BIRD WATCHING IN CYPRUS
Think of Cyprus and most people will think of Agia Napa, Paphos, Protaras and the millions of tourists who migrate to the island for a week or two during the summer to soak up the sun and then fly back to the less hospitable climate of their native lands.Think of Cyprus and others will think about their dream retirement home in the sun and feel envious towards those who can afford to invest in Cyprus and are already living in the sun and realising that dream.For other creatures of habit Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and with its area of 9250 sq kilometres represents a home from home in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean basin. It is in the middle of the migration routes for millions of birds which move every year from Europe to Africa and Asia in the autumn – and back to Europe in the spring. No need for them to worry about looking for low cost flights to Cyprus – they simply rely on the wind beneath their wings! Visit www.cyprusbirds.com for more information about bird-watching in Cyprus.
There is so much to see here. Go to the Troodos Mountains, which rise to over 6,000 feet; they are the regular haunt of Griffon Vultures and several endemic sub-species (Crossbill, Short-toed Treecreeper, Scops Owl, Coal Tit and Jay) all potential candidates for full species status like the two existing endemics, Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Pied Wheatear.
Cyprus has a bird list of 374 species. This includes two endemic species, the Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca and the Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax. In addition there are four endemic subspecies: – Cyprus Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius, Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes, Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae and Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri. For a full list of species and more information one can visit http://www.birdlifecyprus.org/
So, taking a low cost flight to Cyprus can be the start of a real journey of discovery for the discerning ornithologist.
