Winter birding in Cyprus 2025

Winter in Cyprus can offer a unique opportunity to explore the Island's diverse bird population during the quieter and cooler months of the year as birds flock to this Mediterranean haven escaping the colder regions of Europe. The island's varied landscapes of Coastal wetlands, Forests, Gorges and Mountains provide ideal habitats for both sedentary and migratory species alike. Below: Wallcreeper at Avakas Gorge.

Serving as a crucial stopover for many birds travelling between Europe and Africa during the winter months this seasonal influx brings a wide variety of species, including Waterfowl, Raptors, and Songbirds making it an exciting time for birdwatching. Cyprus with it's mild climate allows for comfortable outdoor exploration and presents the opportunity of witnessing some rare and endangered species in their natural environments.

Whether you are a seasoned travelling birder or a novice, winter birdwatching on Cyprus can be a rewarding experience, join us as we delve into some of the locations, birds and tips for making the most of your birding trip on this wonderful Island. Above: Bonelli's Eagle at Akrotiri marsh.

Cyprus 1st Dec 25

Our apartment overlooked the ruins of Episcopal Palace and highlights from an hours balcony birding while waiting for the car included Kestrel, Hooded crow, Black redstart, Great tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, House and Spanish sparrow. Heavy rain came as we waited and after a few hiccups we got on our way as the Sun came out. Our first stop was nearby at Agia Varvara where we headed for the irrigation pools and soak-aways noting Stonechat, Moustached warbler, Sardinian warbler, Chiffchaff, Zitting cisticola, Linnet, Serin, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Common Snipe, Moorhen, Little egret, Grey heron, Eurasian teal, Coot, White wagtail, Mallard and Grey wagtail. Below: Stone curlew at Mandria and Long-legged buzzard Ag. Varvara.

Driving up the hillside we had views of Magpie, Turtle dove, Jackdaw, Woodlark, Common buzzard, Long-legged buzzard, Kestrel and Marsh harrier while at Anarita Park a Long-legged buzzard was being harassed by a Sparrowhawk. Our final stop was Mandria where a passing Palid harrier lifted Laughing dove, Collared dove, Feral pigeon and Wood pigeon plus a handful of Stone curlew which re-appeared once the coast was clear. At lark corner we had Skylark and Crested lark bringing our total sightings to 42 birds for the day.

Cyprus 2nd Dec

This morning we set off before sunrise and headed for the Avakas Gorge looking for Wallcreeper which are known to over-winter at this location. We knew from local reports there were two birds here so it was just a case of finding them. Driving towards the Akamas peninsular we noted Black Francolin as we followed the rough tracks towards the start of the Gorge. The trail through the Gorge was challenging and after 3 hours searching with no luck we decided to call it a day. On our way back we came across our first Wallcreeper in decent light and a little further back we had our second which was closer but in shade. A Cyprus Scops owl was calling and huge flocks of Jackdaws were present, the acoustics of the Gorge amplifying their noisy call. Black redstart, Robin, Great tit, Stonechat and Sardinian warbler were also spotted. Below: Wallcreeper.

Returning back we checked out the fields around Paphos Sewage Works and added Spur-winged lapwing to our sightings list, both male and female Marsh harrier were observed hawking the field which was populated by Skylark, Meadow pipit and 100's of Caucasian Water pipit. Finishing off the day at Asprokremmos Dam a large flock of Gulls dropped in, mainly Yellow-Legged with several Lesser Black-backed while on the water we noted Cormorant and Great crested grebe. Flocks of Goldfinch and Greenfinch were spotted along with Long-legged buzzard and Little owl. We watched the sun go down as a Ringtail harrier flushed a small flock of roosting Golden plover from a nearby field. 43 birds were noted today with 14 new species added to our list bringing our trip total to 57 birds. Below: Spur-winged lapwing.

Cyprus 3rd Dec

Another early start this morning as we went over to Akrotiri marsh before sunrise with our sights set on the two long staying White throated Kingfisher's. From the tower hide we observed a male Hen harrier at some distance hunting, followed shortly after by a female. Teal and Spur-winged lapwing were in good numbers and several Spotted redshank were noted with Common redshank. A bluethroat appeared and 3 Common Kingfisher were recorded but sadly the White throated kingfisher was a no-show. Below: Bonelli's eagle.

At the paddock hide we had great views of Water, Meadow and Red-throated pipit along with Linnet, Serin, Northern shoveler, Moorhen, Coot, Northern lapwing, Common snipe, Cattle egret, Moustached warbler, kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Marsh harrier. Black francolin were in the farmers fields on our way back to the tower hide where we spotted 3 Bonelli's eagles with 2 at close quarters. Chiffchaff's flitted through the reeds and a Water rail broke cover and was foraging in the dyke. 51 birds were recorded today with 18 new species added to our list bringing our trip total to 75 birds. Below: Black francolin.

Cyprus 4th Dec

This morning we visited several sites in the Paphos area before heading back to Akrotiri. At Agia Varvara up the track to the Water tower we recorded Black redstart, Spanish sparrow, Corn bunting, Chukar, Little owl, Marsh harrier, Long-legged buzzard and had brief views of a female Finsch's wheatear. Back at the pools and Soak-aways we had Teal, Shoveler, Common snipe, Zitting cisticola and Sardinian warbler. Below: Little owl.

Over at Mandria the Palid harrier was back hawking the fields and this time flushed all the Skylarks, Crested larks, Linnets and Meadow pipits from Lark's corner. Over at Zakaki marsh the area in front of the hide was overgrown and along Lady's mile all we picked up were Yellow-legged and Black-headed gulls on our way to Akrotiri mash where we noted the 3 Bonelli's eagles along with 2 Marsh harriers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine falcon, observed in pursuit of a feral pigeon. 47 birds were recorded today with 5 new species added to the trip list bringing our total to 80 birds. Below: Palid harrier.

Cyprus 5th Dec

We walked Paphos headland this morning adding Grey plover, Golden plover, Shag and Greater Sand plover to our list along with Black redstart, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Spanish sparrow, Sardinian warbler, Linnet, Skylark, Greenfinch, Crested lark, Hooded crow, Oystercatcher, Chiffchaff, Stonechat and a late Northern wheatear. We were early for entry into the Archeological site where a long staying Isabelline shrike had been reported so we decided to continue on while the weather was holding out. Below: Greater sand plover

At the Paphos sewage works we had views of Spur-winged lapwing, Water pipit, Skylark and Meadow pipit while the fields near Geroskipou Beach were holding good number of Stone curlew. Over at Ag. Varvara we had great views of a Common kestrel hawking for insects and feeding on the wing along with great views of a Long-legged buzzard being harassed by a Hooded crow. A run up Troodos mountain wasn't fruitful due to rain with the exception of a Dorothy short-toed treecreeper (heard only), Cyprus Jay and a Mistle thrush.

Today we noted 45 birds and added 8 to our total sightings list which now stands at 88 species. Below: Jay

Cyprus 6th Dec

This was our last full day and the forecast was grim, storm Byron was due and we had decided to head East in an effort to dodge the worst of the weather. Our first stop was Akrotiri and we arrived early and headed straight to the tower hide where we were greeted by a cacophony of Black francolin calls. A Bluethroat was spotted on the path leading to the hide where we observed both male and female Marsh harriers patrolling the reedbeds. A male Hen harrier was seen chasing a Sparrowhawk while a Cattle egret balanced on the back of a Cow and Little bittern was briefly noted before disappearing into the reeds. No sign of White-throated Kingfishers but a Common kingfisher was active around the hide. Below: Bluethroat

We continued East towards Oroklini lake where we added Greater flamingo, Pintail and Black-winged stilt to our list and counted over 60 Common snipe. Mallard, Teal and shovelers were also seen in good numbers. The storm finally caught up with us at Larnaca sewage works where the rain and wind was biblical, the hide was insufficient shelter as we retreated to the car to sit it out. It soon passed and we added Ferruginous duck, Red-crested pochard, Pochard, Black-necked grebe, Pallas's gull and Yellow wagtail to our final count which stood at 53 birds during the day with 10 new species making a trip total of 98 birds. Below: Greater flamingo.

Travel tips

• Plan your trip beforehand and remain flexible to accommodate weather conditions and rarity sightings or target birds. Use the socials, Facebook, X, Bluesky and WhatsApp groups for information or better still invest in a field guide https://amzn.eu/d/dJOoi0N

• Birding on Cyprus during December has a limited window of 9 daylight hours with the sunrising at around 7.00 am. Make the most of this by travelling to and from your planned locations in the dark, arriving for the sunrise and departing as the sunsets.

• Use a guide for some or all of your visit particularly if its your first time birding the island, its the best way to see endemics and endemic sub species and a sure way to boost sightings of your target birds.

  CYPRUS BIRD WATCHING TOURS - Home

  Bird tours in Cyprus - BirdLife Cyprus

• Book car hire before you arrive and pick-up/drop off at the airport or hotel, make sure the car is fit for purpose as some of the sites will requite an SUV or 4x4 to visit. Take out additional insurance and use one of the smaller local companies. Paphos car hire - Cyprus. Thrasos Cars - Affortable quality with Cyprus car rental company.

• Pack the right gear, its December and will most likely rain or in some instances snow (up Troodos) and on the flip side it can reach 28° during the day so pack accordingly best to be prepared for all events.

SIGHTINGS LIST

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