Ayios Minas and local birding Pafos, Cyprus - 22nd April 2019

We have struggled against the constant windy conditions of late so hoped that it might be less so in the Polis area. Despite a 5am alarm and getting nets up pretty quickly the flycatchers were thin on the ground, with as Chris put it, little else as a supporting cast. It was not helped by the strengthening blow from the direction of Turkey that was not only cold but also came straight up the hill badly affecting all nets. We finished on 8 birds and although one was a Collared Flycatcher it really didn't seem worth the effort.

5M Collared Flycatcher

We recaptured a Pied Flycatcher from the 18th and it had gained 1.2 grams.

A brief check around the area of the church turned up Serin, Wryneck and a Pied Flycatcher. Also some rather beautiful orchids.

Ophrys Apifera A type of Bee Orchid 

Anacamptis pryamidalis Pyramidial Orchid

We went up to Androliku, an old Turkish village, now mostly deserted building and saw a very interesting gorge on the way - somewhere to look for Wallcreeper in winter perhaps. 

Androliku gorge

The plan was to ring in the late afternoon/evening in one of the river beds in Pafos district but we were thwarted by the wind and had to settle for birding at Timi. There were some migrants fresh in including 22 Little Stint on the pool, a few Whinchats, a Pied Flycatcher, a Greenshank, a couple of Redstarts and a whole host of Wagtails and Wood Sandpipers.

Little Stints on the field pool

Dabrowski Wagtail

Male Redstart