Day 9
One of our less often visited sites is Vretsia. An abandonned Turkish village where vineyards, olive and almond groves used to be cultivated. Nowadays many of the vines have succumbed to drought as the irrigation efforts creased many years ago.
We arrived at 6:30am and found three areas to site some double nets. A Goshawk was seen overhead as we set up. It was years ago that we tried this spot and with no birding reports from the area we had no idea what may or may not be in the uplands. While there we saw Masked and Red-backed Shrike although neither were caught. Sardinian Warblers were frequently seen, also at least three Spotted Flycatcher - again none were caught. We didn't do too badly for Sylvia warblers, but no Willow Warblers were netted. We did notice that the Blackcaps were rather light compared to those caught down by the coast. The average weight of birds at Kouklia was 1.1g more than those at Vretsia. In the very dry conditions it seems likely that the birds fatten up as they travel since we are not seeing much evidence of large numbers feeding up in the coastal citrus groves or the dry river valleys.
Leading species was Cyprus Wheatear with a couple of Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroat and a few Great Tits making up the 24.
One of our less often visited sites is Vretsia. An abandonned Turkish village where vineyards, olive and almond groves used to be cultivated. Nowadays many of the vines have succumbed to drought as the irrigation efforts creased many years ago.
We arrived at 6:30am and found three areas to site some double nets. A Goshawk was seen overhead as we set up. It was years ago that we tried this spot and with no birding reports from the area we had no idea what may or may not be in the uplands. While there we saw Masked and Red-backed Shrike although neither were caught. Sardinian Warblers were frequently seen, also at least three Spotted Flycatcher - again none were caught. We didn't do too badly for Sylvia warblers, but no Willow Warblers were netted. We did notice that the Blackcaps were rather light compared to those caught down by the coast. The average weight of birds at Kouklia was 1.1g more than those at Vretsia. In the very dry conditions it seems likely that the birds fatten up as they travel since we are not seeing much evidence of large numbers feeding up in the coastal citrus groves or the dry river valleys.
Leading species was Cyprus Wheatear with a couple of Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroat and a few Great Tits making up the 24.
Two of the Cyprus Wheatear captures
Two Redstarts
The buildings of Vretsia are falling into disrepair
Parched groves afford some respite for migrants
From the number of shells and other evidence, this is a place where
hunting is common practice.
Totals: 24
Redstart - 2
Cyprus Wheatear - 6
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 10
Great Tit - 3
We spent the rest of the day driving around and failing to see much in the way of birdlife. There was a Montagu's Harrier, just as we left the village, nothing at Kannaviou Dam and then we found that the tanks were filling at Agia Varvara, but still only a few birds, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Bee-eaters and a Great Reed Warbler. We also photographed some butterflies.
African Grass Jewel
African Ringlet
Lesser Fiery Copper