APRIL 3rd - 6th 2019
CAPE GRECO/ SEA CAVES AREA
A couple of mornings were spent around the Cape produced a good mixture of grounded migrants and passage overhead and whilst we were here we were lucky to witness some pretty good falls. Aswell as the speciality species as mentioned in part 1, any areas of scrub produced birds, Lesser Whitethroats were everywhere, with many of the expected migrants found but a few jewels were found with a smart 'samamisicus' Redstart found which posed for photos, a Wryneck, several Spectacled Warblers, Ruppells Warblers popped up here and there.
Eastern Common Redstart - Cape Greco
Ruppells Warbler
Spectacled Warbler
Wryneck
Small numbers of Ortolan and Cretzschmar's Buntings were also seen, whilst small number of Tawny Pipit were seen migrating through but could not be found grounded. A flock of Bee-eaters were heard high up, whilst raptors were represented with a Osprey, a couple of Pallid Harriers and a distant Hobby. A few Black-eared Wheatears were also found as was a pair of Blue Rock Thrushes. Shrikes were represented with at least a pair of Masked Shrikes with one observed feasting on a Painted Lady! and a single Woodchat Shrike.
Masked Shrike enjoying a Painted Lady
Along the roads Crested Larks were calling away and the odd Chukar were seen both resident species around here and a nice distraction from the migrants, aswell as the distinctive calls of the Zitting Cisticola's. Several Nightingales were seen and heard croaking away and one individual seen late in the evening had us going for Thrush Nightingale but upon checking photos later it just seemed to be a Common one. Hoopoes were seen around both locations too
Crested Lark
Chukar
Black-eared Wheatear
The sea caves area also proved very productive and a female Rock Thrush which was a nice Cyprus tick as it perched up on telegraph wires but unfortunatley never got close enough for photos. The sea caves were also good for Alpine Swifts with a count of 7 birds one afternoon, enjoyed whilst sampling nice ice cream and freshly squeezed orange juice from the convenient ice cream van at the caves! A top place and a large area to search for birds but does get very busy with tourist so recommend a early morning/late afternoon visit
Several Laughing Doves were seen on our journey from our digs in Protaras to the Cape.
There is a cracking snack van by the visitor centre where you can grab freshly prepared sandwiches....the Cyprus sandwich is to die for and will keep you going all day long!
Check out Part 3 which covers Paralimini lakes, Ayia Napa sewage works and the Akrotiri penisula...
