Cyprus 5th – 12th April 2008

by Bob Shiret

 

The prime purpose of the trip to Protaras was to see my brother in Cyprus before the weather got too hot!  As usual I packed my binoculars and hand held camera (Olympus Five fifty) hoping to see some birds on our walks. 

I shall split this report into the four locations where I saw birds of interest and finish with a few tips for the potential birding visitor.

 

1.    Central Protaras

 

Protaras is a heavily over developed holiday complex, but in the middle is an area about half mile square that is a combination of small holdings, crops, copse and scrub.  This area was next to our hotel and birds seen were two Cattle Egrets, Black Francolin (pic below), Pied Flycatcher (pic below), Crested Lark, Kestrel, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Hooded Crow (pic below), Hoopoe, Whitethroat (pic below), numerous Swallows and a few House Martins.

 

 

2. Coastal Walk from Protaras to Paralimi

 

This pleasant walk is about six miles return and mid point is within sight of the Turkish Cypriot watchtowers at Famagusta.  The coast is rocky with a few sandy bays with scrub inland.  Birds seen were two Black-winged Stilts (pics below), Little Egret, Rüppell's Warbler (pic below), Black-eared Wheatear (pics below), Kingfisher, Cormorant and Common Sandpiper (pic below). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Cape Greco

 

This is a headland about five miles south of Protaras that can be reached by local bus.  The terrain here is coastal cliffs backing onto low level scrubland.  Birds seen here Chukar, Cyprus Wheatear (pics below), Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler (pics below) and Lesser Kestrel. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

       

4. Akna Dam

This is a reservoir inland next to the border overlooked by Turkish Cypriot Watchtowers.  Cyprus is currently experiencing a severe drought and this reservoir holds less than one per cent of its water capacity.  The birds pictured in water are actually on the floor of the reservoir!  This is the only location where a car is required, taking about forty five minutes to drive from Protaras.  The surrounding scrubland was full of Cetti's Warblers and a small flock of Yellow Wagtails (feldegg race) was seen.  Waters edge had two Spur-winged Lapwings (pics below) along with a Common Sandpiper and two Green Sandpipers.  In the shallows of the dam floor were four Black-winged Stilts and a Marsh Sandpiper (pic below), eight Little Stints (pic below), and a Greenshank.  In the deeper part of the dam was a Little Grebe and 12+ Coots. 

 

 

 

Trip Tips

Birders will find "A Birdwatching Guide To Cyprus" by Arthur Stagg and Graham Hearl useful reading. 

Protaras could provide a good holiday for the family birder with many good beaches for the sun worshippers and enough birds to provide interest for the enthusiast, just don’t expect any culture! 

A visit to Akna Dam ideally requires a scope due to distant birds, on my visit there was a friendly birder with one to help identify Stints etc.  Although April is very early in the Cyprus season the temperature was still 70°F with one cloudy day and there were plenty of cafes/restaurants open for business.