Bird Watching in North Cyprus
Birds of North Cyprus
North Cyprus is still relatively undiscovered so wildlife flourishes, with some 220 species of birds touching down on the island every year on their migratory passage, and 347 different species in Cyprus. Migrant birds are even more plentiful than native birds such as the Cyprus warbler (seven of which are unique to Cyprus), which include birds such as swallows, swifts, hoopoe, masked shrike and little ringed plovers. Indeed, during the migratory period (heading northwards during March to May and southwards between August and October), birds flock from Turkey in particular, - hence, the best times for bird watching are in the spring and autumn. There is also an abundance of butterflies in North Cyprus, including species which are unique to the region, such as the strangely-shaped festoon and Cleopatra butterflies adorned with the colours of sunshine.
Bird Watching Sites:
One of the best places to watch both resident and migrant birds such as the blue rock thrush, spectacled warbler and black-headed bunting birds in North Cyprus is in the Five Finger Mountains, where pine and cypress trees abound with them. Picturesque spots include the hill-top castles such as the Kantara Castle, where you may be able to spot the griffon vulture traversing the winds on its 2m wingspan, as well as buzzards and falcons.
Or, you may prefer to venture further afield to the Karpaz Panhandle, a major migratory passage-point for many birds such as the golden orioles and bee-eaters, as well as two game birds, the francolin and chikor partridges. The Klidhes Islands, located off the tip of the Karpaz, are also a fascinating bird-watching haven for marine birds such as the Audouin's Gulls, cormorants and shags, as well as falcons in March and April.
Other good bird watching areas include Boğaz (near Gazimağusa), the area surrounding Arapköy, in particular Karaağac, the Çamlibel shore road, Kormacit Burnu, the Kalkanli region and the Yedidalga-Gemikonaği area.
Societies in North Cyprus:
The North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds (Kuskor) works in close co-operation with other environmental organisations, for the safety and welfare of birds, by holding numerous educational programmes for all ages in the struggle against hunting and liming traditions. For more information, please contact the bird protection society on +90 392 815 7337.
Birds in North Cyprus:
a) Native Birds: Crested cormorant, scarlet vulture, kestrel, rock partridge, turtle dove, rock dove, dwarf owl, diurnal owl, rock swallow, crested skylark, magpie, lesser crow, hooded crow, raven, Cyprus warbler, blue rock fieldfare, great titmouse, canary, goldfinch, linnet.
b) Spring Migrants: Manx shearwater, quail, cane, cuckoo, greater spotted cuckoo, mountain swift, blue raven, kingfisher, hummingbird, golden oriole, starling, garden warbler, scarlet wheatear (saxicola rubeta),wheatear, island wheatear (oenanthe oenanthe), black redtail, European robin, blackbird, fieldfare, chaffinch, skylark and "kirazkusu".
c) Summer migrants: Squacco heron, grey heron, purple heron (long haul migrants), stock dove falcon and black-headed "Kirazkusu".
d) Winter Migrants: Some spring migrants can also be seen on their return journey: Flamingo, various geese, lapwing, gulls, willow warbler, whitethroat and wheatear.
