All photos are the same birds referred to in the text unless referred to as stock photo (meaning I took the picture of the same species elsewhere).
Lay cursor over picture for species identification.
For higher quality pictures click the North Cyprus Birds Photo Gallery link below.
North Cyprus Birds Photo Gallery
Most pictures are the same birds referred to in the text.
The demands of equipping and furnishing our new apartment during our first stay at the Marina offered little time for bird watching though several interesting birds were seen and heard close to the apartment. Seaterra Marina apartments at Tatlisu are about 40 minutes drive from Girne (the Turkish name for Kyrenia) and here the ever encroaching development starts to give way to open countryside and traditional farming, the unspoilt Karpas Peninsula can be explored from here.
Calling Black Francolin were ever present at each end of the day, their frequent and distinctive call giving away their presence, actually seeing them proved far more difficult though I did manage a few glimpses. The Chukar, a Partridge type bird is common in the fields and open ground around the apartment.
Image: Chukar - Bee Eater - Roller
The call of the Bee-eaters also gave away their presence but unlike the Black Francolin these colourful birds are far easier to see and were seen every day, these birds were passage migrants and although the largest flock I saw was of about fifty birds I have seen flocks of several hundred on previous visits to the area.
Another Spring migrant seen every day (and almost as colourful) was the Roller, can hardly be missed perched in ones and two’s on roadside wires. A pair at the Marina early in the week.
Image: Masked Shrike - Swallow - Lesser Grey Shrike
Although Spring migration will noticeably start to slow as May progresses large numbers of Swifts, Swallows and Martins are still passing through, even now Swallow passage seems almost constant. Some will stay and breed like the nesting Swallows that fly through the open window of the barn between the apartments and the small fishing harbour. Less numerous but not difficult to find is the Red-rumped Swallow which I saw several times when driving nearby.
Masked Shrike and Lesser Grey Shrike were both recorded on single occasions but good views were seen close to the apartment.
Red-backed Shrikes were seen several times in the surrounding fields during the week and were regularly seen elsewhere.
Image: Crested Lark - Hooded Crows - Corn Bunting
Crested Lark are found everywhere and barely a scrap of ground, roadside or field is without them, there are dozens of pairs around the Marina.
Hooded Crows are another ubiquitous bird, still something of a novelty unless you reside in one of the remoter parts of the British Isles.
Another bird of the field was the Corn Bunting seen a couple of times, these are fairly common on low open ground.
Warblers are well represented in the surrounding scrub; many I couldn’t identify just catching brief glimpses as they flitted into the scrub. Several Cetti’s Warblers can be found in the bushes around the small harbour, their explosive call betraying their presence. I found the endemic Cyprus Warbler a little more difficult to find but did catch an occasional glimpse. Singing Sardinian Warblers were present early in the week but then seemed to disappear, Flint and Stewart give these as winter visitors so these were presumably late birds.
Image: Cretzschmar's Bunting - Little Owl - House Sparrows
Fan-tailed Warblers (or Zitting Cisticola if you prefer) favouring the long grass in the fields.
Also seen close to the complex was a group of 6 Cretzschmar’s Bunting and a pair of Grey Wagtail.
Little Owl on our last evening, sat on the lamp post outside our front door!
House Sparrows have been quick to take up residence on the apartments nesting behind air-conditioning units and in rainwater pipes (these must have been lost during the heavy rain and thunderstorms mid-week).
If you have the patience for sea-watching (and I don’t particularly) rewards can be found. I saw Audouin’s Gull (considered to be one of the rarest gulls in the world) most evenings down at the harbour moving eastwards presumably a pre-roost movement. Flint & Stewart don’t split Herring/Yellow Legged Gull (being written before the species was split) and although they are difficult to separate I favoured YLG in this part of the world (careful though because YLG’s don’t always have yellow legs and Herring Gulls sometimes do, confusing huh).
This Spoonbill (below centre), considered a scarce migrant in Cyprus put in an appearance heading west one evening.
Image: Yellow-legged Gull - Spoonbill - Peregrine (stock photo)
Also seen from the harbour a distant Peregrine over the sea.
I saw a group of 10 Little Egret moving east, similar size groups of Grey Heron are quite common as well.
Shags are locally common on this coastline and are often seen from the Marina.
Previous visits to Tatlisu have been rewarded with Black Redstart, Hoopoe, Lesser Whitethroat and many other good birds. Kingfishers are common in the harbour in the autumn and can be seen sitting on the fishing boats.
Decided to take the opportunity for a day out with binoculars and camera and set out for Korucam Burnu, about seventy five minutes drive from the apartment at Tatlisu. Just after Guzelyali and at the end of the Kyrenia mountain range the road turns inland towards Guzelyurt, instead of following the road here you can take a right turn towards Kayalar and Sadrazamkoy and along a scenic coastal route until you eventually reach the extreme north west tip of the island, in springtime this area is excellent for migrants. On the way along the rocky coastal road I saw several Cyprus Pied Wheatear, endemic breeder to the island.
Migration here seems to produce an abundance of different birds on different days, on previous visits I’ve had days when Whinchat were everywhere and seemed to occupy every available bush or twig. Other days have been good for Flycatchers – Collared, Pied and Spotted by the dozen, an early March visit when Alpine Swifts filled the skies, an early May visit when Bee eaters noisily called as they pass overhead in their hundreds. Mix in with these many more migrants that are present in smaller numbers, in a handful of visits I’ve seen Harriers, Barred Warbler, Little Bittern, flocks of Common Crane, flocks of Grey Heron, Spur-winged Plover, various races of Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Short-toed Lark, Northern Wheatear, all the common hirundines in huge numbers, Hoopoe, Redstart, Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs galore. Then add the residents and summer breeders – Chukar, Kestrel, Spanish Sparrow, Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Cyprus Warbler, Crested Lark, real Rock Doves, Fan-tailed Warbler, Masked Shrike, Hooded Crow, Raven, Serin, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Corn Bunting plus many more for a heady eclectic mix.
The heavy rain and thunderstorms didn’t promise much in the way of good light for bird photography but I was hoping that some migrants would be grounded and waiting for a break in the weather before crossing the final stretch of the Mediterranean and reaching nearby Turkey, I wasn’t disappointed.
Today was definitely a Red-backed Shrike and Golden Oriole day with dozens of the former and almost as many of the latter between Sadrazankoy and Korucam Burnu.
Image: Red Backed Shrikes Everywhere
A Red-backed Shrike Day!
Preferring to keep dry I stayed in the car and trundled around between these two points, at the point I added Lesser Grey Shrike (at one point I had Golden Oriole, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike all in the viewfinder together, see photo below). During the afternoon I saw brief views of Barred and Cyprus Warblers, rather better views of Great Spotted Cuckoo, a couple of Corn Buntings, several Turtle Doves, loads of Blackcap, a few Spotted Flycatchers and hundreds of Swallows, Martins and Swifts.
Despite the unseasonable weather a good tally of birds and a few photographs but also the promise of almost guaranteed good bird watching the next time I visit.
Image: A selection of birds in the Sadrazamkoy area in early May
Top Row (left to right)
Chukar - Corn Bunting - Crested Lark - Cretzchmar's Bunting
2nd Row (left to right)
Cyprus Warbler - Cyprus Pied Wheatear - Fan-tailed Warbler - Golden Oriole
3rd Row (left to right)
Goldfinch - Great Spotted Cuckoo - Hooded Crow - Lesser Grey Shrike
Bottom Row (left to right)
Spanish Sparrow - Spotted Flycatcher - Blackcap - Red-backed Shrike
Image: LG Shrike+RB Shrike+Golden Oriole
Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike and Red-backed Shrike all in the viewfinder at the same time.
26th August.
An early evening arrival and taxi transfer to the apartment at Tatlisu meant that the likelihood of any good birds on arrival was unlikely and so it turned out with a very modest start of Hooded Crow, Magpie, Collared Dove and House Sparrow being all I noticed on the one hour journey at dusk from Larnaca, through the Kyrenia Range to Tatlisu on the northern coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. By the time we arrived at the apartment had a couple of cold beers and the local Koftesi from the poolside bar any further additions in the darkness were unlikely though I did hear a Little Owl very close to the apartment.
27th August.
Although I thought I might have a pre-breakfast wander the sun was up before I was and by the time I'd shrugged off my travel weariness from the previous day the temperatures were already nudging the mid-eighties. A short walk to the local grocery store added not unexpectedly several Crested Lark , a couple of Zitting Cistacolas and a few swallows. A juvenile Cyprus Pied Wheatear spent a few hours flitting around the balconies whilst 3 Yellow Wagtails visited the newly established lawns around the pools.
Day one was going to be a day of unwinding and relaxing by the pool with the intention not to wander from the Marina but an unexpected excursion beckoned with the arrival of the hire car one day early. When I explained I hadn't asked for the car until the following day I was met with a shrug given the keys and not charged any extra. In the afternoon we decided to try and find the two local reservoirs, Tatlisu Goleti and Mersinlik Goleti.
The short drive was rewarded by several Turtle Doves, certainly more skittish than their Collared cousins (with good cause). Having missed the former we found the Mersinlik Reservoir reasonably easy though access was less so. Having parked the jeep I climbed the steep spillway in the late afternoon sun , a few gallons of sweat and several puffs later I reached the rim of the reservoir and disturbed a few wood pigeons. And that was it, despite scanning the reservoir which still held a good quantity of water for late summer there was nothing else to see so I cautiously descended the chute which looked just as steep on the way down. A bird in the top of a pine tree caught my eye which on closer inspection revealed itself to be a Hobby. That was better, I slowly stalked the bird though the dense maquis prevented an approach as close as I would have liked but managed to get a few not-so-close shots. Having got back to the jeep I checked again this time to find a second Hobby in the same tree and managed a few more shots. Not realising at the time but later a closer inspection of the pictures revealed the birds to be juveniles and sitting close to a twiggy nest.
Hobbies aren't considered to be a common breeder in Cyprus and these may have been early autumn migrants from mainland Europe but then Northern Cyprus is not a well watched area (see also 4th Sept). A juvenile Audoins Gull over was a good addition as well as an adult bird on the coast. On the entrance drive to the Marina about ten Chukar flew ahead of the jeep. We drove a little way past the village of Mersinlik with its desecrated Greek Cypriot cemetery until we reached the summit of the Kyrenia Range and marvelled at the view across the Messoraoi (?) to the Bay of Famagusta picking up good views of Blue Rock Thrush on the way.
An excellent meal in the vening at Yamas restaurant which is within walking distance from the Marina apartment, there is no menu and no price list so I was a little cautious. We were the only customers (except for the tethered goat) enjoying the sea and country views in the small outdoor restaurant. Only three meal choices, chicken shish, kofta or fish, we ordered the chicken which was served with chips and salad.
We were given a mini meze before the main course including fried Hellim the delicious local goat/sheep's cheese. The shish was excellent and we were presented with fresh fruit to finish. And all this for 10 YTL per head (about £4).
Image: Audouins Gull - Blue Rock Thrush - Hobby - Cyprus Pied Wheatear (juv)
28th August
I managed an early morning walk along the cliffs this morning but quite how I managed to be out of bed by 5.30 am I'm not sure, not like me at all. No I didn't ***t the bed. First birds of note were a party of eleven Little Egret heading west and later a further thirty nine Little Egret heading in the same direction. This same group held a number of unidentified duck who were clearly tagging along with the larger party of Egrets. Down on the rocky shore I disturbed six Common Sandpiper which also headed off west in the same direction as the Egrets. Still on the sea a Shag was seen flying low over the water and a Black-backed Gull, Lesser perhaps. On the land it was rather quiet with the best being a juvenile/female Red-backed Shrike, Zitting Cistocola and a few Chukar. On the Marina fencing a couple of Phylloscopus warblers were actively feeding.
A cultural diversion this morning with a visit to Salamis on the east coast just north of Famagusta (Gazimugusa). Little to add bird wise with just a couple of Roller and a few hirundines on the masseria. The ruins themselves were pretty impressive though with blown concrete exposing re-enforcement bar on some of the ancient pillars you wonder just whats old and what's not. A passing Guide with her small party of tourists dismissed the statues with a cursory "they're all fake, not original". Jose Domingos is performing there in the amphitheatre next week, I hope he shows a little more enthusiasm. With no shade and temperatures in the mid nineties we began to wilt and rather guiltily slid away probably an hour or so prematurely picking up a couple of bottles of water from a boy selling them out of a fridge. Two Cyprus pounds he asked rather optimistically, then two English pounds, then two Turkish pounds (?) before settling for the two Turkish Lira which I gave him without even attempting to haggle, I was hot and grumpy. He had the last laugh though, the well stocked glass-fronted fridge that stood in the middle of the ruins clearly wasn't even plugged in, the water was luke warm.
Back at the apartment we took a much needed cool off in the swimming pool and picked up 5 Grey Heron arriving in off the sea.
Found Tatlisu Reservoir today though this appears to be disused and without water though the old bed of the reservoir seems to have retained enough dampness to sustain a few moisture loving plants. Could hold a few birds in the winter or early spring months though all I saw today was a Red-backed Shrike.
There is another abandoned reservoir close to the Marina at the start of the old Gecitkale road, probably dried up now but worth checking after the winter rain.
An early evening walk around the perimeter of the Marina produced 3 Chukar, a few Zitting Cistocola, several Phyllooscopus warblers, an Eleonar's Falcon and a Hare.
Image: Willow Warbler - Common Sandpiper - Roller - Zitting Costicola - Flock of Little Egret with Ducks
29th August
An hour before breakfast this morning produced a further movement of Little Egret along the coast first with eleven individuals and then more in a mixed flock off 44 birds which also contained at least 4 Night Heron (although I was to see many more this visit), a new bird in North Cyprus for me. A single Shag was fishing just off the harbour and 8 Grey Heron arriving in off the sea couldn't decide which direction they needed to go before eventually moving off in an easterly direction.
Also on the perimeter of the fence were 3 immature/female Yellow Wagtails, and good views of Zitting Cistocola. A couple of ripe figs from the tree by the harbour were a nice addition to the breakfast plate when I got back.
Being a Wednesday we visited the market in Girne and came back loaded with fresh local produce (except the bananas from Equador) including sweet corn for the BBQ tonight. Drifting around on my back in the pool at the Marina I saw the silhouette of a Harrier species fly over, no bins or camera and it was gone before I knew it.
Image: Little Egret and Night Heron
30th August
An early morning excursion to Sadrazamkoy got off to a good start with a flock of 45 Glossy Ibis moving west along the coast between Tatlisu and Girne. Also a few smaller birds with the Ibises, Night Heron perhaps. Several Cyprus Pied Wheatears seen on the rocky slopes towards Kayala and Sadrazamkoy.
A quiet day at Sadrazamkoy, with the autumn migration not yet in full swing the usually productive water tank yielded little though I did see Masked Shrike, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher, Spanish Sparrow and Peregrine.
A large flock of 75 Night Heron passed along the coast followed almost immediately by 21 Heron. And a short while later 6 Little Egret
Spent the afternoon lounging on Tatlisu Beach from where I saw 40 Demoiselle Cranes, 22 Grey Heron, 2 Night Heron and 60 Little Egret all heading west
Image: Glossy Ibis - Spotted Flycatcher - Purple Heron - Masked Shrike - Cyprus Pied Wheatear - Night Heron - Hooded Crow
31st August.
A short visit to Alagadi Turtle Beach (although we didn't you can visit in the evenings and watch turtle hatching, see local postings for details) where we saw singles of Hoopoe and Cyprus Pied Wheatear.
1st September.
Took a short drive back to Mersinlike Resorvoir and found a group 14 Night Heron sitting on an old dead tree, migrant birds having found a resting place. Seen from the coast road were 2 Auduoins Gulls and just inland a couple of Black Francolin scampered across the road. A few passage Blackcap also seen feeding in the bushes. A Masked Shrike posed nicely for a few pictures on a telegraph wire at the entrance to the Marina road.
Image: Night Heron - Black Francolin - Auduoins Gull - Masked Shrike
2nd September 07
Yellow Wagtails increased to at least 10 on the Marina lawns, closer examination revealed them to be of the flava flava race (central Europe) and flava feldegg (Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus). A trip across the Mesaoria today to Bafra, not to visit the hideous new casino but to explore the coastline. Only new bird of the trip was a Kingfisher though a Kestrel gave fantastic close up views, that is until I reached for my camera of course. A Roller also seen just up the coast at Pamuklu. Called in at Kantara castle on the way back, a far easier climb than Buffavento and the views are no less stunning. A Raven seen here.
Image: Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flava) - Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava feldegg) - Kingfisher - Roller
3rd September
A short walk before breakfast and before the sun got too hot gave me 6 Yellow Wagtail, a Cyprus Pied Wheatear, a Hoopoe, 3 Kentish Plovers, 2 Demoiselle Cranes, 2 Whinchat and a large harrier off the sea which I couldn't identify. Got the hang of cooling off now after a walk in the early morning sun, wear my swimmers under my shorts and a quick swim in the pool on the way back to the apartment leaving me refreshed and ready for breakfast.
Image: Agama stellio - Glossy Ibis - Kentish Plover - Crested Lark
4th September
A walk before breakfast this morning and the westward heron coastal movement continued with 48 Night Heron soon followed by a mixed flock of 34 Night Heron and Purple Heron, a single Grey Heron and then 48 Purple Heron in a 40-minute period.
Also seen were 3 Zitting Cisticola, 2 Yellow Wagtail on the lawns again, 4 Chukar and a charm of 20 Goldfinch.
At midday a further 4 Yellow Wagtail including a dark headed feldegg arrived on the lawn by the front pool.
Drove up to the scenic Kantara restaurant for an early evening meal, this scenic village is a popular eating place for the locals at the weekend but virtually deserted today. Called in at Mersinlik resorvoir where there were 30 Night Heron on the old dead tree. There were 3 juvenile Hobbies in the same tree where I saw 2 of them 8 days previously, surely a rare Cyprus breeding record. On the mountain road before Kantara a female Black Francolin gave unusually good views allowing me to get a couple of good pictures of this elusive bird.
Image: Hobby - Purple and Night Herons - Grey Heron - Black Francolin
5th September
Sat having breakfast we were entertained by the arrival of a juvenile Cyprus Pied Wheatear on our railings, managed a couple of quick pictures before it moved to another part of the grounds. 3 Red-rumped Swallows paid a brief visit swooping down to drink from the swimming pool before moving on. An increase in Phylloscopus warblers on the lawns and in the gardens. A short walk down to the rocks by the harbour was rewarded by 12 Squacco Heron with 2 Little Egret closely followed by 7 Grey Heron again moving west , 5 Zitting Cisticola, a single Hoopoe and a Turtle Dove.
Image: Cyprus Pied Wheatear (juv) - Squacco Heron - Crested Lark - Purple Heron
6th September
A pale coloured harrier species (perhaps Pallid ) came in off the sea and right through the Marina grounds at 6.30 am, didn’t have time to get camera or binoculars so that one will have to stay unconfirmed.
Drove to the tip of the Karpas and back today, a two-hour drive in each direction. The Marina is ideally situated for exploring the Karpas being about twenty miles nearer than if you were based in the Kyrenia (Girne) area. On the way we saw a flock of 27 Purple Heron, 2 Peregrines, 3 Auduoins Gulls, 3 Shag and a couple of Black Francolin. At the Karpas there were a lot of passerines moving through including an exceptionally obliging Willow Warbler that allowed several close range pictures. Whinchats, Red-backed Shrikes and Northern Wheatears amongst others were present in good numbers. The Karpas appears to have a good density of Cyprus Pied Wheatear and several of these were seen. The Karpas is also known for its wild donkey population and were seen from the road on a few occasions. The virtually deserted two kilometre long Golden Beach offered few coastal birds but we did rescue a newly hatched turtle that was in danger of perishing in the hot sun on the beach, it was facing the wrong direction and looked as if it had given up the fight. It soon recovered when put in the sea heading off for deeper waters. The return trip was rewarded by sightings of Buzzard, 2 Eleonora’s Falcon, and 3 Gull-billed Terns moving down the north coast.
Image: Shag - Red-backed Shrike - Cyprus Pied Wheatear - Willow Warbler - Karpas Wild Donkey - Gull-billed Tern - Northern Wheatear - Turtle
7th September
Up early for a return visit to Sadrazamkoy, early morning breakfast on the patio at 7.00 am and saw a Peregrine fly over. Rather quiet again at Sadrazamkoy but the low number of birds was more than compensated for when I found a juvenile Rose Coloured Starling feeding on fallen figs, Flint and Stewart refer to only a handful of records in Cyprus though I think there has been a small increase in sightings since its publication, a good bird none the less though. Best of the quiet rest were 2 Red-backed Shrike, a Spotted Flycatcher, another unidentified species of harrier in off the sea and a group of nearly 40 Grey Heron moving westwards.
A quick visit to Gecitkoy Resorvoir on the way back, the usual Little Grebes and Moorhens on the reservoir itself. The usual leaking irrigation pipe by the pumphouse attracted a Spotted Flycatcher and a large charm of Goldfinches including several juveniles.
Image: Red-backed Shrike - Rose-coloured starling (juv) - Grey Heron - Goldfinch
8th September
A good walk on the last day of the trip. A Kingfisher was the first of the trip at the Marina; they’ll probably start to increase in numbers from now. 10 Squacco Herons were on the rocks next to the Marina and I was able to get quite close by inching nearer on my backside to keep my profile low. Managed to get loads of pictures before I spooked an even closer bird that I hadn’t seen causing the rest to take off. Having taken flight these birds appear to change to almost completely white, looking a mottled brown on the ground. 2 Red-rumped Swallows went over and just 3 Grey Heron and 3 Little Egret moving along the coast this morning. The supporting cast were very familiar by now – 3 Chukar, 1 juvenile Cyprus Pied Wheatear, c10 Phylloscopus warblers, 4 Zitting Cisticola and a Yellow Wagtail.
Image: Cyprus Pied Wheatear - Willow Warbler - Kingfisher - Crested Lark - Squacco Heron x 3 - Agama stellios
22nd Dec
A late afternoon arrival at Larnaca and as the taxi left the airport we could see Flamingo’s on the salt lake, a new Cyprus bird for me as a winter visit is usually needed to connect with these impressive birds. Only other sightings of note was a fox crossing the road in the car headlights near Esentepe and a Little Owl on a lamp post at the Marina.
Image: Flamingos Black Redstart Black Redstart
23rd Dec
Being a Sunday we woke to the sound of distant gunfire (the hunting season in North Cyprus is from October to February and only permitted on Sundays) but fortunately no hunters near the Marina. Took a short walk from the apartment and was pleased to see several wintering Black Redstart, mostly first winter/female but also one or two splendid males. Corn Buntings were also plentiful occurring in small flocks in the surrounding fields and several Stonechat, another common winterer. Resident specialities Chukar and Crested Lark showed well and a White Wagtail was near the swimming pool. Robin and Song Thrush also frequently seen, a couple of familiar but new birds seen in Cyprus for me. Song Thrushes are favourite quarry for hunters and not surprisingly are more wary here than at home.
24th Dec
An early morning walk produced much the same as yesterday with the addition of a Marsh Harrier moving along the coast being mobbed by a Hooded Crow.
Found the shallow seasonal lake at Mehmetcik (having failed to locate it last visit), apparently excellent for birds when it holds water but dry as a bone this time, probably needing good winter rainfall until spring to fulfil its potential.
Image: Marsh Harrier Sardinian Warbler Bonellis Eagle
26th Dec
Paid a visit to Famagusta and walked the historical district inside the old walls on a gloriously sunny afternoon, hard to believe it was Boxing Day. On the way a pair of Bonelli’s Eagles in the Kyrenia Range, a superb find and without doubt the best sighting of the trip.
Not much seen bird wise in the old city apart from the ubiquitous Black Redstart on the huge ramparts, Shag and Yellow-legged Gull in the harbour.
On the way out of the city I spotted a promising wetland area at the end of a side street that proved to be extremely productive – good numbers of water birds including Flamingo, Shoveler, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Tufted Duck and a Reed Bunting. Only problem was the army camp on the opposite bank, binoculars, scope and camera not recommended here!
27th Dec
A 6.30 a.m. start for the drive to Sadrazamkoy and a Song Thrush was singing as I loaded the car, sounded more like home in Spring than the eastern Mediterranean. On the way a Peregrine flew over the road near the insalubriously named For Play nightclub. There were small winter flocks of Corn Bunting in the fields around Sadrazamkoy, also plentiful Linnet, Serin, Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Stonechat and Spanish Sparrow. A Blue Rock Thrush sat on a concrete mixer was a nice find. A trio of Lapwing were another new Cyprus bird for me.
Called in to Gecitkoy Reservoir on the way back, which held the normal Coots and Little Grebe as well as c50 Great Cormorant, an increasingly common winter visitor here. Another Cyprus addition for me, a Great White Egret was a good find together with two Little Egret and two Grey Heron. A few Yellow-legged Gulls and a single Mallard were also on the reservoir. A leaking irrigation pipe was an attraction for many small birds including House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Serin, Chiffchaff and Black Redstart. A Water Rail cautiously crossing the track was yet another new Cyprus bird for me.
Image: Corn Bunting Serin Water Rail
28th Dec
Woke to hear a Black Francolin calling from the field at the back of the apartment to greet another sunny morning. A White Wagtail has become a regular visitor to the patio in the mornings. Called in to Gonyeli Reservoir on the way back from a visit to Nicosia. Fairly quiet, a Great White Egret, 3 Tufted Duck and the usual Little Grebe, Coot and Mallard.
29th Dec
The garden was quite productive at breakfast– White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and a grand male Black Redstart. The short drive to Mersinlik Reservoir notched up 2 Auduoins Gulls and a Harrier species on the way. The reservoir itself returned 17 Cormorant, several Serin, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Zitting Cistacola, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Chaffinches and a single Robin. Almost back to the apartment and I noticed a few birds at the water tank next to Mr Yaman’s restaurant. Parking the car just a few feet from the tank I spent an hour or so photographing several Chiffchaffs (including one partial albino), Serins, Corn Buntings, White Wagtail and a Stonechat. As I approached the Marina 10 Chukar flew across the road and an Eleanora’s Falcon was over the sea.
Image: White Wagtail Serin Stonechat Chiffchaff
30th Dec
Visited Bogaz on the east coast today, not much more than a 30 minutes drive over the mountain to get there. In addition to the usual birds we also saw 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Kentish Plover and 3 Cattle Egret.
Just inland from Bogaz is the Ergazi Reservoir, usual Cormorants, Coot and Moorhen here with the only new addition to my Cyprus list being 2 White-fronted Goose although there was an impressive flock of more than 300 Rock Dove, the plumages looked consistent and perhaps the breed hadn’t been affected too much by feral birds.
Next stop was the coast near Cayinova considered good for a variety of birds though it also proved very popular with the Sunday hunters. As we drove through the village square several hunters were displaying their quarry, mostly Hares and Song Thrushes hanging in small bunches. The road to the coast quickly narrows to a stoney track and we fell in behind a small convoy of hunters in pick up trucks and beaten up Renaults. Decked out in their camouflage gear and enough armoury to start a small war I felt conspicuously out of place trailing behind in the small hire car with my binoculars around my neck.
Image: Common Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper White-fronted Goose
31st Dec
Last day and a reluctant return trip to the airport. The salt lakes at Larnaca Airport held about 50 Flamingos, less than half the numbers we saw on our arrival but at least I got a few (though distant) pictures this time.
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