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Overview
This large man-made reservoir formed by the damming of the River Xeros attracts variable numbers of migrants but is always worth visiting during passage periods.
Birds
Notable Species
Common Crane, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron and Squacco Heron are regular in small numbers, crakes, waterfowl and waders also occur, but numbers depend on water levels. Great Cormorant is regular and Pygmy Cormorant has been recorded, also Eleonora's Falcon and Spur-winged Plover.
The surrounding area is mainly rough grassland with some cultivated land and breeding species include Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Cyprus Warbler and Cretzschmar's Bunting. Stone-curlew and Chukar Partridge occur here and a small number of Black Francolin may still exist in this area. Also breeding around the dam are Red-rumped Swallow and Little Owl and Western Barn Owl.
Glossy Ibis visits on passage and in winter Great White Egret and Griffon Vulture occur. Eurasian Black Vulture has also been recorded and recently also a White-tailed Eagle. Ruppell's Warbler occurs on passage.
Rarities
To do
Checklist
Birds you can see here include:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, European Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Northern Hobby, Eleonora's Falcon, Chukar Partridge, Black Francolin, Spotted Crake, Little Crake, Baillon's Crake, Water Rail, Moorhen, Common Crane, Black-winged Stilt, Stone-curlew, Spur-winged Plover, Northern Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Marsh Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Tern, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Common Kingfisher, European Roller, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Nightingale, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Isabelline Wheatear, Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Finsch's Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Ruppell's Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Cretzschmar's Bunting
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
Finsch's Wheatear has been recorded fairly regularly in recent years in the area of Aprokremmos Dam, mainly in the abandoned village of Finikas (Phinikas).
To reach this village a 4WD vehicle is required. Turn off the Paphos to Limassol road towards the dam pools but continue until a sharp right turn over the dam and follow the track ahead. Continue on this track over the crossroads, bearing right just before the radio mast and down to the water. Following the track leads over a bridge and on to the village.
Finsch's Wheatear may not always be present but when they are they can be very elusive and difficult to approach.
An alternative way to get to the dam is from the village of Nata. There is a track that leads towards the dam near a water storage tank just south of the village on the road from Nata to Anarita. You can drive part way down this road even in a normal car, or better still walk it. It's about an hours walk but allows for some decent birding on the way.
Access and Facilities
The dam can be reached by road from Paphos by heading inland and turning off the road just after Mandria.
Contact Details
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External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
