05 & 06/03 2015 Paphos

Guiding for Caitlyn Kiska all the way from Detroit, US who was staying in Cyprus for a lengthy period of time and whom I had been communicating with from a Cyprus Birding community group online. Caitlyn had Bonelli's Eagle on her wishlist and so the start of her two day tour was to take place far from a birding hotspot and into the foothills of Paphos. Notable species here between Episkopi and Kallepia included Eurasian Siskin, Great Spotted Cuckoos flying over, our endemic sub-species Eurasian Scops owl calling in the distance and lastly the star; the mighty Bonelli's Eagle.
We then dropped down the hills and scouted out Anarita Park for Finsch's Wheatear. It was unusually quiet for this site but we still managed to find two Finsch's Wheatears at the quarry along with other notable species; Blue Rock Thrush, Little Owl, Alpine Swift, Woodlark and Great Spotted Cuckoos.
After making sure all species were seen at this site we headed to our last destination of the day; Mandria to see some coastal birds. I had been informed a Siberian Stonechat was at the site so we scouted all the Stonechats (10+) but were unfortunate in not finding it along with other birders on site. This site was also unusually quiet which prompted me to plan the next day very carefully. Notable species included Eurasian Shag and a single Greater Short-Toed Lark.
The next day we visited the Ezousas Pools early to see if we could find any crakes and rails, Bluethroat was also a species Caitlyn wanted and I had seen two at this site a few days back. We arrived and the first bird we saw was a Water Rail producing good views. But sadly no crakes, the Little Crake (f) and Spotted Crake that had been present for months must have continued migrating...although the two Bluethroats were both present and also a Hawfinch with the gun-metal colour bill (breeding plumage). Notable Species: Water Rail, Bluethroat, Hawfinch and Peregrine Falcon. 
Our next stop was at the Paphos Sewage plant just around the corner. I have always found this site to be a bit up and down in the past but always a great spot to see Spur-winged Lapwing of which we did. Notable species:  Quail, Spur-winged Lapwing, Cattle Egret.
Then a quick visit to Agia Varvara produced Great Spotted Cuckoo, Long-Legged Buzzard and two Green Sandpiper.
I then thought a quick drive around Anarita Park couldn't do any harm. It proved to be a good idea as an Isabelline Wheatear had arrived at the site and allowed Caitlyn to get a very nice close up photo. Also two Cyprus Warblers were showing briefly.
I then decided that despite yesterdays lack of birds at Mandria it was always worth a try as it truly is a site where anything can happen. This also proved to be a good idea and just goes to show how things can change over night. Notable Species: Hen Harrier, Greater Sand Plover, Greater Short Toed Lark, Black Francolin, Hoopoe and Isabelline Wheatear. 
Lastly I decided that we should visit the Paphos Headland to see if any shore birds were about and then a walk through the archaeological site to see if any migrant warblers had turned up yet. I had seen a Lesser Whitethroat there a few days back, sadly no migrant warblers present. Notable species: European Golden Plover, Great Cormorant, Isabelline Wheatear, Great Spotted Cuckoo and Hoopoe.
Total species covered:
Eurasian Siskin, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Blackbird, Bonelli's Eagle, Common Kestrel, Common Stonechat, Song Thrush, Eurasian Scops Owl, Zitting Cisticola aka Fan-Tailed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Finsch's Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Little Owl, Corn Bunting, Alpine Swift, House Martin, Woodlark, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Shag, Eurasian Skylark, Crested Lark, Greater Short Toed Lark, European Serin, Meadow Pipit, Water Rail, Common Buzzard, Bluethroat, Hawfinch, Peregrine Falcon, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Common Quail, Spur-winged Lapwing, Cattle Egret, Black Headed Gull, Long Legged Buzzard, Green Sandpiper,
Cyprus Warbler, Isabeline Wheatear, Red-Rumped Swallow, Hen Harrier, Greater Sand Plover, Hoopoe,
Black Francolin, European Golden Plover, Great Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Yellow legged gull,
House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Eurasian Jackdaw, Eurasian Magpie, Hooded Crow, Rock Dove, Feral Pigeon
Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, European Serin, Common Linnet, Common Chaffinch, Great Tit, Black Redstart,
White Wagtail, Barn Swallow. - 65 species

Blue rock thrush - (Monticola solitarius) ♀ Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved

Greater short-toed lark - (Calandrella brachydactyla) Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved

European stonechat - (Saxicola rubicola) ♀ Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved