30. Marsh birds seen during Spring 2022

 N.B. - Remember to click on the photograph to enlarge the image for greater detail

Springtime 2022 was considerably delayed this year, largely due to the exceptionally cold periods that lasted throughout February and March. Consequently the spring migration of many birds was much later, and it was well into April and May before the usual flocks of Bee-eaters were finally heard (and sometimes seen) to be passing northwards.  

The following selection are some of the birds that I was able to photograph during March and April, mostly at Akrotiri Marsh, Lady's Mile and Mandria.

1. Chiffchaff

The Chiffchaff is one of the smaller members of the Warbler family and can be hard to distinguish from the Willow Warbler. However, the resident and migratory populations of Chiffchaff were present in large numbers during this spring, whilst the Willow Warbler did not appear until rather later. Though not particularly associated with marshland habitats this species is nevertheless commonly seen there.

The Chiffchaff's call is very distinctive as it repeatedly calls out its own name. It also has very dark legs that help to separate it from other early seen small brown members of the Warbler family.

Chiffchaff in fine spring plumage

Fluffed up against the cold March wind

Chiffchaff showing good feather detail (enlarge)

2.  Great Snipe

The Common Snipe is a commonly seen wader in the marshy areas of Akrotiri,  Ayia Varvara and occasionally even in the ditches and boggy areas separating the fields at Mandria.  The Great Snipe, however, is much less frequently seen in any of these areas, so I was was very surprised and intrigued when the photographed bird literally dropped out of the sky just in front of me, down near the Beach Bar at Mandria in early March. I am sure it was in mid-migration and landed due to exhaustion, and to gather some strength and food. 

It is very similar in appearance to the Common Snipe, though perhaps a little stockier and with a slightly shorter bill. The distinctive feature that I was able to identify was the wavy white colouring at the end of the wing feathers - a sort of scalloped effect that is unique to this species.

The Great Snipe showing the wing colouration

Great Snipe- just landed in middle of road

3. Grey Plover

The Grey Plover breeds in the high Arctic, the adult birds spending the summer months breeding in the tundra before they migrate south through Europe. Most continue all the way to West Africa to spend the winter. It is quite an uncommon winter visitor to Cyprus so I was very pleased to see a few individuals feeding in a field at Mandria in early March

This is quite a large plover but, during spring time, can be easily mistaken for a Golden Plover due to the yellowish tinge of some of the outer wing feathers. As the bird comes into summer breeding plumage the throat, neck and front become black - again like the Golden Plover.  All rather confusing really. 

Grey Plover, resting in Mandria field

Grey Plover showing feint gold tints in the wings

4.  Little Stint and Temminck's Stint

These two species are amongst the smallest of waders, being less than 6 inches long. The Little Stint is a very common winter visitor while the Temminck's is a less common migrant and usually arrives a little later in spring than the Little Stint.

The two species are very similar in size and can be distinguished  in three ways: (1) by their behaviour - the Little Stint is usually in a big hurry and runs around in the shallowest water, pecking and feeding at speed, while the Teminck's Stint is much slower in its searching and feeding rate; (2) the colour of the legs (when visible) - the Little Stint having very dark or black legs while the Temminck's has greenish-yellow legs; (3) Temminck's Stint has a clear white orbital ring around the eye - usually easy to see in photographs if not in the field.

Both of these waders breed in northern (tundra) coastal areas but migrate across the whole of Europe to overwinter in Africa.

Little Stint feeding in very shallow water

Little Stint, scurrying and feeding. Note the feather colouring

Temminck's Stint, slowly exploring the mud

Temminck's Stint. Note the yellowish legs and white eye orbital

5. Kentish Plover

This rather small Plover is (most unusually)actually named after the place in Britain. It is commonly seen all year round in Cyprus coastal waters but does migrate to more northern European waters to breed. It is a rather inconspicuous sandy plover with white underparts, a white band around the neck, and dark grey/black legs. The male also shows a rufous cap and small black head markings. It is often seen in very large flocks in summer. During spring they are often seen feeding with Little Stints in the large salt water pools along Lady's Mile at Akrotiri.

Kentish Plover - male, at Mandria foreshore

Kentish Plover - female, at Lady's Mile

6. Spoonbill

The Spoonbill is a large white wader, almost the size of a Great Egret. It is an uncommon migrant here,  most commonly seen in Cyprus in late summer/autumn. It is less frequently seen in spring so I was very pleased to find a small group of Spoonbills feeding and resting at Akrotiri Marsh in early March this year. 

The plumage is ivory-white with the distinctive and unmistakable black spatulate bill (with a yellow tip). It has a distinctive mode of feeding by holding the tip of the bill underwater and moving its head from side to side as the bird walks forward. In spring the plumage shows a buff coloured crest on the neck and a similar coloured band at the bottom of the neck. 

Spoonbills in breeding plumage, feeding at Akrotiri Marsh pool

The distinctive outline of flying Spoonbills

Good view of the eponymous shaped bill

7. Glossy Ibis

There were exceptional numbers of Glossy Ibis migrating through Cyprus this spring, and flocks of between 40 and 100 birds were frequent sightings. Many landed at Akrotiri and were feeding in the marshy pools, along with many other duck and waders (Teal, Mallard, Garganey, Egrets, Stilts, Herons, Ruff etc). The Glossy Ibis is now known to be resident and to breed in Cyprus. 

The Glossy Ibis is always an impressive sight in its summer plumage of iridescent green/black wings and tail, and deep purple-chestnut neck. The downcurved bill and the long leg projection make the flying birds readily identifiable. 

 Flock of Glossy Ibis coming in to land at Akrotiri Marsh

Adult Glossy Ibis in full breeding plumage

8. Collared Pratincole

This unusual wader is one of my favourite birds. I first saw one (through a local birder's telescope) many years ago on the mudflats of the Loughor estuary near Llanelli in South Wales. I could see no details and had never heard of a Pratincole before, Collared or otherwise. I have since seen a small group resting from migration at Mandria foreshore, and then I suddenly saw this individual flying up in front of me at Akrotiri Marsh in April, and just managed to get a couple of photographs.

The bird has long wings and a distinctive forked tail, and looks rather tern-like in its shape when flying, which is fast and graceful. The bill is quite short and has a distinctive red base that stands out from the cream coloured throat.

I have no idea why it is called a "Collared" Pratincole as there is no obvious collar to distinguish it from other Pratincoles. No more do I know why it's a Pratincole!

The graceful Collared Pratincole

A pair of newly arrived birds at Mandria foreshore

Collared Pratincole practising some aerial manoeuvres

9. Demoiselle Crane

This distinctive, large and elegant bird is a fairly common passage migrant between Africa and Eastern Europe and Asia. In particular it is often seen on the wetlands of central and western Cyprus during its spring migration north and, more often, when it returns in the autumn. It is a predominantly grey bird but with a charcoal black head and neck. It has a pale grey or white tuft behind its distinctive red eye.

The individual pictured was photographed at Akrotiri Marsh in April, where it spent a few days on its own (apart from several attendant birders who rushed there to see it!).

The Demoiselle Crane resting

This bird spent at least three days at Akrotiri Marsh

10. Reed Warbler

The (Eurasian) Reed Warbler is a very shy retiring bird that exists almost exclusively within reed (Phragmites) beds. It is a common breeding visitor and passage migrant through Cyprus. It is a small slender bird with rather drab brown plumage above and paler buff below. It can be difficult to photograph as it clambers and flits about in the reeds, often heard without being seen.

Surprisingly the Reed Warbler is a frequent host to the parasitic Cuckoo, which will lay a single egg in the small warbler's nest. The hatching cuckoo wastes no time in pushing the host's eggs (or young) out of the nest, and the parent birds then spend the next three weeks struggling to maintain a feeding routine sufficient to allow the young cuckoo to grow and ultimately fledge. 

The rather shy and inconspicuous Reed Warbler

A pair of Reed Warblers - seeking a Cuckoo-free nest site?

 

All Text and Photos by Trevor Fordham

26 June 2022