19 May 2024 - Latchi, Cyprus

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Cretzschmar's Bunting, Spotted Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Bee-eaters, Long-legged Buzzard, Roller, Hoopoe, Zitting Cisticola, Little Owl, Great Banded Grayling, Mallow Skipper, Large Whip Snake

Not too much birding today.  In the morning I walked up Petrikas Gorge to the south of the villa but it was remarkably devoid of birds. A single, brief Cretzschmar's Bunting and Spotted Flycatcher were the highlights, and a distant falcon which could have been Hobby but was probably a small Peregrine. A couple of butterflies were seen - Great Banded Grayling and a rather ragged Mallow Skipper.

Most of the afternoon was spent at the villa, where Bee-eaters and a Long-legged Buzzard went overhead, and a Little Owl was seen across the field opposite.  I had a drive around to look for the owl in the late afternoon, but it flew off as I approached.  However I did get a bit closer to one of the local Rollers, and had good views of Zitting Cisticola and my first Hoopoe of the holiday.  On the way back to the villa a Large Whip Snake slithered across the road in front of me.

Great Banded Grayling, 1/800 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 100 (view full size image)

Mallow Skipper, 1/2000 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 640 (view full size image)

Roller, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 100 (view full size image)