Due to the variety and diversity of the country-side, Cyprus possesses the most interesting and varied bird-life of any island in the Mediterranean: a spectacular coastline; a central plain, fertile in winter and spring, arid in summer; foothills covered with thyme, lavender and stunted oaks; shaded wooded valleys; and pine-clad mountains rising to the massif of Troodos, snow-covered for part of the year.
Each season in Cyprus produces different bird species, thus a wide variety of birds can be watched at all times of the year.
The actual resident bird population is relatively small. Only about 50 species are present on the island throughout the year. But during the migration periods, from March until May and again in September and October, their numbers are augmented by another 140 species as millions of birds use Cyprus as a staging post on their migrations between northern Europe and Africa. During winter, 45 others which breed in Europe and Siberia, regularly visit the island as the mild climate produces an abundance of food to sustain them until they move north again in the spring to breed.
Of the resident birds the Cyprus Warbler is very special, for it is found nowhere else in the world. The Cyprus Warbler is superficially similar to its close relative the Sardinian Warbler, which is found all around the Mediterranean, and the Ruppel’s Warbler, which is confined to the shores around the Eastern end of the sea. Both are common migrants through Cyprus but neither breed on the island.
The male Cyprus Warbler is more striking than either of its cousins. But, like them it has a jet black and white moustacial stripe, but whereas the Sardinian has a white chin and Ruppel’s a black bib, the Cyprus Warbler has the chin and throat barred with black which continues down the breast and along the flanks. His mate is very similar to both the hen Sardinian and Ruppel’s Warblers but is streaked on the throat and breast.
The birds are irregularly distributed throughout the island. In some areas they are quite common, but in others which would appear to offer identical habitat, they are entirely absent. They are usually found in scrub country both on the coast and inland in the mountains, and are particularly common in the foothills below Macheras Monastery.
Another particularly interesting Cyprus resident, which is found in the maquis scrub near Paphos, is the Black Partridge. A beautiful game bird which is widely distributed from the Middle East to India, the Cyprus population being its most westerly stronghold. Other residents which excite visitors and birdwatchers are the birds of prey, particularly the magnificent Bonelli’s and Imperial Eagles, and the two species of vulture which are frequently seen soaring over the plains.


Bird watching in Cyprus - continued