Monday 18 March 2024

Cyprus 24 - Day 5

 I headed up North to Kidasi early this morning to try for a late Finsch's Wheatear. It was a 45 minute drive and I arrived at 8pm.

I knew exactly whwere to look as I'd been previously with the Birdlife Cyprus group in 2017. It was on the cusp of departure dates but birds were still being reported, so it was worth a try, besides it was another trip down memory lane. I like that!

I did my first "recce" in the car as the track was much improved...


I drove a fair distance but nothing was seen except for the hundreds of Jackdaws. I drove slowly back down, parked the car  and ascended once more on foot. I have to admit I didn't go as high as I had in the car but I still walked a fair distance. Twas a lovely fresh and clear early morning BUT there was still no sign of the Target Bird...


Now then Buzzards...again! The Jackdaws (70) alerted me to one circling above me. It soon drifted off North before I could get a decent photo. I was happy it was Common (71). I dropped back down to the car and waited some more. I did see a Whitethroat (72) briefly for another Trip Tick! Just as I was about to leave (yep that old chestnut) I picked another Raptor up in the distance...


As you can see...it looked different! No doubt a Long-legged Buzzard (73) in my book...bearing in mind my experience of this Species is somewhat/very limited! Forgetting plumage for a moment, the "jizz" gave a VERY long-winged appearance. Regarding field marks, you can see even at this distance, the distinctive tail pattern...rufous with white base and the pale wing patches on the upper wing. This was a quality moment and one I'd been hoping to experience on the Trip. Your moment is the best moment...right?

The Bird never came close but I managed one that illustrates the wing proportions...


So no Wheatear but ample compensation here.

I arrived back in Kato Paphos at Noon and we went down to the Harbour for Lunch. After our chocolate Crepes and ice cream we took a stroll around the Headland. Unfortunately the wind had picked up, so Louise headed for the shops and I walked out to the point. I wasn't expecting much in the conditions but there were still Red-throated Pipits about and an Isabelline Wheatear...


I then spotted a small Wader flying East that fortunately dropped down onto the tideline. After around 10 minutes I re-located it...

Common Sandpiper (74)

As said on many occasions I'm well aware of the vagaries of the WWW when posting my stuff and am flattered that you give your time reading my pearls!? I know many of you can read between my lines.

After the recent Asian Desert Warbler episode I keep hearing of reports of Grey Plover on the Headland. Let's just say I'm only seeing Golden. A House Martin was a nice bonus as I left.

After picking Louise up at 3 we headed for Mandria. I was going to have a last trawl along the beach but...I didn't...


We enjoyed the Kite Show celebrating Clean Monday (first day of Lent in Eastern Christianity)...



I nearly ticked this one!

A pleasant relaxing end to the day...


Trip Total - 74 Species

Sunday 17 March 2024

Cyprus 24 - Day 4

Today was an excellent one. We'd already decided to have a walk around the new Headland path when news broke that a couple of Greater Sand Plovers had shown up. This is a regular spot for this sought after Species but sightings can be erratic.

As I scanned the area I could see a couple of Golden Plovers...

One of

Further scanning drew a blank for 10 minutes, then...there they were, by the tideline...



A "much hoped for" Bird on the Trip but not guaranteed. After watching them from behind a rock I let them be and moved back to the path. Louise had decided to walk back to the Apartment for some exercise, while I Birded the area further. I had permission lol! She later told me it was 3.3 miles...a good effort!

I had another look for the mysterious Asian Desert Warbler but unsurprisingly there was no sign? It became apparent that there were still some Red-throated Pipits moving through, so I tried to get some more photos of this stunning Pipit. I walked back and forth along the excellent new path but being Sunday it was understandably busy with plenty of people enjoying the sunshine in still conditions.
I then noticed something below me in the vegetation at close range. It was a RTP totally unconcerned by my presence!





I'm being spoilt by this Species...

Birds DO have expressions!

After Lunch I had a couple of hours up at Anarita Park...my first visit. It was very quiet as I made my way towards the Goat Farm. As I passed a small stream, a Green Sandpiper flew up. I pulled over and waited...


A Snipe was also present.

Little Owl is a Species that can be found here but last Year I dipped. Better luck this time, early doors, as I drove up a steep track...


Note the body position, it was aware!

After returning to pick the boss up we headed down to Mandria for the rest of the day...besides, the Beach Bar is now open for the season! After dropping Louise off I headed for Mandria Gardens to check out the temporary pools crated there by the irrigation pipes. Water always good for birds in otherwise dry areas. I parked up and waited. A Hawfinch had been reported here. It didn't appear but I had an excellent hour adding a decent number of Species to my Trip List...

Little Ringed Plover...


Black Francolin (Heard)
Eastern Subalpine Warbler
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler...


Robin
Song Thrush


On returning to the Beach Bar to pick her up, I noticed a lone Bird perched on the back of one of the chairs...

Black Redstart at Dusk

You've gotta love Cyprus!
 
Trip Total - 69 Species

Saturday 16 March 2024

Cyprus 24 - Day 3

They can't all be great...Bird-wise! However, they ARE all great because we're in Cyprus!! The potential is immense.

We had a leisurely start this morning and went for a stroll along the Coastal Path, which turned out to be vastly improved from last Year...


We enjoyed a wonderful walk in excellent conditions. It was completely Birdless...until these two dropped in out of nowhere...


...they soon moved on.

After Lunch I made my way up into Paphos for a trim but nor before checking out last Year's Ruppell's Warbler bush across the road from our place...



Nothing yet but I'm confident. A successful jaunt took place thanks to Google Maps and an unusual dwelling was enjoyed to boot...

The Blue Shell House

I was returning to the Apartment when news broke...

ASIAN DESERT WARBLER at the Archaeological Site

It was worth another crack as I was only 15 minutes away. On arrival I saw a Birder sitting on a wall. I asked him if he was aware of the sighting and he told me he'd seen it some 50 minutes ago. I made my way around the path along the Perimeter fence...


... to the area in question...


No-one present on arrival. This is hard to comprehend having my "British" head on...I'm adjusting though! I was joined by a Welsh Birder, then a chap from Merseyside. We searched but no joy. Mark Askew arrived with his crew and Matt Smith who lives on the Island and guides. Eventually they all gave up and left me alone again. I gave it till 5 then headed "home"...BUT not before enjoying the late arrival of a significant flock (c100) of Spanish Sparrows...my only addition of a quiet day...



Another Feldegg was on the path...


Actually I tell a lie, as I had a lone Cormorant past the Headland.

Trip Total - 59 Species

Seeing as it was slow today, here's another pic of Thursday's Redstart...

What a Corker!

Friday 15 March 2024

Cyprus 24 - Day 2

 I was on Site at 6am...no-one else was!?


It was a lovely fresh morning with a moderate breeze. All the constitutionals were out and about but the atmosphere was convivial and the Birds that were present, didn't seem to mind. I scanned the area around the "pin" thoroughly and for a good while but nothing showed. However, there were plenty of Pipits and Wagtails to check through. Eventually I found a subject that fitted the bill...

Red-throated Pipit


I reckon there were at least 20 Birds scattered around the area giving superb close views (my best ever) in the early morning Sunshine...





Cracking Birds...


"Feldegg" Yellow Wagtails played harder to get...


Like a lot of Species the colours stand out in the superb light...


A couple of Golden Plovers were hiding in the rocks...


Alas no Greater Sand though?

Also a shout out to the humble White Wagtail...



A few Gulls drifted past and I thought I had 3 Audouin's...BUT they had drifted off into the Sun before I could be sure!? I did "snatch" a Baltic though...just...


Colin Richardson later reported a GREAT BLACK-HEADED (always will be for me) West at Mandria during the morning. Maybe I missed it!!!?

The afternoon was spent East of Paphos at Agia Varvara then Mandria. The former initially produced Green Sandpiper and House Martin for the Trip List. The three pools were thick with vegetation making viewing very difficult. However there were a few flooded tracks, so we positioned the car so we could view them.mThey eventually attracted Serin...


Goldfinch, Linnet and Corn Bunting. The latter being part of a group of 15 in one bush...


Have to admit the Weather wasn't great today with frequent showers and significant cloud cover. The last hour was spent on the "front" at Mandria looking for Wheatears. They had been thin on the ground during my first two days but eventually I both Northern and Isabelline here in the fading light...




Isabelline at Dusk

We watched the Sunset, then headed "home"

Trip Total - 57 Species