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Southern Cyprus mid-March 2015 trip report

Author: Paul Sharp

This report covers a long weekend birding in Southern Cyprus between the 12th and 16th March

2015.

Planning and logistics

In late January it became clear that I had some annual leave to use by the end of March, some of this

I committed to a trip with my wife to Seville and Coto Donana at the end of March and into early

April. This left 3 days otherwise unused leave, and provided the opportunity to go birding for a long

weekend with my father John Sharp (JLS). He expressed a preference for somewhere warmer, and

with a mid-March weekend in mind we considered the possibilities of Morocco (Atlas and desert),

Lake Kerkini in Greece, and Cyprus.

Cyprus won out because the timing seemed to fall between winter and spring birding at Kerkini, and

because we would need a day or two more to get the most out of a visit to Morocco and enjoy it. So,

why Cyprus? Well neither of us had been there before, meaning the endemics would be new to both

of us, with a reasonable supporting cast of Eastern Mediterranean birds and localised specialities to

add into the mix.

Success Primary targets Secondary targets

Seen Cyprus Warbler,

Cyprus Wheatear

Spur-winged Plover, Scops Owl, Short-toed Treecreeper, Jay,

Coal Tit, Crossbill, Ruppell's Warbler, Masked Shrike,

Cretzschmar's Bunting

Missed Finsch's Wheatear Greater Sandplover, Black Francolin

I researched online what might be seen and where in mid March, and where we might stay, plus

flights and other more mundane matters. Key online resources were the following websites:

Birdlife Cyprus: This has a very useful site guide which adds to the Gosney guide, monthly

bird summaries from previous years plus recent sights -

http://www.birdlifecyprus.org/en/htm...Sightings.html

Army Ornithological Society Cyprus blog: A summary of recent sightings plus from the last

couple of years - http://www.armybirding.org.uk/blog/cyprus-weekly128/

Cyprus birding tours: Includes recent sightings - http://cyprusbirdingtours.com/

In addition to these Wolfbirder’s post on BirdForum re the Anarita area were very useful

(http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=250820), as were numerous trip reports, though

most of these tend to be later in March and onwards into April and May. For site details we took

‘Finding Birds in Southern Cyprus’ by Dave Gosney, and combined this with the perfectly adequate

INSERT map to get us to these sites – in combination these two items were sufficient.

http://www.birdlifecyprus.org/en/html-51-Recent_Sightings.html

http://www.armybirding.org.uk/blog/cyprus-weekly128/

http://cyprusbirdingtours.com/

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=250820

On the mundane side of things I booked us on flights with EasyJet from Gatwick to Paphos, the flight

out required an overnight stay beforehand at Gatwick, but both outbound and inbound flights

allowed time for birding on our arrival and departure days. I had not really registered that the flights

would be 4 – 4 ½ hours, probably a sensible upper limit for a long weekend when you add in ‘airport

time’.

I booked us a 4WD/SUV from Europcar via HolidayAutos, this turned out to be a slightly beat up

automatic Honda CRV, which was ideal in terms of clearance and ability to cover some of the un-

surfaced tracks we used. It did lack a boot cover which was a pain and meant we couldn’t leave stuff

in the car whilst we were away from it, but was otherwise fine. In practice you could get away

without a 4WD/SUV, but it was nice not to have to worry about the condition of some of the tracks/

parking.

As to accommodation, my choice of location was to be close to either Paphos or Cape Greko for the

collection of sites close to each of these, rather than halfway between the two and always driving a

distance. On balance I think this is the right approach, though the sites around Akrotiri would mean

something in this area would also be viable. For Cape Greko I looked at accommodation in Konnos

Beach/Protaras, but none of the places I liked seemed to have opened for the season.

In the Paphos area I tracked down the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (VNI, http://www.vasilias.nikoklis.com/);

it was evident that the owners were used to and welcomed birders, it seemed reasonably priced and

well located, so we booked in. I can heartily recommend the VNI as birding accommodation based

on our stay, we thoroughly enjoyed it and it is good value for money. It was easy to get out before

6am for some pre-breakfast birding, have a late and filling breakfast at 09.30 and then go out for the

day, returning for dinner. The rooms are OK, and the location very birdy. We saw Scops Owl in the

garden, Great Spotted Cuckoo passing through the small-holding and Alpine Swift overhead. Plus the

Swallows nesting in the bar and restaurant (locked in over-night) are charming. A week there might

be enough.

Before we went I pulled together an idea of where we would try to visit each day, and what we

would hope to see. The idea was to try more for the winter birds at the start, and migrants at the

end of our trip. Mid-March is very much at the beginning of the migration season in Cyprus, and

reports in the lead up to our visit suggested that migrants were arriving late and in small numbers.

Fortunately by the time we got there this had changed – I think we were probably lucky with some

of the migrants we saw in that they were on the early side.

Below is the plan I had pulled together, alongside some comments of what we actually did. I tend to

be overambitious, and this trip was no exception – we didn’t fit everything in, and hopefully my

comments will give an idea of what is practical in a day.

12 March Thursday Kidasi We visited this area first, but didn't see Finsch's Wheatear

(they seemed to have left wintering sites just before we

arrived).

Aspro' Dam,

Anarita Mast &

Foinikas Village

We didn't have time to also visit these sites - see Saturday

(Anarita) and Monday (Aspro’ Dam).

http://www.vasilias.nikoklis.com/

13 March Friday Paphos Headland Visited pre-breakfast (outside the fence) but Greater

Sandplover appeared to have left some weeks before we

arrived. Saw a good selection of birds.

Paphos Water

Treatment Plant

First stop after breakfast, worth a short visit.

Mandria area Initially seemed quiet until we approached the picnic area,

with the adjacent rough ground being very good.

Kensington Cliffs Actually visited after Kourion Stadium, the light here was very

difficult in the late afternoon. A short visit.

Kourion Stadium An excellent spot and we spent much longer here than

anticipated, very good for migrants.

Bishops Pool Did not have time to visit.

Akrotiri Salt Lake A short last stop before dark.

Akrotiri Gravel Pits Did not have time to visit.

Akrotiri Reedbeds Did not have time to visit.

Phasouri

Reedbeds

Did not have time to visit.

14 March Saturday We visited Anarita Park & Mast pre-breakfast in the hope of

Finsch's Wheatear (not seen).

Troodos

Mountains

There was still quite a lot of snow on the ground and it was

generally cold and windy, we spent a decent amount of time

birding in this area - it was a nice contrast.

From Troodos we descended to Lemesos and on to Zakaki

Marsh and Lady's Mile Beach, then we drove round to

Phassouri Reedbeds and Akrotiri Gravel Pits first in a lightning

storm and then gathering dusk.

15 March Sunday Cape Greko Our first stop was at Kermia Beach, from which we moved on

to Cape Greko 'Sea Caves', the pines at the start of the main

headland and headland itself before a short visit to the picnic

area by the Stone Arch near the Agioi Anargyroi chapel. We

saw some good birds but it was relatively quiet.

Paralimni Lake The habitat here looked great, but it was hard work finding

any birds.

Ayia Napa

Sewerage Works

We didn't visit this area - migrants weren't really around on

the day.

Orolinki Marsh We spent a reasonable period of time here through to dusk

and it was very birdy.

16 March Monday Paphos Headland Pre-breakfast we had a walk around Vasilias Nikoklis Inn, then

visited Aspro' dam and pools, finishing off with a short visit

before driving to the airport for mid-day.

If I was going to repeat the trip I would set aside one day for each of the following areas (so four full

days) if possible: (i) Paphos Headland & Water Treatment Plant, Mandria, Aspro Dam, Anarita Mast

and Park, (ii) Kourion Stadium, Kensington Cliffs (morning), Akrotiri & Phassouri sites, Lady’s Mile &

Zakaki Marsh), (iii) Troodos and (iv) Cape Greko, Paralimini Marsh & Orolinki Marsh.

Sites – some comments

Paphos Headland: We parked at the entrance to the archaeological park near the port, and saw

some good birds in the scrub of this carpark. From here we walked around the headland to a café

below the lighthouse on the far side and back. We did not go into the park, holes in the fence

seemed to be repaired, and the park opens from 8:30am. Another birder we met had seen good

birds within the park (orchard area). The area outside the fence is busy with dog walkers, joggers etc

from quite early on, so it is worth getting here for first light.

Paphos Water Treatment Plant: Easy site to see Spur-winged Plover well.

Mandria: Turn right at the Fish & Chip shop, then left past the church, bear right following signs to

the beach. Check the ploughed fields as you approach the beach for Stone Curlew. At the beach turn

left and drive along the beach track (unpaved) to the obvious picnic area, looking back and down to

the rough pasture – this is great for pipits, larks and wheatears. Offshore check the tops of the low

rocks for Shag.

Kourion Stadium: Well recommended, reportedly one of the best places to see Cyprus Warbler,

though we struggled to see one here. There are various ‘Kourion’ archaeological sites – the museum

is better sign posted, but it is the stadium you want. From the car park walk around the outside of

the stadium to the right, and check up the slope beyond the far right corner of the stadium towards

another fenced archaeological area – this area was great for migrants.

Kensington Cliffs: From Kourion Stadium turn right to get here. The light in the late afternoon is very

bad for viewing the cliffs (for Griffon Vulture), best visited in the morning.

Akrotiri Salt Lake: Despite high water levels the birds here were very distant, lots of Flamingos, best

viewed from the restaurant as described by Gosney.

Anarita Park & Mast: These areas have different habitats to each other and are well worth a visit –

follow directions as mentioned earlier.

Troodos: Quite a contrast to all the other sites, mountainous pine forests around a visitor centre and

set of tourist outlets. The best area for us was as follows: As if coming out of the Ben Nevis café (on

foot), turn right, walk up the road to the first junction, turn left, and then take the next right up a

small road leading past a number of small residential properties. This area was much quieter with

fewer tourists, and was where we saw most of the specialities. We had our best views of the local

Coal Tit sub-species from inside the café itself from a table by the windows. Food was good too.

Zakaki Marsh: This may be much reduced, but there is a good hide, and it still attracts good birds,

well worth a visit.

Lady’s Mile Beach: Gulls were present in numbers at the Zakaki Marsh end of the beach, and a few

waders on the adjacent pools.

Phassouri Reedbeds: Coming from Akrotiri drive past the Aerial Fields, and then take the first paved

road that angles off to the left, as this then bends around to the right take the turn on the left with

an obvious dead-end sign and follow this, it brings you to Phassouri reedbeds. If you continue on

beyond this it brings you to Akrotiri Gravel pits – we found this to be the easiest way to get to this

area. Looking from the Gravel pits towards the reedbeds at dusk is good for roosting harriers.

Cape Greko: Nothing really to add to info already online and in Gosney’s booklet.

Paralimni Lake: Best area was north of Sotira (shown in Gosney), take a paved road right from the

edge of the village of Sotira.

Orolinki Marsh: This has two good hides, it is worth visiting both, each overlooks different areas with

different birds. Very birdy.

Asprokremmos Dam, Copse & Pools: As per Gosney, the pools on our visit were pretty non-existent.

Scrub from the Dam and Copse provided the best views we had of Cyprus Warbler.

Daily log

Thursday 12 March

Having left Gatwick 25 minutes late we landed at Paphos on time at 1:40pm, first birds at the airport

were Hooded Crow and then Feral Pigeon. We picked up our CRV from Europcar and by 2.15pm had

checked into the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (VNI). A short search of the surrounding scrub produced a few

Sardinian Warblers, and there were plenty of Spanish Sparrows around the Inn too.

We drove the 20 minutes up to Kidasi to look for Finsch’s Wheatears, parking by the old road bridge

just beyond the village. From this spot we picked up a few Red-rumped Swallows amongst a large

group of Barn Swallows and House Martins. Walking up the left side of the river we saw Blackcap

and Chiffchaff in the adjacent trees, and then circling over the distant hills a pair of Long-legged

Buzzards. We followed the track as it curved up and left into the hills, seeing a few Woodpigeons as

this track petered out in a shallow level bowl.

From here I picked my way up to the ridge line, flushing two Chukar, and from the ridge as I scanned

the old walls below I picked up a male Cyprus Wheatear. My father made his way up to join me, and

we spent a while watching a small group of Cyprus Wheatears and a single Black-eared Wheatear. A

staccato call drew our attention to a Great Spotted Cuckoo flying over, before we descended along

the ridge line, down into the flatter area below (where we were probably supposed to be), and back

to our car.

We then returned to the VNI for dinner, hearing Scops Owl (as we did each night) from the Inn.

Friday 13 March

At 5.45am we left the VNI for a pre-breakfast visit to Paphos Headland –our hope being to see

Greater Sandplover.

Shortly after 6am we were parked up by the entrance to the archaeological park, seeing a single Sub-

alpine Warbler and a few Sardinian Warblers in the carpark bushes. Continuing around the

headland (outside the fence), we picked up Black Redstart, Corn Buntings and our first Isabelline

Wheatears. Pipits inside and long the fence turned out to be a mix of Red-throated and Meadow,

and a little later on a single Tawny Pipit. Fan-tailed Warblers called and were seen over the park –

whilst a few Quails called from nearby, unseen.

The noisy calls of Hooded Crows and Jackdaws alerted us to their harassment of a Short-eared Owl

which gradually circled up and gained height. The rocky shoreline only revealed the odd Common

Sandpiper by way of waders, and we had seen pretty much nothing out to sea until we bumped into

another visiting birder (who had seen Crimson-winged Finch and Masked Shrike at the headland the

previous day).

As we walked round to where the finch had been the previous day with this birder he picked out the

only Yelkouan Shearwater of our trip. Further scanning offshore produced a flock of 34 Black-

headed Gulls and two Mediterranean Gulls. Unfortunately the only finches we saw were a Linnet

and a few Goldfinches and Serins. Returning to the car we added a few Stonechat and a couple of

Yellow-legged Gulls offshore.

After breakfast at the VNI, a short scan of the adjacent hills (once again signalled by calling Hooded

Crows) revealed three soaring Common Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and three Kestrels. We then

returned in the Paphos direction to the sewerage works (the sites a birder goes to on holiday…). At

these we easily (and well) saw Spur-winged Plovers, and our first Cattle Egrets. A brief visit to the

adjacent Acheleia soak-away added little (a Northern Wheatear), so we moved on to Mandria.

At first our searching of the fields near the beach revealed little – White Wagtails and Meadow

Pipits, plus the common Crested Larks. Driving along the un-surfaced road towards the picnic site it

became clear that the rough ground held good numbers of birds, so we spend some time searching

this area. Here amongst the more commonly seen birds we added more Red-throated and Tawny

Pipits, and our only Greater Short-toed Larks and Desert Wheatear.

Moving on to the picnic area we checked the shoreline and offshore rocks, and these revealed a

single Little Ringed Plover and two Shags. From here we checked further fields as we looped back to

Mandria, but with little new seen.

From Mandria we drove to Kourion Stadium near Episkopi, this took some finding, but we eventually

parked by the ruins.

Bird calls led us anti-clockwise from the carpark (right) around the stadium walls. These calls quickly

revealed the first of several stunning male Ruppell’s Warblers and a few Sardinian Warblers. As we

followed the walls around I had a brief sighting of a female Cyprus Warbler, but this was very elusive

and my father never caught sight of it. We continued on towards the far left corner of the stadium,

seeing a fly-over Marsh Harrier, and then as we tracked back picked up a few Cyprus Wheatears and

a Eastern Black-eared Wheatear.

A calling fly-over bunting led us up-hill towards a further fenced-off archaeological area. Here we

saw 16 Cretzschmar’s Buntings, and then a real highlight of the trip, a superb Masked Shrike. A last

loop around and through the stadium produced a Woodlark, and Isabelline Wheatear. From here

we drove to Kensington Cliffs – this site took some finding.

On parking the car we quickly became aware of Alpine Swifts flying overhead. It took rather longer

to scan the sea-cliffs looking into the strong sunlight, but eventually we picked up 3 Griffon Vultures

perched on these cliffs.

We decided to close the day by heading over to the Akrotiri Salt Lake to see Flamingos, and though

distant this proved straightforward. We also picked up a few distant Shoveller, Mallard and

Shelduck, plus our first Black-winged Stilts of the trip.

Saturday 14 March

Pre-breakfast we had another (failed) go at seeing Finsch’s Wheatear, this time visiting the Anarita

Park and Mast areas.

Setting off at 05:45 again, we followed Wolfbirder’s directions heading up to the ‘two plateaus’ area.

Initially (by mistake) we took the turning before that which heads up to the two plateaus, this led up

to a small parking/turning area and adjacent flatish area leading on to another hill. This was a

fortuitous error, as walking across the flat area we picked up a few Cretzschmar’s Buntings, and

then on reaching the slopes leading up to the next hill, a male Cyprus Warbler, singing from the

bush-tops, much to my father’s relief in particular. From this spot, looking back down towards the

track we had taken we saw a Cyprus Wheatear, and another (female) Cyprus Warbler.

Moving on to the correct track we made our way up to the second plateau area and birded from

here. Good views were had of Ruppell’s Warblers, and a few more Cretzschmar’s Buntings, plus

hundreds of Spanish Sparrows up towards the goat farm, but no Finsch’s Wheatear. From here we

picked our way over to Anarita Mast.

After a short stop to admire a few pipits scurrying around some muck heaps we drove up to the

Mast area, where the flat scrubby habitat is quite different from that of the Anarita Park hills. Here a

black-throated Eastern Black-Eared Wheatear gave us a moment of false hope re Finsch’s, and we

enjoyed good views of Spectacled Warblers and Stonechats before leaving for breakfast.

After breakfast we set of up to Troodos – a fairly straightforward and scenic drive. Arriving at the

visitor centre carpark we were a bit surprised by the amount of snow. That and we were cold, as it

was also overcast and windy. A few Chaffinches and other common birds drew us to the edge of the

carpark by the (closed) visitor centre and I briefly spotted a Coal Tit, unfortunately this eluded my

father, but we assumed it would be easy to see more – it wasn’t. We also picked up the first of

several Short-toed Treecreepers, these are smartly marked birds, often drawing attention to

themselves by calling.

Walking up towards the main tourist area we added hundreds more Chaffinch, and a few other

common finches, before making our way up to an area of spread out domestic properties and open

pine forest. Here we picked up more Short-toed Treecreepers, added Siskins to the list of finches for

the trip, and then heard calling Crossbills. We eventually tracked down a female and immature bird,

and then latter a mixed group of 5 male and female birds, these posed well for us. During this period

I thought I heard, and then eventually saw a single Hawfinch, but this flew before my father caught

sight of it.

We walked up to the furthest of the properties, and just as we were conceding it was time to return,

and that we had not even heard Jay, two flew from a tree, one posing nicely. From here were turned

back towards the main area of cafes, and as we did so caught up with two more Hawfinches, which

we both saw well, our first Blackbird of the trip, and then overhead two Bonelli’s Eagles. By now

cold and hungry we retired to the ‘Ben Nevis’ café for some hot food and drink. Thankfully the

window table we bagged duly delivered good views of Coal Tit, and once fed we moved on.

It looked like the best road down from the mountains would bring us into Lemesos, and reasonably

near to Zakaki Marsh, so we resolved to head there and bird some of the sites from there around the

Akrotiri area. Parking up at Zakaki we quickly spotted Little Ringed Plover on the pools over the

road, and then headed up into the hide. From the hide we enjoyed excellent views of Ferruginous

Ducks, our first Little Egrets and Green Sandpiper, plus other common waterbirds.

It was clear that there were numbers of mostly Black-headed Gulls over at the near end of Lady’s

Mile Beach, so we headed over there, stopping for our first and only Starling, and the first of many

Kentish Plovers. Amongst the Black-headed Gulls were good numbers of smart pinkly washed

Slender-billed Gulls; always nice to see.

From here we drove along the edge of the salt/sand flat alongside the beach and up to Akrotiri.

Checking the pools beside this track produced a new wader in the form of 3 Little Stints. As we

progressed storm clouds and lightning appeared ominously in our direction of travel, and as we

approached the Aerial Farm it started to rain heavily. A brief look at the salt lake from the edge of

Akrotiri added nothing new, and so we eventually found our way to Phassourri reedbeds. These

produced our first Common Snipe and good views of quartering Marsh Harriers, but the rain meant

there was no chance of small birds here. We continued on to the Akrotiri Gravel Pits, again adding

little new in the rain, before returning to the reedbeds for the last half hour of light. As the rain

eased we saw good numbers of Marsh Harriers coming in to roost, before finally heading off for

dinner.

Sunday 15 March

A full day in the Cape Greko and surrounding area. We started with a stop at Kermia Beach, where

we quickly picked up single Audouin’s Gull, Little Egret and Spectacled Warbler. From here we

moved on to the sea-caves/rubbish dump area at the base of Cape Greko. Whilst we picked up some

nice birds here it was apparent that it was rather a quiet day.

Walking the ‘fields’ produced many Spectacled Warblers and good numbers of Ruppell’s Warblers,

plus a few Eastern Bonnelli’s Warblers and Chiffchaffs. We slowly picked up a few larks – the ever-

present Crested, a couple of Skylarks, and the highlight, one or two Lesser Short-toed Lark. A Red-

rumped Swallow was picked out overhead, and offshore a single Audouin’s Gull, possibly the bird

from Kermia. As we returned to the car we added a Cyprus Wheatear to the few Northern and

Isabelline Wheatears we had already picked up.

As we drove through the pines at the start of the entrance track to the headland at Cape Greko we

picked up some small bird movement and so stopped. After a lot of effort we eventually added first

a few Chiffchaff, but then more encouragingly an Eastern Orphean Warbler, single ‘Ehrenberg’s’

Common Redstart and Blackcap.

Moving on to the headland we added more Ruppell’s and Spectacled Warblers, a couple of Lesser

Whitethroat, and single Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. Another Cyprus Wheatear was seen around the

car park, an area where we also saw two Woodlark, and nearby a few Cretzschmar’s Buntings. As

the heat built and our sightings dwindled we decided to move on.

We had a short visit to the area around the blue-roofed chapel, but added nothing further.

Next stop was Paralimni Lake, where after a few largely bird-less stops we made our way to the

Sotira pools. Although difficult to see – being largely obscured by surrounding bushes, these with

patience revealed a few birds. Lots of Ruff were present, as where a few Spotted Redshank,

Greenshank and good numbers of Green Sandpiper. A passing Marsh Harrier attracted attention

from the resident Spur-winged Plovers, but out in the middle of the lake there were only two

Flamingo mooching about.

From Paralimni Lake we drove over to Orolinki, and thankfully a marked increase in bird numbers,

and the ease of seeing birds.

First stop on exiting the motorway was the hide by the petrol station. From this we enjoyed the

masses of water-birds and gulls. Highlights included Flamingos, Cattle and Little Egrets, a single

Avocet, lots of ducks, and amongst the many Black-headed Gulls, good numbers of Mediterranean

and Slender-billed Gulls, plus two nice adult Armenian Gulls.

At the first hide we looked at the map on the ground floor to work out where the second hide was,

and with a brief stop to check the small pool on the opposite side of the road (Spur-winged Plover),

we made our way around to the second hide.

The pools visible from the second hide had a different set of birds to the first, these included Red-

crested Pochards, our only Wigeon of the trip, a pair of Garganey and a reasonable selection of

waders. The highlight was a single Marsh Sandpiper, but there were plenty of Ruff, a few Spotted

and Common Redshank, and distant Little Stint and Little Ringed Plovers.

We returned for the last half hour of light to the first hide – the light was better than from the

second, to see if any other heron or gull species came in to roost. Whilst the Cattle Egret numbers

grew to an impressive 216, we added nothing new.

On our return drive home we discussed having a look for Scops Owl after dinner, but before we got

there another owl surprised us; a Barn Owl briefly ghosting through our headlights as we exited the

motorway!

Back in my room I was just about to get in the shower when I heard a Scops Owl calling, seemingly

just outside. I wrapped a towel around my waist, put on my bins and stepped out on the balcony.

Thankfully no photographic evidence of this exists. Incredibly I saw a Scops Owl fly out of the tree in

front of me, and then tracked down another calling from a higher branch.

On went some clothes, around to my father’s room and back, and yes it was still there – we enjoyed

watching this bird for a good while, a real highlight.

Monday 16 March

Our last half day, and we started with a 90 minute walk up the valley from the VNI, before returning

for breakfast at 07:30am. The walk was rather disappointing, the valley bottom staying in shade for

most of our walk, and we only saw birds we had regularly seen to that point. It was interesting to see

a gathering of 140 Jackdaws in one large bare tree, but otherwise nothing notable was seen.

On returning to the VMI I spotted our car had a flat tyre, what a pain. Europcar provided an

incredibly prompt and professional response. By the time we had finished breakfast the tyre had

been repaired, and we could be on our way. After picking up a couple of Alpine Swifts above VMI

our first stop was at the Asprokremmos Dam.

Initially we parked at the North-West end of the dam, and checked the adjacent scrub and pines,

plus the bird-less lake itself. An early highlight was a showy if slightly distant male Cyprus Warbler

that sang from the culvert-side scrub below the dam. More Alpine Swifts and Common Swifts were

present overhead, though a short walk through the pines was disappointing – a few Chiffchaff and

Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers.

We then drove along to the ‘amenities area’ and from here walked up to and through the orchard to

the scrub beyond. As we walked towards the orchard it was great to see three Hoopoes feeding, and

in one case dust-bathing in front of us. These silently slipped away as we got closer. Moving on to

the scrub beyond the small copse produced brief views of another male Cyprus Warbler, plus to

prove that some birds do use the reservoir, a single Cormorant.

Whilst on the dam we had not been able to see any pools in the area below it, but we decided to

check the Aspro’ Pools area anyway as we were so close. A small pool spanning the access track held

a Green Sandpiper, and at the two very small pools present below the dam we added a Blackcap,

but no crakes.

There was just enough time left for a short visit to Mandria, so we made our way through the village

and on towards the beach. Stopping to check various bare and ploughed fields eventually paid off as

my father spotted three Stone Curlews on the far side of one. Lifted by this we drove on towards the

small headland. Initially the rough grass seemed quieter than our previous visit but gradually we saw

a few pipits, larks and wheatears.

Driving up to the picnic area it became clear that this was where most of the birds were – a flock of

20-odd larks plus a Tawny Pipit. We identified these larks as Lesser Short-toed, but it seems likely

that this was somewhat hasty as a local birder more experienced with the larks on Cyprus identified

a similar number of Greater in exactly the same spot that day. A short sea-watch produced perhaps

the rarest (local) sighting of our trip, an adult Gannet flying steadily past. With that sadly we had to

depart for our own flight North.

Concluding thoughts

We had a great trip, thoroughly enjoying Cyprus and the birding, it is a great destination for early

spring birding. We will have to return another time for Finsch’s Wheatear…

I would like to thank all of those that provided help and advice during the trip, and the helpful

birders we met along the way.

Happy birding, Paul.

Southern Cyprus mid-March 2015 trip report

Author: Paul Sharp

This list covers a long weekend birding in Southern Cyprus between the 12th and 16th March 2015.

Species list

1. LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1)

15/03/2015: Paralimni Lake / Sotira Pools (4), Orolinki Marsh (12)

2. YELKOUAN SHEARWATER Puffinus yelkouan

Surprisingly (to a first time visitor) only a single shearwater seen.

13/03/2015: Pathos Headland (1)

3. NORTHERN GANNET Sula bassana

I was unaware of how uncommon a sighting Northern Gannet was in Cyprus.

16/03/2015: Mandria (1, adult in steady flight West)

4. GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo

With the exception of the single bird seen at the Aspro’ Dam all birds noted were seen in

large flocks in flight overhead.

13/03/2015: Mandria (56), Kensington Cliffs (76)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (1)

5. EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis

13/03/2015: Mandria (2)

6. CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis

13/03/2015: Paphos water treatment plant (3)

15/03/2015: Orolokini Marsh (216, evening roost)

7. LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (5)

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (1), Paralimni Lake (2), Orolinki Marsh (6)

[GREAT EGRET Ardea alba]

13/03/2015: Akrotiri Salt Lake (22 large white egrets were too distant to be identified

with certainty but probably of this species)

8. GREY HERON Ardea cinerea

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1)

15/03/2015: Paralimni Lake (7)

9. GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus

13/03/2015: Akrotiri Salt Lake (320)


15/03/2015: Paralimni Lake (2), Orolinki Marsh (29)

10. COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna


11. EURASIAN WIGEON Anas Penelope

15/03/2015: Orolokini Marsh (2)

12. EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (2)


13. MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos


14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (4), Phassouri Reedbeds (1), Akrotiri Gravel Pits (3)


14. GARGANEY Anas querquedula


15. NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata


15/03/2015: Orolinki Marsh (80)

16. RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina


17. FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (5)

18. EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus

13/03/2015: Kensington Cliffs (3)

19. WESTERN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus

13/03/2015: Kourion Stadium (1, migrant flying over), Akrotiri Lake (1)

14/03/2015: Phassouri Reedbeds (6)


20. EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus

13/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (1)

21. COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo




22. LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus

13/03/2015: Kidasi (2)

23. BONELLI'S EAGLE Aquila fasciatus

14/03/2015: Troodos (2)

24. COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus

Seen more often than noted below.

12/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (1), Kidasi (2)

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (2), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (4), Kourion Stadium (2)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (1), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (2), Phassouri Reedbeds (1)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (2), Cape Greko Headland (1), Paralimni Lake (2)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (4)

25. CHUKAR Alectoris chukar

12/03/2015: Kidasi (2)

13/03/2015: Phaphos water treatment plant (2)

14/03/2015: Anarita Mast (1)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (3)

[COMMON QUAIL Coturnix coturnix]

13/03/2015: Paphos Headland (2+ heard only, calling from inside of fence)

[WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus]

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1 heard only)

26. COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus



27. EURASIAN COOT Fulica atra

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (3)


28. BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus

13/03/2015: Akrotiri Lake (8)

14/03/2015: Lady’s Mile Beach pools (7)


29. PIED AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta


30. EURASIAN STONE-CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus

16/03/2015: Mandria (3)

31. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius

13/03/2015: Mandria (1)

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1)


32. KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrines

14/03/2015: Lady’s Mile Beach pools (8), Akrotiri Gravel Pits (14)

33. SPUR-WINGED LAPWING Vanellus spinosus

13/03/2015: Phaphos water treatment plant (11)

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1)


34. LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta

14/03/2015: Lady’s Mile Beach pools (3)


35. RUFF Philomachus pugnax


36. COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago



37. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus


38. COMMON REDSHANK Tringa tetanus


39. MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis


40. COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia


41. GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1), Akrotiri Gravel Pits (3)


16/03/2015: Aspro’ pools (1)

42. COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (3)

43. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus



44. COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (34, single flock with 2 Med. Gulls)

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1), Lady’s Mile Beach (180)


45. SLENDER-BILLED GULL Larus genei

14/03/2015: Lady’s Mile Beach (13)


46. AUDOUIN'S GULL Larus audouinii

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (1), Cape Greko Sea Caves (1, may have been the same bird as

seen at Kermia)

47. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis


14/03/2015: Kensington Cliffs (4), Lady’s Mile Beach (2)

16/03/2015: Mandria (1)

48. ARMENIAN GULL Larus armenicus

14/03/2015: Akrotiri Gravel Pits (1, adult, moult into summer plumage not yet complete,

seen by JLS only)

15/03/2015: Orolinki Marsh (2, adults, coming out of winter plumage)

49. (FERAL) ROCK DOVE Columba livia

Commonly seen, noted as follows:

12/03/2015: Phaphos Airport (5), Kidasi (18)


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (20)


50. COMMON WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus

12/03/2015: Kidasi (3)


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (4), Troodos (2)


51. EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto

12/03/2015: Kidasi (2)



52. GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO Clamator glandarius

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)


53. BARN OWL Tyto alba

15/03/2015: A6 Mandria exit (1)

54. EURASIAN (CYPRUS) SCOPS OWL Otus scops

15/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (2 seen, plus heard calling each night from 12-15 March

inclusive)

55. SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus


56. COMMON SWIFT Apus apus





16/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (2), Aspro’ Dam (12), Mandria (4)

57. ALPINE SWIFT Tachymarptis melba

13/03/2015: Kourion Stadium (1), Kensington Cliffs (11)


16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (8)

58. EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (3)

59. GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla

13/03/2015: Mandria (9)

60. LESSER SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella rufescens

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (1 or 2, may have been the same bird seen twice)

[16/03/2015: Mandria (24 larks initially identified as this species, more likely to have

been Greater short-toed Lark)]

61. CRESTED LARK Galerida cristata

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (3), Mandria (4), Kourion Stadium (2), Akrotiri Lake (2)

14/03/2015: Aspro’ Mast (3), Lady’s Mile Beach (2)

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (4), Cape Greko Sea Caves (7), Cape Greko Headland (8), Cape

Greko Rock Arch (2), Orolinki Marsh (5)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2), Mandria (6)

62. WOODLARK Lullula arborea

13/03/2015: Kourion Stadium (1)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Headland (2)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2)

63. EURASIAN SKYLARK Alauda arvensis


16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (1)

64. BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica


13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (10), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (30), Kourion Stadium (8)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (8), Zakaki Marsh (3)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (8), Orolinki Marsh (30)

16/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (6), Mandria (8)

65. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica

12/03/2015: Kidasi (6)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (1), Cape Greko Headland (1)

66. COMMON HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum


13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (4), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (20)

67. TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (1), Mandria (3)

16/03/2015: Mandria (1)

68. MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (3), Aspro’ Mast (2)



69. RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus


14/03/2015: Aspro’ Mast (2)


70. WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (4), Paphos water treatment plant (14), Mandria (8)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (4), Aspro’ Mast (12), Zakaki Marsh (4)

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (2), Cape Greko Sea Caves (4), Cape Greko Headland (2),

Paralimni Lake (5), Orolinki Marsh (3)

16/03/2015: Mandria (8)

71. EUROPEAN ROBIN Erithacus rubecula




72. WESTERN BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros

13/03/2015: Paphos Headland (3), Kourion Stadium (1)

14/03/2015: Troodos (1)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2)

73. (EHRENBERG'S) COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus

15/03/2015: Pines at Cape Greko Headland (1 male)

74. COMMON STONECHAT Saxicola rubicola

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (3), Kourion Stadium (1)



75. ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Oenanthe isabellina

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (6), Mandria (4), Kourion Stadium (2)



16/03/2015: Mandria (2)

76. NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (2), Phaphos water treatment plant (1), Mandria (4),

Kourion Stadium (2)



77. CYPRUS WHEATEAR Oenanthe cypriaca


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (2)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2)

78. EASTERN BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR Oenanthe melanoleuca

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)



79. DESERT WHEATEAR Oenanthe deserti

13/03/2015: Mandria (1)

80. EURASIAN BLACKBIRD Turdus merula

14/03/2015: Troodos (1)

81. SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (2), Cape Geko Headland (4)


[CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti]

Heard only (and more often than noted below).

12/03/2015: Kidasi (2)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (1)



82. ZITTING CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis


13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (3), Paphos water treatment plant (1), Mandria (3)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (2)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (1)

83. SPECTACLED WARBLER Sylvia conspicillata

14/03/2015: Aspro’ Mast (2)

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (1), Cape Greko Sea Caves (8), Cape Greko Headland (4), Cape

Greko rock arch (3)

84. SUBALPINE WARBLER Sylvia cantillans


85. SARDINIAN WARBLER Sylvia melanocephala




15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (2), Cape Greko Headland (2), Cape Greko rock-arch

(1)

16/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (4), Aspro’ Dam (4)

86. CYPRUS WARBLER Sylvia melanothorax


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (2)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2)

87. RÜPPELL'S WARBLER Sylvia rueppelli


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (1)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Sea Caves (5), Cape Greko Headland (4), Cape Greko rock-arch

(2)

88. EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER Sylvia crassirostris

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Headland pines (1)

89. LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca

15/03/2015: Cape Greko Headland (2), Cape Greko rock-arch (1)

90. EURASIAN BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)


15/03/2015: Cape Greko Headland pines (1)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (1)

91. EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER Phylloscopus orientalis

15/03/2015: Cape Greko sea caves (3), Cape Greko Headland (3), Cape Greko rock-arch

(2)

92. COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita

12/03/2015: Kidasi (1)


15/03/2015: Cape Greko sea caves (3), Cape Greko Headland (3), Cape Greko rock-arch

(1), Orolinki Marsh (2)


93. (CYPRUS) COAL TIT Parus ater

14/03/2015: Troodos (5)

94. GREAT TIT Parus major

13/03/2015: Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (2), Kourion Stadium (4)



95. (DOROTHY’S) SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER Certhia brachydactyla

14/03/2015: Troodos (5)

96. MASKED SHRIKE Lanius nubicus


97. (CYPRUS) EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandarius

14/03/2015: Troodos (2)

98. EURASIAN MAGPIE Pica pica



14/03/2015: Anarita Park (8)

15/03/2015: Cape Greko sea caves (3)

16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (4)

99. WESTERN JACKDAW Corvus monedula

12/03/2015: Kidasi (8)

13/03/2015: Phaphos Headland (12), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (12)

14/03/2015: Anarita Park (30)



100. HOODED CROW Corvus cornix


12/03/2015: Paphos Airport (5), Vasilias Nikoklis Inn (4), Kidasi (2)


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (20), Phassouri Reedbeds (18)



101. COMMON STARLING Sturnus vulgaris

14/03/2015: Zakaki Marsh (1)

102. HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus






103. SPANISH SPARROW Passer hispaniolensis


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (60))

15/03/2015: Kermia Beach (6), Cape Greko sea caves (4)


104. COMMON CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs

12/03/2015: Kidasi (3)





105. EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus

12/03/2015: Kidasi (3)




106. EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris




15/03/2015: Cape Greko sea caves (4), Cape Greko Headland (6)


107. EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis


13/03/2015: Paphos Headland (2), Kourion Stadium (6)

14/03/2015: Aspro’ Mast (20), Troodos (30)



108. EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus

14/03/2015: Troodos (4)

109. COMMON LINNET Carduelis cannabina

13/03/2015: Paphos Headland (1)

110. (CYPRUS) RED CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra

14/03/2015: Troodos (5)

111. HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes

14/03/2015: Troodos (3)

112. CRETZSCHMAR'S BUNTING Emberiza caesia


14/03/2015: Anarita Park (4)


16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (1)

113. CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra





16/03/2015: Aspro’ Dam (2)

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