No.20. Some Early Autumn Migrants

 

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge the images)


The 2020 autumn bird migration is now well underway. I first noticed a change in the species appearing in Secret Valley in late July/early August, heralded by the welcome fluting call of the European Bee-eaters. There have already been a lot of large flocks of this species crossing the island, and frequently stopping for a rest here en route to Africa. They would seem to have had a successful breeding season in the southern and middle countries of Europe this summer (typically visiting as far north as France, Holland and Germany, as well as to many of the Eastern Europe countries, as well as Ukraine and into Southern Russia). As I write this I can still hear flocks of Bee-eaters calling as another flock makes its way south.


European Bee-eaters - early autumn migrants

In the last three weeks there have been a number of Lesser Grey Shrikes appearing in the shrubs around the golf course, and I noticed an adult and a juvenile on the shrubs bordering the road extending  from the  roundabout by the 12th tee up into the residential area. I have also seen a Red-backed Shrike on a scrubby bit of land opposite my house in Secret Valley.


Lesser Grey Shrikes - adult & juvenile



Red-backed Shrike


There are a lot of Willow Warblers in small and medium flocks at various locations around the golf course at the moment. These are quite small Warblers that flit around at low levels in shrubs and trees, and there were a lot of them last weekend in the dry stream bed that bisects the fairway of the first hole. They have a slightly greenish-brown back and a very distinctive yellow front. A sudden short harsh call draws attention to them.




Willow Warblers - many small flocks around



The most noticeable influx of autumn migrants so far this year has been the large number of White Storks that have appeared over much of Cyprus in the last 2-3 weeks. A couple of weeks back the numbers had been estimated at well over 7,000, just in the Paphos region and western side of the island. These are very big birds and are frequently seen landing and feeding at domestic waste disposal sites, and then moving on to reservoirs and lakes to take on some water and to rest for a while. There have been large numbers roosting at Ayia Varvara and I have seen over 60 birds resting there in a single storage lagoon.




The White Stork - impressive size and numbers


Other waders of interest that I have recently seen around the Secret Valley ponds include individuals of Glossy Ibis, Northern Lapwing, Squacco Heron and Little Egret. 



Glossy Ibis in the stream by 6th hole



Northern Lapwing - juvenile on the beach at 11th hole



Squacco Heron - before the floating green arrived!


There has also been a pair of Kingfishers chasing each other across and around the ponds over the past couple of months, and it's good to see them again. 


Kingfisher hiding in the Juncus grasses by the dam

The number of very small fish (probably thousands) that are now thriving in the SV ponds (despite the presence of the huge Koi Carp, Catfish and the newly arrived Terrapins) makes me wonder why the Kingfishers aren't resident here all year round. But perhaps they are, and I just don't see them, though their high pitched single note calls are usually the first clue that they are about.



Terrapin, sunbathing



A pair of brown Carp, hunting

White Koi Carp - lurking



All photography and text by Trevor Fordham

15th September  2020

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