron went through north  and around 30 Common Swift gradually moved on within the hour. A Great Spotted Cuckoo called several times , but was never seen. Further on we counted 16 Cattle Egret and 10 Little Egret around what is now an ever reducing area of flood water.

In the Fish Farm area we had a single Isabelline Wheatear and a couple of Short toed Lark, but , otherwise , things were quiet.. The wetland area held much the same range of wader species , although at laest 17 Little Ringed Plover were now present , an obvious increase to previously.  A single Turtle Dove flew through.

During the day we visited the scrub woodland at Agios Georgos three times.   On the first occasion it was virtually birdless, on the second odd birds were in evidence ,  but later it was obvious that birds had probably filitered up the peninsula and congregated there to feed in the somewhat sheltered conditions.  Cuckoo, Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler and Masked Shrike were all recorded in differing numbers and provided a nice end to the day.

Sunday, 7th April. A day of migration in full swing !

We'd decided to check the Lady's Mile area, and the coast, for gull species as many of these would soon be moving off.  We were quite lucky as we had a Black headed Gull, several Caspian Gulls  and Slender billed Gulls. Two probable Armenian Gull were  soon lost to view.

Lady's Mile "lagoons" were very full again and held little except a few Greater Flamingos

As ever Zakaki Marsh only produced Mallard, Moorhen , Cetti's and Reed Warbler so we moved on to Phasouris within the Ackrotiri Reserve area.

Other than 2 or 3 Hoopoe  there appeared to be very little at this juncture so we moved on down to the "Fish Farm area" we'd visited yesterday and spent the remainder of the day there , the nearby wetland at Rabbit Farm or the "official reserve area around the hides. It was more than worthwhile as a really exciting day unfolded.  Two flocks of Garganey ( 70. 35 ) over the sea were followed by flocks of Glossy Ibis coming in from the south and moving northwards ( 36. 70. 26. )  . A group of 6/7 Short toed Larks were found and a mixed flock of flava wagtails, a Marsh Harrier flew inland as did a couple of Kestrels. A Stone Curlew was found on the rough area we'd explored yesterday and Blackcap , Olivaceous and Sardinian Warblers sang nearby. A Purple Heron flew inland and 2 Northern Wheatear suddenly appeared. It seemed as if there was no gap in time when something new wasn't happening !

A check of the wetland area produced 2 Marsh Sandpiper, 20 plus Ruff, Greenshank, LRP,  Common Snipe, Black winged Stilt, 4 Little Egret moving high NW, a harrier species moving N and a Peregrine male " beating " up the area and putting things temporarily to flight.   Common Swift went through and two very high ( very frustrating ) raptors ascended further and were lost to view before any details could be gained.  Amidst all this the passage of Glossy Ibis continued with a further 75, 70 and 104 moving through .

Late afternoon saw us reluctantly moving off but not before we'd had a mixed group of 23 Cattle Egret and 18 Little Egret  amidst a cattle flock. Whilst there we found ourselves surrounded by flava wagtails , which were a delight to go through and identify the different races.

As we finally prepared to move off the air was filled with the whirring presence of wings and we found ourselves counting a "descending" flock of Glossy Ibis which we could see moving in. It was difficult to get a precise count but there were at least 200 birds ( probably more )  which meant that we had recorded 581 birds moving through . We learnt later that there had been a flock of around 120 at Timni Beach around this time,  which took the day total of probable passage birds to in excess of 700 birds. I suspect there might have been more as our final count was a very conservative one.  Unfortunately , whilst trying to get a more precise count of birds on the ground, the whole flock decide to rise again and move off.

A great sight and a great end to an eventful day !

Saturday, 6th April. Migration really kicking in !

Following a report of Citrine Wagtail we went to explore the area around what is known as the old Kourian Fish Farm on the Akrotiri Penninsula. We found the field, but not a sign of any wagtails , so we explored the wider surroundings and found an expanse of open ground with scrub , exposed rock and low herbage. Things were quiet at first and then we had some buntings , which turned out to be Ortolan, numbers of House and Spanish Sparrow, calling Nightingale , singing Corn Bunting and Chiffchaff, and Hoopoe. A Common Buzzard appeared and moved inland and a Curlew called out at sea, flew close and then moved east along the coast.

Moving back towards Phasouris  along the coastal track we had both Sardinian and Fan tailed Warbler in song, 55 Garganey flew east out at sea, as did a couple of Yellow legged Gull, a Kingfisher sat on a rock and a Northern Wheatear appeared, both the latter no doubt recently arrived migrants.The wetlands near the old Rabbit Farm had a good selection of waders , but nothing appeared to be new so we moved on to Agios Georgios.

Within a fairly short time we had Collared Flycatcher, Chiffchaff,  Blackcap , numbers of Greenfinch , Hoopoe and a Masked Shrike, whilst , nearby, we found 2 Short toed Larks.  We decided to go back to the Phasouris reedbeds to finish the day and, whilst there , enjoyed seeing a flock of 25 plus Purple Heron,  Little and Cattle Egret , Grey Heron, and around 145 Glossy Ibis on the move. It seems our decision to keep working the Ackrotiri sites was paying dividends !

Friday, 5th April Mediterranean MigFest continues !

After yesterday anticipation ran high as to what might be expected.  First call was to Phasouris reedbeds where, first of all, we had a chat to a local ringer ( Viktor ) about what might be happening generally ,but also had the privilege of seeing several species ( Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler and Sardinian Warbler ) "in the hand". Watching out from the tower hide over the vast reedbed we had great views of Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Garganey and Ferruginous Duck besides recording a series of more common species.  Two Great White Egret were picked up in flight westwards being seriously mobbed by local Hooded Crows but, despite efforts we couldn't locate them again. All the while at least two Black Francolin called in the background !

As we drove down the road towards the flooded area near the old Rabbit Farm a metre long Whip Snake curved itself across the road and into the undergrowth. A good selection of waders was on offer.......Marsh, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Spur winged Plover, Ruff, LRP , Greenshank and a couple of Common Snipe.

From there we went on to Bishop's Pool where we had a single Teal, a couple of Purple Heron, Common Cuckoo, Olivaceous Warbler and a single male Collared Flycatcher. We then moved on to Agios Georgios where, almost immediately , we had a Wryneck in nearby trees which gave superb views. Things didn't end there as it was soon followed by a Masked Shrike. With all thoughts of lunch put aside we then began to look for what else might be around. This proved to be several Common Redstart, Chiffchaff ( abietinus ) , Blackap and Lesser Whitethroat. A look around the external boundaries of the site turned up a Subalpine Warbler , which sat on top of a bush for a while and gave good views. A little further afield both Crested Lark and Sardinian Warblers sang and brought an end to yet another tremendous day.