2026 - Spring Birding

Please find a birding summary of Spring 2026, a variety of places visited and birds seen. An inland Yorkshire Guillemot was very unexpected!

Cyprus - March

A visit at the start of the period towards the end of March 2026 was excellent. Whilst early in the season visits means some Summer migrants are not yet in or passing through, bird migration well in place with the visit offering a chance of seeing a lingering visitor. The weather helped the birding as it was dominated throughout by a low pressure system hanging about Cyprus churning up showers, variable winds with comfortable temperatures for birding.

Caught up with an overwintering Isabelline Shrike at Paphos Headland and eventually, the nearby Desert Finch. Find the Greenfinches at the headland south-east of Paphos Harbour and you had a chance of catching up with this, the 4th Desert Finch record for Cyprus. Always something to see throughout the 10 day or so visit. Of note were the numbers of Eastern Bonelli's Warblers with up to and probably in double figures on most visits to Asprokremmos "Aspro." Dam where Semi-collared Flycatchers gave birders the annual run around. The one shown below was a 'twitchable' one over at Bishop's Pool, Akrotiri. A walk out at nearby Akrotiri Plain on the first full day's birding was great, many highlights but the best was the ghostly adult male Pallid Harrier flying north. An area of scrub 1km or so north of the chapel held a variety of birds including an ever so brief Bluethroat and a probable but elusive Siberian (Caspian) Stonechat. Definite 'Caspian' Stonechats studied for longer were seen elsewhere. One visit to Paphos "Inner" Headland, the wonderful archaeological site was not disappointing, an Eastern Orphean Warbler even posed for a photograph. But with the above mentioned Isabelline Shrike, both Rock Thrushes, Finsch's Wheatear and 'Caspian' Stonechats on site, plus supporting cast of Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears, Woodlarks, many Hoopoes, Woodchat Shrike, Rüppell's Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler etc., it will always be one of the top sites to visit. Nearby Mandria on the Paphos Plain produced a much sought after Namaqua Dove, Long-eared Owl, ringtail Harriers whilst the beach held passage Black-winged Stilt and Greater Sandplover. At this location on turning around you could chance upon a Desert Wheatear and others in the dustbowl. Over to the east a single visit to the Larnaca airport area produced Audouin's Gull, Slender-billed Gulls, more Greater Sandplovers and a lone winter-plumaged Red-necked Phalarope that swam alongside a mass of Ruffs and other waders.

'Caspian' Stonechat - Paphos Headland

Semi-collared Flycatcher - Akrotiri

Namaqua Dove - Mandria

Hen Harrier - Mandria

Please click here to see the post in full for the Cyprus visit.

Please click here to view a birding video compilation from the Cyprus visit (YouTube).

Easter

Back in Yorkshire where a couple of 1st w/s Caspian Gulls lingered at Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley. Elsewhere, the moorland edge saw returning Ring Ouzels and the good numbers of Crossbills noteworthy, 47 a minimum at one site including a flock of 33. They were seen on most visits. Woodcock patrolled the skies at dusk, and this area produced my first Brambling of the winter period just gone, with a fly over on 07 April. An Osprey moved slowly north late a few days later, adding to the reliability of seeing a passage bird up the spine of the country during the first 10 days of April. Wheatear staged at one site, where 8 nearly became 7 but a pouncing Stoat missed!

Osprey (South Yorkshire)

May Bank Holidays

Again back in Yorkshire for both bank holidays. At the beginning of the month Pied Flycatchers sang about their nest boxes in the uplands and a male Redstart was heard singing in the distance at one location, sadly this song may be lost from the moorland edge as the years pass by. The most bizarre sighting was in the lowlands at the northern most part of the 'Barnsley' Area, never thought I would see a Guillemot swimming on Wintersett Reservoir! This Yorkshire Red-legged Partridge showed in almost the same pose as the Chukar from Cyprus (inset), allowing a nice comparison of the two species.

Red-legged Partridge - Yorkshire (Inset: Chukar - Cyprus)

The hot weather around the Spring Bank Holiday made birding more sedentary, Nightjars present at one site, and then it was over to Nottinghamshire where a concentrated watch at Welbeck RWP produced nice views of an Osprey moving though.

Osprey (Notts.)

Germany - June

Great birding and time spent with friends over in Baden-Württemburg. Bee-eaters showed well at one location where a Honey Buzzard glided on by. Red-backed Shrikes abundant and widespread, and as dusk fell the Song Thrushes and Nightingales quietened down and the countryside air was filled by a couple of squeaky gates, with an adult Long-eared Owl showing briefly in flight. As the visit was in early June the inhabitants of a set of marshes/pools in the rift valley kept a low profile. However, particular highlights here included nice views of Purple Heron, a lone Spoonbill, Black Kite not making friends at a Black-headed Gull colony plus White Storks circling overhead. On the ground Large Tortoiseshell and Queen of Spain Fritillaries at a grassland location, plus views of Lesser Purple Emperor and a brief Poplar Admiral elsewhere.   

Honey Buzzard (BW, Germany)

Bee-eater (BW, Germany)

Please click here to view on YouTube a video of a Honey Buzzard seen in Germany (Osprey from Nottinghamshire also shown at the beginning).

Rainham Marshes RSPB, London - throughout

Sporadic visits to this London site on the Thames by the Dartford Bridge brought birding changes throughout the season. At the end of April and into May cracking summer-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit graced Aveley Bay, on one occasion with the commoner (at this site) Black-tailed Godwits. Continuing on a wader theme both summer-plumaged Golden and Grey Plovers present on site (9th May). Hobby showed well through the early part of the period with one still in the area at the end of May. Red Kites increased in the area with Great White Egret and Raven sightings throughout. Cuckoos lingered with a fantastic view of 'hepatic' female Cuckoo in flight with a male. The site had lots to offer with many singing Warblers throughout and Bearded Reedlings and seasonal Common Terns nice to see. Was the Curlew on the last day of Spring (20 June) an early returning bird?

Butterflies -  Green Hairstreak seen early in the season, Wall Brown emergence in early May and Marbled Whites were on the wing (20 June).

Dragonflies - Of note at least one elusive Norfolk Hawker present (31 May).

Hobby - Rainham Marshes RSPB

Cuckoo - Rainham Marshes RSPB

More average photos uploaded at 'Latest UK Bird Photos'. Please enjoy.

Birding Germany June 2026

A nice long weekend in early June visiting friends over in Baden-Württemburg, Germany, with many thanks to all for the kind hospitality.

The weather was fine, dry and comfortable temperatures for birding (ca. low 20Cs).

Waghäusel, officially known as Wagbachniederung, essentially a wetland habitat located in the rift Valley a few kms east of the Rhine in between Karlsruhe and Mannheim. Characterised by reedbeds, water meadows and basins this is a well known birding site.

Given the visit in early June many of the song birds either didn't show or were elusive. Hawfinch near the reserve entrance nice to see. Bluethroats eluded us, a Savi's Warbler 'reeled' from the reedbeds but didn't show and Marsh Warblers were very elusive in the nettlebed habitat before the 'Bluethroat' benches. Cuckoos called all over the place, but didn't see one. As in previous visits the hedgerows held Nightingales and Blackcaps and several Turtle Doves 'purred'. Red-backed Shrikes present across the reserve, and the tree-lined edge of the west and northern sides of the reserve held both heard only Short-toed Treecreeper and Golden Oriole.

Nevertheless, the areas of water reliable as always for seeing a variety of birds including both Red-crested Pochards and Common Pochards, other duck species and several Black-necked Grebes and Great Crested Grebe. A Kingfisher took the opportunity to fish from the western side and a few Purple Herons showed well about the reserve, with a wandering Great White Egret noted. Little Ringed Plovers and at least 3 Black-winged Stilts present and a mass of Black-headed Gulls plus a flyby of both Yellow-legged Gull and, more surprisingly, a Lesser Black-backed Gull. A 1st summer Little Gull played hide and seek when swimming amongst the Black-headed Gulls. As found last year a Black Kite made many unsuccessful attempts of raiding the Black-headed Gull colony. Other raptors included Marsh Harriers, Buzzard and Kestrel throughout, with a Hobby that didn't want to linger. Two sets of Raven sightings, one flying south early on during the visit, plus 4 together flying to the east of the reserve later in the afternoon. Many White Storks soaring over the reserve and the occasional visit by a group of Swifts.

Black-winged Stilt

Black Kite

Red-backed Shrike

Purple Heron

Weingartenermoor, the wet woodland nature reserve north east of Karlsruhe along the eastern edge of the rift valley hosts a bird hide overlooking a marsh fringed lake. The walk through the woodland and along the boardwalk to the bird hide produced many singing Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Chaffinches and several Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The lake was calm and yielded expected species such as Cormorant and Coot, a few ducks and with Yellow-legged Gulls wandering about (adult and 3rd summer). A Spoonbill was in the area and showed briefly but actively as it flew in to feed in the shallows.

Saalbachniederung Bruchsal, the grassland area with flooded gravel pit located a few kms to the south of Waghäusel. Great Reed Warblers sang but as Spring progresses they were more hidden than as found when visiting several weeks earlier in past years. The same could be said for Reed Warbler, and a Marsh Warbler sang from deep within the nettles. On the water were many ducks, Egyptian Geese, Mute Swans and not forgetting over 20 Category C equivalent Ruddy Shelducks. The shore held several Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper. A Yellow-legged Gull was in the area. A most acrobatic Hobby entertained us on the way in, Kestrel around and several Black Kites and Buzzards up above. A pair of Honey Buzzards glided by and White Storks were either in the air, attending nests or feeding in the grasslands. A Large Tortoiseshell butterfly seen and nice views of Queen of Spain Fritillaries.

Grey Heron and White Stork

Queen of Spain Fritillary

Large Tortoiseshell

Honey Buzzard

White Stork

Elsewhere in Baden-Württemburg - suburban birding dominated by Black Redstarts singing from the rooftops, but where were the Serins? Countryside walks produced a nice variety of species, lots of highlights including Bee-eater sightings and Red-backed Shrikes were both widespread and territorial. Honey Buzzard seen and Red Kite seemed to be more numerous than Black Kite. White Storks commonplace and a Yellowhammer sang in the open. Redstarts sang from the canopy and the woodlands were dominated by Chiffchaff, Blackcaps and Blackbirds. Squeaky gates betrayed the presence of Long-eared Owls with an adult seen hunting at dusk, a time that Jupiter, Venus and Mercury could be seen in the western sky on a couple of clear evenings. A Tawny Owl flew from a woodland one evening and, back in the daytime, Lesser Purple Emperor butterflies showed well just before the end of the visit plus a brief look at the large Poplar Admiral. 

Honey Buzzard

Bee-eater

Lesser Purple Emperor

Birding Cyprus March 2026 Summary

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.

Isabelline Shrike

Red-throated Pipit

Finsch's Wheatear

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear

Desert Wheatear

Eastern Orphean Warbler

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.

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.

'Caspian' Stonechat

'Baltic' Gull

Hen Harrier

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.

Black-winged Stilt

Greater Sandplover

Desert Wheatear

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.

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.

Bonelli's Eagle

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).

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.

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.

Purple Heron

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.

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).