Bonellis Eagle at Anarita/ Cyprus

I had the very good fortune of being in the right place at the right time.This pair of Bonellis Eagles had just made a kill literally 100 yds from where I was stood.It was a real coup to be able to watch these magnificent raptors at such close proximity.

The male was the one that had chased what looked like a magpie and had plucked it on some rocks.

Usually they are a distant speck in the sky.thats when you can find them.I met other birders out there who hadn`t come across Bonellis Eagle and they were not very optimistic of seeing them!This one patrolled the ridge quite low down.

Two at once with the smaller male carrying the prey,so priveleged to have witnessed these.

Again a view to die for,less than 40 metres away and captured on camera!

Both birds at rest.The male on the right hand side had chased down a magpie and had it firmly gripped in its talons,the female waits patiently by his side.They showed no sign of eating the kill,but took off with it later maybe to take back to their nest.

I was watching this female Montagues Harrier hunting the slopes when the Bonellis made a guest appearance.Thanks for looking in on my blog and I hope you enjoyed some of my tales from Cyprus!!!!

More from Cyprus





A few more pictures from my Cyprus trip above.The Masked Shrike was a bire that I was itching to see and hopefully photograph.Boy did it give me the run around,I only managed to come across it on my very last day and that was from a tip off from a female birdwatcher.It is a slim long tailed shrike and not as auspicious as its close relatives!It uses cover of bushes to hide and then will give good views when hunting,but what a stunning bird with its orangey underparts.
The 2 warblers were nice to come across,the first is a wood warbler that I heard singing in some large trees,its trilling call being unmistakeable.The second warbler being the more common sardinian which seemed to be in every bush!
Sorry for the long delay in posting but will continue at regular intervals now,hope you enjoy the pictures.

Red Footed Falcon/Anarita Park

Long beforeI`d booked my trip to Cyprus,I`d always longed to see the Red Footed Falcon,a bird similar in build and size to a Hobby.I knew that it would be peak migration time for these small raptors to stop off on Cyprus and feed up before continuing North!I couldn`t have timed it any better,for reports were given of up to 50 birds hunting and hawking insects in the Anarita park area.I couldn`t get there quick enough,so next morning I was on the road early in anticipation of some close views.

 Resting up after a long journey.The power lines were a favorite perching place for the falcons!

 Male and female Red Footed Falcon,constantly scanning the ground below for food.

 Male falcon in summer plummage looking stunning against the blue sky!

 They are an opportunist feeder,always on the lookout for food.They are known to hover for short periods and then drop down on their catch,similar to a Kestrel.

 Using this large boulder as cover,I got within 10 metres of this fine looking individual.He was soon away though as I popped my head around the corner.

 Feasting on some large insect this female had caught,they are strictly insectivorous in their diet!

 Unmistakable falcon due to their dark plummage.

 They only pair up for a season at a time,using old corvid nests to breed.They breed colonially with sometimes 10 pairs only metres apart,having taking over old rooks nests.

 Russia,Hungary and Romania are favoured breeding areas, with a few pairs recorded in France, Italy annually.

 Many used these thorny plants as lookout posts.What an experience I had watching these birds.They didn`t stay around too long, as on a subsequent visit only a few birds remained.

Shrikes of Cyprus



Male Red Backed Shrike



The Red Backed Shrike was the most common of the Shrikes  to be found in the shrub and outback of Cyprus.Part of ts Latin name Lanius, means to butcher.This familly of birds are all strong billed,having a toothlike projection.They are notoriously carniverous feeding on small invertebrates,mice and lizards,which they impale on thorney scrubs.The red backed shrike was once to be found in Southern Britain,but disappeared when farming intensified.

 They scan for prey atop trees and shrubs,then drop down to catch them.They always fly close to the ground in order to flush out any rodents or insects!

 Female on the lookout for prey.Another benefit of perching high gives them a good overall view of the surroundings,making them also, quite easy to spot!

 A male in full breeding plummage is a very attractive sight!

 The Woodchat Shrike was quite uncommon to the area.I only encountered a handfull of these birds on my travels.It is a rather skulking medium sized Shrike with its flight being more dashing and direct.It shares the same habitat as the Red Backed without apparent competition.Can be found in semi open spaces with well spaced trees and bushes but occurs in cultivated country too.

 Not too many are known to breed in Cyprus though they are in small numbers.Spain, Portugal,Italy and Greece being major strongholds for these birds.

 Another rather colourfull individual sits on its lookout perch!

Its song is the best developed of the western palearctic species, but usually sings from within the confides of a bush for cover.My next blog will cover the other 2 Shrikes that I saw on my sojourns,thanks again for looking in on my blog and do return shortly!!!

Lowland/Farmland birds..Cyprus

Following on from my last blog,I`ve decided to concentrate on some of the farmland species that I came across on my wanderings.Cyprus supports lots of small owner run farms,with potatoes,citrus fruits,grapes and many olive trees being the mainstay crops,ideal for the lowland birds,also much of the land is left alone to grow naturally.One of the most common birds around was the Corn Bunting which you could hear with its jingling call just about everywere!With agricultural intensification at its lowest,these birds are widespread.


Corn Bunting.



A rather non descript bird

One of the largest buntings in the western palearctic.

Black Headed Bunting, always perched high on a bush,could be heard continually calling.

Unmistakable plummage on this farmland bird.

In a way the equivalent to our Yellowhammer.

Golden Orioles were flitting through and I couldn`t resist the temptation with the camera.

Ortolan Bunting,its significant bright eyering and pale moustacial stripe make this more easy to recognise!

Unfortunately highly prized as a delicacy in Cyprus.I was told the cypriots pickle them inside jars and 6 of them can fetch as much as 80/100 euro.A highly lucrative business!

I hope you`ve enjoyed viewing some images of the birds of Cyprus and will be back soon with a  feature on the  Shrikes that were to be seen and found on my travels around this wonderful area. Thanks for stopping by!!!

Cyprus/Akrotiri salt marsh

Continuing onto the saltmarsh area,I was surprised to see these gentleman performing their various manoeuvres,none other than our very own  Red Arrows.What a treat I had watching them perform various death defying stunts aganst a brilliant blue sky.For a good half an hour I was given the most amazing spectacle by, without question,the worlds premier aerobatics team in the world.This year 2013, will be their 49th consecutive display season in which they will continue to enthrall and captivate millions of people world wide,real ambassadors for the RAF.

 Based at RAF Scampton Lincolnshire,they are regularly deployed to Akrotiri Cyprus,to brush up on their routine.

 Stunning to watch.I used to travel all over to watch the Red Arrows in my younger days.

                                                   Truly spectacular!

 Anyway back to our avian subjects now,the saltmarsh covers a huge area on the outskirts of Limmasol,a very important staging post for all sorts of birds on their migration.

 Raptors too are regularly seen patrolling the reeds,this little female Merlin was found perched surveying the area.

 Initially I assumed it to be a Kestrel resting up.A real unexpected bonus to the day.It was the only one I saw during the whole week!!

 She only hung around 10/20 secs  before she was away!! Montagues Harrier were never far from view,a good scan around with the glasses usually turned one up!So I`ll end on that for now, with more raptors being portrayed in my next blog, especially one which I was really hoping to see in Cyprus..... I wasn`t to be dissappointed either!!!

Cyprus....Phassouri/Akrotiri marsh

The following day I decided to visit the salt lake and surrounding areas including Phassouri reedbeds.My research had shown me it was a great place to view waders  and herons,in fact late aug/sept it is supposedly one of the best places in the western palearctic to view Demoiselle crane.An early start was called for and I was on the road for 5.00 am to get there for first light.

 At the reedbeds Glossy Ibis were avidly feeding in the soft mud.The water levels were well up for the time of year and it pushed the birds onto the surrounding grass lands.

 A really attractive bird with its green/brown and purple sheen,these were the first ones I`d ever seen so I was enthralled to see them wading in the shallow water.They feed on insects and small frogs and are usually found in small flocks!

 A black crowned night heron gave me a flypast in the half light.A stocky, short billed bird which is active mainly at night.

 Another first for me was the Purple Heron which crept quietly through the reeds.Later I witnessed up to 10 birds migrating north along the coastline,

 Squacco herons were abundant on the marshland, their light buffy brown colouration made them really stand out in the vegitation!

 This one landed in the middle of the road leading away from the marsh.

 Every were around the reedbeds there seemed to be a Squacco resting up or feeding.

 A few waders were to be seen on migration, amongst them was this lovely wood sandpiper.we get good numbers of this little wader through Britain during the Spring!

 Preening and having a good washdown,its important birds keep themselves in tip top condition at this time of year, not only to attract a mate but for their own well being on their long migration from Africa.A sickly weak bird simply wouldn`t be able to make it back!!

So a few more images from day 2 in Cyprus, with a good number of species completely new to me, observed and photographed.Its really a great feeling when you see so many new species in close proximity and always a bonus to get some within camera range.Thanks again for dropping by and a few more of my escapades will be coming up shortly....