Raptor Watch

Raptor Watch for BirdLife Cyprus at Mandria Paphos.
At the start the usual Common Kestrels were hunting over the fields and shortly after a Black Kite was chased out to sea by mobbing Hooded Crows. There were various groups of Red-footed Falcon rising together with smaller numbers of Honey Buzzard, a group of European Bee Eaters were seen along with others heard throughout the morning. A long-legged Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were seen.
Moving to the West side of Mandria there were 17 Red footed Falcon on wires which diminished to 9 although there was evidence of some returning. Also in the same area 2 European Roller and a Bonelli's Eagle.
We completed our day with a visit to Paphos Sewage Works where a couple of Northern Lapwing along with the resident Spur Winged Plover were seen.

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Female Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus

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

Recent Butterflies

Thymelicus acteon (Lulworth Skipper)

Carcharodus alceae (Mallow Skipper)

Pontia daplidice (Bath White)

Akamas National Park

Akamas National Park Area, although very hot 35c it was worth seeing many European Roller in breeding locations together with Cyprus Wheatear. Masked and Woodchat Shrike and juvenile Little Owls.

European Roller (Coracias garrulus), A passage migrant and breeding summer visitor to Cyprus. Akamas National Park

European Roller (Coracias garrulus), A passage migrant and breeding summer visitor to Cyprus. Akamas National Park

Juvenile Little Owl (Athene noctura), a resident breeding bird of Cyprus, Akamas National Park

Mavrokolympos

A trip to our local area of Mavrokolympos, for a change the focus was on Dragonflies and Damselflies and not Birds. Although close views of Cetti's Warbler and Squacco Heron were had.
Expecting to find Calopteryx splendens and Epallage fatime that were seen last year it was good to see some other species including the Persian Bluetail (Ischnura intermedia) that was only reported for the first time in Cyprus in 2013. Also observed were Anax parthenope and Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus).

Persian Bluetail (Ischnura intermedia)

Epillage fatime

Epillage fatime

Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus)

Akamas European Roller Survey

10/05/16 Having recently completed a European Roller (Coracias garrulus) survey on behalf of BirdLife Cyprus in the national park area of the Akamas, It was good to see a number of birds using the area for breeding. This bird migrants vast distances from South Africa to its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia.
In the same area a number of Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) can be seen, again using the area for breeding. This bird differs with its migration route arriving to breed in Europe and Asia from its over wintering area which is mainly India.

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

https://www.facebook.com/cyprusbirdsandnature