cyprus birds

dunlin · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 01:38 PM

If i can get a cheap flight next spring im going over to cyprus to do a bit of bird watching and staying in a friends apartment near paphos.
Has any one got any info on the best places to go when im over there?
I will be going in late march early april
many thanks mark......

big bill · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 01:52 PM

Hello Mark as far as I can remember from my time in Cyprus in 84 the best place would be Mount Troudus this is a mixture of wooded area down on the plains its quite barren and sandy but it may have change since then

dunlin · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks bill
Id heard about the troodos mountain area and also a salt lake near to paphos airport. I was advised not to start scoping for birds or use binoculars around the airport area as the authorities dont take kindly to it.
I wanted to know of any good wetland areas to visit and any good coastal areas for waders
also will i be ok taking my collins bird guide or is there another id guide that someone can recommend

Hedera · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:14 PM

The area around Platres in the Troodos, and on down to Lefkara I remember lots of birds and flowers too. There is the Salt lake at Akrotiri, and you might see flamingos, but there are several Dam Pools with reed beds around the western area. Look in the adverts in RSPB magazine for tours in Cyprus. If you hire a vehicle you'll need a 4-wheel drive or similar, the tarmac tends to run out after you've gone through a village!!

Jonners · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:40 PM

Paphos Lighthouse is a MUST. It will cost you 1.70 euros, but is very good for migrant passerines, shrikes, chats, wagtails etc.
Check out the Birdlife Cyprus website, which includes a link to a pdf document of good birdwatching sites.
The bird recorder, Colin Richardson, also sends out regular updates on recent sightings via a Yahoo account (Cypnature if you want to Google it).
The fields near Paphos sewage works can be good, as can the Asprokremmos Dam, and the surrounding areas.
Late March/early April is a great time to be going there and I am sure you will see some good birds.

dunlin · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks to all who replied.Thats a good link jonners i will print it off when i get home from work

many thanks mark..............

big bill · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 06:05 PM

Mark there are 3 things to remember about Cyprus
1.The country is divided in two Turks in the North and Greeks to the South or is it the other way round .
2 There are 2 Military bases on Cyprus which have a different Police Force these are the Soveriegn Base ares at Dekhelia in the North this is predominintly run by the Brittish Army,in the South you have Akrotiri and Episkopi these are run by the RAF and have there own civilian police force just like the MOD Police in this Country .
3. The rest of the country is policed by the Cypriot police .
On the top of Mount Troodos there is a Radar Station so you need to watch were you point your bins and scope ,just thought would warn you of the sensitivity of some of the area`s

Jonsfotos · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunlin

If i can get a cheap flight next spring im going over to cyprus to do a bit of bird watching and staying in a friends apartment near paphos.
Has any one got any info on the best places to go when im over there?
I will be going in late march early april
many thanks mark......

Hi Mark,
I was over there in September/early October and visited the Akamas Peninsula just north of Coral Bay/Paphos.It was quiet as regards bird life and i did not see much about but to be honest i did not look very often as i was the one being "watched" by my better half, having been told in no uncertain terms that "we are on holiday, no bloody birds please "....
Anyway, if you are prepared to hire a 4wheel drive ( don`t take a car whatever you do ) it`s an area that is worth visiting and in season would be very rewarding.Just look it up on any web site for more info...Akamas Peninsula.

Jon

Jonners · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonsfotos

Hi Mark,
I was over there in September/early October and visited the Akamas Peninsula just north of Coral Bay/Paphos.It was quiet as regards bird life and i did not see much about but to be honest i did not look very often as i was the one being "watched" by my better half, having been told in no uncertain terms that "we are on holiday, no bloody birds please "....
Anyway, if you are prepared to hire a 4wheel drive ( don`t take a car whatever you do ) it`s an area that is worth visiting and in season would be very rewarding.Just look it up on any web site for more info...Akamas Peninsula.

Jon

Yes, the Akamas is definitely worth a visit. The Avakas Gorge is a good walk and will have warblers etc in spring, plus there may well be wheatears (various), larks etc on the coastal drive - pretty rough, but good fun. The Avakas Gorge in spring will also resound to the calls of countless tree frogs and toads in the small river that runs through it, but which was dried up at the end of October when we visited. On the northern side of the Akamas is Polis, with the nearby Bath of Aphrodite - another area worth a look, as there are plenty of small trees and grasssy spaces.