Cyprus-March 2009 Update

by Bob Shiret

This year we visited my brother in Paralimi one month earlier in the first two weeks in March and surprisingly (for us!) we saw quite a few different birds to the previous year. Purely accidentally we also came across a surprising new location which will be of interest to any visiting birders.

Cape Greco: 

Blue Rock Thrush were common here as were Black Redstart. Corn Buntings were seen along with a Cretzschmar's Bunting. Cyprus Wheatears had just arrived and were working their way along the coast. Stonechats were abundant and a flock of 50 + Cranes were seen heading north.

Blue Rock Thrush 

Black Redstart

Cretzschmar's Bunting 

Cyprus Wheatear 

Cranes

Unidentified Wheatear: Whilst at Cape Greco I took a picture of a Wheatear that despite much research have been unable to positively identify, if you can help please contact me on robert.shiret@talktalk.net.

Unidentified Wheatear

New Location:

Buffer Zone between Turkish and Greek areas in Paralimi.  This is a continuous strip about a mile wide with disused watch towers and a few rusty “Keep Out” signs.  At first we were wary but locals walk their dogs in the area and family activities occur.  The terrain is very stony with low scrub and occasional small valleys with relatively lush vegetation. Birds seen here were a pair of Stone Curlews, Chukar, Spectacled Warbler and Black Redstart.

Stone Curlew

Travel Footnote:

The tourist centre of Protaras does not open until April so there are not the usual extensive pub/restaurant/hotel facilities available. We booked our own flights (£180 each) and rented a private self contained apartment at £125 per week in Paralimi. The temperature was in the range 65–70° f for the duration of the visit.