CYPRUS BIRD WATCHING TOURS

November 10th, 2020

10/11/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - promo Paphos half-day tour with Tom and Molly 10/11/2020

Species List:

Chukar Partridge
Mallard
Garganey
Common Teal
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
Great Cormorant
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Hen Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Long-legged Buzzard
Bonelli's Eagle
(h)Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Spur-winged Lapwing
Greater Sand Plover
Common Snipe
Whimbrel
Yellow-legged Gull
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Little Owl

Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Crested Lark
Wood Lark
Eurasian Skylark
(h)Cetti's Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Sardinian Warbler
Common Starling
(h)European Robin
Western Black Redstart
Common Stonechat
Northern Wheatear
Blue Rock-thrush
House Sparrow
White Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet
(h)Corn Bunting

47 species

November 04th, 2020

4/11/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Akrotiri promo half-day tour with Louise and Alan 04/11/2020

Species List:

Black Francolin
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Garganey
Common Teal
Common Pochard
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
Glossy Ibis
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Great Cormorant
Common Kestrel
Western Marsh Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Water Rail
Spotted Crake
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint

Dunlin
Armenian Gull
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Eurasian Penduline tit
Crested Lark
Zitting Cisticola
(h)Cetti's Warbler
Moustached Warbler
(h)Eurasian Reed-warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Blackcap
(h)European Robin
Bluethroat
Western Black Redstart
Common Stonechat
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Water Pipit (*Caucasian Water Pipit)
Common Chaffinch
European Goldfinch

58

October 28th, 2020

28/10/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Full-Day Tour Paphos & Akrotiri 28/10/2020.

On the 28th I guided Geoffrey around the Akrotiri and Paphos sites.
We started at Akrotiri (Phassouri) Marsh where we came upon many Common Snipe at the waters edge. Common teal, Moorhen and Coot were abundant here as well as at least 4 Common Kingfisher. Reed Warblers and Water Rails were heard in the reeds but unfortunately not seen. Quite a few Cattle Egret were in the area, spotting one perched on a cow. Further up we got views of Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail with many Red-throated Pipit calling but being tricky to locate,we got great views of a Water Pipit here though. In the distance a Starling and two Little Stint were feeding in the water. Both Northern and Spur-winged Lapwing were present with some close to the fence. At the last stop along the marsh we had views of at least 4 Glossy ibis and some Little Egret at the back. A single Wood sandpiper was present as well as many Common Snipe. A Red-footed Falcon passed close overhead, a juvenile bird shortly followed by a Eurasian Hobby flying low hunting dragonflies. Quite a few Marsh Harriers were knocking about and I managed a fleeting glimpse of a Hen Harrier here. The White Stork appears to have migrated from the area thankfully.

Many Stonechats later and a drive through the much devoid Akrotiri Gravel Pits we arrived at the Salt Lake. Many Greater Flamingos were showing as well as a few Great Egret. I couldn't pick out anything from the gulls aside Yellow Legged and Black-headed this time round. A few Eleonor's Falcons passed over and in the reeds section we had amazing views of a Bluethroat.
We then checked Ladies Mile for waders. Little Stint, Common Ringed Plover and Kentish Plover were on show. A Greater Sand Plover was also present, saving a trip to the Paphos headland later.

Next we stopped at Bishop's Pool for waterfowl. We managed to see Ferruginous Duck here as well as Common Pochard, Northern Pintail, Gadwall and the usuals.
Our next stop was Kensington cliffs where for the 5th trip running we were not able to see a single Griffon Vulture, which is deeply worrying. We did pick out a few Eleonora's Falcons, European Shag and a Blue Rock Thrush.
We then drove back to Paphos stopping at Mandria for Dinner. At Mandria we saw many Laughing Dove and despite seeing them in flight and hearing them we still didn't manage a good view of a Red-throated Pipit. The small football pitch held maybe over 100 Water Pipit, with some red-throated among them but distant. Also a few Starling were feeding in the grass as well as a group of Spanish Sparrow.

Our next target was Finsch's Wheatear at Anarita Park which seems to have not arrived yet sadly and not many birds of note were seen here, probably due to a large fire in the area.
Our last stop was the Paphos Sewage Plant which also was fairly quiet. Spur-winged Lapwing showed here but not much else aside a Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
We finished the day with 63 species.

Species List:

Black Francolin
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Common Teal
Common Pochard
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
Glossy Ibis
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Eleonora's Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
Red-footed Falcon
Western Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
(h)Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Greater Sand Plover

Common Snipe
Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint
Yellow-legged Gull
Black-headed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Laughing Dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Crested Lark
(h)Cetti's Warbler
(h)Eurasian Reed-warbler
Common Chiffchaff
(h)Sardinian Warbler
Common Starling
Bluethroat
Common Stonechat
Blue Rock-thrush
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Red-throated Pipit
Water Pipit (*Caucasian Water Pipit)
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet

63

October 25th, 2020

25/10/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Half-Day Promo Akrotiri 24/10/2020. Diane and James

Species List:

Black Francolin
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Common Teal
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Black-crowned Night-heron
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Red-footed Falcon
Eleonora's Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
Western Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Pallid Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
(h)Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing

Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint
Armenian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Caspian Gull
Black-headed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Crested Lark
Barn Swallow
Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Eurasian Reed-warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Sardinian Warbler
Bluethroat
Common Stonechat
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Red-throated Pipit

63

October 22nd, 2020

22/10/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Half-Day Promo Akrotiri 22/10/2020. Rita and Steve

Species List:

Black Francolin
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Common Teal
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
White Stork
Black-crowned Night-heron
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
Common Kestrel
Eurasian Hobby
Red-footed Falcon
Eleonora's Falcon
Western Marsh Harrier
Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Common Snipe
Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper
Temminck's Stint
Armenian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Black-headed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Crested Lark
Barn Swallow
Zitting Cisticola
(h)Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Eurasian Reed-warbler
Common Chiffchaff
(h)Blackcap
Bluethroat
Common Stonechat
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Red-throated Pipit
European Goldfinch

56

October 21st, 2020

21/10/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Half-Day Promo Akrotiri 21/10/2020. Jane and Sandra

Species List:

Black Francolin
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Common Teal
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Black-crowned Night-heron
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Common Kestrel
Red-footed Falcon
Eleonora's Falcon
Western Marsh Harrier
(h)Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Spotted Redshank
Wood Sandpiper
Sanderling
Little Stint

Temminck's Stint
Dunlin
Armenian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Caspian Gull
Black-headed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Crested Lark
Barn Swallow
Zitting Cisticola
(h)Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Eurasian Reed-warbler
Willow Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Common Stonechat
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Red-throated Pipit
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch

63

October 20th, 2020

20/10/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Half-Day Promo Akrotiri 20/10/2020. Joe and Jeff

Species List:

Chukar Partridge
(h)Black Francolin
Mallard
Common Teal
Northern Shoveler
Greater Flamingo
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Black-crowned Night-heron
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Little Egret
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Eleonora's Falcon
Western Marsh Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Northern Goshawk
Common Buzzard
(h)Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint
Armenian Gull

Yellow-legged Gull
Black-headed Gull
Slender-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Crested Lark
Barn Swallow
Zitting Cisticola
(h)Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Willow Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
(h)Blackcap
Sardinian Warbler
Bluethroat
Common Stonechat
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
*Black-headed Wagtail
Red-throated Pipit

57

- Crimson Speckled Moth
- Green Turtle

September 16th, 2020

16/9/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Paphos & Akrotiri 16/09/2020

On the 16th I guided Ian around the Akrotiri and Paphos sites. We started at Phassouri Marsh where we was greeted with many European Bee-eaters on the trees, feeding in-flight and bathing and we also flushed a female Black Francolin as we approached the tower hide. At the first hide we had a pair of Common Kingfisher and at the flooded part near the entrance we was treated to another pair and also Garganey, Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, Cattle and Little Egret.

A Sedge Warbler flitted around the reeds and a Little Bittern and Water rail called from deep in the reeds and unfortunately not seen. A small party of 4 Black-tailed Godwit flew overhead as well as many flocks of Little and Great White Egret. We put up a few Snipe here.
There wasn't much to be seen at the second hide so we didn't stay long. There was a lot of activity on the far fields, over 70 Glossy Ibis, Yellow Wagtails everywhere, Squacco Herons and also a juvenile Black Stork took the spotlight.

Moving round to the gravel pits we saw quite a few Whinchat, Red-backed Shrike and a Spotted Flycatcher. At the pools there was a pair of Curlew Sandpiper.
We then headed to the salt lake to see the Greater Flamingo of which we got great views of. There wasn't much else around here aside Black-winged Stilt and some Eleonora's Falcon hunting. Just as we was leaving a European Honey Buzzard flew in and landed nearby.
Next we scouted ladies mile that held no surprises and on to Bishop's pool. Here we saw Shoveler, a Pochard, Ferruginous Duck and many Garganey. The best birds of note was a Peregrine Falcon and a very rare Saker Falcon as well as maybe over 50 European Turtle Dove.
We decided to give the Gravel Pits another go as it seemed the better destination for the wave of Honey Buzzards that were imminent and although most were quite high we got just that. Over 100 including 5 Black Kite soared over us. We also managed to add Masked Shrike to our day list.
After stopping off at Kensington Cliffs for Eleonora's Falcons and seeing a Green Turtle in the bay we made our way back to Paphos stopping at Mandria Picnic site for lunch.

At Mandria we managed to locate an Isabelline Wheatear and many Whinchat and Greater Short-toed Lark as well as a Tawny Pipit.
Moving to Agia Varvara we was greeted with the long staying White Storks which provided amazing views and photo opportunities.
Our last stop was the Sewage Works where we got very close to Spur-winged Lapwing, Cattle Egret, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Grey Shrike and quite a few Hoopoes finishing the day with 76 Species in total.

Species List:

Black Francolin
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Garganey
Common Pochard
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
Black Stork
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Squacco Heron
(h)Little Bittern
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Eleonora's Falcon
Saker Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
European Honey-buzzard
Black Kite
Western Marsh Harrier
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
(h)Water Rail
Black-winged Stilt
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Wood Sandpiper
Little Stint
Dunlin

Curlew Sandpiper
Yellow-legged Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
European Turtle-dove
Eurasian Collared-dove
Laughing Dove
European Roller
Common Kingfisher
European Bee-eater
Eurasian Hoopoe
Red-backed Shrike
Lesser Grey Shrike
Masked Shrike
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Greater Short-toed Lark
Crested Lark
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
Red-rumped Swallow
Zitting Cisticola
Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Eurasian Reed-warbler
Willow Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Sardinian Warbler
Whinchat
Isabelline Wheatear
Spotted Flycatcher
House Sparrow
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Tawny Pipit
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch
76

September 14th, 2020

14/9/2020

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - Paphos & Akrotiri 14/09/2020

On the 14th I guided Luis around the Paphos and Akrotiri sites for my first tour of the year (due to the covid madness).
We started in the foothills of Paphos for Bonelli's Eagle, a target species. We was unfortunate not seeing one at their territory although I got a fleeting view of one low from behind, we managed to spot many Cyprus Wheatear here which were also a target species and also a single whinchat. We moved on to Minthis Hills where many Little Grebe and Garganey were on the drainage pool. Warblers were flitting around everywhere around the ornamental lake, here we got Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and Cyprus Warbler, another target species. In the hills we had great views of a Pallid and Montagu's Harrier as well as a few European Honey Buzzards riding the thermals.
Next stop was Episkopi for Cyprus Scops Owl which were not to be seen at their day roost. We continued to Agia Varvara where the many White Storks were still present, coming in to land at the pools enabling great views, in the air we counted over 50 of them, at one point they was accompanied by a Long-leggged Buzzard and some time later a 1st plumaged Bonelli's Eagle shot past.
On the water we had sedge warbler and some reed warblers calling out. We had a brief view of Black Francolin here in flight, another target species.
Moving on to the sewage plant we had fantastic views of Lesser Grey Shrike lining the trees around an Alfalfa field which held many Spur-winged Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail and Glossy Ibis, we also managed to spot a Red-backed Shrike here and also a Black Francolin crossing the road. Many Cattle Egret were also present in the area.

Many shrikes later and a lone Tree Pipit we ventured to Akrotiri stopping at Kensington Cliffs on the way fro Eleonora's Falcon, another target species. Luis said this was the highlight of the trip as not only did we get fantastic flight views but Luis managed a photo of a dark morph on the cliff just less than 10 meters away. We also had views of one feeding a recently fledged youngster. Unfortunately the Griffon Vultures didn't show.

Next stop was Bishop's Pool for ferruginous duck, another target, we had around 3-4 here and also a Common Pochard and an out of place Great Cormorant. We stopped here to have lunch.
After a brief visit to the Salt lake run-off and Ladies Mile where we saw many waders; Kentish and Common Ringed Plover, Little and Temmincks stint etc we brushed past the Gravel Pits, only seeing a lone Tawny Pipit and enteretd Phassouri marsh where there was an abundance of Great White, Little and Cattle Egret as well as Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron and Grey Heron feeding in the marshes. At the first hide we had a fleeting glimpse of a female Little Crake running into the reeds and European Bee-eaters were everywhere. Quite a few European Rollers were about of which there was also some on the wires at Ladies Mile providing good photo opportunities.
The tower hide was fairly unfruitful aside a few Common Kingfishers, we finished up the tour at the bee-hives raptor migration spot which produced many Marsh Harriers and some Honey Buzzards as well as a Hobby. We finished the day with 76 Species.

Species List:

(h)Chukar Partridge
Black Francolin
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Garganey
Common Pochard
Ferruginous Duck
Little Grebe
Greater Flamingo
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Squacco Heron
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Great Egret
Little Egret
Great Cormorant
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Eleonora's Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
European Honey-buzzard
Western Marsh Harrier
Pallid Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Long-legged Buzzard
Bonelli's Eagle
Little Crake
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Spur-winged Lapwing
Common Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Common Snipe
Green Sandpiper
Little Stint
Temminck's Stint
Yellow-legged Gull

Slender-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Common Wood-pigeon
European Turtle-dove
Eurasian Collared-dove
Laughing Dove
European Roller
Common Kingfisher
European Bee-eater
Red-backed Shrike
Lesser Grey Shrike
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Crested Lark
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
Zitting Cisticola
Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
(h)Eurasian Reed-warbler
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Willow Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Sardinian Warbler
Cyprus Warbler
Spectacled Warbler
Whinchat
House Sparrow
Yellow Wagtail (*Flava)
Black-headed Wagtail
Tawny Pipit
Tree Pipit
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet

76

December 29th, 2019

29/12/2019

Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - BIRD is the WORD - Paphos & Akrotiri 28/12/2019

On the 29th I guided Rita and Wilkie around Akrotiri and Paphos.
It was a much quieter day than the previous day although we still managed 53 species even though the tour was called short an hour due to bad weather.
We set out at the Paphos Headland with Greater Sand Plover in mind. On the corner point looking past the many Golden Plover there were three Greater Sand Plover that we managed good close views of. The only other birds of note were Common Sandpiper, Skylark and many Meadow Pipit as well as a fantastic murmuration of Starling.
We then ventured to the Sewage Plant and saw the Cattle Egrets and a few Spur-winged Lapwing of which numbers seem to be down.
Next stop was for the Finsch's Wheatear at Anarita Park of-which two showed quite nicely although there was not much else around of note aside Corn Bunting which were surprisingly already in song.
Mandria was the next stop where Laughing Dove and Red-throated Pipit showed well and also a Water Pipit, no sign of any Hen Harriers though unfortunately.
We then continued to Akrotiri stopping at Phassouri Marsh first which was fairly quiet and so we moved on to the Sylvania Restaurant spot to scope the Flamingos of which there was a small party displaying.
Zakaki held very little, the Bluethroat that was present yesterday didn't show and the gull selection at Ladies Mile was very limited in comparison although there did seem to have been a lot more Armenian Gulls present.
Driving to Kensington Cliffs we had a fly over Peregrine Falcon and at which point the weather turned for the worse and so we decided against visiting the site.
We finished with 53 Species.

Species List:

Black Francolin
Mallard
Common Teal
Greater Flamingo
Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Great Cormorant
European Shag
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Western Marsh Harrier
Water Rail
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Spur-winged Lapwing
Eurasian Golden Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Green Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Armenian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Caspian Gull
Black-headed Gull
Common Wood-pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove

Laughing Dove
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Great Tit
Eurasian Penduline tit
Crested Lark
Eurasian Skylark
Zitting Cisticola
(h) Cetti's Warbler
Common Starling
(h) European Robin
Western Black Redstart
Common Stonechat
Finsch's Wheatear
House Sparrow
White Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Water Pipit (*Caucasian Water Pipit)
Common Chaffinch
European Serin
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet
Corn Bunting

53

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