Winter Black Kite

First-winter Black Kite (above and two below), Almyropotamos River, Feb 09 © Terry Robinson

This bird turned up around the Almyropotamos River just north of Polichnitos Saltpans on 31 January and is foraging on sheeps heads, goat skins and other livestock remains discarded by the local farmers.

A classic view showing the long, slightly forked tail.

A good shot showing the pale tips to the upperwing coverts and pale fring to the trailing wing and tail edge which age this bird as a first-winter. See how the fork in th tail is lost when the tail is even moderately spread.

Spring visitors struggle to see Black Kite on the island with only a handful reported most years. Autumn can see more birds moving through, but this is the first winter record we are ware of.

Black-throated Diver, Gulf of Kalloni, Feb 09 © Terry Robinson