of the water. Pied Kingfisher have spent several days there in the past. There is easy access to the viewing facilities at Oroklini and a short visit of less than an hour can give a great taster of the species that are around if time is short.
Trip four:
Akrotiri Peninsula –Episkopi Cliffs This extensive IBA is to the west of Limassol port and includes the cliffs of Episkopi where the remaining Cypriot population of the Griffon Vulture breeds. It is contained within the British Sovereign Base area and there are several parts that are out of bounds. Care must be taken in sensitive areas and signs forbidding stopping and photography should be respected. A vehicle is essential for travel between the different locations of this IBA. Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Wheatear breed in the area. Akrotiri Peninsula includes a large Salt Lake and marshes as well as areas of sclerophyllous vegetation, beaches and dunes. There are several agricultural areas (mostly groves) and an inland marsh. The area is worth a birdwatching visit at most times of the year. (See also the section on autumn trips) The variety and number of migrating raptors may be less in the spring than in the autumn but the chance of encountering many other species means that their absence will hardly be noticed. That said, migrating harriers should be encountered at this time of year and it is a good location to check for ‘Steppe’ Buzzard. Bonelli’s Eagle, Osprey, Booted Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle have been recorded in spring as have Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Eurasian Hobby and Eleonora’s Falcon. Eleonora’s Falcon usually arrive in mid-April and from then onwards can be found hunting over Phassouri Reed-beds or flying around Episkopi Cliffs where they will breed later in the summer. Alpine Swift also breed at that location and are present from midMarch, while there is at least one resident pair of Peregrine Falcon on the cliffs. The desmarestii race of the European Shag breed near the cliffs and could be seen offshore. The endemic Cyprus Warbler breeds in the scrub at the top of the cliffs. They also breed near the Agios Georgios Church which is found on the south side of the area known locally as either Akrotiri Meras or Akrotiri Gravel Pits. There are several tracks across this area and it is a great location for migrants – from wheatears to Great Spotted Cuckoo, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Eurasian Golden Oriole and rarer waders such as Creamcoloured Courser. The gardens around the church are good places to search for warblers such as Rüppell’s, Subalpine, Eastern Bonelli’s and Eastern Orphean and Common Redstart and Pied, Collared and Semi-collared are regular as is Eurasian Wryneck. Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater and Lesser Short-toed and Bimaculated Lark, Cretzschmar’s and Ortolan Bunting are frequent in this area and Hooded Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch are among the rarities. Common Crane can be seen migrating overhead some springs and some years Demoiselle Crane are recorded, although they are more likely in early autumn. On the main Salt Lake Greater Flamingo may still be around after a wet winter, although they are often on the northern edge where they are only visible through a telescope. 210
Important Bird Areas of Cyprus