Cyprus
Birds and Flowers on Aphrodite's Isle
Sunday 23 - Sunday 30 March 2008 (8 days)
A spring visit to Cyprus can encounter some of the best bird migration anywhere in the Mediterranean. Add the presence of a number of distinctive island races and two unique species - Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Wheatear - and the appeal of spring birdwatching on beautiful Aphrodites Isle is irresistible!
Beneath the shadow of the beautiful Troodos Mountains a buzzing, insect-like song betrays the presence of a striking Cyprus Wheatear perched atop a Calabrian Pine. Far below, along the islands picturesque south coast, the black head, white whisker and boldly-spotted underside of a jaunty Cyprus Warbler is etched against a backdrop of dazzling white limestone cliffs that plunge into the azure-blue waters of the Mediterranean. While in a quiet valley stretching inland from the coast, the rhythmic call of Black Francolins and manic chuckles of a Great Spotted Cuckoo float over flower-filled meadows, heralding another exciting day's birdwatching in store...
Lying right across the migration route of birds flying north from sub-Saharan Africa, through Egypt, and over the Eastern Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus is one of the most exciting places we know to watch spring migration. Well be based close to one of the best areas on the island: Paphos, and the west coast. Visible migration can be dramatic, with flocks of herons of six species going by over the sea, Hoopoes and flocks of larks and wagtails flying in, and parties of Common, Pallid and Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallow low overhead.
Like so much of the rest of the island, the areas around Paphos headland will be a blaze of colour at this time: carpeted with yellow Crown Daisies, scarlet Poppies, and pink Convolvulus. In the afternoons, the colour changes to blue, as the lovely Barbary Nut Irises open in the sunshine.
Lying right across the migration route of birds flying north from sub-Saharan Africa, through Egypt, and over the Eastern Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus is one of the most exciting places we know to watch spring migration. Well be based close to one of the best areas on the island: Paphos, and the west coast. Visible migration can be dramatic, with flocks of herons of six species going by over the sea, Hoopoes and flocks of larks and wagtails flying in, and parties of Common, Pallid and Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallow low overhead.
Like so much of the rest of the island, the areas around Paphos headland will be a blaze of colour at this time: carpeted with yellow Crown Daisies, scarlet Poppies, and pink Convolvulus. In the afternoons, the colour changes to blue, as the lovely Barbary Nut Irises open in the sunshine.
Price: £ 1,395
Single supp.: £ 135
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights* from London Larnaca including on-board meals as appropriate, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, meals, transport, incidental tips and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the local driver, drinks, and other personal expenses.
It may be possible to arrange flights from UK regional airports direct to Paphos or Larnaca. Please enquire for details. We can also arrange for a weeks extra hotel accommodation and car hire for those wishing to extend their stay.
*For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Paphos/Paphos) please deduct £ 175 per person from the tour cost.
Leaders: Keith Grant & Robin Chittenden
Further afield, well visit several choice wetland sites, including the Asprokremnos pools and reservoir, the reedbeds at Phassouri and the salt lakes at Akrotiri and Larnaca. Almost anywhere on the coast can be good for birds, and well be visiting the Akamas peninsula, excellent for flowers, and highly attractive to flycatchers and warblers on migration.
Finally, rising high above the coastal fringe, the snowcapped Troodos Mountains will make a dramatic setting for us to see several choice endemic flowers as well as Long-legged Buzzard, and other migrants heading up the valleys.
Itinerary
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight London-Larnaca and travel across the island towards Paphos, and our base for the next seven nights.
Days 2 - 7
The area around Paphos makes a superb base for a week's holiday. Smart Black Francolin call from the fields, and the immediate area out towards the headland forms one of the best migration sites on the whole of Cyprus. Neat walled fields of rank grass and wild flowers, with shady figs, carobs and olives, are sure to hold a selection of flycatchers, warblers and shrikes and are worth checking regularly.
A morning's walk around the lighthouse and headland areas and along the rocky shore can produce some really choice birds - perhaps Red-throated or Tawny Pipits, Crested and Short-toed Larks, several Wheatear species including Isabelline, Northern, Black-eared, and the endemic Cyprus Wheatear, showy Cretzschmar's Bunting, and overnight falls of several races of Yellow Wagtail including the lovely Black-headed. The olives, fig trees and scrub can host Bonellis, Olivaceous, Orphean and Rüppell's Warblers, Wryneck and perhaps Pied, Collared and Semi-collared Flycatchers.
We shall pay a visit to the remarkable and extensive third century Roman mosaics near the Byzantine fortress overlooking the harbour. These are regarded as amongst the finest in the Mediterranean. Close by is also the extensive complex of the Tombs of the Kings, itself a good site for migrants.
Further afield, the Asprokremnos Dam and Reservoir can hold much of interest, including the endemic Cyprus Warbler, Woodchat and Masked Shrikes, Chukar, amazingly confiding Little Crakes, various herons and sundry waders. Great Spotted Cuckoos and raptors including Long-legged Buzzard can also be found here and along the nearby Dhiarizos Valley, while wintering Finschs Wheatear sometimes linger in the area.
Along the south coast lie the freshwater wetlands and reedbeds at Phassouri. Much depends on water levels here, but transient waders can include Marsh Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Plover. Marsh Harrier patrol above pools, where the wildfowl can include good numbers of Garganey, and several herons and Glossy Ibis can sometimes be found in good numbers. The nearby salt lake at Akrotiri often has Greater Flamingo in their hundreds as well as gulls including the lovely Slender-billed Gull.
We also aim to spend a day at the island's north-west extremity on the lovely Akamas peninsula with stunning scenery and some superb flowers. Among the many orchids can be found Serapias species, Giant, Syrian and Naked Man Orchids, and a bewildering variety of bee orchids including Omega, Yellow Bee, Mt Carmel, Mammose and the endemic Cyprus Ophrys. The Baths of Aphrodite are a sheltered spot which can attract a good range of migrants, especially shrikes and flycatchers.
Weather permitting, we hope to travel up into the pine-clad Troodos Mountains. These may still have snow on their upper slopes, but amidst the pines can be found the endemic subspecies of Crossbill, Jay, Short-toed Treecreeper and Coal Tit. Several endemic plants can be found up here, including the delightful Cyprus Crocus.
We have chosen to be based in one strategically-placed hotel for the whole week to make this a most relaxed tour, with plenty of time spent on gentle walks amidst the flowers and birds of this compelling island. In our experience, Cyprus provides some of the most exciting birdwatching in Europe!
Seven nights near Paphos
Day 8
We drive back to Larnaca, with some time to look at the salt lakes, usually providing good views of Greater Flamingo, and with other possibilities including Slender-billed and Little Gulls and waders including Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover, before catching our afternoon flight home.
Accommodation: We stay in a good quality hotel near Paphos with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by coach with local driver.
Walks: We shall take gentle short walks of a mile or so over easy terrain, except for the walk on the first full day around Paphos headland which is about 3 miles in total at an easy pace. In the Troodos Mountains, our walks will mostly be along level trails that conveniently follow the contours of the hill.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Finally, rising high above the coastal fringe, the snowcapped Troodos Mountains will make a dramatic setting for us to see several choice endemic flowers as well as Long-legged Buzzard, and other migrants heading up the valleys.
Itinerary
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight London-Larnaca and travel across the island towards Paphos, and our base for the next seven nights.
Days 2 - 7
The area around Paphos makes a superb base for a week's holiday. Smart Black Francolin call from the fields, and the immediate area out towards the headland forms one of the best migration sites on the whole of Cyprus. Neat walled fields of rank grass and wild flowers, with shady figs, carobs and olives, are sure to hold a selection of flycatchers, warblers and shrikes and are worth checking regularly.
A morning's walk around the lighthouse and headland areas and along the rocky shore can produce some really choice birds - perhaps Red-throated or Tawny Pipits, Crested and Short-toed Larks, several Wheatear species including Isabelline, Northern, Black-eared, and the endemic Cyprus Wheatear, showy Cretzschmar's Bunting, and overnight falls of several races of Yellow Wagtail including the lovely Black-headed. The olives, fig trees and scrub can host Bonellis, Olivaceous, Orphean and Rüppell's Warblers, Wryneck and perhaps Pied, Collared and Semi-collared Flycatchers.
We shall pay a visit to the remarkable and extensive third century Roman mosaics near the Byzantine fortress overlooking the harbour. These are regarded as amongst the finest in the Mediterranean. Close by is also the extensive complex of the Tombs of the Kings, itself a good site for migrants.
Further afield, the Asprokremnos Dam and Reservoir can hold much of interest, including the endemic Cyprus Warbler, Woodchat and Masked Shrikes, Chukar, amazingly confiding Little Crakes, various herons and sundry waders. Great Spotted Cuckoos and raptors including Long-legged Buzzard can also be found here and along the nearby Dhiarizos Valley, while wintering Finschs Wheatear sometimes linger in the area.
Along the south coast lie the freshwater wetlands and reedbeds at Phassouri. Much depends on water levels here, but transient waders can include Marsh Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Plover. Marsh Harrier patrol above pools, where the wildfowl can include good numbers of Garganey, and several herons and Glossy Ibis can sometimes be found in good numbers. The nearby salt lake at Akrotiri often has Greater Flamingo in their hundreds as well as gulls including the lovely Slender-billed Gull.
We also aim to spend a day at the island's north-west extremity on the lovely Akamas peninsula with stunning scenery and some superb flowers. Among the many orchids can be found Serapias species, Giant, Syrian and Naked Man Orchids, and a bewildering variety of bee orchids including Omega, Yellow Bee, Mt Carmel, Mammose and the endemic Cyprus Ophrys. The Baths of Aphrodite are a sheltered spot which can attract a good range of migrants, especially shrikes and flycatchers.
Weather permitting, we hope to travel up into the pine-clad Troodos Mountains. These may still have snow on their upper slopes, but amidst the pines can be found the endemic subspecies of Crossbill, Jay, Short-toed Treecreeper and Coal Tit. Several endemic plants can be found up here, including the delightful Cyprus Crocus.
We have chosen to be based in one strategically-placed hotel for the whole week to make this a most relaxed tour, with plenty of time spent on gentle walks amidst the flowers and birds of this compelling island. In our experience, Cyprus provides some of the most exciting birdwatching in Europe!
Seven nights near Paphos
Day 8
We drive back to Larnaca, with some time to look at the salt lakes, usually providing good views of Greater Flamingo, and with other possibilities including Slender-billed and Little Gulls and waders including Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover, before catching our afternoon flight home.
Accommodation: We stay in a good quality hotel near Paphos with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by coach with local driver.
Walks: We shall take gentle short walks of a mile or so over easy terrain, except for the walk on the first full day around Paphos headland which is about 3 miles in total at an easy pace. In the Troodos Mountains, our walks will mostly be along level trails that conveniently follow the contours of the hill.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients