Saturday, 18 May 2019

Kensington Cliffs, Akrotiri Marsh & Gravel Pits, Lady's Mile and Zakaki Marsh - 28th April 2019

We started at Kensington Cliffs where the Eleanora's Falcons called from the cliff face and while on the wing.

Eleanora's Falcon


Four Griffon Vultures were also seen perched on a ledge.

Griffon Vultures

Butterflies were abundant on the walk down to the cliff, most too quick for a photograph, although the Cyprus Graylings were more obliging.

Cyprus Grayling

Langs Short-tailed Blue

Painted Lady 

Small Copper

At Akrotiri Marsh we met the newly appointed Ringing Officer, or so we thought. It appears there has been a degree of confusion around the whole area of who is taking the lead with the ringing scheme in Cyprus at present, since the passing of the previous ringing officer three years ago, which is slightly worrying. The marsh wasn't all that interesting. I heard Golden Oriole in the adjacent farm field and Chris was sure he heard Penduline Tit in the reeds, but neither could be seen. There were some waders, ibis, egrets but no pratincoles. The rabbit hutch pools held Black-winged Stilts, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Little Stints.

On the Gravel pits area we found 8 Red-backed Shrike, 5 Woodchat Shrike and one Masked.

Male Red-backed Shrike

Female Red-backed Shrike

Another male Red-backed Shrike

It was interesting that the Red-backed Shrikes were often paired, sitting a short distance from each other. Moving on to Lady's mile we had 2 Common Cuckoos, a Great Spotted Cuckoo and 4 Lesser Grey Shrike.

Lesser Grey Shrike

Common Cuckoo

The pools had a lot of Flamingoes, some Spoonbill, Squacco Heron and Little Egrets. There were also some Little Stints.

Little Stint

Finally at Zakaki, the reeds were higher than our last visit, making it difficult to see much at all. We did however manage to find some dragons and damsels with a single skipper.

Common Bluetail

Dark Spreadwing

Indigo Dropwing

Lulworth Skipper