[Mick Sway]

Cyprus 4th to 17th June 2007.
During early June, personal circumstances allowed me the opportunity of accepting a long-standing invitation to visit friends living in the rural village of Kala Chorio, located north of Limassol, in the Troodos foothills.
The first few days of June in the hills, were cloudy in the early morning, threatening rain at times, usually becoming sunny in the afternoon.
The second week was baking hot by mid day everyday, with temperatures in the high 30’s, rendering attempts at birding largely useless - a Keo beer and kip was the better option.

Unfortunately since my transport arrangements were limited to those afforded through the kind hospitality of my hosts, so were my opportunities for covering many of the recognised birding sites on the Greek side of the island. I was however able to spend many days walking in the general area of Kala Chorio and was also able to visit Polemedia Dam, Paphos, Akritiri, Phassouri reed beds and Curium Beach.

It was most apparent that the main passage was over by the time that I arrived and therefore, birding over the two weeks was generally isappointing. Those birds that I was able to observe on foot were very skittish, probably because of the hunting culture.Carl, a retired ex UK serviceman, related one horror story to me, of locals apparently blasting Bee-eaters with shot guns from wires in the Episkopi area.

All areas were good for butterflies and reptiles, lizards being predominant.
Butterflies seen included (as far as I could identify) Common Blue, Long Tailed Blue, Southern Comma, Southern White Admiral, Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow, Wall Brown

Kala Chorio
The general area is about 1000m in altitude and covered in scrubby shrubs.
Tracks have been carved out of the hill sides with diggers for farming purposes, usually giving access to vineyards , orchards and olive groves. Shot gun cartridges were scattered everywhere and on the hillsides are warning signs designating them, in both English and Greek, as “Game reserves”. During the middle weekend, although I believe it to be illegal, I witnessed a number of guys in “hunting” gear, with dogs in tow .
Having said that the general hospitality of the Kala Chorio villagers was absolutely first rate and out of keeping with the hunting/trapping culture.
On Sunday 10 June I was woken at 07.15 am by a Golden Oriole fluting outside the bedroom window, but by the time I’d gotten my kegs on, unfortunately it was no where to be seen.
Most nights Nightjar, Little and Scops Owl could be heard calling either from the hillsides or the village below Pete and Julie’s hillside residence.

Birds seen over the two weeks in the Kala Chorio area.

Cyprus Wheatear Hooded Crow
Cyprus Warbler Masked shrike
Cetti’s Warbler Kestrel
Olivaceous Warbler Common Buzzard
Whitethroat Magpie
Black Headed Bunting House Martin
Blue Tit Swallow
Great Tit Swift
Goldfinch Hoopoe
Greenfinch Chukar
House Sparrow Woodpigeon
Spanish Sparrow Collared Dove
Linnet Turtle Dove
Possible Siskin amongst the Spanish Sparrow colony in some local pines.

Curium Beach Thurs 7th June 2007
On a hot windy day I had hoped to see Griffon Vultures on the Curium cliffs, looking down on the ancient ruins that lay underneath, however they did not put in an appearance. I had to make do with the resident Jackdaws and excellent views of the acrobatic para-surfers and wind surfers on the choppy Med Sea, a Kestrel also put in an appearance.

Paramythia Sat 9th June 2007
I requested Pete to stop whilst driving, to view a Roller on a wire.
Having passed the area several times over the course of the two weeks I had three more sightings, leading me to conclude that they breed in the area.

Akrotiri Monday 11th June 2007 ( Temp about 36C to day)
Walking down the track from the Forest Nursery at about 11.00, I reached an open area on the left ,which looked as though it had flooded in the spring. Adjacent was a large horse stables and sandy gallop.
A Cetti’s sung and was feeding a juvenile bird in the undergrowth. Crested and short toed larks flitted about on the open area. Two Eleonora’s hawked over the stables along with a raptor that I was unable to identify.
A Large Whip Snake basked on the grassy path.

Phassouri Reed Beds 11th June 2007
Viewing anything in the area was difficult due to reeds and grasses being largely overgrown and the lack of access to the salt lake channels. I was limited to distant views from the surrounding agricultural land, farm dogs and bulls also being major obstacles to anyone on foot. Obviously, any pools formed by lying water had by now dried up.

Birds seen at Akrotiri/Phassouri:
Chaffinch Little egret
Reed Warbler Coot
Cetti’s Warbler Moorhen
Fan Tailed Warbler Gargany
Great Tit Mallard
Eleonora’s Falcon Black Winged Stilt
Kestrel

Aphrodite Hills (near Aphrodite‘s Rock), Tuesday 12th June 2007
Took a walk down the river valley nature trail and surrounding cliffs, adding only Sardinian Warbler , possible Quail and a Chameleon to my list. The number of signs warning of the dangers of Blunt Nosed Vipers was a bit off putting, though fortunately I didn’t run into one of these dangerous reptiles.

Paphos harbour and headland (mosaic site) Wed 13th June 2007
During a visit to the magnificent 3rd Century mosaic site on Pahos head land the only new sightings that I could add were a Shag and Yellow Legged Gull. There was however, a noisy family of four Kestrel’s flying over the site. Hirundines were hawking across the headland.

Polemedia Dam Fri 15th June 2007
A late morning walk around the dam area only bore a Coot, Cyprus wheatear and a single high flying Short Toed Eagle.

PS Help with identification on the Akrotiri unknown photo, would be appreciated.

[john-henry]

Nice report Mick, the unidentified bird is Honey Buzzard.

Regards

John

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Smashing report, Mick. Lots of memories there for you - and photos. I would have said honey buzzard but I don't like to make a fool of myself and John got in first.

Maybe both of you will go next time and make it a proper birding holiday - although your list was impressive for a non-birding holiday!!

Sandra

[dan pointon]

Tis indeed a HB. Cyprus is a brilliant place to bird, i've been twice and wouldn't hesitate to go back! Great report!!

D

[Bubbs]

John is correct, it's a Honey Buzzard.

John.

[Mick Sway]

Thanks for the identification confirmation.
I suspected that it was, but I've only had one other sighting myself.
Regards
Mick

Originally Posted by john-henry

Nice report Mick, the unidentified bird is Honey Buzzard.

Regards

John

[Mick Sway]

Some additional photos attached.
The Cyprus Wheatear was nesting in a bird house at P and J's place.

[Gashead]

No red-rumped swallow Mick? They were very common in the Troodos last year.

[Steve Lister]

Your Siskin would far more likely be a Serin.

Steve

[Andrew]

Brings back my trip in May. Still writing that one up!

Previously, I failed to find a decent beer in Corfu so I was pleasantly surprised to find KEO beer was great on Cyprus. They seem to do every liquid product though from water and milk up to neat alchohol (96%)!

[Mick Sway]

Dear All
RE:BEER
My preference is for the “old speckled hen”, however after walking in temperatures of circa 40, anything tastes good.
RE:SISKINS
Although it could have been a serin and granted that it is the more likely, my initial reaction was siskin.
RE:SWALLOWS
Didn’t see any red romped, last time I saw them was in early May, in Lesvos.
Overall, given the reputation of Cyprus, I was very disappointed with my tally. Even common birds were thin on the ground by the second week, I hardly saw any thing. I hope to go again in October and hope that we do better then.
Re Swallow/Martin Photo
It is interesting to note that the morning after the swallows in the nest where I was staying had fledged, the nest was mobbed by about 30 martins, flitting back and forward for about an hour.
Thanks for your feedback, it is much appreciated.
Best
Mick
[

PS Andrew - i look forward to seeing your report




QUOTE=Andrew;942064]Brings back my trip in May. Still writing that one up!

Previously, I failed to find a decent beer in Corfu so I was pleasantly surprised to find KEO beer was great on Cyprus. They seem to do every liquid product though from water and milk up to neat alchohol (96%)![/quote]