Cyprus - May, 2014

Based at Paphos, Jan and I enjoyed our annual Spring visit to Cyprus.We spent most of our time walking familiar tracks around the local farmland and on the Akamas peninsular. Although most of the birds had migrated through earlier there are always the late migrating species, stragglers and of course the resident breeders. I should say that after the furore in Malta we saw no signs of illegal hunting activity. Although there are spent cartridges everywhere, they were all rusty presumably discarded during the winter shooting. I'm sure if you looked hard enough though in the mountain passes for example, there would be signs of illegal activity. Development of land for housing and the demands for water may be a greater long term threat.
The weather was rather mixed ranging from torrential storm to hot sunshine. It was on one on the wetter days we took a drive to Ladies Mile pools, Zakaki and Phasori Reed beds near Limassol. It was a pleasant surprise to find an observation tower/hide had been put up since last year. It gave great views over the first pool which attracted a variety of Waders, Terns, Ducks and Passerines. Despite the rain I was able to take some photographs in relative comfort.

Great Reed Warbler,Zakaki

Great Reed Warbler

Great Reed Warbler

Great Reed Warbler

Wood Sandpiper, by far the commonest Wader at the pool.

Curlew Sandpiper

Citrine Wagtail

Little Tern, luckily the sun was out on the second visit to the Limassol area, giving the opportunity for some flight shots from the hide.