The Akamas peninsula is an important habitat for birds, with 33 species making a permanent home there. You can see the Bonelli’s eagle soaring high in the sky, looking for prey. Or, low on the ground, you will find black francolins—usually the mother with her chicks—scurrying through the brush. The Cyprus warbler, one of two bird species that breed only in Cyprus, likes the dense vegetation of the Akamas landscape. The island of Cyprus is a stopover on a major flyway for birds migrating between Europe and Africa. Around 170 species pass through the Akamas during migration, making it an excellent place to see a wide variety of birds. During the spring and fall, you can see different species of herons, ducks, and pelicans stopping for a rest on their journeys. One of the more distinctive migrants is the colourful bee-eater; this bird can be seen flying in small groups from shrub to shrub. Some birds, such as the song thrush, shelter for the winter, while others (including the brightly plumed European roller) come specifically to breed. You will find many birds in the gardens of Anassa. Recently, a barn owl was found on premises with an injured wing; after rehabilitation in a bird sanctuary, he was returned to the wild. Birdwatchers should grab a pair of binoculars and a field guide and head to marked trails in the Akamas—the trails cross the habitats of the maquis, woods, the coast, and a secluded gorge.
