Field trip, 23-01-2010
Daniel Rhoads
chris.june.neal
As an update after you and Cyril left the hide, we did see 2 Stone Curlew on a sandy bank at Spiros Pools, 2 or 3 Eurasian Curlew, a few Common Redshank plus a flock of possible Redshanks which disappeared into the far undergrowth. There were also 8 Spur-winged Lapwing near the Desalination plant, plus dozens of Corn Buntings over the field along with Spanish and House Sparrows and Skylarks, but no Calendra Larks. There was a brief glimpse of what could have been a Common Snipe too, plus a possible Northern Lapwing calling.
Beyond Teke Mosque, along the dirt track away from the main salt lake, is a hillside with several holes in the rocks and 4 Little Owl were seen in the area (eventually as they were very well camouflaged). Along the shoreline, where the water was shallow, were waders: 2 Little Stint, around 40 Dunlin, 18 Kentish Plover, White Wagtails and larks. Amongst the Flamingos were around 180 Common Shelduck.
Bob (the Chemist) reckoned around 40 species in all were seen during the trip and the lovely weather was a real bonus.
June
----- Original Message Follows -----
From: Daniel Rhoads <daniel...@gmail.com>
To: cyprus...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [cyprus-birds] Field trip, 23-01-2010
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +0200
Chris & June Neal
Daniel Rhoads
------------------------------------------------------------
http://danielrhoads.magntize.com/
Jane Stylianou
Glad that you had a good field trip yesterday.
My birding this week has been limited by the weather, the Australian Open tennis and being surprisingly busy for a member of the unemployed!! Have been out around Nicosia though, both along the river bed in Strovolos and Lakatameia and to Athalassa Park as well.
Its been a very long time since I remember so much water at Athalassa. Nothing out of the ordinary for the site and was able to get lovely views of four Ferruginous Duck there as well as the usual Shoveler, Teal, Coot and Little Grebe. There were quite a lot of thrushes and blackbirds around, as there are along the river bed. Also along the river bed are lots of serins, chaffinches, greenfinches, robins, cetti's warblers, some starlings, two sardinian warblers and several blackcaps.
All the best
Jane
From: Daniel Rhoads <daniel..rhoads@gmail.com>
To: cyprus...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sun, 24 January, 2010 11:02:56
Subject: Re: [cyprus-birds] Field trip, 23-01-2010
Ray Atkinson
The Akamas, obviously, but that's a large area!
I do plenty of walking in the Drouseia, Miliou, Steni, Polis areas,
but not really come across any sites to spend a couple of hours
birdwatching.
Any suggestions?
Ray
Ray Atkinson
Stockport UK
Goudi CY
chris.june.neal
We lived in Kri Tou Terra for a while and there are quite a few birds seen in that area, which could be included in your walks around Drouseia, if you don't already go in that direction. The environmental centre in Kri Tou Terra may have some literature/leaflets on walks for birds, flowers, etc.
Here are a few other sites I went to when living in the area:-
Old Thelatra in the spring is lovely with lots of breeding and migrating birds around.
Spring over the north-east coast into Kato Pyrgos can be good for raptors and passerines. Not sure about this time of year though. It may be worthwhile looking through past Annual Bird Reports from BirdLife Cyprus to help out with specific sites.
Stavros area in Pafos Forest can be productive - Stavros tis Psokas is well signposted from the east of Polis.
Kannavious Dam, from Stroumpi and on to Pano Panayia. Manashilaks pinic site is on the right down a narrow road signposted Cedar Valley. Below the picnic site, overlooking a stream and small orchard you may find Hawfinch. Masked Shrike breed here too.
Evretou Dam can be good too in winter (when there's water) and into spring.
BirdLife Cyprus has a trip to the Pafos foothills on 20 February if you want to join in. I'm not sure if you're a member of BirdLife but their trips are on their web page.
We now live in Souni, north of Limassol so I don't go birding regularly in your area but if you want company my friend, Bob (who also lives in Souni) and I could meet up with you some time, if you're interested.
Happy birding.
June
----- Original Message Follows -----
From: Ray Atkinson <raa...@ntlworld.com>
To: Cyprus-Birding <cyprus...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cyprus-birds] Polis Area
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:32:08 -0800 (PST)
Chris & June Neal
Ray Atkinson
Thanks for your email.
I've only just got internet back so will reply in detail shortly.
Cheers
Ray
Ray Atkinson
Thanks again for your comprehensive reply.
I am a BirdLife Cyprus member, and have enjoyed field trips in the past. Unfortunately I fly back to UK on the 6th so will miss the February events.
At the moment I can only spend limited time in Cyprus, hopefully three times a year. Don't normally come in January, and it has been cold! Not as bad as the UK though. Am back in mid April to early May so would hope to get to Neo Chorio on the 1st.
There are some places I'd not come across in your email, and I look forward to trying them. I've not seen anything exciting so far, but on a visit to the Aspro dam pools today I saw Woodlark for the first time. From the road at the east end of the dam I clearly saw a Great Spotted Cuckoo. Managed to get a couple of photos, but not good ones. It was among the trees on the right as you reach the top of the hill up to the dam. Seems a bit early - I've only come across them in April before.
I've found this group quite interesting, and hopefully it will grow. It's particularly nice to hear what's going on when stuck at work on cold winters days!
Thanks again for taking the time to reply, and hope to meet up on one of the field trips, although I suspect we might have already met!
Kind regards
Ray
.
On 25/01/2010 10:12, chris.june.neal wrote:
chris.june.neal
I'm glad you've seen Woodlark - a regular bird here in winter. Did you read Owen's comments on the higher number of sightings this year than in the past? Our flocks around Souni seem to be bigger in numbers too.
You are right, the Great Spotted Cuckoo was an extremely early arrival and seems to have stayed around Aspro dam area, since it 'landed'.
It's a pity that this January has been so cold and wet, especially for visitors. Last year a friend and I spent quite a few days in the sun sketching scenery and buildings, with sun hats, sun cream and seeking out the shade - no chance of that this year. At least the dams are now about 47% full again.
This morning, in the rain, I thought I'd see no birds at all - it was so quiet but then I came across 4 Stonechats, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds, 10 Corn Buntings, one male Black Redstart, a Cyprus Warbler and 2 Robins. Chukar, Chiffchaffs, Great Tits, Cetti's Warbler, Chaffinces and Goldfinch were heard too, so it was an interesting walk in the rain. Now it's a steady downpour and I'd better update the BirdLine.
All the best to you. I hope to see you in May, though I too suspect we've probably met before. I just can't put a face to your name.
June
----- Original Message Follows -----
From: Ray Atkinson <raa...@ntlworld.com>
To: cyprus...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [cyprus-birds] Polis Area
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:15:13 +0200
> Hi June
> Thanks again for your comprehensive reply.
> I am a BirdLife Cyprus member, and have enjoyed field trips in the past.
> Unfortunately I fly back to UK on the 6th so will miss the February events.
> At the moment I can only spend limited time in Cyprus, hopefully three
> times a year. Don't normally come in January, and it has been cold! Not
> as bad as the UK though. Am back in mid April to early May so would hope
> to get to Neo Chorio on the 1st.
>
> There are some places I'd not come across in your email, and I look
> forward to trying them. I've not seen anything exciting so far, but on a
> visit to the Aspro dam pools today I saw Woodlark for the first time.
> From the road at the east end of the dam I clearly saw a Great Spotted
> Cuckoo. Managed to get a couple of photos, but not good ones. It was
> among the trees on the right as you reach the top of the hill up to the
> dam. Seems a bit early - I've only come across them in April before.
>
> I've found this group quite interesting, and hopefully it will grow.
> It's particularly nice to hear what's going on when stuck at work on
> cold winters days!
>
> Thanks again for taking the time to reply, and hope to meet up on one of
> the field trips, although I suspect we might have already met!
>
> Kind regards
>
> Ray
>
>
Chris & June Neal