Cyprus Day 1 (Paphos headland, Aspro Dam, Larnaca, Zakaki Marsh, Mavro Dam)

We awoke early around 6am and headed straight to Paphos headland whilst being serenaded by Nightingales singing all around us and Swallows, Swifts and House Martin's buzzing in the sky's. It took abit of finding as we drove around and around in circles but we eventually found it and headed out to the coastal path. The sun was rising and it was a glorious morning with birds everywhere. In quick succession we picked up Sardinian Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear, Crested Lark, Ruppell's Warbler , White Wagtails and hundreds of Yellow Wagtails of various types. 

Black-eared Wheatear

Ruppells Warbler

White Wagtail

Continuing on we then found our first Red Throated Pipits of the trip. Initially we found a few on the rocky beach however they certainly wasn't easy to get close to until we got to the point where a bank of wildflowers growing held a good number of them c20 feeding and here we were treated to brilliant views down to a few metres. A Whimbrel was offshore and a group of Slender Billed Gulls flew past whilst our first Red Rumped Swallow of the trip was cruising over with other hirundines and a male Marsh Barrier came in off which we all had hoped it would be a Pallid. 

Red Throated Pipit's

Crested Lark mingling with the Pipits

Moving on round the coastline we saw much of the same but added Kingfisher to the trip list. Approaching a car park we arrived at a large weedy field which held lots of birds. Lots of House Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails, Gold and Greenfinch. Shortly after I picked up our 1st Woodchat shrike of the trip and in doing so flushed up a nice Cretzschmars Bunting. 

Continuing on round back through the streets we managed to see lots of Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats, Nightingales, Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler and best of all Eastern Orphean Warbler before reaching the car. Next stop was Aspro Dam, we parked up just before the dam and again Sardinian Warbler were plentiful. Soon after we clapped eyes on a group of very flighty Chukar navigating their way through the rocks when a Wheatear popped up. It transpired to be our first Cyprus Wheatear of the trip albeit brief views before it took flight and flew into distant bushes. 

Cyprus Wheatear

Next we headed south down the valley looking for Cyprus Warbler which had been seen in the area the day before. It didn't take long before we picked up a male bird singing and with a female close by. This male was very uncooperative and in hindsight we spent far too long trying to get images as we had far easier birds over the trip. However we did manage to see Savi's Warbler here along with Eastern Bonelli's Warbler and Wryneck our only one of the trip. Heading back to the car we came across a little quarry which held more Cyprus Wheatears, Northern Wheatears and Black-eared Wheatears including one stunning looking bird.

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 

Wryneck

Back at the car we had a fly by Purple Heron, 2 Squaccos on the dam itself and more Cyprus and Black-eared Wheatears. Driving across the other side we stopped off to check a little wood. This held 1 Semi Collared Flycatcher, 1 Collared Flycatcher and 1 Wood Warbler. Flycatcher's were both stunning males but proved difficult for the camera. Ash had 2 Bonelli's Eagles but I was too slow getting round to catch a glimpse. 

Semi Collared Flycatcher

Collared Flycatcher

Wood Warbler

Now we had to head off to Larnaca Airport to pick up Ollie Simms. On route rather frustratingly we found a small flock of Cretzschmars Bunting's right next to the road but unfortunately we had a car right behind us and there wasn't really any ideal stopping places. Annoying as these seemed like they would show rather well. At the next village we pulled over at a shop to grab a bite to eat and just before we entered the shop I noticed a raptor circling. We quickly ran back yo grab our bins and it was a Bonelli's Eagle, 1st of the trip and a new bird for me. 

Bonelli's Eagle

Arriving at Larnaca airport for 3pm Ollie was ready and waiting and after jumping in we thought we should check the Pools behind the airport. Before we managed to get to any pools we picked up a Black Francolin next to the road. We done a u turn and pulled off and watched it for a few minutes singing away right on top of a post. This turned out to be the only one I saw however many were heard. 

Distant Black Francolin

Heading round to the Pools we saw our first Black-winged Stilts and Greater Flamingos. Parking up at a shallow pool on the beach we found a nice mixed flock of waders which included Little Stint, Kentish Plover and Dunlin. Also a Little Gull and 2 Little Terns. Following the track along the beach we came across this smart Redstart which showed well on a fenced off Building. 

Kentish Plover male

Male Redstart

Moving along the coastline we Picked up a group of Wheatear consisting Cyprus and Northern which Ollie unsuccessfully strung as an Isabelline. Straight off the plane I think he was eager to get some decent birds on the list. Only other birds of note were Cretzschmars Bunting and Black Francolin singing away. Yet again the Cyprus Wheatear proved very skittish and no pictures were obtained of this smart male. 

Moving on we headed to Zakaki Marsh/Lady's Mile. Initially we were just driving along the beach down a really bumpy track and there was no birds to be seen. Eventually we turned off and headed slightly inland and this became more productive. I picked up a Wheatear on the saltmarsh and we had our first Isabelline of the trip. It allowed a close approach in the car and we got some nice images however it was cut short because of the midgeys. They literally poured into the car and they were horrendous! I never normally suffer with midgey bites but these bad boys were something else. We were all bit to death in seconds so moved on quickly.

Isabelline Wheatear

Moving along the track we noticed an increase in birds so we decided to stop and get out and check the area. This was a bad move as again the midgeys were out in force and we didn't stay out too long but we managed Black-eared Wheatear, Ruppell's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Black Francolin and Tawny Pipit's. Me and Ian headed back to the car whilst Ash and Ollie continued on towards the hide overlooking the marsh. It didn't take long and Ash rang to say pick us up as he couldn't bare the midgeys anymore so we jumped in and headed round but just up the track we spotted a Hoopoe. We slowly coasted closer and it allowed us to get right alongside it which gave us our first opportunity at papping this wonderful looking birds. A 2nd bird flew in and subsequently both birds flew off. 

Duff shot of a Tawny Pipit but only pic I managed of this species.

Hoopoe showing well.

Now we headed back towards Paphos to Mavrokolympos Dam where we were in search of Cyprus Scops Owls. We arrived to be greeted by another group of birders from Northumberland including Andrew Kinghorn. Immediately getting out of the car we could hear them and almost simultaneously picked one up on the overhead wires. It quickly flew off into the dark but thankfully a couple of guys further down had picked one up on the rockface in their torch. Good but brief views were had but at least now you could make out what you were looking at. I fired off a few pics but it soon flew and we decided to call it a day and head off for some grub.

Cyprus Scops Owl

Not a lot to write home about regarding the food. I was thoroughly disappointed, I paid 30 euros and the portion was tiny and I could have eaten it 5 times over so I went back to the hotel in a bit of a hump and had a shower. Thought I'd check in with the Mrs and see how she and Ellie were doing, totally forgetting the fact the hotel door at ground level locks you out and you need the room key to open it so come 11:30pm I'm stuck outside trying desperately to ring the others but they were out for the count! Luckily for me a lady came outside 20 or so minutes later and I was able to get in and get some sleep otherwise I would have been stuck out there all night until the guys woke up lol.