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Overview
This is one of the best birding areas on Cyprus, although much depends on water levels and it can be almost birdless in very dry years.
In better times Phassouri has the most extensive reedbeds on the island as well as damp meadows, a rare habitat on Mediterranean islands. Close to Akrotiri salt lake, this is an important area for migrants of many species.
Birds
Notable Species
Herons found here include Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron and Purple Heron, Little Egret is common and Western Cattle Egret and Little Bittern also occur. Glossy Ibis is regular in good numbers, particularly in spring and Baillon's Crake is a possible breeder.
Waders are numerous and varied including Ruff, Marsh Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper. Great Snipe, Spur-winged Plover and Collared Pratincole are usually present in small numbers in spring.
Rarer migrants include Great Bittern and Great White Pelican. Raptors pass over in numbers with Pallid Harrier and Red-footed Falcon regular. Small numbers of Corn Crake also occur as well European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe and Eurasian Wryneck.
Passerine migrants occur in large numbers especially pipits including Red-throated Pipit and wagtails including many Black-headed Wagtail with a few Citrine Wagtail. In 2011, seven Bluethroats were present.
There are also breeding species of great interest in the Phassouri area including Black Francolin and Cyprus Scops Owl, Cyprus Pied Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Western Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Mallard, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Northern Hobby, Eleonora's Falcon, Black Francolin, Water Rail, Baillon's Crake, Eurasian Coot, Black-necked Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Corncrake, Spur-winged Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Great Snipe, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Armenian Gull, European Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Cyprus Scops Owl, Common Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, White Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Common Wren, Common Nightingale, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Common Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Blackcap, Penduline Tit, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Masked Shrike, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch
Other Wildlife
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History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Access and Facilities
Phassouri is situated on the Akrotiri Peninsula and can be reached from the Akrotiri Base road. Heading north on this road turn left just before reaching some woodland and left again which leads to the pools and reedbeds.
Contact Details
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External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
