23 May 2024 - Latchi, Cyprus

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Chukar, Hoopoe, Long-legged Buzzard, Little Owl

As the week warmed up, birding was becoming rather more difficult, with not too much moving about.  I set off early (c. 6.30 am) via the back road, to head for Aphrodite's pool area, and a Buzzard sp. flew from a telegraph pole by the roadside and was lost to view.  Aphrodite's trail and Smyggies were both very quiet, though a few Olivaceous Warblers were singing at the former.   On the way back to the villa I spotted a Chukar in a field by the road, the first one I've seen not in flight. I managed a couple of shots, struggling with the focus in the heat haze and grassy stems.  

After breakfast Sam and I went for a walk via the top road again.  We saw Long-legged Buzzard, and a couple of Chukar that were at the side of the road.  They flew as we approached them though. A Hoopoe could be heard and we located it perched on wires, visible through a gap in the trees.  There were plenty of Bee-eaters scattered around on the wires, and a couple of Red-rumped Swallows, but no Rollers in evidence.

In the afternoon a Long-legged Buzzard flew over the villa and we went out to Polis Herb Garden for our evening meal. Sam had the Meat Meze, which was very good but too much, as usual!  On the way back we checked the Little Owls; the adult flew from the fence, and we saw two young ones perched on the wall.

Chukar, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 125 (view full size image)

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