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Bird-watching in Cyprus can be anything from identifying the birds which
come into your garden to joining one of the groups which regularly go to
likely places to spot the usual and the unusual. Knowledge grows with
interest, and you will soon learn what to expect in different habitats,
and at different seasons. Birds have very regular habits. Those who
have kept records over a long period have found that they can predict
within a few days the arrival of migrating birds, and many of them
return to the very same perch, or nest, which they left the previous
year. Those who arrive back to find their nest destroyed by thoughtless
or uncaring humans can be shocked and disoriented.. Worse still, some
may make a journey of thousands of miles under the power of their own
wings to be caught up in a mistnet, or on gluesticks deliberately placed
in their known flightpath. But this tragic situation is improving;
public opinion is turning against the practice, with beneficial results
for both birds and humans.
One of the sights that we can all enjoy every year is that of the
thousands of Flamingoes which winter on the salt lakes. A good place to
watch them pushing their curious bills through the water to collect the
minute food-shrimps is from the roof of the new Visitor Centre in
Akrotiri village. The centre has binoculars and telescopes for visitor
use, and lots of information about the birds and plants of the area, as
well as the turtles which nest on the beaches nearby. As well as the
Flamingoes, there are usually many varieties of duck and wader to be
seen on the salt lakes.
Many of the birds which remain in Cyprus to breed, or come to Cyprus
for that purpose in summer each year, build their nests in the cool and
safety of the mountains. Although we should always take particular care
not to disturb them, seeing birds on the nest, and in family parties in
their green and pleasant surroundings makes a good reason for visiting
the Troodos Mountains during the season.
Another side to bird 'watching' which is often neglected is listening
to them, and identifying birds by their calls. Often in woodland it is
the easier option. The beautiful song of the Blackbird is often to be
heard in the woods near Troodos; it is easy to forget that the purpose
of this 'song' is to define a territory, and keep rivals away! Most
birds on migration do not call, but we do sometimes hear an
unmistakable Cuckoo.
Some of the most spectacular birds to visit Cyprus in the course of
migration are the Eagles and other large birds of prey. Again, a good
place to see them is the Akrotiri Peninsula - particularly at Zakaki
Pool and Phasouri Reedbeds in the autumn, where you can also see two
species of Cranes.
For identifying what you see you need any of the excellent
field-guides of European birds; and you may just be lucky enough to see
something new to Cyprus - it happens almost every year!
BirdLife Cyprus will be delighted to hear about it.
Pamela Scraton
Cyprus Orchids |
