Weather summary – a low pressure system was over Cyprus and lasted most of the period, churning up occasional showery periods with variable winds and temperature = high 10s. Drier and warmer (low 20s) as the trip progressed.
Please find a birding summary per site/area visited over the period Thursday 19 March 2026 to Saturday 28 March 2026.
Cape Drepanum
The bushes at the base of the cliff and surrounding scrubby grassland at this coastal location north of Paphos before the Akamas Peninsula has so much potential for attracting birds on Spring migration. The coastal grassy area has become depleted over the years leaving less attractive habitat.
A couple of visits made. Recorded the only Cretzschmar's Bunting of the trip and a small selection of Warblers on the first visit (19th), e.g. Rüppell’s, Eastern Subalpine and Sardinian Warblers plus Blackcap, Lesser and Common Whitethroats. A Marsh Harrier moving high north was noteworthy, and the offshore island held a colony of Yellow-legged Gulls plus Shag. The second visit (27th) less productive though a Peregrine toured the headland and the local flock of Spanish Sparrows continued to show well.
Paphos Headland
Both the inner (Archaeological Site) and outer headland offer a variety of habitats at this coastal location, the rocky outer headland lined with short grassy area and the inner headland with its historic ruins, avenue of trees, walled gardens, open scrubland make this valuable location a magnet for Spring bird migration.
The walk about the outer headland (20th, 23rd and 24th ) good for Wheatears including Northern, Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared varieties, and I was lucky to find a cracking male Desert Wheatear (24th). Generally reliable for sightings of Red-throated Pipits in the grassland by the perimeter fence where flighty Short-toed Larks could be seen. Crested Larks ever present and a Stone Curlew flying over (24th) was nice to see. Other fly overs include 3 Baltic Gulls (20th), and 2 Sand Martins on the same date were the only ones of the trip. Nearby on the seafront a Kingfisher sat on the rocks (24th).
The inner headland (22nd) was brilliant! Where to start? Chats – Robin, (Common) Redstarts and Black Redstarts, Nightingale (heard), Northern Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears on show. All of which were outclassed by the male Finsch’s Wheatear by the cliff to the north of the Lighthouse. This area held both male Common and Blue Rock Thrushes, a couple of Woodlarks showed briefly and a wide-ranging Isabelline Shrike, with a lone Woodchat Shrike present nearby. At least 2 Caspian Stonechats on site and 2 Common Stonechats as well. A variety of Warblers including Chiffchaff, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler. Sardinian, Eastern Subalpine and Rüppell’s Warblers plus Blackcap, Common and Lesser Whitethroats present. Not to forget a rather showy Eastern Orphean Warbler, that even allowed the record photo below. Chaffinch noted on site plus both Red-throated and Meadow Pipits. A flock of Cormorants flying over. The skies held (Barn) Swallow, House Martin and a single (Common) Swift. Both Common Cuckoo and Great Spotted Cuckoo seen.
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| Isabelline Shrike |
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| Red-throated Pipit |
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| Finsch's Wheatear |
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| Eastern Black-eared Wheatear |
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| Desert Wheatear |
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| Eastern Orphean Warbler |
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| Blue Rock Thrush |
Paphos Sunset Point, the small headland at the end of the seafront to the south east gained attention with the rediscovery of the overwintering Desert Finch feeding on the scrub by the chapel and nearby with Greenfinches. Two visits (26th and 27th) were successful in twitching this 4th record for Cyprus. Also noted on both visits were Short-toed Larks and a Great Spotted Cuckoo.
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| Desert Finch |
Mandria and Asprokremmos Dam
The fields by the coast and scrub bordering the shoreline at Mandria are one of the major birding attractions of this area east of Paphos, the close proximity to other nearby birding sites makes it a regular stop off for birders.
Asprokremmos Dam, known as “Aspro” Dam is located a couple of miles north east of Mandria rising above the Paphos Plain. The north-to-south valley provides a route for Spring migration, the water itself provides a resting place as do the pine trees in the car park.
The picnic site at Mandria to the west of ‘Lark corner’ held Caspian Stonechats on the scrubby hillside (20th and 21st) where Eastern Subalpine Warbler could be seen. A ringtail Hen Harrier seen here (21st) with this or another present along Mandria ‘Namaqua Street’ later that day, a day that also produced 2 other ringtail Harrier sightings too brief to identify to species. Marsh Harriers present throughout, with a notable increase (21st) of at least 10 in the area. The cool weather with strong westerly winds resulted in a movement of Baltic Gulls and Caspian Terns moving west along the shore (21st), I logged 20 and 3 respectively.
The whole coastal area such as the Picnic Site, Dustbowl and Lark Corner could easily be covered in nice regular walks, not to forget the shoreline where a Black-winged Stilt was present (20th), a Greater Sandplover (23rd) and the only Black-headed Gull of the trip flew by (27th). Twitched the Long-eared Owl at the Picnic Site (28th), and the Dustbowl regularly held a selection of Wheatears including a female Desert Wheatear (23rd), a date which produced a calling Quail and a Peregrine flying low east over the shoreline. Lark Corner and the grassy area immediately east of the Picnic Site reliable for Short-toed Lark sightings (45 on 21st), Meadow Pipit (3) and Skylark seen on this date as well as the ubiquitous Crested Larks. A heard only Nightingale (27th). Diverse sightings abound at Mandria with Stone Curlews noted, Purple Heron over (21st), a Glossy Ibis over the village and the only Common Buzzard of the trip on this date.
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| Black-winged Stilt |
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| Greater Sandplover |
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| Desert Wheatear |
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| Long-eared Owl |
The highlight of many visits to this area was the discovery of a Namaqua Dove along the road that runs parallel to the coast before the turn offs down to the beach, now known as ‘Namaqua Street’ due to its history of turning up this scarce visitor from the Middle East. I was literally down the road at the Picnic Site when news broke, on nearing the site (the stretch of road east of the greenhouses by the Lark Corner turn off) I met the finder (IC) and despite it having flow off I checked out the area and returned to the original site of the sighting, soon joined by IC. All of a sudden it appeared out of nowhere by the roadside before disappearing into the scrub. About 15 minutes later (MS) relocated it down the road and several of us enjoyed it feeding by the roadside, amazing plumage. It remained in the area for other us to connect with.
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| Namaqua Dove |
Aspro Dam held its annual ‘Dance of the Ficedulas’ where birders literally spend hours over several days walking the trees for sightings, usually nanosecond glimpses, of black-and-white Ficedula Flycatchers. Connected with at least 2 male Semi-collared Flycatchers and a male Pied Flycatcher. However, the shear numbers of Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers at this favoured site was spectacular. 10+ on several visits, a view of a flock of 8 not unusual given patience. Up to 2 Wood Warblers present throughout and the trees held many Hoopoes (10+), Robin and Tree Pipit on one occasion, with Serin and Chaffinch throughout. The Dam produced regular sightings of Yellow-legged Gulls, Great Crested Grebes (4 on 26th) and a flock of 10 Garganeys (28th). Marsh Harriers could be seen on most dates and a ringtail Harrier (26th) flew in the direction of Anarita Mast. Also up above on this date the only Pallid Swift of the trip noted, plus Red-rumped Swallows. This site always good for seeing Alpine Swifts plus an immature and adult Bonelli’s Eagle, the adult barely flinched when screamed at and mobbed by a Peregrine (26th). Quail could be heard here on a regular basis.
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| Bonelli's Eagle |
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| Eastern Bonelli's Warbler |
Agia Varvara
The ‘soakways’ west of the village of Agia Varvara east of Paphos and near Mandria always popular with birders, namely the 3 sets of 3 – top, middle and bottom (motorway) pools. Located in the lower Ezousas valley birds migrating overhead and through the shallow valley makes for all round birding.
Little Crakes observed at all sets of soakways throughout with a Baillon’s Crake present at the motorway pools (28th). Trip ticks added in the area include Reed and Sedge Warblers plus Little Grebe, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Green Sandpiper and Snipe. Two highlights occurring within minutes of each other early evening (27th), a group of 9, in the main, summer-plumaged Water Pipits on wires above the northern pools followed by a flock of 12 Lesser Kestrels over the fields and on telegraph poles/wires north of the village. Although distant they looked dainty and through a scope the characteristic plumage of the adult males could, at a push, be seen. However, this was easily confirmed when a photo was posted. The strange phenomena of the photo showing the feature better than the real time look through a scope, kind of like the stories told of photos of the ‘northern lights’ producing the details better than seen with the naked eye. The area reliable for Alpine Swift and Great Spotted Cuckoo, and getting Long-legged Buzzard onto a birder’s trip list. A flock of 25 Corn Buntings off to roost was nice to see (26th).
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| Baillon's Crake |
Akrotiri
The peninsula on the south coast. Akrotiri Marsh out of bounds due to foot and mouth on the island, and rightly so to protect the Cattle. Gravel Pits (Plain) on the west side open scrubby land in from the shingle beach and, Bishop’s Pool accessible below the salt lake and Lady’s Mile pools visited on the eastern side.
A walk of the Plain by Agios Georgios chapel up to and about opposite the shipwreck, and to the south west of the chapel was very productive (19th). The scrub held passage Warblers including Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Rüppell’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. Both Common and Black Redstarts noted and 3 Whinchats. A probable male Capsian Stonechat seen with Common Stonechat present. 3 Wrynecks appeared and quickly disappeared and the only Cyprus Wheatears (2) of the trip seen. A male white-spotted Bluethroat appeared by a set of reeds and 2 Great Spotted Cuckoos present across the Plain, as were many Hoopoes. Just before leaving a ghostly adult male Pallid Harrier appeared from the south and made its way up the Plain. Nearby M1 Pools not very productive at that time and the same could be said of the pools at Lady’s Mile on the eastern side of the peninsula, where Little Stint (21), Dunlin (7) and Kentish Plover (2) seen, plus Whinchat.
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| Pallid Harrier |
A ‘twitch’ to Bishop’s Pool (25th) primarily to see and study the showy male Semi-collared Flycatcher. It eventually showed well, but a male Collared Flycatcher in the area seemed to move through. Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers present and the pool held Ferruginous Ducks (3) with a Purple Heron flying over. On leaving a male Blue Rock Thrush was on nearby farm machinery.
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| Purple Heron |
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| Semi-collared Flycatcher |
Larnaca
Larnaca Sewage Works basins, 2 large pools viewable from a hide all to the south of the airport always worth a visit plus the nearby Spiros Pools/Beach area. Lots of water in the area made Spiros Pools especially important for passage waders.
Orokolini Marsh (north) on the outskirts of Larnaca to the north an oasis for waterfowl.
One visit to the area (25th) saw a mass of Ruff (100+) at Spiros Pools, with singles of Wood and Marsh Sandpipers picked out, several Black-winged Stilts and a lone Red-necked Phalarope. At least 300 Greater Flamingos here and 17 Glossy Ibis in flight. Across the road and Spiros Beach held Greater Sandplover (4), Kentish Plover (10) and a single Little Ringed Plover. 5 immaculate Slender-billed Gulls (1 with pink flush) noted at Spiros Pools, and probably the same group seen briefly later at Larnaca Sewage Works before heading north. The latter site yielded a brief adult type Audouin’s Gull but more stationary were Ferruginous Duck (50), Garganey (35), Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Black-necked Grebes (20). The only Ortolan Bunting of the trip present nearby.
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| Greater Sandplover |
As sunset approached a look at Oroklini Marsh (north) saw at least 65 Cattle Egrets and 15 Glossy Ibises into roost. A lone Little Egret present, Greater Flamingo (24) here as well as Shoveler (150), Garganey (14) and a male Red-crested Pochard, with Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe present.
Summary
About 135 or so species seen/heard. Too many highlights, be it the Namaqua Dove, Isabelline Shrike or Desert Finch, but what about the flock of Lesser Kestrels at Agia Varvara at sunset, or the passage of Baltic Gulls and Caspian Terns at Mandria? Not to forget the educational Semi-collared Flycatchers or the spectacle of a roosting Long-eared Owl.
Good to meet and catch up with lots of local and visiting birders, and many thanks to all for your help in the field.
Please click
here for a birding video compilation from the visit (YouTube).
