[MarkHows]

I have 4 days in Cyprus probably mid / late April staying in Paphos area, what are the key sites to visit? any special sites etc.

Possible plan
1 - Paphos head, reedbeds
2 - Akrotiri area
3 - Trodos forest / Mountains
4 - ?

Also any good spots for mammals or reptiles/Amphibians

Thanks

Mark

[firefox32]

Hi.

Try Asprokremmos Dam just off the paphos to limassol road about 10/15 km out of paphos. It is well signposted. Over the years I have seen lots of species here. There is a small coniferous wood here and a walkway to the reservoir which you can only get 150 yds but gives you superb views.

Birds I have seen here include. Obviosly depending on time of year.

Golden Oriole, peregrine, elenoras, bl kite, tawny pipit, blue rock thrush, collared pratincole, hobby, long legged buzzard, g w egret, cyprus pied wheatear, subalpine warb, bee eater, lesser kestrel, red footed falcon, rb shrike, cyprus warb plus many more.

As you stand on the road across the dam, facing towards the sea, you will see a wild area beneath the dam. This area is well worth a look and I always manage to see some cracking birds here. To get there, head down the road opposite the conifers, go halfway down road, there will be some old farm buildings on your left, turn left through them and the track will take you to the scrubland. There will be bee hives around. It is a good area to bird.

Another good place is the Polis end of the paphos district. Go through a village called Neo Chorio until you reach a small church on the right, you will be in a beautiful wild area of the Island. Have a good walk around. It's a good place to bird and good for smaller birds and warblers.

If you are keen to see elenoras, head to Aphrodites rock on the old road to Limassol, go past the rock about a km, there will be a sharp left hand bend. About 400yds before bend, stop and look left towards huge cliffs. You will for sure see elenoras.

Hope this helps.

Fox.

[wee kayso]

their is also a good place at mandrais,not far from the airport which has a waterworks area with pools, flooded fields ,with citrine wagtails, lots of red throated pipits,spurwinged plove, stints,and good chance of black francolins

[Steve Lister]

Following on from the recommendation for Asprokremnos Dam....

You can work your way up into the Troodos area directly from here. On the way watch out for Long-legged Buzzards and Bonelli's Eagles, both of which breed in the foothills.

Another good area is around Agios Georgios/Cape Drepanum, norh of Coral Bay, in turn north of Paphos. Similar potential to the Paphos headland area and better for sea-watching. The wide stoney beach on the way up to the Avgas gorge has turned up some good vagrants like Pale Rock Sparrow.

Steve