Hydrological Study - Sovereign Base Areas Cyprus

Consulting CYPRUS
4.3 Birds
More than 370 bird species have been recorded in Cyprus (Flint and Stewart 1992).
At least 308 of these have been observed at Akrotiri Peninsula (Table 3, pages 10-15
of Nature Conservation Component Plan). Akrotiri Salt Lake and the surrounding
wetlands constitute the largest wetland complex in Cyprus (Iezekiel et al. 2004) and
are of major importance as a staging area during spring and autumn passage for
hundreds to thousands of waterbirds. Flocks numbering internationally important
numbers of the Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo) roost at the lake from mid-August to
early September (Charalambidou et al. 2008, Kassinis et al. 2010, SBAA
Environment Department), while hundreds to thousands of Red-footed Falcon (Falco
vespertinus), European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), and Harriers (Circus spp.)
stop over during migration (Iezekiel et al. 2004). In winter, many duck (Anas) and
wader species use the area as feeding and roosting grounds, including internationally
important numbers of Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) and
endangered species such as the Greater Sandplover (Charadrius leschenaultii)
(Charalambidou et al. 2008, Kassinis et al. 2010) (Appendix I – Map 02).
During spring and summer, the Peninsula supports important breeding populations
(Appendix - Map 01) of Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Kentish Plover
(Charadrius alexandrinus) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) (Kassinis 2007,
2008). Moreover, Akrotiri and Episkopi sea cliffs are important breeding sites for the
Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), and
Mediterranean Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) while Episkopi cliffs is
the most important breeding site for the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Cyprus
(Iezekiel et al. 2004). Designations at Akrotiri Peninsula relating to the ornithological
importance of the area include:
4.3.1 Ramsar designation
Large parts of the wetlands at Akrotiri were designated in 2003 as the Akrotiri
Ramsar Site, for which they qualified due to the wintering populations of the Greater
Flamingo. These birds arrive in autumn as the Salt Lake fills with water to feed upon
the abundant invertebrate biomass that rapidly colonises the water, in particular the
brine shrimps. These crustaceans are able to tolerate the high salinity encountered in
the lake during the summer as it dries and hatch from cyst-like eggs lying dormant in
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