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All Photographs and text by Trevor Fordham

(Note: Click on photos to enlarge image)

 The position of Cyprus at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea places it on one of the major bird migration routes between Africa, the Middle East and Europe. It is therefore a vital stop-off point for many species during their Spring and/or Autumn journeys. The number of individual birds passing over Cyprus each year is impressive, amounting to millions of individuals.

The Spring migration is already well underway this year, having started around the end of February and which will probably continue into May. 

Some of the earliest species to be seen here are the Swallows and Martins, readily seen during March and April catching insects over the Secret Valley ponds. Other early arrivals are species of Wheatear (including Northern, Isabelline and Black-eared Wheatears) which are frequently seen on the beaches and adjoining fields at Mandria and on the rockier areas above Anarita.  


Isabelline Wheatear (male)

Northern Wheatear (male)
Black-eared Wheatear (male)

This spring has seen an unusually large influx of the spectacular Hoopoe, readily identified by it’s orange, black and white plumage, it’s distinct crest and a large down-curved bill. They are still around on the golf course and can often be heard before being seen, with their distinct “ooop-ooop” call.

Hoopoe
Another eye-catching species that’s seen and heard on the golf course is the Great Spotted Cuckoo. This dark grey and white (male) and dark brown and white (female), both with white spots on the back plumage, is about the size of a crow and lays its eggs mainly in Magpie nests, so they are often seen being mobbed by Magpies.

Great Spotted Cuckoos (mating)

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