by Dave Riley

• Several birds were numerous in all locations throughout the week: -

• Stonechat / Chiffchaff / Kestrel / Hooded Crow / House Sparrow / Goldfinch / Magpie

• Others, though less numerous, were fairly common: -

• Collared Dove / Robin / Pied Wagtail / Black Redstart / Chaffinch / Blackbird / Great Tit / Crested Lark / Cyprus Warbler / Yellow-legged Herring Gull

• And, less frequently: - Little Stint / Kentish Plover / Dunlin (all in pools alongside Lady’s Mile Road) / Marsh Harrier (Phassouri Reed Beds) / Jackdaw / Crag Martin (over reservoirs) / Tufted Duck + Coot + Little Grebe + Mallard + Great Crested Grebe + Cormorant + Teal + Wigeon (all at reservoirs) + Pochard + Snipe + Teal + Rock Dove + Tree Sparrow + Song Thrush + Sardinian Warbler + Meadow Pipit + Blackcap + Grey Wagtail + Cetti’s Warbler (heard and seen) + Wren + Blue Tit + Corn Bunting + Goldcrest

• Highlights: - We saw Serin (groups in 3 locations) / Chukar (to be heard all over and fairly easy to see) / Greater Flamingo (we saw hundreds at Akrotiri salt lake – but apparently far easier to see more closely at Larnaca salt lake) / Finsch’s Wheatear (seen once in Western foothills of Troodos) / Moustached Warblers (several) and Penduline Tit (by the pool below the Asprokemnos Dam)

• Failures: - We didn’t see (or hear) Black Francolin / or see wintering Wallcreeper / or more waders

• Weather: - Hot & sunny for 1 or 2 days // warm + cloudy / sunny for 3 or 4 days // rain + hail + gale force winds 1 day

• Eating places: - Nicos Tyrimos, 71 Agapinoros Street, Kato Paphos (06 – 242846) - fish + other dishes // Sanouto’s (King of the Tombs Road, turn right at Phukhet Chinese restaurant and second right past the hypermarket - meze for £6 (excellent) // Hondros Taverna // Avgerinos Fish Tavern (both Kato Paphos) // Diarizos Tavern (Kouklia) (we didn’t go here, but highly recommended) // Village Tavern (Phiti) (for lunch on the Exalt trip below)

• Trips - We hired a 4-wheel drive vehicle, which is essential for at least some sites and more enjoyable. On one day, we went on a trip with EXALT, 24 Ayia Kyriaki Street, Kato Paphos (06 243803) - all-day excursions by land-rover, off-road, including lunch - approx £25 per person.

• Walking: - Many places, including North coast / Akamas peninsula via Baths of Aphrodite, Smiyies Picnic area. Also Troodos Mountains.

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