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Page 2 Site 4 R J Oliver recommends walking north from Coral Bay towards Aghios Gheorghios as the maquis and scrub is excellent for migrants (he thought it was much better than Paphos headland). Roger Smith says that 'Francolins were really easy in this area – standing on rocks and calling'. Site 9 Erich Kretzschmar recommends the area NORTH of the main road for raptors, including Long-legged Buzzard, plus 'easy' Black Francolins, Great Spotted Cuckoos and Red-rumped Swallows. The surrounding fields are good for larks, pipits, wheatears and buntings. Page 4 Kristine Smith reports (Feb 2004) that there is now a fence around this site, so it is impossible to get access except, after 8 am, by getting an entrance ticket from the port (£1.50 CYP) Sites in Kato Paphos worth checking for migrants include more municipal gardens (about 300m west of the Post office) and the scrub off Agias Kyriakis. Site 1 Birds here in spring 97 included Greater Sand Plover, Rüppell's Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher. The area is now fenced off but it is still possible to birdwatch within the fenced area. Site 5 Over the years Erich Kretzschmar has also had birds such as Spur-winged Plover, Isabelline Wheatear and Ortolan here. Page 6 Many apologies to anyone who has had difficulty following the notes and map for Asprokremnos Dam. Unlike almost all the other maps in my books it isn't based on my own experiences at the site, so I had to rely on 'official' maps and details provided by others. Anyway, to prevent further confusion, please note that Kholetria is not on the east–west road just east of Xeros Potamos but is actually on the north–south road to the south of the T-junction where these two roads meet. When Wilf Norman was birding down the east side of Xeros Potamos in December 1997 he had 4-5 Finsch's Wheatears, 2 wintering Moustached Warblers and 2 Bonelli's Eagles. In 1997 at least one of the wintering Finsch's Wheatears stayed until 6th April. The deserted village of Finikas, where they are usually found, can be reached by driving to the dam but turning left (north) along a rough track up the west side of the reservoir. Bear right at the radio mast and continue until you cross a small bridge over a tributary; look for the wheatears from here to the village (DW, AR and AF). Birds at Asprokremnos in spring 1997 included Little Crake, Great White Egret, Great Snipe, Pallid Harrier, Rock Thrush and Moustached Warbler. Site 3 is also excellent for Great Spotted Cuckoos. Not far from Asprokremnos Dam, the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn on the main Paphos road had a resident roosting Scops Owl in the garden, Black Francolins within audible range and Great Spotted Cuckoo, Collared Flycatcher and Cyprus Wheatear all seen from the bedroom (AR and AF). Page 8 It's impossible to watch the francolins here without being apprehended. In spring you are unlikely to miss them elsewhere on the island but, if you are struggling, another really good area is apparently just east of the airport between the village of Mandria (head for the church) and the coast (per Jeff Gordon). M Berry found Black Francolin near the airport, avoiding all hassle by walking south to the coast through the picnic site marked on my map. Page 9 Site 2 This area is particularly good for migrants. A fall here on the 2nd April 1997 included lots of Collared Flycatchers and Bonelli's Warblers, Cyprus Wheatears, Cretzschmar's Buntings, Rüppell's Warblers, a Great Spotted Cuckoo and a Masked Shrike (AR and AF). Semi-collared Flycatchers are also seen regularly. Cretzschmar's Buntings will apparently take bread from your hand at the Smygies picnic site (Paul Suter). Erich Kretzschmar had Bimaculated Larks in a ploughed field between Laatchi and the Baths of Aphrodite in spring 1997. Site 5 David Walsh had both Collared and Semi-collared Flycatchers near here on 7th May 1997. Page 12 Ludo Grouwels and Eric Schorpion had a singing male Rock Thrush at the 'top of the Troodos mountains' on 6th May 1997. The area around Arminou is also good for Bonelli's Eagle (David Walsh saw 3 in April 1997) and is particularly good for Cyprus Warblers. Site 3 Listen for Scops Owls around Troodos and Jubilee Hotels (Erich Kretzschmar). Page 16 Some observers say this site is completely inaccessible to birders but others insist that, since it is outside the official area of the base, there is no problem at all. Try it for yourself and, if you don't succeed, try viewing in the morning from a lay-by just east of the police checkpoint (Richard Ives). The most recent news I have (Feb 2004) is from Paul Saward, a regular visitor to Cyprus who writes: 'The access to the top of Kensington Cliffs (along the disused entrance road to the old squash club) is outside of the security fence, but still within the limits of the camp. I visit there each time I pass through (every spring and autumn) and have yet to see a glimmer of security. I find it easy to drive virtually to the head of the cliff with a short but steep clamber down to an extensive flat walk in both directions. This is the best place to guarantee to see Peregrine, Shag, Eleonora's and Griffon Vultures. The Griffons regularly roost within scoping distance to the west, under the camp secure area, if they are not already in the air. Having said that, the general area had been somewhat tidied up last spring and might again be used, which would alter matters? Roger Smith accessed the area by finding the steep but driveable track that takes you beneath the cliffs. On 24th April 2003 he found the Eleonora's Falcons were already present in good numbers and giving terrific views, but he had no vultures. Page 18 In recent springs the saltpans have been good for flamingoes (about 100), Slender-billed Gulls (up to 300) and up to 10 species of waders plus ducks, gulls and terns including Gull-billed (Erich Kretzschmar). Site 1 Richard Ives had 6 calling Black Francolins here, even at the end of September when over 100 Red-footed Falcons were also around. Birds here in the spring of 1997 included Cream-coloured Courser, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Crake, Penduline Tit, Masked Shrike and Lesser Kestrel (D Walsh). Spur-winged Plovers are now seen regularly here and there was a White-tailed Plover in spring 1994 (Erich Kretzschmar). There is now an observation hide on the east side of the reedbed, accessible via a track from a new car park before the farm (M Berry). Site 2 In spring it is usually too wet to walk around the reedbeds here. Page 20 Those who reached here in 1997 had to use Nick Lever's route but were generally disappointed in the place anyway. Page 22 Site 4 Pied Kingfisher here on 4th December 1998 (D Meldrum). Page 24 Site 2 4 Great White Egrets here in April 97. The picnic site en route to Tekke can be good for migrants such as Eastern Bonelli's, Orphean and Rüppell's Warblers (Erich Kretzschmar). Site 5 is completely dry in some years, even in spring. Check with local birders before bothering to go here. Page 26 Site 1 Two Audouin's Gulls here in April 1998. Roger Quinton made several visits here in mid-October 2007 and found Eleonora's Falcon, Masked Shrike and a juvenile Pallid Harrier and met birders who claimed a Finsch's Wheatear. Site 4 Species here in recent springs have included Black-necked Grebe, 4 species of heron, Glossy Ibis, six species of duck, Red-footed Falcon, Little Crake, Collared Pratincole, Spur-winged Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Gull-billed Tern, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pied Kingfisher, Short-toed Lark, Woodlark, Citrine Wagtail and several species of warbler including Spectacled and Orphean (all Erich Kretzschmar). In two visits in October 2007, the best birds were over 100 Spur-winged Plover, 7 Curlew Sandpiper, a White Pelican and a Great White Egret. New sites Troodos Dam (Richard Ives) Take the road towards Troodos from the Limassol Port roundabout and after 3 km look for a car park on the left overlooking the lake. Apart from numerous waterbirds, Richard Ives had 2 Imperial Eagles and an Osprey here in late September. 'Akrotiri Fish ponds' (Richard Ives) Driving east from Kensington Ciffs towards Limassol, turn right towards Akrotiri and, after about 600m, park in the lay-by on the right just after a concrete bridge. South of the road and west of the dry riverbed you should find some fishponds which provide one of the few areas of freshwater throughout the year. Richard had Night Heron, Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler and Moustached Warbler here in late September and over 150 Red-footed Falcons on the roadside wires. Pissouri (Laurie Haylett) Pissouri village is just off the main road between Paphos and Limassol. Just east of here is a road south to Pissouri Bay. Before this road ends look for a driveable track to the right which returns to Pissouri village. This is apparently excellent for Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black-headed Bunting and Black Francolin. |
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