Blunt Nosed Viper

A walk up the inlet of Mavrokolympos dam looking for dragonflies with Dave's brother we came to an abrupt halt when we came close to a Blunt Nosed Viper (Macrovipera lebetina), that unusually did not scurry off, probably due to the fact that it had just started to digest it's prey. A venomous snake that will only attack in self defence.

Mavrokolympos Dam

Having seen an early morning report of a Lesser Grey Shrike in our local area of Mavrokolympos Dam we we thought migration must be picking up. A visit to the area did not produce the Lesser Grey but did manage a Red Backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike and a few Masked Shrike. There were also a couple of Little Grebe on the water and a number of Cyprus Wheatear that are now in autumn plumage, a rear and front view is shown below.

Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) Mavrokolympos Dam 

Cyprus Wheatear ( Oenanthe cypriaca), Mavrokolympos Dam

Cyprus Wheatear ( Oenanthe cypriaca), Mavrokolympos Dam