InTouch Magazine Articles Archive

Issue 19, June 2008

Birdwatching in Troodos

By Jane Stylianou.

Spring migration is coming to an end now and both resident and visiting breeding birds have established territories and are getting on with the business of raising young. This coincides with the general rise in temperatures here in Cyprus, which is probably a happy co-incidence as even the most fanatical bird watchers cannot honestly claim to enjoy birding once the temperature gets much past 28˚C.

In addition many of the good sites for observing migrating birds happen to be wide open, exposed countryside or coastline with very few or no trees to provide much-needed shade.
Obviously the forested areas of the Island are an exception to this and they can be excellent places for birding throughout the summer. Cooler temperatures and plenty of shade aside, one of the obvious attractions of looking for birds in the Troodos area is that there is a very good chance of seeing several of Cyprus’ endemic birds. The area holds many breeding pairs of the endemic Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) and a walk on any of the nature trails in the area quickly confirms this. Although less obvious, the Cypriot Coal Tit (Parus ater cypriotes) can be heard calling everywhere and with a little patience be seen flitting amongst the pine trees.

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