20 May 2024 - Latchi, Cyprus
« Newer | Older »Black Francolin, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Bee Eaters, Olivaceous Warbler, Rollers, Long-legged Buzzards
A morning around Agios Minas and Androulikos to Baths of Aphrodite was relatively quiet. A distant Roller on the wires in the usual spot, and a singing Olivaceous Warbler near Aphrodite's Baths were the initial highlights. On the road a few birds, mainly Swallows, were drinking from the spring and there were a couple of young Yellow Wagtails here too. As I headed back to the digs, I noticed a small gamebird by the roadside and stopped to check it out, thinking it would be a Chukar. To my surprise it was a male Black Francolin, giving great views, but unfortunately flew off over the hedge as soon as I stopped.
Sam and I went for a walk along the clifftop path beyond Aphrodite's Baths but it was very hot and very quiet on the bird front. Lots of Bee-eaters and a close but brief female Cretzschmar's Bunting were the best. On the way back a few Chukar flew across the path, followed quickly by another five or so, but disappeared down the hill out of sight. Back at the carpark a Red-rumped Swallow was apparently visiting a nest in one of the tourist stalls.
Near the villa, a Spotted Flycatcher was flitting around and perching on some dead branches. After lunch we went for a drive to Keremiotis? waterfall. En route a Roller sat on wires above the road and as we approached the waterfall parking area a couple of Long-legged Buzzards were having an aerial tussle; sadly they'd disappeared by the time we parked up. The walk down to the waterfall and the waterfall itself were rather underwhelming, but a few Olivaceous Warblers were singing in the bushes, mostly out of view. A nice Agami Lizard posed for us by the path however.
Our evening meal was at the Herb Garden in Polis, and on the road out from the villa, quite a number of Bee-eaters were on the wires and flying around, and another Olivaceous Warbler sang. After the meal we stopped off at the Little Owl spot, where we were able to see the bird but it was too dark for any photos.
Yellow Wagtail, 1/2500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 800 (view full size image)
Swallow, 1/2000 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 640 (view full size image)
Agami, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 160 (view full size image)
Spotted Flycatcher, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 125 (view full size image)
Bee-eater, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 640 (view full size image)