Day 2
We reached Kouklia just as it was light enough to see well. Always a good idea when the snakes that hunt in this dry riverbed are so venomous. We sited 3 nets on our side of the river bed with another two on the other side. It was going to be very hot again.
We took a good catch of Willow Warblers early on, then had five or six birds each round. Got some Spanish Sparrows, Blackcaps and resident Sardinian Warblers. Least expected catch was of an Icterine Warbler. A Ruppell's was also good, since they are much less common in the autumn, than on spring migration.
Day 3
A wet start as we awoke to find that the washing machine had malfunctioned. The front loading door was open and water was pumping out. From the inch or so of water throughout the downstairs level this had been happening since shortly after we went to bed. So, no Neo Chorio for us, just sweeping the water out and drying as much as we could. We were clearing up for about 4 hours, then kept the house open to get as much damp out as possible.
It was 14:45 by the time we went out to Anarita for a looksee. It was very quiet, just a Whinchat and some Red-back Shrikes. Moving on to the Anarita radio mast we located the Lesser Grey Shrike reported there yesterday and found a second. Wheatears are few and far between, but one Black-eared Wheater was close to the mast.
We then gave Ayia Vavara a go, very few passerines, good numbers of Bee-eater, a Spotted Flycatcher and more Red-backed Shrikes.
We reached Kouklia just as it was light enough to see well. Always a good idea when the snakes that hunt in this dry riverbed are so venomous. We sited 3 nets on our side of the river bed with another two on the other side. It was going to be very hot again.
We took a good catch of Willow Warblers early on, then had five or six birds each round. Got some Spanish Sparrows, Blackcaps and resident Sardinian Warblers. Least expected catch was of an Icterine Warbler. A Ruppell's was also good, since they are much less common in the autumn, than on spring migration.
Icterine Warbler - listed as a scarce passage migrant on Cyprus.
Our 2013 copy of the bird report had only three records, all in spring.
Ruppell's Warbler - a rare autumn passage migrant
Spanish Sparrow male
Adult Willow Warbler - Kouklia
We began to draw in at 10am and were off site by 11am. Bird movements had dropped off quite abruptly as the temperature rose. We didn't get any of the Bee-eaters or Whinchat in the area.
Total - 45
Crested Lark - 2
Cetti’s Warbler - 1
Sedge Warbler - 1
Icterine Warbler - 1
Icterine Warbler - 1
Sardinian Warbler - 12
Ruppell's Warbler - 1
Ruppell's Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 7
Willow Warbler - 13
Great Tit - 1
Great Tit - 1
Spanish Sparrow - 6
The afternoon was spent checking out Ayia Varvara and Acheleia soakaways where another fire has swept through. This area is used as a dump and a fire could easily start among the tinder dry grasses and broken glass.
Yellow Wagtail - Acheleia fields
One of three Collared Pratincole - Mandria
Red-backed Shrike - Ayia Varvara
Bee-eater at Ayia Varvara
A wet start as we awoke to find that the washing machine had malfunctioned. The front loading door was open and water was pumping out. From the inch or so of water throughout the downstairs level this had been happening since shortly after we went to bed. So, no Neo Chorio for us, just sweeping the water out and drying as much as we could. We were clearing up for about 4 hours, then kept the house open to get as much damp out as possible.
It was 14:45 by the time we went out to Anarita for a looksee. It was very quiet, just a Whinchat and some Red-back Shrikes. Moving on to the Anarita radio mast we located the Lesser Grey Shrike reported there yesterday and found a second. Wheatears are few and far between, but one Black-eared Wheater was close to the mast.
Lesser Grey Shrike
Black-eared Wheatear
Red-backed Shrikes, wide spread at present.
We would have tried for Bee-eaters in the evening as we have a few suitable places, but the wind remained strong and we decided to wait for more favourable weather - hoping they're still about by then.