September 2009

Although autumn migration is less spectacular than the spring period millions of birds pass through the island and almost anything can turn up. Most of the birds seen during the two weeks I spent in Cyprus were casual observations with only one or two trips specifically for birdwatching. A summary of the best sightings below, omnipresent birds such as Hooded Crow, Kestrel and Crested Lark are omitted.



21st September

A short trip out to the surrounding area either side of breakfast turned up Fan-tailed Warbler (1), Red-backed Shrike (3), Bee-eater (3), Willow Warbler (2), Spotted Flycatcher (6), Masked Shrike (1), Turtle Dove (2) c200 Swallow, Auduoin’s Gull (5), Shag (2), Little Egret (12), Cyprus Pied Wheatear (1), Whinchat (2), Yellow Wagtail (6).



22nd September

Another short spell of birdwatching before breakfast produced Hoopoe (1), Red-backed Shrike (3), Whinchat (1), Chukar (2), Spotted Flycatcher (2), Black Francolin (1), Bee-eater (3), Turtle Dove (1), Yellow Wagtail (2).



23rd September

Early morning walk again – Black Francolin (1), Auduoin’s Gull (2), a group of 7 Raven, Whinchat (2), Tawny Pipit (2), Great White Egret (2).



24th September

Took a drive to the nearer reaches of the Karpaz, best sightings were Yellow-legged Gull (1), Auduoin’s Gull (11), a flock of Little Egret (47), a flock of Purple Heron (20+), Shag (1), Turtle Dove (2), Bee-eater (c50), “Ringtail” Harrier (1), Kingfisher (1), Yellow Wagtail (c30), Alpine Swift (c250), Masked Shrike (lost count but double figures!), Cyprus Pied Wheatear (lost count but double figures!!), Red-backed Shrike (lost count but double figures!!!).



25th September

A short walk before breakfast produced some really good birds – Short-toed Lark (3), Masked Shrike (2), close views of a Hobby perched in a tree, my first ever but overdue Wryneck, 3 Red-backed Shrike including an interesting dark morph bird (see photo below), Turtle Dove (2), Whinchat (1), Sardinian Warbler (3).



26th September

The dark morph Red-backed Shrike and Wryneck were still present in the same location as the previous day. Also seen locally were Sardinian Warbler (5), Peregrine Falcon (2 together), Red-backed Shrike (5), Blackcap (1), Fan-tailed Warbler (4), Chukar (6).



27th September

No birdwatching really today but en route on a shopping trip we picked up Bee-eater (c50), Little Owl (1), Red-backed Shrike (1), Peregrine Falcon (1).



28th September

Early morning walk turned up Turtle Dove (1), Red-backed Shrike (4), Crested Lark (decided to count them this morning – 19), Cyprus warbler (1), Blackcap (1), Sardinian Warbler (1), Blue Rock Thrush (1), Red-throated Pipit (1), Whinchat (2), Wheatear (1), Hoopoe (1).



29th September

A morning dedicated to birdwatching so a 5.00 am departure from Tatlisu got me to Ayios Philon for sunrise at 6.30 am and on to Zafer Burnu at the tip of the Karpaz for mid-morning. Day totals – Spotted Flycatcher (10), Chukar (13), Cyprus Pied Wheatear (25), Whinchat (4), Lesser-grey Shrike (1), Red-backed Shrike (11), Turtle Dove (5), Bee-eater (12), Rock Dove (flock c100), Wheatear sp (1), Shag (1), Swallow (200+), Little Owl (1), Masked Shrike (2), Black Francolin (4, all seen well).



2nd October

Not much time today but called in at a local reservoir, water levels were low but enough to attract a few birds. Hobby (2), Little Egret (1), Little Grebe (8), Little Bittern (1), Grey Heron (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Kingfisher (1), Turtle Dove (1), Cyprus Pied Wheatear (1).



Not the best autumn trip I’ve ever had but a good indication of what can be seen without trying too hard. Lots of skulking warblers and distant raptors went unidentified. Highlights for me were the Wryneck and the dark morph Red-backed Shrike.

Red-backed Shrike

Red-backed Shrikes are a common autumn passage migrant with several seen everyday.
The bird at the bottom is a rarely seen dark morph bird.

Hobby

Whinchat

Little Egrets

Migratory flocks of herons and egrets are common along the coast of Northern Cyprus in the autumn

Little Owl

Little Owls are a common resident in the countryside

Masked Shrike

A fairly common resident

Kingfisher

Autumn is the best time to see Kingfishers in Northern Cyprus

Auduoins Gull

Considered to be one of the world's rarest gulls, the Auduoins Gull has a small population on the coast of Northern Cyprus.

Black Francolin (female top, males below)

A speciality of the Eastern Mediterranean, a shy bird rarely seen in the open. Northern Cyprus is one of the best places for European birders to find the Black Francolin.

Wryneck

This Wryneck was a good find, a lifer for me.

Crested Lark

The ubiquitous Crested Lark - seen everywhere!

More good birds..........but not good pictures!

The flight home

A birds eye view of The Western Kyrenia Range.