Cyprus, 4-10 April 2007

Back to The Somerset Birder

Trip Participants: James & Emma Packer; Andrew & Wendy Slade

James Packer

james.packer@somersetbirder.co.uk

http://www.somersetbirder.co.uk

Andrew Slade

slades@seaside7.freeserve.co.uk

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/burnhambirds

Summary

Cyprus is just nice and easy. In April the birding is easy with a few quality birds, attractive Mediterranean spring scenery, good food and nice weather (sometimes!). Admittedly, there may be better birding places not too far away in Europe, but if you’re after a hassle-free spring Eastern Mediterranean birding experience you can’t do a lot better.

Logistics

If you fancy staying in a cramped holiday complex, sleeping on an uncomfortable pull out sofa in the living room, book any one of the zillions of package deals available.

We decided we’d had enough of fake holiday representatives long ago. They can stick their welcome meetings (rip-off coach tour sales pitch) where the sun most certainly does not shine!

We flew with a tourist charter simply because it was the cheapest and flew at reasonable times from Bristol airport.

We booked a pre paid hire car through Easycar that was picked up at the airport and drove straight to the fabulous Villa Kianos, owned and maintained by Theanan Seaview Villas. We could not recommend these villas highly enough. Situated minutes from Cape Drepanum they are far enough away from Paphos and Coral Bay to be quiet, excellent birding 30 seconds walk from the villa and private gardens with our own large pool. With four people this proved cheaper than any package and the quality difference would have been incomparable. Villa Kianos was a huge three bedroom villa and we paid much less than a standard package deal.

Our Easycar was a Europcar Kia. It had 80,000+ miles on the clock and with a knackered gear box. I’m used to Europcar providing nearly new cars, but not so on Cyprus. Our theory was that it was a larger car than we’d booked and with all the dents and scratches that were on it they wouldn’t notice any more we added. It turned out to be OK and we took it off road plenty of times and grounded it several. If you can afford a proper four-wheel drive I’d seriously recommend it.

Birdline Cyprus

The number is (357) 26323927. This is a cheap information service that seems to run on a non-profit basis. The number works from mobiles within Cyprus and from the UK. However it relies on information being left (obviously) and information is usually at least 24 hours old. A number of major rarities were present on the island during our trip that we never knew about, despite phoning this service several times (including Dunn’s Lark, first for Europe – doh!).

Sites visited

You can read about most of these in either Gosney (1995 check) or Stagg & Hearl (2001) but these books are now very out of date and don’t include a couple of sites that you will probably need to know how to find. The following is a bit of extra information that is generally not in these two books.

Cape Drepanum

Also seen written as Cape Drapanum, I’m not sure which is correct. This is the area around Ayios Yeoryios church, which is signposted from the main road (E714). We visited this site every morning as we were staying only minutes up the road. I suspect this site is now better than Paphos headland, not least because you can enter freely and wander where you like. Some major rarities turn up here, the best we could find was a singing River Warbler. Anywhere is good for migrants, especially the road past the posh villa that heads back towards Coral Bay direction.

Paphos Headland

We only visited once. The place seemed full of birders’ who moaned about “how it used to be so much better than this … ”. This was enough for me to leave them to it. The site now has a fence around it, but you can still sneak in through the broken swing gate on the west side. Apparently this is tolerated, but it just didn’t feel right, my advice would be to find another site to visit.

Baths’ of Aphrodite

Hasn’t changed much from the site guides.

Asprokremnos Dam and Pools

Again, hasn’t changed much from the site guides. A generally disappointing area this year, with only one small pool that had any water. Considering the number of birds that were around this small pool, it is a shame that the site cannot be managed for conservation benefit. I guess we should be glad access is tolerated at all, and the site is not stuffed full of lime sticks and mist nets.

Anarita Park

This is a site you will read about or hear mentioned. First things, it is not a park. It is an area of rocky hillside in the middle of nowhere. Directions are difficult, but try this: Turn off the main B6 road east of Paphos towards Agia Varvara. This road passes underneath the motorway. At this point clock the distance and drive exactly 3km north. There will be an unassuming dirt track on the right hand side. Take this and drive as far as you can. Eventually the road descends into a valley. At this point it looks dodgy to take a car further and you can see a large goat pen on the hillside opposite. This is the area where most birders find the specialties. Admittedly we didn’t, but that was our bad luck.

Paphos Sewage Works

From Acheleia take the road towards the coast that is just to the left of the large Keo sign. This road goes close to the airport and you can see the airport traffic tower on your left. Follow the road that bends sharply to the right. The sewage works are over the fence on your left. On the road down check out the bizarre hut with the grotesque plastic models hung outside. A scene straight from Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Phassouri reedbeds

This site is good for such a tiny visible patch of open water. It seems a shame that not more is done for conservation at this site, but I understand that the place has only just been stopped from being drained altogether. A couple of hides and some reed management could do wonders. It’s much the same as in the site guides.

Akrotiri Lake and Ladies Mile

Being honest, this whole place is a total dump. It does get good birds, but we didn’t find it an attractive place to go birding. Almost unchanged from the site guides.

Bird List

Teal Anas crecca

One at the Asprokremmos Dam on the 8^th.

Garganey Anas querquedula

Seven where seen at Phassouri Reedbeds on 6th. Passage birds included 20 north at Cape Drepanum on 7^th and 2 north here on 9^th.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

There were seven at Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th.

Pochard Aythya farina

One Phassouri Reedbed on the 6^th

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca

There were eleven at Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

A single at Phassouri reedbeds on the 6^th.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

2 at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th and 5 at Phassouri Reedbeds on the 6^th.

Scapoli’s Shearwater Caleonectris scapoli

One flew north past Carol Bay on the 11^th.

Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan

Two singles north past Cape Drepanum (9^th) and Coral Bay (11^th).

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

9 flew north at Coral Bay on the 10^th.

Night Heron Nyciticorax nyciticorax

There was one at the Asprokremmos Dam on the 5^th and 8^th with 3 there on the 11^th. One flew in off the sea at Paphos Headland on 8^th and two flew north at Lempa on 10^th.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

One flew north at Coral Bay on the 8^th.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

The only sighting was of two at Phassouri Reedbed on 6th.

Little Egret Egretta garzeltta

A single was seen at the Baths of Aphrodites on the 7^th,and six were at Cape Drepanum on the 9^th.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

7 north, Cape Drepanum on the 7^th, and 6 north at Coral Bay on the 8^th.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Passage noted on two days, with 40 north on the 7^th, and 16 north on the 11^th at Coral Bay.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

1 north, Cape Drepanum, and 5 north at Coral Bay on the 7^th; 11 north, Coral Bay on the 8^th.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

There were 100 on Akitiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Singles were seen at Cape Drepanum (6^th); Phassouri Reedbed (6^th); Akirtiri Salt Lake (6^th); Avkas Gorge (10^th); and Carol Bay (10^th).

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

A single at Coral Bay on th 9^th and 10^th.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

A single at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Two flew north at Cape Drepanum on the 6^th.

Lesser Kestrel Faloc naumanni

One flew north at Cape Drepanum on 7^th.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Very common. You couldn’t look towards the sky without seeing at least one Kestrel.

Eleanora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae

One over the villa on 9^th was an early migrant.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

Single at Cape Drepanum on 7^th.

Quail

Three records: Singles at Cape Drepanum on the 5^th and 8^th, and 2 on Paphos Headland on the 8^th.

Chukar Alectoris chukar

Seen in ones and twos throughout our stay at various places.

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus

Plenty of birds were heard calling, but generally difficult to see. Good views were had at Cape Drepanum, Coral Bay and Phassouri reedbed.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

The only records were on the 6^th, when we saw 30 at Phassouri reedbed, and 11 at Akrotiri Salt Lake.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

One was seen flying north along the coast at Cape Drepanum on 5^th.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Two were seen at Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

5 Akitiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.

Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus

Six at Paphos Sewage Works on the 8th and 11^th.

Little Stint Calidris minuta

There was a single at Phassouri Reedbed on the 6^th, and 25 at Akitiri Salt Lake on the same day.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

12 Akitiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Eight were at Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th.

Great Snipe

One gave excellent views amongst the Common Snipe at Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

One Paphos Headland on the 8^th.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

20 were at Phassouri reedbed on 6^th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

One was at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Common around the coast. 150 were seen on the colony at Cape Drepanum.

Baltic Gull Larus fuscuc fuscus

3 Akitiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridbundus

3 Akitiri Salt Lake on the 6^th.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

Four flew north past Cape Drepanum on the 9^th.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Two flew north past Cape Drepanum on the 9^th.

Rock Dove Columba livia

20 at Cape Drepanum all week.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

3 at Coral Bay on the 10^th, with 10 here the next day.

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius

There were 2 at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th; 1 Symiges Valley on 7^th; and 1 at Cape Drepanim on 9^th.

Barn Owl Tyto alba

One in the evening of 4^th near Pegia.

Scops Owl Otus scops

Always calling outside the villa at night, and a single calling at the Baths of Aphrodite’s on the 7^th.

Little Owl Athene noctua

One at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th.

Common Swift Apus apus

Seen in generally small numbers throughout our stay.

Alpine Swift Apus melba

2 were at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th, 6 flew north over the villa on 8^th, and a single at Paphos Headland on 10^th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

1, Coral Bay on 5^th; 2 Paphos Harbour on 8^th; 1, Cape Drepanum on 9^th; and 3 Paphos harbour on 10^th.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

The female put in regular displays for us at Paphos Harbour/Headland on the 8^th and 10^th.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus

Six flew north at the Bath of Aphrodites on the 7^th.

European Bee-eater Merops aplaster

One north Cape Drepanum on the 7^th.

Roller Coracias garrulous

There were two at the Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th; and one around the Villa on 9^th.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Seen regularly throughout, with one or two at the Villa, Coral Bay, Asprokremmos Dam, and Arinita Park.

Wryneck Jynx torquilla

We saw three singles at the Villa, Avkas Gorge, and Agios Georios.

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

We saw several small flocks, the largest of which were 14 at Cape Drepanum; and 25 at the Asprokremmos Dam.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Common throughout, often singing from telegraph wires. The biggest flock was 40 at Cape Drepanum on the 10^th.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

5 north, Cape Drepanum on the 7^th; and 30 north here on the 9^th.

Swallow Hihrundo rustica

Very common. There was a small passage north on each morning at Cape Drepanum, the highest counts were 200 north in 1 ½ hours on 6^th and 100 north on 7^th.

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Small numbers seen throughout our trip. 3 at Tomb of the Kings on 5^th; 15 Cape Drepanum on 6^th; 15 north, Cape Drepanum on 7^th and 20 north, Coral Bay on 7^th.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecrposis daurica

Seen regularly, especially at Cape Drepanum where there appeared to be a small passage of birds north, 50 on 7^th, 20 on the 9^th were the largest counts.

Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava

Up to 50 daily at Cape Drepanum.

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg

Very common on the coast. Recorded daily at Cape Drepanum with between 30 and 50 being seen, except for the 7^th whenat least a 1000 were either grounded or moving north. Other counts include 2, Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th, and 45 on Paphos Headland on 9^th.

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

2, Coral Bay on 5^th; 1, Cape Drepanum on 6^th; 1, Akortiri Salt Lake on 6^th; and 2, Cape Drepanum on 7^th.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

Small numbers on passage. 5 Arinita Park on 5^th; 15, Cape Drepanum on 6^th; 15 north, Cape Drepanum on 7^th; 4 north, Coral Bay on 8^th; 10+ north, Cape Drepanum on 9^th.

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

2-6+ at Cape Drepanum between the 5^th-7^th. At least 4 on Paphos Headland on the 8^th.

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Very common. Maximum counts were at least 10 at Cape Drepanum and Coral Bay on the 7^th and 9^th respectively.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

A male was at the Asprokremmos Dam on the 5^th.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

There was 1 around the villa on the 5^th; 1 at The tomb of the kings on the 5^th; and 2 at Cape Drepanum on the 7^th.

Whinchat Saxocola rubetra

Several on the coast, 2 at Coral Bay on the 5^th with 1 here on the 7^th, and 3 at Cape Drepanum on the 7^th and another on the 9^th.

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

Several singles were seen at Cape Drepanum (5^th), Phassouri Reedbed (6^th) and Paphos Headland (8^th).

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

2 at Sea Caves on 4^th. 1 at Cape Drepanum, 3 at Sea Caves, and 2 at Tomb of the Kings on 5^th. 1 at Cape Drepanum on 6^th. 1 at the Villa on 7^th. 1 at Cape Drepanum on 8^th.

Cyprus Wheatear

Seen throughout our stay in small numbers, especially in rocky areas.

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

Small numbers were seen regularly around the coast. 1, Temple of the Kings on 5^th; 1 at Cape Drepanum on 6^th; 2 Phassouri Reedbed on 6^th; 1 at Cape Drepanum on 7^th; 7 at Coral Bay on 7^th; 1 at Cape Drepanum on 10^th and 1 at Paphos Headland on 10^th.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius

There was a pair at Arinita Park on the 5^th.

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti

A male was at Cape Drepanum on the 5^th.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Small numbers were seen all along the coast.

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis

A singing male was at Cape Drepanum on the 6^th.

Savi’s Warlber Locustella luscinioides

Singing males at Coral Bay on 5^th and 10^th; Cape Drepanum on 7^th and 9^th.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

2, Cape Drepanum (6^th); 5+, Phassouri Reedbed (6^th); 3, Cape Drepanum (7^th); 6+, Cape Drepanum (9^th); 1, Aspro Dam (11^th)

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

There were 3 at Cape Drepanum on the 7^th and 1 at Avkas Gorge on the 10^th.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

One at Cape Drepanum on the 9^th.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida

Singles at Cape Drepanum (6^th); Symies Valley (7^th); and 3+ at Avkas Gorge (10^th).

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

A very common bird with up to 50 at Coral bay on the 10^th and at 1000 in the citrus groves at Avkas Gorge on the 10^th.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

Up to five were seen most days at Coral Bay and Cape Drepanum. There were at least 30 at Avkas Gorge on the 10^th.

Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris

Two singles were seen at the villa on the 7^th and Coral Bay on the 10^th.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

We saw a total of 8 birds along the coast during our stay.

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata

There was a male at Arinita Park on the 5^th, and a pair at Phassouri Reedbeds on the 6^th.

Rüppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli

Seen on two dates, a pair were around our villa at Coral Bay on the 6^th and 7^th. There were also two seen at Cape Drepanum on the 6^th and 7^th.

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax

A pair around the Villa was seen carrying food throughout our stay, there was at least one male at Cape Drepanum, and four males at the Asprokremmos Dam.

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans

Three singles were seen at the villa (7^th), Paphos Headland (8^th) and Avkas Gorge (10^th).

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Seen daily. Very common around our Villa/Sea caves area and at Cape Drepanum, at least 15-30 at each.

Wood Warbler Phyloscopus sibilatrix

One in the Avkas Gorge on the 10^th.

Chiffchaff Phyloscopus collybita

One Cape Drepanum on the 9^th.

Willow Warbler Phyloscopus trochilus

One in the Avkas Gorge on the 10^th.

Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis

There were two at Symies Valley on the 7^th and a female around the villa on the 7^th.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

Singles were seen a Symies Valley on the 7^th and Coral bay on the 9^th.

Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata

A single male was seen in the Symies Valley on the 7^th.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

Seen regularly throughout our stay. 1, Arinita Park on 5^th; 1, Coral Bay on 5^th; 1 Cape Drepanum on 6^th; 2, Phassouri Reedbeds on 6^th; 1 Coral Bay on 7^th and 3 Cape Drepanum on 9^th.

Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus

The only sightings were of a pair at the Baths of Aphrodite’s and a male on the journey home from here on the 7^th.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

A very common bird seen throughout our stay.

Spannish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

There were flocks at both Coral Bay and Cape Drepanum seen daily with up to 200 birds at each site.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

One at the Aspro Dam on the 8^th.

Serin Serinus serinus

One in the Symies valley on the 7^th.

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Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Three were at the tomb of the kings on the 5^th.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Two records: 5 at Asprokremmos Dam on 5^th; and 2 at The tomb of the kings on 5^th.

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana

Seen at Cape Drepanum on two dates, with 3 here on 6^th and 2 on 9^th. Two were seen at Asprokremmos Dam on 8^th and 11^th.

Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia

A few single were seen in dry rocky places. 1 Temple of the Kings on 5^th; 1 at Cape Drepanum on 7^th; and 1 at Paphos Headland on 10^th.

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra

Fairly common. 20 at Arinita Park on 5^th; 9 at Cape Drepanum on 7^th; 4 at Cape Drepanum on 8^th; and 6 Cape Drepanum on 9^th.