CYPRUS BIRD TRIP REPORT 29th April – 5th May.

Marc Suller

Summary

Spent a week in Nikokleia in a villa booked through Sundance Villas. As I was with Marlen, it was a non-birding trip but I popped out for some birding most mornings and evenings. The villa was only 2 km from the Aspro pools, but good birds were found at most places we visited (e.g. archaeological zones, Arkamis, Troodos, Akrotiri Peninsular). By the end, I had seen over 100 species with 14 lifers.

Day 1

We arrived in Cyprus mid-afternoon and picked up the Suzuki 4×4 before driving on to our Villa in Nikokleia. We were a little early so drove to the Asprokremnos reservoir to pass time. First birds were House Sparrow, Squacco Heron, Hooded Crow, Spanish Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Swallow and then a Cyprus Pied Wheatear. The latter turned out to be very common, found at most sites visited. Spent the rest of the day settling into the villa although sitting in the pool area added Greenfinch, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, and Magpie. A brief evening visit to the Aspro pools which was 2 km away resulted in Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola and Linnet, all common birds in Cyprus.

Day 2

Got up at first light to explore Aspro pools. Seemed a bit disappointing at first but soon found a single Ortolan Bunting. Also found Goldfinch, Moorhen, Cyprus Warbler (common), Chukar, Turtle Dove, Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Common Kestrel and Great tit. A flock of 8 squawking Purple Herons circled high above the dam area the entire time I was present. Although the pools themselves were silted due to excessive rainfall, every visit to Aspro pools produced some bird of interest. After breakfast, we explored the Paphos archaeological area where a Woodchat Shrike gave good views and Common Swift were knocking about. After lunch at the harbour, and a stroll around Paphos town, we returned to the villa, where I watched a Sparrow hawk fly along the valley.

Day 3

Got up early again to try the farmland around the village of Mandria. Straight away I found a singing male Black Headed Bunting, followed by a Black Francolin. I then almost trod on a Common Quail, a bird that I have only ever heard. Driving along the coast, I noticed a flock of birds in a stubbly field that turned out to be Short Toed Larks. Today, we planned to drive past Pafos up the coast. First stop was Tomb of the Kings site that was interesting but of more interest to me were the Isabelline Wheatear and Whinchat. We then had lunch at the small village of Agios Georgios, where I watched large numbers of Red Rumped Swallows coming in off the sea. Yellow legged gulls were also present. After lunch, we drove along rough tracks to the spectacular Avgas Gorge. The walk up to the gorge through a wooded area gave great views of an Olivaceous Warbler, plus Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, and a Blackcap. For the only time in the trip, I had a brief glimpse of a Cetti’s Warbler. They are very common in Cyprus, heard in virtually all habitats. Driving further along Lara beach (famous for nesting turtles) I found a small flock of Sanderlings.

Day 4

Drove along the coast to the East this morning stopping at Kourion archaeological site where an Eleanora’s Falcon flew over, following the cliff line. It then started to rain heavily so I had the idea of going to the Akrotiri Peninsular for lunch in one of the fish restaurants on Lady’s mile beach (and where we could bird watch from the car). From the road, there is a gap in the reeds through which you can view Zakaki pool. Lots of Ruff and Wood Sandpipers were feeding on exposed mud, along with a Black Headed Yellow Wagtail. A little further on the road runs alongside the Marsh allowing superb views of 100s of Little Stint, 2 little tern roosting on a sand bank, Sand Martin, and Little, Ringed and Kentish Plovers. After lunch, we continued down Lady’s mile, before cutting across the sands towards the Salt Lake. We stopped briefly to view the Greater Flamingos in the distance, before continuing to Phassouri Reedbeds. The reedbeds were very birdy and I added the following to my list: Spur Winged Plover, Glossy Ibis, Ferruginous Duck (4), Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Black Tailed Godwit and Reed Warbler. Continuing along the road, we found a swarm of Bee-eaters, before entering the plains of Akrotiri. The roads were really bumpy, but I managed to observe a Common Cuckoo, Red Footed Falcon and Lesser Grey Shrike.

Day 5

The weather was better today, so decided to drive up to Aphrodite’s pool and do the walk along the Akamas coastal path. On route we briefly stopped at Evretou Reservoir, where Corn Buntings were present and a party of German birders pointed out 6 White Winged Black Terns. The walk along the coast was great and I also found a Black Eared Wheatear, Common Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. We took lunch at a restaurant with nice sea views and watched a Pallid Swift close enough to allow identification of the key features. After lunch, we took a slight detour along Smiyies track. The route passes farmland with scattered trees and 2 Rollers, a Yellowhammer and another flock of Bee-eaters were seen. The road back to the villa passes a known site for Long Legged Buzzards and I was in luck, a pair were present and circling above the gorge. In the evening, I drove down to an olive grove for Stone Curlew. The trees run in parallel lines so peering between them, I found 2 birds.

Day 6

Marlen wanted a relaxing day so she spent it around the pool. However, I popped down the Aspro pools for a while in the afternoon where I found a Red Backed Shrike, a pair of Northern Wheatears and several Alpine Swifts over the dam area. Best still, a female Pallid Harrier was being harassed by a kestrel, and a roller flew by. In the evening we drove to Mandria for supper, and a brief detour to the shore gave views of a Blue Headed Yellow Wagtail and a Hoopoe.

Day 7

Drove up to Troodos mountains today along the Dhiarizoz Valley, stopping twice en route. Both occasions proved successful; the first with a singing male Cretzschmar’s Bunting and the second a Masked Shrike along with a Serin. Approaching Troodos, we took the old road winding up through mountain forest where we paused to view a pair of Blackbird and a Wren. Had some late breakfast, with House Martin and Chaffinch flying about, before walking one of the nature trails. We anticipated doing 2 or 3 km but ended up walking completely around Mount Olympus for 14 km. The views were stunning and the birding great (mainly on the South, Sun facing slopes). The endemic races of Coal Tit and Jay were common, with many Masked Shrikes. Had some raptor luck with a Goshawk, then a pair of Bonnelli’s Eagles. Further round the mountain found my only (Dorothy’s) Short Toed Treecreeper. Passing the North face which still had patches of melting snow, found a single Spotted Flycatcher. Finally arrived exhausted back at Troodos, 5 hours later. Stopped at a sleepy village on the way back, where an old couple squeezed some fresh oranges for us.

Day 8

Last day of the holiday with our return flight at 5.50 pm. To kill time, Marlen agreed on a trip back to Akrotiri peninsular for lunch on Lady’s Mile, allowing me to check out some of the birding sites. First stop was Phassouri, which was quiet due to a photographer driving his jeep right up to the pools. As he left, a couple of youths on a motorbike turned up. So, gave up and continued around the peninsular. I did, however, pick up Mallard. Scanning the Salt Pans, I found a Redshank and several Black Winged Stilts. Finally, arrived at Zakari where I spotted a late White Stork slowly drifting past high above. After a long lunch and a pint of iced coffee, dropped the jeep off, and made our way back to the UK, where it was only a little above zero.