Cyprus day one 16/04/23

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The first day's birding in Cyprus after arrival yesterday. Weather was sunny with a cool breeze, though soon warming up.

I started at Agia Varvara where the highlights were Little Crake, Purple Heron, Woodchat, and two Rollers, the latter seen well.

I then tried Mandria, on the coast. A Stone Curlew was an early find, near the beach. Further west a field of cereals held a large flock (c50) of Yellow Wagtails included at least one Black-headed male. Cultivated fields a short distance away had Red-throated Pipits, female Black-eared Wheatear, and a female Northern Wheatear looking very much like an Isabelline. A male Montague's Harrier flew through at quite close range.

In the evening I went slightly inland to Mavrokolympos Dam. Parking near the reservoir and walking the track yielded Common Redstart, Whinchat, Whitethroat, and a Woodchat. However, the main objective for visiting the site was successful in that I found two Cyprus Wheatears, though neither were close. They were both in song, a distinctive buzzing sound, quite unlike other wheatears.

Chuckar Partridge called from hills around the reservoir, and I also heard 1-2 Scops Owl.

Roller

Roller

Kestrel

Yellow Wagtail

Northern Wheatear

Crested Lark

Female Black-eared Wheatear

Female Black-eared Wheatear 

Montague's Harrier

Montague's Harrier

Whinchat

Woodchat

Sardinian Warbler

Cyprus Wheatear

Cyprus Wheatear


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