Cyprus is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea. Although there are only about 50 resident species of birds, the spring and fall migrations bring that total to almost 400. Birding Hotspots Cyprus lists the top nine birding locations on the island.
Birding Hotspots Cyprus – Endemics
There are two endemic species in Cyprus: the Cyprus Wheatear and the Cyprus Warbler. Read Birding Hotspots Cyprus for where to find them.
Map
Troodos
The Nightingale Hotel is an excellent place to stay in Pano Platres. You won’t have to worry about sleeping in. The Common Nightingales will wake you up at daybreak.
Take the Atalante Trail, which starts in the village square. Here, you can find the endemic Cyprus Wheatear in Spring and Summer. Watch for Pallid Swifts flying around the village. Another good bird to watch for is the Masked Shrike.
Be aware that this is a mountainous area with poor roads. Snow is possible anytime between November and March. If you go in winter, you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle and chains. Best to go here in summer anyway. It is the only place in Cyprus that is not hot in the summer. Accommodations can be found in the town of Pano Platres. Start at the village square in Troodos. Trail maps are available from the Cyprus Tourist Organization. They have an office in Platres, but it is best to get one in Nicosia if they don’t have one in Platres. They also have offices in London, other cities across Cyprus, and major cities in Europe. You can email them at cytour@visitcyprus.com
Be aware that the Troodos area is a military zone patrolled by both the Cyprus and British armies. You may be stopped by armed soldiers at a checkpoint, especially after dark. Avoid photography around the military base or anywhere that there are soldiers. It is not dangerous, but some people are intimidated by the military presence.
2. Pafos Headland
The bushes along the coast are an excellent place to look for Ruppell’s Warbler, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, and Black-headed Buntings. Check the rocky areas for Greater Sand-Plover and Golden Plovers.
Pafos is located in the southwest of the island. There is a track starting from the castle. Some Roman archaeological sites along the coast are fenced off. You may have to pay to pass through these sites, but the ruins are interesting.
3. Asprokremnos Dam
Birding around the dam may get you Black-headed Bunting and the endemic Cyprus Warbler. There is a good chance for Finsch’s Wheatear in winter.
The Asprokremnos Dam is near Pafos. Some of the roads around the dam may require a four-wheel drive. Take the highway exit to Timi, drive toward Lemesos, and follow signs to the dam.
4. Pafos Plain
The cultivated fields around Mandria offer excellent birding during migration before the crops grow. You might see Red-throated Pipit and Water Pipit. The Red-footed Falcon is common during migration, as is the Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, and maybe even the Egyptian Vulture. Spanish Sparrows are common here during winter.
Closer to the beach, you have another opportunity to see Red-throated Pipit, Lesser Short-toed Larks, and even Bimaculated Larks.
After passing the airport in the direction of Petra, you see the Pafos Plain. The best part is around the village of Mandria.
5. Akrotiri Salt Lake
The Akrotiri Salt Lake is home to thousands of Greater Flamingos in Winter.
In the Spring, you may see Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Greater Sand-Plover and Slender-billed Gull.
The lake is mainly dried up during winter. However, Demoiselle Cranes stop here during their Fall migration.
The Akrotiri Salt Lake is on the peninsula near the city of Limassol. Follow signs for the town of Akrotiri.
6. Larnaka Salt Lake
Like the Akrotiri Salt Lake, Greater Flamingos are here during winter. There are fewer of them than at Akrotiri, but you can get closer to them here than at Akrotiri.
Another good spot to check is the pools on either side of the road at Meneou Beach. Look here for flamingos, Black-necked Grebe, Red-crested Pochard, Armenian Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Little Tern, Greater Sand Plover and Spur-winged Plover, plus many other waterfowl, herons and shorebirds.
This lake is located between the city and the airport. Due to development around the airport, the lake has been divided into several small ones.
7. Oroklini Marsh
If there is water in the marsh, look for Spur-winged Plover, Squacco Herons and Broad-billed Sandpiper. Black Francolin are also in the area.
This is a very shallow lake that holds water only in wet years. It is south of the village of Oroklini, near Larnaka.
8. Paralimni Lake
You may see Spur-winged Plover, Kentish Plover, Caspian Plover, Red-footed Falcon, Great Snipe, and many others.
This lake is located south of Famagusta just south of the divide. It does not always hold water, but when it does it is a great place for birding
9. Achna Dam
Searching the area around the dam might get you a Dalmatian Pelican, Pallas’s Gull, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Bluethroat and Spur-winged Plover.
The Achna Dam is located about 20 km northeast of Larnaka near the village of Achna. The village is located on the Greek/Turkish divide and there is a large Cypriot, Turkish and UN military presence in the area so be careful not to point cameras or binoculars at military posts.
Birding Hotspots Cyprus lists only the most notable birds. However, each of these locations will attract many more birds than listed here.
Photo Credits – Greater Flamingos by Michalakis Paus. Cyprus Wheatear by Agami Photo Agency. Cyprus Warbler by Mike Lane.
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