Rob Williams
Well-known member
Thanks to the Olympics this year's family holiday had to be taken at Easter. We therefore looked to go somewhere we hadn't been before, somewhere that would be too hot for us in the summer months; so we decided to go to Cyprus. We hired a villa in a quiet area, deliberately ignoring 'lively' Coral Bay, in Argaka on Chrysochou Bay.
We had to fly to Larnaca which meant a two-hour drive around the island to the villa. I have to say the drive was quite pleasant and gave us a chance to see a lot of the island. The motorway is quite good and the signs are all in Greek and English; they drive on the correct side of the road although the speed limits seem on the low side.
The exit from the airport was easy and the drive produced quite a few birds. House Sparrow, Hooded Crow, Kestrel, Magpie and Collared Dove were all very quickly seen. Having driven passed Paphos we left the motorway (or rather it ended) and headed north along local roads. In Skoulli I saw my first Barn Swallow of the year.
Then started the hard part - the last couple of miles. We had directions and I saw a sign mentioned in the directions; accordingly we took the second right and couldn't find the villa. It turner out the sign said in small letters, "in 3 km" which I missed. I did see Hoopoe though.
Having got to the villa we unpacked and sat at the pool, listening to Sardinian Warbler. In the orange groves surrounding the villa there were plenty of Linnets.
So, the end of the first day produced 9 birds, 4 of which were year ticks.
We had to fly to Larnaca which meant a two-hour drive around the island to the villa. I have to say the drive was quite pleasant and gave us a chance to see a lot of the island. The motorway is quite good and the signs are all in Greek and English; they drive on the correct side of the road although the speed limits seem on the low side.
The exit from the airport was easy and the drive produced quite a few birds. House Sparrow, Hooded Crow, Kestrel, Magpie and Collared Dove were all very quickly seen. Having driven passed Paphos we left the motorway (or rather it ended) and headed north along local roads. In Skoulli I saw my first Barn Swallow of the year.
Then started the hard part - the last couple of miles. We had directions and I saw a sign mentioned in the directions; accordingly we took the second right and couldn't find the villa. It turner out the sign said in small letters, "in 3 km" which I missed. I did see Hoopoe though.
Having got to the villa we unpacked and sat at the pool, listening to Sardinian Warbler. In the orange groves surrounding the villa there were plenty of Linnets.
So, the end of the first day produced 9 birds, 4 of which were year ticks.