Further to the above comprehensive report from Nick, I can confirm that my search for Black Francolin at Latchi was successful between 21 - 27 July. As I was only planning on staying very local to Latchi ie walking distance I was amazed how 'easy' they were to see within a km of the village. Difficult to photograph but they were readily viewable in the open at distance. The wheat/cereal fields were virtually all harvested and therefore the birds maybe more inclined to stay out in the open. I'm not sure how many individuals I saw but at least 15 bird sightings with several birds together sometimes. The best area was the road that runs inland from next to the big bridge with the small sandwich bar next to it. This is effectively opposite the marina. Taking the left hand fork after 100 m the road climbs rapidly to a plateau that overlooks the village. From here (only 5 minutes walk) good views could be had into the fields where the birds were. For the early morning birder this road can be followed inland for 30 minutes and followed around to the left at the plastic greenhouses then back left at the dumped boat and back to Latchi. This is a good hour plus walk that can be done before breakfast or just before evening dinner. There were Cyprus Pied Wheaters , Spanish Sparrows (flock of 200+) , Chukar, Red rumped swallows-30+, Fan-tailed Warbler and Eastern Olivaceous around this route. The Francolins also like the orchards.
A few other important sightings were Scops Owl in the Latchi Holiday village outside our room on one night. Slender-billed gulls (5)off the marina once, several Yellow-legged gulls, couple of Alpine swifts, Masked & Woodchat shrikes.
We cycled to the Baths of Aprodite one day and had some very approachable Cyprus Pied Wheaters at the donkey enclosure at the far end of the camp site. Rather tatty but a new bird so plenty of beer consummed at the local cafe overlooking the superb coastine. A boat trip along the coast bagged a couple of Cattle egrets but little else despite scanning the horizon for shearwaters. Chose the old traditional boat -Koula rather than the big boats and can recommend it throughly , the skipper and (wife?) put on a very nice meal too.
All up a good week and two new good birds, luckily I've seen the Cyprus Warblers in Eilat so didn't worry about these, none were seen amonst the 100's of Sardinians!
Matthew
