Cyprus Bird Watching Tours - BIRD is the WORD - 6 Day Tour - Upper Paphos, Lower Paphos, Akrotiri, Troodos, Larnaca, Paphos Forrest. 15-17th + 20-22nd/05/2019
Eurasian Bittern - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
From the 15th I guided Allen on a 6 day tour around the island. I had done a few tours for Allen previously and this time we set out at a different time of year to see some of the sites he had not previously seen, and birds ofcourse. It was going to be a difficult tour numbers wise considering spring migration had practically finished by this point.
On the first day we concentrated on the upper Paphos sites. We started at a Bonelli's Eagle site where I had taken Allen before, this time we had much better and closer views of Bonelli's Eagles perched and in flight.
On the first day we concentrated on the upper Paphos sites. We started at a Bonelli's Eagle site where I had taken Allen before, this time we had much better and closer views of Bonelli's Eagles perched and in flight.
Bonelli's Eagle - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Dropping down to Epsikopi the Cyprus Scops Owls seemingly completely abandoned their roost tree as noted with my previous tour which is a shame. Approaching the monolith we had a young Great Spotted Cuckoo on the wires with a magpie. We were treated to the whole family party of Peregrine Falcons flying over and perching. the adult did a food pass with one of the young in flight on entry which was great to see.
Peregrine Falcon - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Peregrine Falcon Juv - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
We then headed up Kathikas and got the Black-headed Buntings with some very low down on the path verge and many Turtle Doves in the area.
Black-headed Bunting - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Cretzschmar's Bunting were nowhere to be seen on the Minthis track, nor heard for that matter.
Next we headed up to Evretou Dam seeing Long-legged Buzzard in flight on the way.
Evretou water levels were incredibly high, as we approached the shallow end a baby black whip snake crossed the road infront of us, Allen not being too keen on snakes was not so happy and the irony being we were to see many more during our tours.
European Bee-eaters flew over head as we approached the water as well as many Common and Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow and House Martin. At first there didn't seem to be much life around on the water, then we got on some Wood Sandpipers and Common Sandpipers on the waters edge and later some Little Stints. Squacco Heron emerged from the waters edge as well as a few Grey heron. In the distance we could see Little Egret and went in closer to see more of the furthest area we could get to. To our surprise a Eurasian Bittern was standing next to the Little Egret and then slowly retreated into the vegetation offering views from time to time. An unusual bird to see at this time of year. The only waterfowl we managed was a pari of Mallard and a Moorhen. We then ate our lunch in the Evretou quarry overlooking a pair of Rollers and shared the area with near adult Large Whip Snake meters from where we was sitting. The Samaras Valley was unfortunately off limits due to a rock slide on the track so our chances of Golden oriole, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Black-headed Bunting and Goshawk for the day diminished.
We finished the day with 46 species.
Next we headed up to Evretou Dam seeing Long-legged Buzzard in flight on the way.
Evretou water levels were incredibly high, as we approached the shallow end a baby black whip snake crossed the road infront of us, Allen not being too keen on snakes was not so happy and the irony being we were to see many more during our tours.
European Bee-eaters flew over head as we approached the water as well as many Common and Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow and House Martin. At first there didn't seem to be much life around on the water, then we got on some Wood Sandpipers and Common Sandpipers on the waters edge and later some Little Stints. Squacco Heron emerged from the waters edge as well as a few Grey heron. In the distance we could see Little Egret and went in closer to see more of the furthest area we could get to. To our surprise a Eurasian Bittern was standing next to the Little Egret and then slowly retreated into the vegetation offering views from time to time. An unusual bird to see at this time of year. The only waterfowl we managed was a pari of Mallard and a Moorhen. We then ate our lunch in the Evretou quarry overlooking a pair of Rollers and shared the area with near adult Large Whip Snake meters from where we was sitting. The Samaras Valley was unfortunately off limits due to a rock slide on the track so our chances of Golden oriole, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Black-headed Bunting and Goshawk for the day diminished.
We finished the day with 46 species.
Squacco Heron - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
On the 16th we visited the lower Paphos sites. We started off at the Lower Ezousas River. Here we had Wood Sandpiper and Ruff at the bridge as well as a Squacco Heron. A bit further down we found a track to the river edge where we had immense views of a Squacco feeding right next to the car with perfect light behind us for some excellent photo opportunities.
Even further down river we had many Spur-winged lapwings and also flushed a Purple Heron. Maybe the oddest sighting was a Northern Shoveler on the river bank extremely close which flew a few circles around us and landed again with a Peregrine Falcon sitting on a pylon nearby watching.
Even further down river we had many Spur-winged lapwings and also flushed a Purple Heron. Maybe the oddest sighting was a Northern Shoveler on the river bank extremely close which flew a few circles around us and landed again with a Peregrine Falcon sitting on a pylon nearby watching.
Northern Shoveler - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Northern Shoveler - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
A Great Reed Warbler was singing from the dense reed but unfortunately didn't show and a Redshank was calling, presumably flying over though we did not see it.
On to the Sewage Works we had a female Black-headed Bunting sitting on the wires, possibly just in off the sea. A group of European Bee-eater were here on the wires and also many Turtle Doves.
Many of the lower sites were devoid of life after so we headed to a few other higher sites after a quick visit to Agia Varvara where we had great photo opportunities with some young Zitting Cisticola.
On to the Sewage Works we had a female Black-headed Bunting sitting on the wires, possibly just in off the sea. A group of European Bee-eater were here on the wires and also many Turtle Doves.
Many of the lower sites were devoid of life after so we headed to a few other higher sites after a quick visit to Agia Varvara where we had great photo opportunities with some young Zitting Cisticola.
Zitting Cisticola juv - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Heading towards the Nata valley we had a Long-legged Buzzard low in flight over the road. At the bridge we had an adult Black-crowned Night Heron eating a frog and a brief view of a Stone Curlew on the river edge. We then finished up at Asprokremnos Dam where many Squacco Heron were in the shallow corner and a Marsh Harrier came in to land. We finished the day with 48 Species.
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
On the 17th Allen and I set out to Akrotiri. We started the day at Phassouri where there was little life at the first two hides. Further down inside the fenced area we had Glossy Ibis feeding close to the road and a few Squacco Heron, Ruff and Spur-winged lapwings in the distance.
At the Rabbit Shed pools there were more ruff and also Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged lapwing seemingly annoyed at our presence probably indicating nesting in the area, so we didn't stick around. Great Spotted Cuckoo called from the distance and a Sedge Warbler sung nearby from a bush. Many Common swift were buzzing our heads here coming down for water with a few pallid Swift among them.
Moving onto the Gravel Pits we had great views and photo opportunities of a Black Francolin on the road, here we also got some Spotted Flycatchers, a female Red-backed Shrike and a late Whinchat plus many Sardinian Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas.
Next we headed to Ladies Mile where we had great views and photo opportunities of a pair of Broad-billed Sandpiper, many Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stints. The non migrating Black-headed gull was still present along with a few Yellow-legged Gulls and also many Little terns were still around of which I imagine many will nest this year due to the high water levels.
At the Rabbit Shed pools there were more ruff and also Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged lapwing seemingly annoyed at our presence probably indicating nesting in the area, so we didn't stick around. Great Spotted Cuckoo called from the distance and a Sedge Warbler sung nearby from a bush. Many Common swift were buzzing our heads here coming down for water with a few pallid Swift among them.
Moving onto the Gravel Pits we had great views and photo opportunities of a Black Francolin on the road, here we also got some Spotted Flycatchers, a female Red-backed Shrike and a late Whinchat plus many Sardinian Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas.
Next we headed to Ladies Mile where we had great views and photo opportunities of a pair of Broad-billed Sandpiper, many Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stints. The non migrating Black-headed gull was still present along with a few Yellow-legged Gulls and also many Little terns were still around of which I imagine many will nest this year due to the high water levels.
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
At the salt lake we had a Great Reed Warbler in song and also a pair of Little Bittern feeding very close to the car which was Allen's highlight of the day (as well as the Broad-billeds ofcourse). We even had a glimpse of a baby Eastern Montpellier Snake.
Little Bittern - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Little Bittern - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Little Bittern - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
We went to Bishop's Pool and had our lunch. We only saw a single Ferruginous duck here, a group of Night heron flew in and landed in the Eucalyptus tree which was a treat. We scanned through the hirundines on the wires and spotted a few Sand Martin, probably the last of this season.
Sand Martin - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Our last stop was Kensington Cliffs where we had lengthy views and photo opportunities with Alpine Swift buzzing our heads and also Eleonora's Falcon. Two Griffon Vultures flew in low and took off a few times further along the cliffs. We ended the day with 64 Species, a good count for this time of year.
Pallid Swift and Common Swift - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
On the 20th Allen and I ventured to the Troodos Mountains. On the way we had some great views of Cyprus Wheatear, Cyprus Warbler, Masked Shrike and Black-headed Bunting as well as seeing Corn Bunting and hearing Cretzschmar's Bunting. A target species was Common Nightingale, which although we heard many we never got a view of one which was unfortunate. We had a quick look at the start of the Kalledonia Trail for Grey Wagtail which were vacant. We did see many Serin, Blackbird and a Spotted Flycatcher here as well as Two Cyprus Jays feeding next to the car. A Golden Oriole sung briefly in the distance.
We then headed to the square where we had phenomenal views of Common and pallid Swift at their nesting chalet. We even got views of them perched which is not something you see every day!
We then headed to the square where we had phenomenal views of Common and pallid Swift at their nesting chalet. We even got views of them perched which is not something you see every day!
Pallid Swift and Common Swift - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
There was no sign of Woodlark around in the area so we moved on.
Our next stop was Livadi tou Passia picnic site. We had a Dorothy's Treecreeper in a tree right next to us but was proving very difficult to get a clear view. Cyprus Coal tits sounded but unbelievably we also didn't managed to actually see one which is very peculiar, something that I have not experienced before on my previous visits to the mountains of this highly populous species. The Crossbills were also no-where to be seen or heard even at almyrolivado.
We moved down to the Botanical Garden where previous years Blue Rock Thrush have held territory of which I had seen a male some weeks back. Also they were vacant from the site and no Crag martin were feeding in the area like they usually do also. By this point I was starting to think the luck just wasn't on our side today, as can happen from time to time.
We got lengthy views of Wren and great views of Cretzschmar's bunting on the return journey, plus a Roller in flight over the diarizos river and a Chukar in the road with many chicks and also a goat herder with about a thousand goats crossing the road. We even scared a Blunt-nosed Viper off of the road on foot, where it likely would have been run over.
Our next stop was Livadi tou Passia picnic site. We had a Dorothy's Treecreeper in a tree right next to us but was proving very difficult to get a clear view. Cyprus Coal tits sounded but unbelievably we also didn't managed to actually see one which is very peculiar, something that I have not experienced before on my previous visits to the mountains of this highly populous species. The Crossbills were also no-where to be seen or heard even at almyrolivado.
We moved down to the Botanical Garden where previous years Blue Rock Thrush have held territory of which I had seen a male some weeks back. Also they were vacant from the site and no Crag martin were feeding in the area like they usually do also. By this point I was starting to think the luck just wasn't on our side today, as can happen from time to time.
We got lengthy views of Wren and great views of Cretzschmar's bunting on the return journey, plus a Roller in flight over the diarizos river and a Chukar in the road with many chicks and also a goat herder with about a thousand goats crossing the road. We even scared a Blunt-nosed Viper off of the road on foot, where it likely would have been run over.
Blunt-nosed Viper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
We finished the day with 44 species.
Spur-winged lapwing - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
On the 21st we headed to Larnaca. Just before we departed from the hotel a Eurasian Hobby was up high watching over the many hirundines in the air. We started out at Menou checking through the pools. We saw many Black-winged Stilt and even managed to pick out some of the chicks. A few Wood Sandpipers moved around Little tern were feeding over the water quite close, one had been banded. A small group of Greater Flamingo were on the far side. Towards the residential area we had a Laughing Dove on the wires and a Hoopoe flew across the road.
Approaching the Sewage Pool hide we had some Spectacled warbler and a pair of Red-backed shrike at the entrance along with the many usual Crested Lark and a distant flock of Glossy Ibis up high. Black Francolin were calling but we didn't see any.
On the water there was a lot of Mallard with ducklings, and many Spur-winged Lapwing around the waters edge. At the pools further down a pair of Spur-winged Lapwings were with two chicks and another pair of Red-backed Shrikes were showing well.
Approaching the Sewage Pool hide we had some Spectacled warbler and a pair of Red-backed shrike at the entrance along with the many usual Crested Lark and a distant flock of Glossy Ibis up high. Black Francolin were calling but we didn't see any.
On the water there was a lot of Mallard with ducklings, and many Spur-winged Lapwing around the waters edge. At the pools further down a pair of Spur-winged Lapwings were with two chicks and another pair of Red-backed Shrikes were showing well.
Spur-winged lapwing - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Little Tern - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Eurasian Greenfinch sbsp Muehlei - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
We browsed through the Salt lake only seeing some Little Egret. On the airport side we had a small party of Avocet on the far side and around 60 Greater Flamingo.
Our last stop was Oroklini which held little at the first hide aside Little Grebe, Moorhen and Coot all with chicks plus a few Ferruginous Duck. Due to road works we had to take a major detour to get to the second hide where we had great views of Laughing Dove and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler sitting infront of the hide, and two female Red-crested Pochard in the distance and a Black Francolin also showing from afar.
Our last stop was Oroklini which held little at the first hide aside Little Grebe, Moorhen and Coot all with chicks plus a few Ferruginous Duck. Due to road works we had to take a major detour to get to the second hide where we had great views of Laughing Dove and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler sitting infront of the hide, and two female Red-crested Pochard in the distance and a Black Francolin also showing from afar.
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
A large Family party of Barn Swallows often landed in the bare tree in front of the hide and a surprise appearance of a Little Bittern which also flew in front of the hide. We visited the coast for some food and then headed back to Paphos managing 48 species for the day.
Terek Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
On our final day, Allen and I did a varied tour of coastal, forest and salt pans as apposed to plans for Agia Napa and Famagusta. We started out on the lower Ezousas river to see if anything else had moved through. The Wood Sandpipers had all left but the Spur-winged lapwings presumably nesting along the river were still about and also the Purple Heron was showing well providing great photo ops. A single Squacco Heron showed but distant.
Purple Heron - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Allen wanted to see the Little Owl that we missed at Anarita Park before, and so we visited there. The Little Owl was showing but not in the usual spot, and the extreme amount of midges in the area was uncomfortable. We moved up to higher ground seeing the Red-rumped Swallows low on the way and then had great views of a pair of European Roller.
We then ventured all the way to Kannaviou Dam via the Monastery. Allen spotted a Black-headed Bunting on the way.
At the entrance to the Dam we had a pair of Serin come quite close to us on the fence and the whole dam wall was full of Cyprus Wheatear.
We then ventured all the way to Kannaviou Dam via the Monastery. Allen spotted a Black-headed Bunting on the way.
At the entrance to the Dam we had a pair of Serin come quite close to us on the fence and the whole dam wall was full of Cyprus Wheatear.
European Serin - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
There didn't seem to be anything on the water though aside a Blunt-nosed viper on the very far side which looked to have a catch.
As we left the site I noticed a large raptor sitting in a nearby shrub. A Long-legged Buzzard, showing incredibly well and allowing Allen to snap some shots. We then entered the Samara valley seeing many Spanish Sparrows nesting and also quite a few Masked Shrikes. We took a stroll along the road and saw a few Turtle Doves, as we watched Spanish Sparrows nesting in a Pine tree suddenly loads of them shot out and a male Eurasian Sparrowhawk landed in the tree that we was standing under and then flew out.. seemingly without a catch. Breeding Sparrowhawk numbers are incredibly low in Cyprus and this was a treat to see. We also saw a few Cyprus Jays here.
We then moved up into Panagia to a picnic site in hope of getting views of Cyprus Coal Tit and Dorothy's Treecreeper ... when I got a txt through from my mate Tony about two Terek Sandpipers at Akrotiri Salt Lake, a Cyprus Rarity. Allen said "forget the Coal tits, lets go", and so we did. We had a glimpse of Cretzschmar's Bunting and Linnet on the drive back to the motorway and a Stone Curlew that flew over the road.
We arrived at the Salt Lake after a fair drive and both of the Terek Sandpipers were sitting on a small island accompanied by a sickly looking Greenshank. We stood next to Tony's car and observed them for a decent amount of time, of which they flew up and did a few circles and back again before eventually flying off north.
As we left the site I noticed a large raptor sitting in a nearby shrub. A Long-legged Buzzard, showing incredibly well and allowing Allen to snap some shots. We then entered the Samara valley seeing many Spanish Sparrows nesting and also quite a few Masked Shrikes. We took a stroll along the road and saw a few Turtle Doves, as we watched Spanish Sparrows nesting in a Pine tree suddenly loads of them shot out and a male Eurasian Sparrowhawk landed in the tree that we was standing under and then flew out.. seemingly without a catch. Breeding Sparrowhawk numbers are incredibly low in Cyprus and this was a treat to see. We also saw a few Cyprus Jays here.
We then moved up into Panagia to a picnic site in hope of getting views of Cyprus Coal Tit and Dorothy's Treecreeper ... when I got a txt through from my mate Tony about two Terek Sandpipers at Akrotiri Salt Lake, a Cyprus Rarity. Allen said "forget the Coal tits, lets go", and so we did. We had a glimpse of Cretzschmar's Bunting and Linnet on the drive back to the motorway and a Stone Curlew that flew over the road.
We arrived at the Salt Lake after a fair drive and both of the Terek Sandpipers were sitting on a small island accompanied by a sickly looking Greenshank. We stood next to Tony's car and observed them for a decent amount of time, of which they flew up and did a few circles and back again before eventually flying off north.
Terek Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Wood Sandpiper - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
Great Spotted Cuckoo - Cyprus Bird Watching Tours Bird is the Word © Matt Smith All Rights Reserved
We also had quite a few Great Spotted Cuckoos here, one of which Allen managed to get quite close to on foot and snap some great shots. We searched the salt lake in hope of some marsh terns that we just couldn't seem to get. After spending some time trying to see the Little Bitterns again we called it a day managing 62 species. This brought our total species count to 100 species.
| Full species list: Chukar Partridge (a.c.cypriotes) Black Francolin Mallard Northern Shoveler Red-crested Pochard Ferruginous Duck Little Grebe Greater Flamingo Glossy Ibis Eurasian Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Squacco Heron Cattle Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron Little Egret European Shag (p.a.desmarestii) Common Kestrel Eleonora's Falcon Eurasian Hobby Peregrine Falcon (f.p.brookei) Griffon Vulture Western Marsh Harrier Eurasian Sparrowhawk Long-legged Buzzard Bonelli's Eagle Common Moorhen Common Coot Eurasian Stone Curlew (only seen by guide) Black-winged Stilt Pied Avocet Spur-winged Lapwing Common Ringed Plover Kentish Plover (h)Common Redshank Common Greenshank Wood Sandpiper TEREK SANDPIPER Common Sandpiper Little Stint Curlew Sandpiper Broad-billed Sandpiper Ruff Yellow-legged Gull Black-headed Gull Little Tern Rock Dove Common Wood-pigeon European Turtle-dove | Eurasian Collared-dove Laughing Dove Great Spotted Cuckoo Little Owl Alpine Swift Common Swift Pallid Swift European Roller European Bee-eater Eurasian Hoopoe Red-backed Shrike Masked Shrike (h)Eurasian Golden Oriole Eurasian Jay (g.g.glaszneri) Eurasian Magpie Eurasian Jackdaw Hooded Crow (h)Coal Tit (p.a.cypriotes) Great Tit (p.m.aphrodite) Crested Lark (g.c.cypriaca) Sand Martin Barn Swallow Red-rumped Swallow Common House-martin Zitting Cisticola (h)Cetti's Warbler (h)Sedge Warbler Eurasian Reed-warbler (a.s.fuscus) (h)Great Reed-warbler Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Sardinian Warbler Cyprus Warbler Spectacled Warbler Eurasian Wren (t.t.cypriotes) Dorothy's (Short-toed) Treecreeper (c.b.dorothae) Eurasian Blackbird (h)Common Nightingale Whinchat Cyprus Wheatear Spotted Flycatcher House Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Common Chaffinch European Serin European Greenfinch (c.c.muehlei) European Goldfinch Common Linnet Corn Bunting Cretzschmar's Bunting Black-headed Bunting 100 |
| Other wildlife of note: Blunt-nosed Viper Large Whip Snake Eastern Montpellier Snake Sling-tailed Agama Lizard Snake-eyed Lizard Troodos Lizard Schreiber's fring-fingered Lizard Cyprus Water Frog Pyramid Orchid Orchis Sancta Neotinia Maculata Arum Dioscoridis Poppy of Troy | Painted Lady Clouded Yellow Small White Large White Bath White Paphos Blue Common Blue Syrian Swallowtail Butterfly Hermit (ssp larnacana) Mallow Skipper Lulworth Skipper Common Darter Red-veined Darter Violet Dropwing Broad Scarlet Common Blue-tail Damselfly Odalisque Banded Demoiselle Lesser Emperor Blue Emperor Macaronius owlfly |
RSS Feed
