Cyprus
As with many of the popular holiday island destinations, there are places to see and places to avoid. So when I booked this four day trip to the eastern end of Greek Cyprus, I based myself in Agia Napa because apparently (according to the abundance of self-eulogising T-shirts available) 'Napa Rocks'. Thankfully it was the off-season so there was no attitude or groups of morons destroying the place.
It was actually very pleasant, and despite having an untimely reaction to one of the medications, the time was well spent. Four days, 92 species, six lifers.
I stayed at the pleasant EuroNapa hotel in Agia Napa - Return flights were on British Airways to Larnaka from Heathrow.
Sites visited included Cape Greko, Agia Napa Sewage Works, Oriklini Marshes (which is an amazing site), Larnaca Salt Lake (and surrounding pools), Larnaca Sewage Works, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Lady's Mile, and Zakaki Marshes.
Northern Shoveler
eight at Oriklini.
Mallard
A few birds at Oriklini Marshes and a couple at Zakaki.
Eurasian Teal
a couple of stragglers in Oriklini.
Garganey
Three lovely drakes at Oriklini Marshes.
Ferruginous Duck
A pair swimming close to the far reedbed at Oriklini.
Red-crested Pochard
Female at Oriklini.
Chukar
a few birds seen on Greko and one with young at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Black Francolin
six birds in total heard, two at Greko with one seen when flushed, one at Oriklini, and three calling at Zakaki Marshes.
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Little Grebe
at least six adults on Oriklini.
Greater Cormorant
A single group of 25 flew over Lady's Mile.
Grey Heron
six adult birds circled Oriklini Marshes
Purple Heron
three birds flew in off the sea at Greko with another bird flushed from a bush near the Picnic site. Another adult seen at Oriklini Marshes.
single birds seen at Oriklini Marshes, and Zakaki Marshes.
Little Bittern
a pair seen really well as they noisily alighted from the reeds and flew round the hide at Zakaki Marshes.
Little Egret
10+ birds at Oriklini Marshes with an interesting 'grey' plumaged bird at Lady's Mile.
Cattle Egret
At least 100 birds present at Oriklini Marshes with many on nests.
Glossy Ibis
Decent sized flocks seen at Greko, Oriklini Marshes, and Akrotiri.
Spoonbill
Single adult at Oriklini Marshes
Greater Flamingo
Two birds at Oriklini but small groups still present at Larnaca Salt Lake, Airport Pools, and larger numbers at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Montagu's Harrier
female flew over a road just outside Episkopi.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
A single bird in off the sea at Greko.
Common Kestrel
Seen on Greko and en route along the southern highway.
Hobby
a single bird flushed waders on Akrotiri Salt Lake with another seen at Zakaki Marshes.
Peregrine
one flew over Greko.
Eleanora's Falcon
at least 15 birds providing an impressive aerial display at Kensington Cliffs.
Little Crake
A real target - single bird seen feeding on the reed margins at Oriklini Marshes.
Eurasian Coot
Common everywhere and seen at most sites.
Common Moorhen
Five at Oriklini and a couple at Zakaki Marshes.
Ruff
The most common wader seen at most sites. Most abundant at Oriklini and Lady's Mile with 65 birds on one pool.
Wood Sandpiper
Fairly numerous at most sites. At least 20 together at Oriklini.
Black-winged Stilt
Small groups seen at Oriklini and Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Little Stint
Plenty seen with small groups at Oriklini and Lady's Mile.
Ringed Plover
Five at Oriklini and 10+ at Akrotiri.
Common Snipe
Two birds at Oriklini.
Marsh Sandpiper
Two birds at Oriklini and a single on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Spur-winged Lapwing
Seen at most sites. Stunning birds most numerous at Oriklini Marshes with around eight birds there including one nesting by the road-side.
Greenshank
Singles at Oriklini and Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Kentish Plover
half a dozen seen at Lady's Mile and small groups on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Curlew Sandpiper
A total of 12 birds seen at Lady's Mile with a couple of summer plumaged adults.
Bar-tailed Godwit
A rare bird in Cyprus, a single bird at Lady's Mile.
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Three birds feeding on the edge of Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Collared Pratincole
Four of these lovely birdse at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Yellow-legged Gull
A couple at Greko
Lesser Black Backed Gull
a single bird at Greko
Black-headed Gull
three first-year birds on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Little Tern
A pair at Oriklini and another pair at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
White-winged Tern
Five stunning adults at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Woodpigeon
common at various sites.
Collared Dove
a common bird at various sites.
Turtle Dove
a single bird flew purposefully in off the sea at Greko.
Laughing Dove
a single bird seen while driving outside of Larnaka.
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Lucky to have connected with a single at Oriklini.
Common Swift
around 100 birds at Oriklini.
Alpine Swift
Small groups at Kensington Cliffs and three more seen just outside Agia Napa.
Crested Lark
common at most sites.
Barn Swallow
plenty passing through at Greko.
Red-rumped Swallow
a single bird flew through at Akrotiri Salt Lake, and one through on Greko.
House Martin
around 20 at Oriklini.
Sand Martin
five birds seen at Oriklini.
Tawny Pipit
A single near the picnic site on Greko and two more towards the cape.
White Wagtail
Single at Oriklini.
Yellow Wagtail
Small group at Larnaca Sewage Works that included feldegg and flava. Single feldegg at Oriklini.
Whinchat
Two in scrub just outside of Greko, with a single bird on Greko.
Cyprus Pied Wheatear
At least four birds on Greko.
Northern Wheatear
a single male at Akrotiri Salt Lake,
Willow Warbler
one sang briefly just before the Greko turning with two more in a scrubby area nearby.
Eurasian Reed Warbler
A common bird at Zakaki and Oriklini Marshes.
Icterine Warbler
single migrant bird seen well on Greko.
Cetti's Warbler
Heard at Oriklini Marshes
Blackcap
single at Agia Napa sewage works, and one at Oriklini Marshes
Great Tit
Two seen at Agia Napa Sewage Works and a further two at Oriklini.
Golden Oriole
a single stunning adult male on top of a bush at Agia Napa Sewage Works
Hooded Crow
commonly seen at various sites.
Jackdaw
A few seen at Greko
Eurasian Magpie
Three singles seen en route to various destinations
House Sparrow
Abundant everywhere.
Spanish Sparrow
A dozen present at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Greenfinch
seen at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Goldfinch
around a dozen at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Ortolan
two near the picnic site on Greko.
Linnet
small groups seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Desert Finch
a real bonus - this male arrived right on cue as I was about the leave Greko for the final time. Sat in its favoured bush before swiftly departing.
Other
It was actually very pleasant, and despite having an untimely reaction to one of the medications, the time was well spent. Four days, 92 species, six lifers.
I stayed at the pleasant EuroNapa hotel in Agia Napa - Return flights were on British Airways to Larnaka from Heathrow.
Sites visited included Cape Greko, Agia Napa Sewage Works, Oriklini Marshes (which is an amazing site), Larnaca Salt Lake (and surrounding pools), Larnaca Sewage Works, Akrotiri Salt Lake, Lady's Mile, and Zakaki Marshes.
Northern Shoveler
eight at Oriklini.
Mallard
A few birds at Oriklini Marshes and a couple at Zakaki.
Eurasian Teal
a couple of stragglers in Oriklini.
Garganey
Three lovely drakes at Oriklini Marshes.
Ferruginous Duck
A pair swimming close to the far reedbed at Oriklini.
Red-crested Pochard
Female at Oriklini.
Chukar
a few birds seen on Greko and one with young at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Black Francolin
six birds in total heard, two at Greko with one seen when flushed, one at Oriklini, and three calling at Zakaki Marshes.
cor
Little Grebe
at least six adults on Oriklini.
Greater Cormorant
A single group of 25 flew over Lady's Mile.
Grey Heron
six adult birds circled Oriklini Marshes
Purple Heron
three birds flew in off the sea at Greko with another bird flushed from a bush near the Picnic site. Another adult seen at Oriklini Marshes.
Squacco Heron
Little Bittern
a pair seen really well as they noisily alighted from the reeds and flew round the hide at Zakaki Marshes.
Little Egret
10+ birds at Oriklini Marshes with an interesting 'grey' plumaged bird at Lady's Mile.
Cattle Egret
At least 100 birds present at Oriklini Marshes with many on nests.
Glossy Ibis
Decent sized flocks seen at Greko, Oriklini Marshes, and Akrotiri.
Spoonbill
Single adult at Oriklini Marshes
Greater Flamingo
Two birds at Oriklini but small groups still present at Larnaca Salt Lake, Airport Pools, and larger numbers at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Montagu's Harrier
female flew over a road just outside Episkopi.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
A single bird in off the sea at Greko.
Common Kestrel
Seen on Greko and en route along the southern highway.
Hobby
a single bird flushed waders on Akrotiri Salt Lake with another seen at Zakaki Marshes.
Peregrine
one flew over Greko.
Eleanora's Falcon
at least 15 birds providing an impressive aerial display at Kensington Cliffs.
Little Crake
A real target - single bird seen feeding on the reed margins at Oriklini Marshes.
Eurasian Coot
Common everywhere and seen at most sites.
Common Moorhen
Five at Oriklini and a couple at Zakaki Marshes.
Ruff
The most common wader seen at most sites. Most abundant at Oriklini and Lady's Mile with 65 birds on one pool.
Wood Sandpiper
Fairly numerous at most sites. At least 20 together at Oriklini.
Small groups seen at Oriklini and Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Little Stint
Plenty seen with small groups at Oriklini and Lady's Mile.
Ringed Plover
Five at Oriklini and 10+ at Akrotiri.
Common Snipe
Two birds at Oriklini.
Marsh Sandpiper
Two birds at Oriklini and a single on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Spur-winged Lapwing
Seen at most sites. Stunning birds most numerous at Oriklini Marshes with around eight birds there including one nesting by the road-side.
Singles at Oriklini and Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Kentish Plover
half a dozen seen at Lady's Mile and small groups on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Curlew Sandpiper
A total of 12 birds seen at Lady's Mile with a couple of summer plumaged adults.
Bar-tailed Godwit
A rare bird in Cyprus, a single bird at Lady's Mile.
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Three birds feeding on the edge of Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Collared Pratincole
Four of these lovely birdse at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Yellow-legged Gull
A couple at Greko
Lesser Black Backed Gull
a single bird at Greko
Black-headed Gull
three first-year birds on Akrotiri Salt Lake.
A pair at Oriklini and another pair at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
White-winged Tern
Five stunning adults at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Woodpigeon
common at various sites.
Collared Dove
a common bird at various sites.
Turtle Dove
a single bird flew purposefully in off the sea at Greko.
Laughing Dove
a single bird seen while driving outside of Larnaka.
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Lucky to have connected with a single at Oriklini.
Common Swift
around 100 birds at Oriklini.
Alpine Swift
Small groups at Kensington Cliffs and three more seen just outside Agia Napa.
European Bee-eater
a group of 11 seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake, with further birds heard at Kensington Cliffs. A group of 13 seen at the Sea Caves on Greko.
a group of 11 seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake, with further birds heard at Kensington Cliffs. A group of 13 seen at the Sea Caves on Greko.
European Roller
a stunning adult at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
a stunning adult at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Crested Lark
common at most sites.
plenty passing through at Greko.
Red-rumped Swallow
a single bird flew through at Akrotiri Salt Lake, and one through on Greko.
House Martin
around 20 at Oriklini.
Sand Martin
five birds seen at Oriklini.
Tawny Pipit
A single near the picnic site on Greko and two more towards the cape.
White Wagtail
Single at Oriklini.
Yellow Wagtail
Small group at Larnaca Sewage Works that included feldegg and flava. Single feldegg at Oriklini.
Whinchat
Two in scrub just outside of Greko, with a single bird on Greko.
Cyprus Pied Wheatear
At least four birds on Greko.
Northern Wheatear
a single male at Akrotiri Salt Lake,
Willow Warbler
one sang briefly just before the Greko turning with two more in a scrubby area nearby.
Eurasian Reed Warbler
A common bird at Zakaki and Oriklini Marshes.
Icterine Warbler
single migrant bird seen well on Greko.
Cetti's Warbler
Heard at Oriklini Marshes
Blackcap
single at Agia Napa sewage works, and one at Oriklini Marshes
Common Whitethroat
a single by Larnaka Airport North Pool.
a single by Larnaka Airport North Pool.
Zitting Cisticola
singles at Oriklini and Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Olivaceous Warbler
three singing males at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Spectacled Warbler
a common bird at many sites.
Sardinian Warbler
single bird seen just outside Greko.
Cyprus Warbler
Another target - seen in scrub just outside Greko and at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
three singing males at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Spectacled Warbler
a common bird at many sites.
Sardinian Warbler
single bird seen just outside Greko.
Cyprus Warbler
Another target - seen in scrub just outside Greko and at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Spotted Flycatcher
a single in scrub by turning for Greko and another near the picnic site.
a single in scrub by turning for Greko and another near the picnic site.
Great Tit
Two seen at Agia Napa Sewage Works and a further two at Oriklini.
Golden Oriole
a single stunning adult male on top of a bush at Agia Napa Sewage Works
Hooded Crow
commonly seen at various sites.
Jackdaw
A few seen at Greko
Eurasian Magpie
Three singles seen en route to various destinations
House Sparrow
Abundant everywhere.
Spanish Sparrow
A dozen present at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Greenfinch
seen at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Goldfinch
around a dozen at Agia Napa Sewage Works.
Ortolan
two near the picnic site on Greko.
Linnet
small groups seen at Akrotiri Salt Lake.
Desert Finch
a real bonus - this male arrived right on cue as I was about the leave Greko for the final time. Sat in its favoured bush before swiftly departing.
Other
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