The most ideal times bird watching in North Cyprus would be during the migratory seasons of spring and autumn. Out of the more than 300 species of birds that make Cyprus their home, less than 50 are native while a few are endemic sub-species.
Some birds migrate to North Cyprus for breeding purposes, and the island is used as a convenient stopping point for migrating birds between Africa, Syria, Turkey and Central Europe.
Cyprus falls in between two of the significant bird migration routes – one from the Balkans to Africa and the other from western Russia southward through Palestine to East Africa. The period of northward migration typically occurs from March to May, while the southward migration generally happens from August to October.
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Bird migration paths in North Cyprus
Many birds migrate along the Karpaz Peninsula during spring, heading north east out to sea. Many more pass east of Kantara Castle, turning west to go around the island’s northern mountain range before heading for Korucam along the north coast. They move north along the west coast from Koruçam as a springboard for further migration.
Beautiful birds in North Cyprus
During winter, a great number of Nightingales, Golden Orioles, Blue Rock Thrushes, Larks, and Black Headed Buntings can be heard singing. The most eye-catching and colourful birds typically seen in Cyprus are the Golden Oriole, Roller, Bee Eater, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, and Flamingo.
Best places for bird watching in North Cyprus
- Karpasia Peninsula – Kleides Islands
- Cape Andrea’s (Zafer)
- Famagusta Lakes
- Avtepe / Kuruova area
- The north cost around Kaplica
- Tuzluca Marsh
- Silver Beach
- Akova Reservoir
- Demirhan pools
- Akdeniz Reservoir
- Cape Koruçam
- Geçitköy Reservoir
- Acapulco and Arapköy Reservoir
- Haspolat
- The Five Fingers Mountain and Herbarium
- Kukla Wetlands Birdwatching Centre
More about Kukla Wetlands Birdwatching Centre
Kukla Wetlands Birdwatching Centre is the first birdwatching centre in the northern part of Cyprus.
The ‘Kukla Wetlands Birdwatching Centre’ was conceived from the idea of creating a hotspot that both local and international birdwatchers would visit with priority in Cyprus. It will represent the first complete example of a birdwatching centre in the northern part of Cyprus which will add to the value of this region – hence of Cyprus – as an international birdwatching destination.
The first stage of the ‘Kukla Wetlands Birdwatching Centre’, called the ‘Hotspot for Birdwatchers’ project is funded by the European Union within the scope of Community Development through Village Initiatives grant scheme and implemented in collaboration with Beyarmudu Belediyesi. With this grant the site will be partly organized as a birdwatching centre, and research will be dedicated to understanding the long term management requirements of the site for our future commitment.
More about the Five Fingers Mountain and Herbarium
Called Pentadactylos in Greek. Beshparmak in Turkish, and Five Fingers in English. This mountain range is some 175 km in length.
This site encompasses most of the Pentadaktylos range, which stretches along the north coast of the island. The steep slopes of the range are sparsely vegetated on the southern face but covered in scrub and mixed forest of pine and cypress on the wetter north-facing slopes. The site is of importance for many breeding forest birds including the Black-headed Bunting and the Bonelli’s Eagle and for its characteristic Mediterranean bird community. It is an Endemic Bird Area site, with significant populations of the endemic Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler.
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More about Karpasia Peninsula – Kleides Islands
The remote, relatively un-spoilt and picturesque Karpasia Peninsula, with its rolling hills, juniper-dominated shrubland and low-intensity farmland is one of the outstanding IBAs in Cyprus important for its characteristic Mediterranean bird community. The site is also Endemic Bird Area, and is significant for no fewer than four species of global conservation concern like the Roller and the Audouin’s Gull. The rocky Kleides islands and the islet of Lefkoniso are the only breeding sites in Cyprus for this gull species.
More about Famagusta Lakes
An extensive, though fragmented, complex of fresh and brackish marshes and pools on the outskirts of Famagusta town. Τhe site attracts a wide range of waterbirds, notably breeding Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Lapwing. The lakes are also the only known breeding site for Glossy Ibis in Cyprus.
More information about birds in North Cyprus
The North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds, ‘KUSKOR,’ is a reliable source for birding information. Also you can find a directory of birds if you are interested.
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