Cyprus birding - Trip report Feb/Mar 2025

Martin Roper

2 days ago11 min read

Updated: 17 hours ago

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a popular destination for birding with over 420 birds recorded here including some globally threatened species, several endemics and a few endemic sub-species. The Island is also ideally positioned for observing spring/autumn migration with convenient flight times of around 4 ½ hours from mainland UK. We arrived for a 10 day birding trip at the end of February and although we were too early for spring migration we still managed to note 120 birds from some great birding locations around the Republic of Cyprus. (Great spotted cuckoo)

Staying in Limassol we hired a car and from here we could reach Paphos in 45 minutes and Ayia Napa in 90. We also joined a local WhatsApp birding group which proved useful for up to date sightings. Other sources of reference included the Helm field guide on the Birds of Cyprus and to make things a little easier I created a map with dropped pins for some of the more popular birding sites (which can be viewed or saved below).

Day 1 - This morning we visited Akrotiri marsh a well established natural wetland with a tower hide that can be reached down a short track by 4x4 or on foot. A second hide (visible from the road) is a little further along the road and beyond the second hide the habitat is wetland, arable land and grazing pasture before reaching a shingle coastline which stretches along the Akrotiri peninsular. All these areas are great for birding. (Penduline tit)

From here we drove the short distance through the village of Akrotiri to a viewpoint for the Salt Lake. This area is UK sovereign territory and due to the sensitive nature of the location photography isn't permitted. From here we could see distant flocks of Greater Flamingo which are commonly present on the Salt Lake here and in Larnaca, staying from November to March although some birds often spend longer here. (Moustached warbler)

Akrotiri marsh and Akrotiri Salt Lake sightings: Grey heron, Little egret, Cattle egret, Spoonbill, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Little grebe, Water rail, Common snipe, Spotted redshank, Jackdaw, Ruff, Northern Lapwing, Spurwing plover, Hooded crow, Starling, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Laughing dove, Collared dove, House sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Flamingo, Kestrel, Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Bonelli's eagle, Chiffchaff, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Crested lark, Sardinian warbler, Moustached warbler, Cetti's warbler, Penduline tit, Great tit, Serin, White wagtail, Eastern yellow wagtail, Red-throated pipit, Water pipit, Stonechat, Whinchat, Black redstart, Yellow-legged gull, House martin, Sand martin, Barn swallow, Red-rumped swallow, Little swift, Common swift. (Above: Bonelli's eagle)

Day 2 - We headed back Akrotiri and checked out all areas before continuing to Lady's mile through the Salt Lake scanning pools along the tracks for wading birds. Our aim was to reach the bird hide at Zakaki marsh but on arrival the reeds had been left to grow and nothing was visible from the hide. In the past this has been a productive site but not today, the only bonus was a confiding Isabelline wheatear on the rusty fencing. (Kentish plover)

From here we drove to Germasogeia Dam parking at the end of the Dam wall before taking the tracks running on both sides to the far end of the water. Here I missed out on a warbler I had assumed was a Chiffchaff until the bird relocated in thick scrub and began to sing. We waited for it to re-appear for quite a while but unfortunately the opportunity had passed. Light began to fade so we made our way back to base. (Alpine swift)

Akrotiri marsh, Lady's mile and Germasogeia Dam sightings: Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen, Chukar, Flamingo, Little grebe, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Laughing dove, Water rail, Common swift, Alpine swift, Barn swallow, House martin, Crag martin, Sand martin, Northern lapwing, Spur-winged plover, Kentish plover, Cormorant, Spoonbill, Little egret, Grey heron, Cattle egret, Little stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Spotted redshank, Common snipe, Yellow-legged gull, Black-headed gull, Marsh harrier, Bonelli's eagle, Jackdaw, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Red-throated pipit, Water pipit, White wagtail, Eastern yellow wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Serin, Crested lark, Zitting cisticola, Moustached warbler, Chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler, Sardinian warbler, Starling, Robin, Blue rock thrush, Stonechat, Isabelline wheatear, Song thrush, Blackbird. (Above: Eastern yellow wagtail)

Day 3 - We headed west to Agia Vavara checking out a series of rectangular irrigation pools, reeds and scrub. This is one of the best birding spot in Paphos attracting a wide variety of migrant birds. Continuing on we scanned the fields and groves where we recorded 4 Great spotted cuckoo before taking the track leading up the hill past the Sheep farm and parking near a concrete water tank. This is also a good area for birds. (Zitting cisticola)

From here we headed over to Asprokremmos Dam where we had sightings of another 5 Great spotted cuckoo. After lunch we stopped at Paphos sewage works and Ezousa river-mouth over at Yeroskipou beach. This was dry and overgrown and the fields normally good for Stone curlew were all ploughed. A little further along road we came across a grove which was ideal for Stone curlew and sure enough we had 30-40 birds. (Stone curlew)

Agia Vavara, Aspro Dam, Yeroskipou Beach Rd sightings: Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Little grebe, Feral pigeon, Chukar, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Laughing dove, Common swift, Barn swallow, European shag, Stone curlew, Spur-winged plover, Common snipe, Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Long-legged buzzard, Little owl, Great spotted cuckoo, Kestrel, Magpie, Jackdaw, Hooded crow, Spanish sparrow, Water pipit, Meadow pipit, House sparrow, Grey wagtail, White wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Serin, Corn bunting, Coal tit, Great tit, Skylark, Crested lark, Wood lark, Zitting cisticola, Moustached warbler, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Sardinian warbler, Black redstart, Eurasian wren, European robin, Stonechat, Isabelline wheatear, Blackbird. (Above: Little owl)

Day 4 - We went East to Cape Greco national park designated as an important bird area and home to the endemic Cyprus wheatear and Cyprus warbler as well as being an integral site for migratory birds. Parking at the Sea caves we checked the rubbish tip and scrub before returning to the car and heading to the Monument of peace. Our next stop was the area of the Blue lagoon then onto the Picnic site where we noted 2 Hoopoe. (Cyprus warbler)

Leaving Cape Greco we headed to Paralimni Lake a natural seasonal wetland which has Natura 2000 protection status. Over 186 individual bird species have been recorded here and this site is particularly good during bird migration. Taking a road around the back of Super Action shopping centre leading to a track we then drove towards the Lake noting a number of wading birds including Black-tailed godwit and Golden plover. (Spectacled warbler)

Cape Greco, Paralimni Lake North sightings: Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Moorhen, Chukar, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Coot, Collared dove, Grey heron, Great white egret, Little egret, Golden plover, Spur-winged plover, Black-winged stilt, Black-tailed godwit, Ruff, Spotted redshank, Green sandpiper, Common snipe, Yellow-legged gull, Great spotted cuckoo, Kestrel, Peregrine falcon, Jackdaw, Hooded crow, Hoopoe, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, White wagtail, Greenfinch, Linnet, Corn bunting, Skylark, Crested lark, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Spectacled warbler, Cyprus warbler, Sardinian warbler, Black redstart, Blue rock thrush Stonechat, Isabelline wheatear, Song thrush, Blackbird. (Golden plover)

Day 5 - Rain was forecast today so we opted to stay local and headed to Akrotiri marsh then following a WhatsApp sighting we drove the short distance to Ancient Kourion ruins where we noted a female Finsch's wheatear. This was the first female of this species we had seen and we had great views. From here we continued on to Achna Dam where a long staying Great white pelican proved to be obliging. This was a lifer for us. (Great white pelican)

From here we went to Larnaca and stopped off at several Airport pools before making our way to the Sewage works. Along a track we reached the tower hide overlooking two large bodies of water. Here we noted hundreds of Shoveler along with good numbers of Red-crested pochard. Slavonian and Black-necked grebe were also present. Light began to fade making things challenging and we decided to return tomorrow. (Red-crested pochard)

Akrotiri Marsh, Ancient Kourion, Achna dam, Larnaca pools and Sewage works sightings: Mallard, Teal, Pintail, Red-crested pochard, Shoveler, Moorhen, Coot, Chukar, Flamingo, Great white pelican, Slavonian grebe, Black-necked grebe, Little grebe, Great crested grebe, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Barn swallow, Common swift, Alpine swift, House martin, Crag martin, Sand martin, Cattle egret, Grey heron, Little egret, Spoonbill, Cormorant, Stone curlew, Spur-winged plover, Ruff, Greenshank, Common snipe, Spotted redshank, Northern Lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Common redshank, Black-headed gull, Common buzzard, Marsh harrier, Peregrine falcon, Magpie, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Meadow pipit, Water pipit, White wagtail, Eastern yellow wagtail, Brambling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Serin, Goldfinch, Corn bunting, Great tit, Crested lark, Moustached warbler, Chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler, Starling, Robin, Sardinian warbler, Wren, Stonechat, Finsch's wheatear. (Female Finsch's wheatear)

Day 6 - Today we returned to Larnaca first thing stopping at Oroklini Lake, a great nature reserve with 2 tower hides and a lay-by with information boards. From the South hide we had great views of Flamingo and Red-crested pochard while from the North hide we had Wigeon and Black-winged stilt. Continuing on we stopped at the Salt Lake before we headed towards the Airport pools and Sewage works. (Armenian gull)

At the Airport pools we noted Sandwich tern and Stone curlew and at the Sewage works we spotted Ferruginous duck, Pochard, Slender billed gull and Armenian gull. Returning back via Akrotiri Gravel pits we were following a notification of 2 Wryneck reported earlier that day. We heard one calling but couldn't locate it before we were questioned by the SBA Police for having a camera, unusual I was told or maybe the current climate. (Slender-billed gull)

Oroklini Lake, Larnaca Salt lake, Larnaca Sewage works, Akrotiri Marsh and Gravel pit sightings: Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Ferruginous duck, Red-crested pochard, Pochard, Shoveler, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen, Chukar, Flamingo, Slavonian grebe, Black-necked grebe, Little Grebe, Great crested grebe, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Laughing dove, Common swift, Barn swallow, Spoonbill, Great white egret, Little Egret, Cormorant, Stone curlew, Kentish plover, Spur-winged plover, Black-winged stilt, Black- tailed godwit, Ruff, Greenshank, Spotted redshank, Green sandpiper, Common snipe, Common redshank, Common sandpiper, Slender-billed gull, Armenian gull, Sandwich tern, Kingfisher, Bonelli's eagle, Marsh harrier, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, White wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Serin, Corn bunting, Great tit, Skylark, Crested lark, Black redstart, Moustached warbler, Sardinian warbler, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Starling, Stonechat. (Greater flamingo)

Day 7 - We headed to Troodos mountain to catch up with Anders Gray (Birdlife Cyprus). We began to look for the sub-species commonly found here and it wasn't long before we found Dorothy short-toed Treecreeper, Cyprus Coal tit and Eurasian Jay followed by several Red crossbills and Brambling. Troodos was only 3° with a sprinkling of snow as we took the back-roads towards Paphos which was a comfortable 20°. (Female Red crossbill)

Our next stop was at Agia Vavara and on arrival we checked the pools, fields and groves noting several Great spotted cuckoo (still present). From here we drove the short distance to Anarita park where we had views of a male (sub-adult) Finsch's wheatear. Our last stop was Mandria checking Lark's corner before stopping at the Picnic area and beach area. The light was fading as we made our way back to our base in Limassol. (Short-toed treecreeper)

Troodos Mountains, Agia Vavara, Anarita Park sightings: Moorhen, Coot, Little grebe, Collared dove, Laughing dove, Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon, Chukar, Common swift, Barn swallow, House martin, Sand martin, Spur-winged plover, Green sandpiper, Common snipe, Sparrowhawk, Common buzzard, Long-legged buzzard, Kestrel, Little owl, Great spotted cuckoo, Yellow-legged gull, Black-headed gull, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Meadow pipit, Water pipit, White wagtail, Grey wagtail, Brambling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Red crossbill, Goldfinch, Serin, Corn bunting, Coal tit, Great tit, Skylark, Crested lark, Woodlark, Zitting cisticola, Moustached warbler, Cetti's warbler, Sardinian warbler, Chiffchaff, Black redstart, Short-toed treecreeper, Wren, Starling, Isabelline wheatear, Finsch's wheatear, Stonechat, Robin, Song thrush, Blackbird. (Cyprus Coal tit)

Day 8 - Following some posts on the WhatsApp group we decided this morning to head for the beach at Makronissos where Greater sand plover had been reported along with a few Gull species. Searching both sides of the promontory we had no luck at locating the Plover although we did have views of Spectacled warbler, European shag and a Kingfisher perched on nearby rocks. It was a Bank holiday and busier than usual. (Kingfisher)

Our next stop was over at Agia Triada following another report of Greater sand plover. On arrival we had brief views of a bird in summer plumage before it was flushed by a drone hovering 3 ft over the rocky outcrop. It obviously wasn't our day so we headed over to Cape Greco and checked out the area near the Monument of peace where we had views of Blue rook thrush, Black redstart and Isabelline wheatear. (Blue rock thrush)

Makronissos beach, Agia Triada beach, Cape Greco, Akrotiri Marsh sightings: Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Moorhen, Coot, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Water rail, Barn swallow, Alpine swift, Little swift, Common swift, Cattle egret, Grey heron, Little egret, Spoonbill, European shag, Greater sand plover, Little ringed plover, Kentish plover, Spur-winged plover, Lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Dunlin, Ruff, Little stint, Greenshank, Spotted redshank, Green sandpiper, Common snipe, Common sandpiper, Common redshank, Slender-billed gull, Armenian Gull, Black-headed gull, Marsh harrier, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Kingfisher, Jackdaw, Hooded crow, Red-throated pipit, Meadow pipit, Water pipit, Serin, White wagtail, Eastern yellow wagtail, Corn bunting, Penduline tit, Skylark, Crested lark, Chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler, Spectacled warbler, Sardinian warbler, Blue rock thrush, Isabelline wheatear. (Isabelline Wheatear)

Day 9 - Today we had an itch we needed to scratch and drove to Paphos headland in search of Greater sand plover. On the rocks were 74 Golden plover while along the path we had great views of a male Black redstart, Laughing dove, Isabelline wheatear, Skylark, Crested lark, Corn bunting and Meadow pipit. A Kestrel hovered overhead but no signs of the Greater sand plover. After a while we began to walk back towards the car. (Black redstart)

Stopping once more to count the Golden plover we noted a single Grey plover and a Greater sand plover a short distance form the main group. We managed a few photos before all the Golden and Grey plover were flushed by someone collecting driftwood. Fortunately the Greater sand plover stayed. We returned to Akrotiri and stayed until dusk. Black francolin began to call and we noted several along a farm track. (Grey plover)

Paphos headland, Agia Vavara, Mandria, Aspro Dam, Akrotiri sightings: Wigeon, Mallard Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Moorhen, Coot, Chukar, Black francolin, Flamingo, Little grebe, Feral pigeon, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Laughing dove, Cattle egret, Common swift, Barn swallow, Red-rumped swallow, Sand Martin, Crag martin, House martin, Spoonbill, Lapwing, Spur-winged plover, Golden plover, Grey plover, Kentish plover, Greater sand plover, Little egret, Black-winged stilt, Little stint, Dunlin Ruff, Yellow -legged gull, Black-headed gull, Common snipe, Common sandpiper, Spotted redshank, Common buzzard, Marsh harrier, Kestrel, Little owl, Great spotted cuckoo, Magpie, Jackdaw, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Spanish sparrow, Meadow pipit, Water pipit, Western yellow wagtail, White wagtail, Eastern yellow wagtail, Linnet, Corn bunting, Goldfinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Great tit, Crested lark, Zitting cisticola, Moustached warbler, Chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler, Blackcap, Sardinian warbler, Black redstart, Starling, Robin, Stonechat, Finsch's wheatear, Isabelline wheatear, Song thrush, Blackbird. (Greater sand plover)

Day 10 - Our last morning before our afternoon return flight meant that we had to stay local. We arrived at Akrotiri at first light and once again we could hear Black francolin calling. Flocks of Serin were seen in the grazing paddock along with Water pipit and Red-throated pipit While on the road 3 Great spotted cuckoo were foraging around the grass verge for Caterpillars. At the coast a flock of 50 Greater flamingo passed by. (Serin)

Armenian gull, Yellow-legged gull and Cormorant were on the Sea while at the marsh we had several Marsh harrier along with Great white egret, Little egret, Cattle egret and 2 Spoonbill. The wind was strong along Lady's mile as Kentish plover, Dunlin and Little stint tried to shelter behind the limited amount of vegetation. Our time was now up and we decided to make our way back to the hotel in Limassol. (Red-throated pipit)

Akrotiri Marsh, Akrotiri Coast, Akrotiri Gravel pits, Lady's Mile sightings: Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Shelduck, Shoveler, Chukar, Black francolin, Flamingo, Water rail, Feral pigeon, Wood pigeon, Laughing dove, Collared dove, Common swift, Barn swallow, Cattle egret, Grey heron, Great white egret, Little egret, Spoonbill, Cormorant, Kentish plover, Spur-winged plover, lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Ruff, Dunlin, Little stint, Spotted redshank, Green sandpiper, Common snipe, Yellow-legged gull, Black-headed gull, Armenian gull, Marsh harrier, Great spotted cuckoo, Hooded crow, House sparrow, Meadow pipit, Red-throated pipit, White wagtail, Greenfinch, Linnet, Serin, Corn bunting, Crested lark, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Moustached warbler, Blackcap, Sardinian warbler, Starling, Stonechat. (Great spotted cuckoo)

Cyprus birdlist 2025:

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Cyprus video 2025: