Akrotiri Area

On arriving at Zakaki this morning on a colder than normal day, we were greeted by 3 Common Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) and a Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), later a female Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) and Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago).

Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Moving a little further to Ladies Mile, 7 Common Redshank (Tringa erythropus) were seen along with a number of Black Headed Gull, together with Armenian.

  Common Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

Calling in at Kensington Cliffs it was good to see 14 Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), 10 were sheltering on the rock face from the wind while 4 were circling overhead.

Paphos Headland

A walk along Paphos headland today (30/12/15) in sunny but breezy conditions, found 4 Greater Sandplover huddled down in the rocks, there were also c30 Golden Plover flying south along the coast.

  Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultia)

A Whimbrel was also present along with a Sandwich Tern Common Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper. Numerous Finches, Meadow Pipit and Stonechat were feeding. Starling and Cormorant were flying over.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 

Mavrokolympos, Arodes and Avakas

Taking our mince pies out with us today, we travelled through the Mavrokolympus dam area to get to the Akoursos road, on the way we spotted the male Finsch's Wheatear. Hoping to see some raptors on the way up to Akoursos did not materialise. It was not until we got near Arodes that we saw our first, a pair of adult Bonelli's Eagle.

   Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata)

Having a couple of hours to spare, we decided to walk up to the narrowest section of the Avakas Gorge only. On arriving at a location before that we decided to wait as we had seen and photographed a Wallcreeper here in February, being a good location Dave waited with the camera while Jan went a little further, on arriving just before the narrowest section she spotted a Wallcreeper. Ten minutes later a couple came down and gave Dave a message to go further up, on proceeding we established that the bird was disturbed by this couple coming down. This cant be helped as this is the narrowest part of the gorge and although quiet this afternoon, any movement through this section will result in the bird flying elsewhere. Next time Jan will have a camera with her! Photograph below taken earlier last month but from further up the gorge.

 Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)

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Dave and Jan

Coral Bay to Avakas Coast

A trip to the coast via Mavrokolympos Dam, in beautiful sunshine for late December.
At Mavrokolympos we were greeted by a Long-legged Buzzard and 9 Little Grebe, there were Serin, Stonechat, White Wagtail and Linnet in the area. The highlight was seeing the male Finsch's Wheatear still present that was located in this area for the first time on the 15th December.
We moved down to the coast in the Coral Bay area where we found a male Blue Rock Thrush, Common Kingfisher, Black Redstart, flocks of Spanish Sparrow, Linnet and Goldfinch.

Jan was taking a rest whilst I was attempting to get photographs !

A Cetti's Warbler was seen hopping about in a bush close to me, but could not be photographed, another half hour wasted, no wonder Jan was sitting down. Only photo managed was a Stonechat and a Butterfly.

Common Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea)

Moving on to Cape Drepano there were a large number of Yellow-legged Gull with 4 shag and a Sandwich Tern feeding off the Geronisos Island. A large number of Jackdaw, flocks of Spanish Sparrow and Stonechat were in the area.

We moved on to the Avakas Coastal area where we found both male and female Blue Rock Thrush plus a number of Black Redstart.

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitaries) 

   

Agia Varvara

Having not been able to get out for a few days, it was nice to spend a few hours around the Agia Varvara area of Paphos. Lovely December weather feeling very nice in the sunshine. We were immediately greeted by a pair of Little Owls, with Jan on the camera she managed some reasonable shots. Next up were Finsch's Wheatear, a female and male in different locations, too far for a photograph, so have included one from an earlier date last month (19/11/15) in the same location. Also seen in the area a Common Buzzard, Immature Bonelli's Eagle, Woodlark, Black Redstart, Long Legged Buzzard, Cetti's Warbler and Stonechats were plentiful everywhere we went.

Little Owl (Athene noctua)

Finsch's Wheatear female (Oenanthe finschii)

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

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Kidasi Field Trip

A good birding day out today on a BirdLife Cyprus field trip starting at Asprokremmos Dam where a number of Great Cormorant were observed at the far end, while Grey Heron and a Cormorant were together at the wall end. Moving on up the Diarizos at least 9 Griffon Vultures were seen circling over the adjacent hills, there were also a couple of Bonelli's Eagle spotted in the distance. Arriving at Kidasi it was nice to see 3 Finsch's Wheatear, of which one showed very well on the walk back down.