Saturday, 11 May 2019

Avdimou, general birding, butterflies and a new dragon, Cyprus 24th April 2019

Even with a 5 am start it seems impossible to get on site before the sun comes up.

Avdimou, complete cloud cover and a watery sun 6:15am

The total for today crept up to 21. Highlights had to be a retrapped Cyprus Warbler that was ringed 9th April 2018 as a adult, making this individual at least three years old.

49366 Cyprus Warbler male


TF5&6


There were a few birds to indicate that migrants were going through including a female Black-eared Wheatear.

5F Black-eared Wheatear



One of eight Lesser Whitethroats

Total: 20 (1)

Nightingale - 1
Black-eared Wheatear - 1
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler - 1
Cyprus Warbler - 1 (1)
Sardinian Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 8
Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 6

Crop fields at Avdimou

We took a quick look at Avdimou beach, only to find a Blue Rock Thrush, probably newly arrived from the unlikely location.

Blue Rock Thrush female

We then took a drive to Trozena for butterflies, but found some expected species absent, presumably due to the low temperatures of late. With the Pafos Blues and large and small whites was a new dragonfly for us. 

Orange Tip

Odalisque

Troodos Lizard


Waterfalls in Cyprus are not a usual sight. A trip up into the mountains, and it's clear there is still plenty of water rushing to the sea.


Water running down the lane at Trozena.