Trevor's Tweet

  [Note: Remember to click on the photograph to enlarge the image .] The Falcons comprise a family of small to medium sized raptors, of which six species are frequently seen on Cyprus. Other species are seen here occasionally as passage migrants (on migration) or as vagrants. October and November are the months when many of the passage migrants are seen as they make their way south, so a good time to keep an eye out for them. Kestrel The Kestrel is the most common Falcon in Cyprus. It is resident at Secret Valley, nesting in the fir trees early in the year. The male has a blue-grey head with a small dark moustachial stipe extending down from the eye. The tail of the male is also a pale blue-grey colour, while the female has a red-brown tail with black bars. Both male and female have rufous-brown back and wings with obvious dark spots and black wing tips. The feet are bright yellow, as they are on many of the Falcon species, but the claws are black. The classic "standing on the win...

( N.B. Remember to click on the image to increase the size). The months of August and September saw the start of the autumn migration for many European bird species that are making their way down to Africa for our winter months. Many species seem to pass right over Cyprus without stopping, but others will stay here for a short while for a short rest and chance to feed before making the last stage of their Mediterranean crossing.  One of the earliest indicators that the autumn migration is underway is the distinctive fluting call of the European Bee-eater. This year seems to have been exceptionally good for the numbers of birds passing south, indicating a very successful breeding season in Europe (and perhaps Covid  restrictions has reduced hunting efficiency?). Bee-eaters generally travel in quite large flocks, often feeding at high altitudes and are consequently often heard without ever being seen. When you are lucky enough to see them you may notice that the colours of the b...