The majority of our group returned home yesterday but we stayed on another day so that we could get a flight directly to Bristol. We made the most of the day by having a walk along from the port and around the headland at Paphos next to the Archaelogical site. Lo and behold there were a few birding opportunities.
We managed to see the flock of golden plovers that we had missed earlier in the week.
The headland seen from the balcony of our hotel roomGolden ploverGolden plover in flightGolden plover in flight – a close upThe plovers looking very goldenA single golden ploverCrested larkLaughing doveWhite wagtail through the grillStonechatWith the threatening sky we headed back to the port for lunch
To put things into perspective we spent at least double the time over lunch than we had birdwatching.
Celebrations as we left for the airport – more likely for a local wedding than our departure
The last two days of our trip to Cyprus we have spent a good amount of our time studying the flora of the Akamas Peninsula in the presence of very knowledgeable guides and their enthusiasm has rubbed off a little on us. There has been a lot of rain around but, thankfully, we have stayed dry and enjoyed the great scenery of Cyprus in moderately warm sunshine.
Yiannis Christophides leading us through the Botanical Gardens at the Baths of AphroditeFriar’s cowl againThe stars of the visit – the local cyclamenThe Baths of Aphrodite were a real disappointmentAcross the bay to the Troodos Mountains… and the azure waters below.Serpentine with lava above…and limestone only metres higher up.For lack of birds we study the fauna – a millipede
On the way back to the airport we stopped again in search of flora but managed a sighting of a long-legged buzzard.
Long-legged buzzard
Down in the plain, and tucked behind the airport, we visited a water treatment works (not quite the lasting memory of Cyprus that the Tourist Board would wish for) and had the opportunity of a few more birds.
Green sandpiperA common sandpiper – not my best ever photo but quite an achievement at that distanceSpur-winged ploversA tawny pipit (a first for me) at some distanceA cattle egret was much more obligingA firebug at even closer quartersSouthern green shield bugErodium malacoides – European stork’s bill.
I must admit I would rather have seen a stork to end our trip
This morning we had a walk up in the hills close to our hotel in the company of the leading local botanist Yiannis Christophides. He is the author of the book which our botanist guide, Jessica, has been referring to all week.
As well as the wonderful plants we saw, we had the benefit of great views of the coast; that is until the heavens opened and we had to scurry back to our hotel with hail followed by a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening.
Enthusiastic amateur botanists in the fieldMy first orchid of the trip – Fan-lipped orchid
Gallery of some of the botanical delights of our morning walk
Only one bird species of note to report this morning – crag martin.
Yesterday we moved on from our base in Paphos to the Akromas Peninsula. We had a brief stop at Agios Georgious. Heavy rain was forecast and so we made the most of our time to stroll along the beach and study the local fauna and flora.
The highlight was a blue rock thrush up on the cliffs. Out to sea we could just make out a shag on a nearby island.
Shag Blue rock thrush
On the beach, surprisingly, we saw a hare. The other highlight was a tiny Kotschy’s gecko under the rocks.
Kotschy’s geckoInteresting geology on the beachPhoenician Juniper berriesCrested lark on a stone
The rain set in but it wasn’t particularly a problem as we stopped for a leisurely lunch in a wonderful mountain taverna.
Today we headed up into the foothills of the Troodos mountains to Peristerona Gorge. Luckily there the weather held and we had gorgeous views of the valley and back down to the coast. Over the gorge we saw a long-legged buzzard and crag martins. With careful inspection with telescopes we also made out a small group of Chukar Partridge.
Views from the Peristerona GorgeDaisy on steroids – Southern daisyLong-legged buzzardLong-legged buzzardLong-legged buzzardGoats in the gorgeChukar partridgeChukar partridge left and rightThere must be a crag Martin in there somewhere!
We then had a short stop on a ridge to study some of the local flora. The standout for me was an Eastern Strawberry tree.
Eastern strawberry tree – our guide Jessica verified it didn’t have much taste and was ok to eat once!
The rain then set in and we took shelter in a small mountain café where I tasted the local Cyprus coffee (a bit like Turkish coffee) and a welcome glass of water.
The group then headed up the mountain in the rain to see some mouflon which were being reared before release into the wild. I took time to publish my previous day’s blog on my phone – quite amazing as we were in the middle of nowhere and I seemed to have better connection up there than in the middle of Bristol.
Before heading home we stopped at the Ebretou Dam where all we saw of note was a common sandpiper, a white wagtail, jackdaws, goldfinch and some feral pigeons. It was getting cold by then and we were happy to be heading back to the comforts of our hotel.
Ebretou DamCommon sandpiper on rockWhite wagtail on the beachCombining birding and botany – a bird of paradise plant in the hotel grounds
We have arrived in Paphos in Cyprus where we are spending a couple of days before joining a two-centre natural history tour over Christmas based firstly here in Paphos and then on the Akomas Peninsula.
Today we have had a recce around the Paphos headland and acclimatised ourselves to the local climate on a sunny day with a gentle breeze and temperatures in the high teens – rather different to the rain and storms back home.
There have been opportunities of a few bird photos and even a painted lady butterfly but we’ve focussed more on settling ourselves in and enjoying the local cafés and restaurants.
StonechatRed-throated pipit was a first for me (if that is what this is) Hooded crowLaughing doveGoldfinchKestrelStonechatPainted lady butterflyCrested larkThe Paphos headlandPaphos CastleThe little fishermanJust to remind ourselves that it really is Christmas time here.
Martin's Bird Blog & Nature Photos 