Birding in Cyprus

[davids]

Hello


I am holidaying in Cyprus with my family for a week at the end of August. Any advice on birding spots at this time of year would be welcome, particularly for Cyprus Warbler and Wheatear

Thanks

David

[James]

Hi David

Most of my experience is around Paphos where I would certainly try Asprokremnos dam and Mavrokolympus dam (sure they're not spelt correctly but you will see them on a map!).
Near the airport was good for Francolin but beware of getting caught as a spy on their planes! Remember Greece in the news not too long ago.
The Gosney Guide is certainly worth reading. Enjoy and let us know how you go on.

James

[digi-birder]

Not sure about this time of year, as we've always been earlier in the year, but Cape Greco, near Ayia Napa, area is excellent.

We saw Cyprus Warbler there and Hoopoe, Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Chukar. Loads, in fact.

Even if you're over at the Paphos end, car hire is cheap and it's not a huge distance to the other side.

The only problem is the shooting - there's spent cartridges everywhere.

Otherwise, the lake near Larnaca airport is supposed to be good, but we never saw much there. It is also a bit intimidating due to the army presence there. Mind you it's ages since we went - it could be dried up by now.

[Malvolio]

Most of the sites which are well known are good for spring migrants and this is when most birders visit - most should also be OK in autumn though migrants may not be so concentrated

Anywhere with water should be productive - many migrants by-pass the Mediterranean area completely in autumn because it is so arid.

The timing of your visit should make Demoiselle Cranes a realistic possibility. The site for these is Akrotiri Salt Lake where they roost.

For some breeding birds the forests in the Trodos Mountains will need to be visited.

Slaughter of migrants (by gun, mistnetting and liming) is most prevelant in the east and the goons who carry out such activities (on a fully commercial rather then cottage industry-like basis) do not take at all kindly to having their activities observed, so beware.

There should be a few autumn trip reports available on the web.

MV

[Nick-on]

Went there mid September a few years back and it was s*dding hot! Birding was really hard work. Akrotiri salt lake was good for raptors (inc Pallid Harrier) but there was a lot of shooting (mainly Bee Eaters but also anything else that moved, including Marsh Harrier). Did get quite a bit of hassle from Cypriot Army around the Paphos Airport (including being threatened with a very very large machine gun! and also from a joint force of British Army and Cypriot Police near the Akrotiri base). Aspro dam was pretty good, and the highlight of the trip was trying to pick out Hobby in a flock of 40 plus Red-footed Falcon near Paphos.
But as Malvolio said the killing (shooting/trapping etc.) is pretty intense and sickening, I for one will not be going back!

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by Nick-on
But as Malvolio said the killing (shooting/trapping etc.) is pretty intense and sickening, I for one will not be going back!

I have to agree - this is partly why we have not been back.

I did intend to write to the authorities complaining about it, but never got round to it. Maybe I'll look up the address again. Just boycotting the island is probably not going to have any effect.

[Surreybirder]

How did you get on, Davids?