STATUS OF COMMON BIRDS IN CYPRUS, 2015

STATUS OF COMMON BIRDS IN CYPRUS, 2015 Ten years of the BirdLife Cyprus Common Birds Monitoring Scheme (CBMS), 2006-2015: Population trends and population size estimates for Cyprus common breeding birds By Martin Hellicar, BirdLife Cyprus Research Coordinator August 2016 Two charismatic common breeding birds in Cyprus: Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus (on left, by Jan Walker) and Greenfinch Carduelis chloris (above, by Dave Walker) The data presented and analysed in this report was collected by a team of volunteer bird recorders, both local and visiting, coordinated under the BirdLife Cyprus Common Birds Monitoring Scheme (CBMS). A special thank-you is due to these dedicated volunteers, who are: Aaron Howe, Adam Millington, Alan Crabtree, Alan & Sue Colquhoon, Alan Turtle, Alan Tye, Alison McArthur, Anders Gray, Anna Pitzi, Bill Barker, Bob Peel, Bob Johnston, Brian & Marny Willis, Chris Stavrou, Clairie Papazoglou, Colin Richardson, Dave & Jan Walker, David & Judy Dawes, Dindy Drury, Hugo Sampaio, Ioanna Ioannidou, Jane Stylianou, Jim Muncey, Johannes Honold, John & Ann Stapley, June Neal, Kostas Kailis, Larry Dyke, Martin Hellicar, Melis Charalambides, Nick Pollard, Nigel Cottle, Panicos Panayides, Paul Watson, Paul & Melanie Curry, Peter Evans, Peter Beckenham, Peter Moore, Ray Atkinson, Stavros Christodoulides, Sue Todd and Thjis Valkenburg. A particular mention and many thanks are also due to Prof. Derek Pomeroy, of Makerere University, Uganda, who set up the first common birds monitoring scheme in Cyprus, in the W of the island, and contributed all his field data (and expert advice besides) to the CBMS. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 1

Tracking wild bird populations is an excellent way to monitor the state of our countryside and an understanding of whether these populations are stable, increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation efforts. Quick overview of status of common birds in Cyprus, 2015 Indexes derived from the BirdLife Cyprus Common Birds Monitoring Scheme (CBMS) -- set up in 2006 and expanded in 2013 thanks to state funding 1 -- provide the best currently available indicators of the state of the environment in Cyprus. Aggregated indexes of population trends were derived from ten years (2006-2015) of systematic monitoring of 40 common breeding bird species at 156 sites covering all major habitats island-wide (except wetlands). These indexes, shown in the graph below, show that: 1. Common Birds Index: numbers of common birds in Cyprus were relatively stable, with the 40-species group recovering after a decline during the period 2006-2009. 2. Farmland Birds Index: the pattern is similar for the sub-set of 25 bird species that are largely dependent on farmland in Cyprus, though the decline from 2006 to 2009 is more marked and subsequent recovery weak, compared to common birds as a whole. 3. Forest Birds Index: the sub-set of 17 bird species that are largely dependent on pine forests shows a very similar trend to that for common birds, but without the clear 2006-2009 decrease in numbers. Bird Indexes for Cyprus 2006-2015 A more in-depth analysis of these indexes is provided further down in this report, while it is worth noting that individual population trends for our common breeding birds show that there are many winner species with increasing populations, but also some losers with declining numbers (see table on following page). For example, numbers of the Black Francolin increased both overall and in farmland habitats over the past decade, whereas Roller numbers declined over the same period, both overall and in farmland specifically. Population trend graphs for individual common breeding birds are shown further down in this report, as are the latest population estimates derived from analyses of CBMS data (see pages 11-31). 1 Direct funding for the BirdLife Cyprus CBMS was provided by the Cyprus Agriculture Department during the period 2012-2014, under a contract for production of the Farmland Bird Index (FBI) for Cyprus. Interior Ministry funding under a contract (2013-2016) for preparation of Management Plans for Natura 2000 sites for birds (SPAs), provided indirect funding for continuation of the monitoring programme during 2015. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 2

Overview of individual trends for Common Breeding Birds in Cyprus, 2006-2015 The table below summarises the population index trends for 40 common breeding species across all (non-wetland) habitats ( Overall Trend ) and also -- where the species occurs in these habitats to a significant extent in Cyprus -- in farmland habitats ( Farmland Trend ) and in forests ( Forests Trend ). CBMS SPECIES TABLE trends for individual common breeding birds in Cyprus Overall Trend 2006-2015 (for 156 sites across all habitats) Farmland Trend 2006-2015 (for 114 farmland sites) Forests Trend 2006-2015 (for 26 forest sites) Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Uncertain Uncertain Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar Uncertain ( ) Uncertain ( ) Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Moderate Increase Moderate Increase Quail Coturnix coturnix Uncertain Uncertain Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Uncertain ( ) Uncertain ( ) Uncertain Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Uncertain Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Uncertain Uncertain Uncertain Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Uncertain Uncertain Little Owl Athene noctua Uncertain ( ) Uncertain ( ) Swift Apus apus Uncertain Moderate Decline Roller Coracias garrulus Moderate Decline Moderate Decline Crested Lark Galerida cristada Uncertain Uncertain Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Moderate Decline Moderate Decline Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Uncertain House Martin Delichon urbica Moderate Increase Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Strong Increase Moderate Increase Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca Stable Uncertain ( ) Uncertain ( ) Cetti s warbler Cettia cetti Moderate Increase Uncertain Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis Moderate Increase Moderate Increase Olivaceous warbler Hippolais pallida Stable Uncertain Uncertain Spectacled warbler Sylvia conspicillata Uncertain ( ) Uncertain ( ) Sardinian warbler Sylvia melanocephala Strong Increase Strong Increase Cyprus warbler Sylvia melanothorax Stable Stable Uncertain Cyprus Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes Moderate Increase Moderate Increase Great Tit Parus major Strong Increase Strong Increase Uncertain Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus Uncertain Uncertain Cyprus Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri Moderate Increase Moderate Increase Magpie Pica pica Stable Stable Jackdaw Corvus monedula Moderate Increase Hooded Crow Corvus corone Stable Uncertain House Sparrow Passer domesticus Strong Increase Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Uncertain Uncertain Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Strong Increase Strong Increase Serin Serinus serinus Strong Increase Uncertain Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Uncertain Moderate Increase Steep Decline Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Stable Stable Moderate Decline Linnet Carduelis cannabina Uncertain Uncertain Cretzschmar s Bunting Emberiza caesia Moderate Increase Strong Increase Uncertain Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Moderate Decline Moderate Decline Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Strong Increase Strong Increase Explanation of trend notations: Strong Increase - increase significantly more than 5% per year. Moderate Increase - significant increase, but not significantly more than 5% per year. Stable - no significant increase or decline, and most probable trends are less than 5% per year. Uncertain - no significant increase or decline, and unlikely trends are less than 5% per year ( and indicate up or down pattern). Moderate Decline - significant decline, but not significantly more than 5% per year. Steep Decline - decline significantly more than 5% per year (5% would mean a halving in abundance within 15 years). Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 3

How the BirdLife Cyprus Common Birds Monitoring Scheme (CBMS) is set up The aim of the CBMS is to capture a representative sample of common breeding birds in all major habitats in Cyprus, in order to reliably track the trends in numbers of these birds and also in order to gather data on population densities. CBMS Sampling Site Selection: The sampling unit for the CBMS is a 1x1 km square. In the early years of the scheme (2006-2012), two separate, smaller monitoring programmes were in operation, one the W Cyprus scheme ran by Prof. Derek Pomeroy and the other a pilot, volunteer-based, BirdLife Cyprus scheme. These two schemes were merged and expanded in 2012 to form a comprehensive all-island CBMS, with 156 sampling squares, as shown on the map below. At the time of writing, and due to the division of the island, the coverage of the scheme effectively only extends to Cyprus south of the dividing line, with only four CBMS sites north of the dividing line. The longerterm aim is to achieve representative coverage of the entire island. The 156 sample sites are randomly chosen, with this random selection stratified for habitat to ensure a balanced design. To achieve this, when expanding the CBMS scheme in 2012, eight broad habitat categories were mapped for Cyprus on the basis of the 2006 CORINE land cover classification system. Within each broad habitat category, and after incorporating sites from the two pre-existing schemes, new 1x1km sampling plots were randomly added until a target number of sites had been reached for each habitat category. This target number is proportional to the actual relative extent of each habitat type in Cyprus (see key to map below). The eight habitat categories include all natural and man-made habitats including built-up areas, but not wetlands as these are covered under a separate monitoring scheme. The habitat categories are: Forest (mostly pines), Scrub (maquis and garrigue), Phrygana (low, open scrub with grasses), Groves (Olives, Citrus, Carob, etc), Mosaic (small farm plots with permanent and annual crops, mixed with patches of natural vegetation), Vines, Cereals (mostly barley and wheat fields) and Towns (and villages). Sampling sites were also evenly spread across all districts, to achieve a balanced geographical coverage of Cyprus. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 4

The map below shows the distribution of the eight habitat classes and the CBMS survey sites. CBMS Survey Sites and Habitat Classification No. of CBMS Habitat category sample squares Forest 26 Scrub 29 Phrygana 12 Groves 7 Mosaic 47 Vines 9 Cereals 22 Towns 4 Total 156 CBMS Species: The table page 3 shows the 40 species included in the CBMS scheme as common breeding birds of Cyprus. Aggregated population trends for these 40 species, using data from all surveyed sites (156 squares), are used to produce the Common Birds Index for Cyprus using the TRIM programme (see further down). The sub-set of the 25 species in the box below -- common breeding birds in Cyprus that are largely dependent on farmland habitats (including cultivation, permanent crops and grazed scrub/phrygana) -- is used to derive the Farmland Bird Index for Cyprus, taking data only from survey squares in farmland habitat (114 squares): Falco tinnunculus Francolinus francolinus Alectoris chukar Coturnix coturnix Columba palumbus Streptopelia turtur Athene noctua Clamator glandarius Coracias garrulus Galerida cristata Hirundo rustica Oenanthe cypriaca Sylvia melanocephala Sylvia conspicillata Cisticola juncidis Hippolais pallida Parus major Pica pica Corvus corone cornix Passer hispaniolensis Carduelis cannabina Carduelis chloris Carduelis carduelis Emberiza melanocephala Emberiza calandra Finally, the 17 species in the box below are common breeding birds that are largely dependent on forest habitats. These species are used to derive the Forest Bird Index for Cyprus, taking data from forest habitat sites only (26 squares). Note that the forest species list includes the Cyprus Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla dorothea, which is not strictly speaking a common breeding bird in Cyprus but is recorded during surveys. Columba palumbus Streptopelia turtur Oenanthe cypriaca Cettia cetti Hippolais pallida Sylvia melanothorax Troglodytes troglodytes Parus ater cypriotes Parus major Certhia brachydactyla dorothea Lanius nubicus Garrulus glandarius glaszneri Fringilla coelebs Carduelis carduelis Carduelis chloris Serinus serinus Emberiza caesia Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 5

CBMS Survey methodology: Within each 1x1km sampling plot, a track is chosen for a walked line transect bird survey. An example of a sample square (Google Earth image) and survey route (marked in red) is shown below left, for a Cereals site in the Nicosia area, near Kambia village. Surveys are carried out during the breeding season (March to June) each year, with one early survey in March or April and one late survey in May or June. All species seen or heard are recorded in distance bands either side of the transect line, while walking at a very slow pace. Transects are around 1 km long, but can be longer or shorter, depending on the availability of suitable tracks. Recording in distance bands allows the data collected to be analysed to derive estimates of density for individual species. As already mentioned, surveys were carried out by a team of volunteers, who received specific training on the survey methodology from BirdLife Cyprus in order to maximise consistency in sampling methodology. Full details of the CBMS survey methodology are shown in the Appendix. CBMS results and analysis for the 10-year period 2006-2015 In total, over 1,300 CBMS surveys were carried out across Cyprus over the period 2006-2015, by a team of trained volunteer field recorders. Not all 156 survey sites (1 x 1 km squares) were covered in every year from 2006 to 2015. In fact, not only did the number of sites surveyed during each of the ten years vary considerably (as shown by the graph on the right) but so did the selection of sites. This inter-annual variation in coverage was partly down to variations in the availability of volunteers and funding, but the CBMS is designed to allow for this and the between-year variation does not present a problem for trend analysis. TRIM analysis: to overcome between-year variations in sampling, trend analysis is carried out using the purposedesigned software package TRIM (TRends and Indices for Monitoring data) 2. Developed by Statistics Netherlands, TRIM is used to determine species' population trends and allows for missing counts a common issue in national monitoring schemes -- by employing a statistically sound estimation approach. To put it simply, the programme fills in the gaps of missing surveys on the basis of the overall trend shown in all sites. Used widely across Europe for analysis of trend data for bird populations, TRIM generates a trend index by setting a value of 100 for the first year of a survey programme. The use of the 100 benchmark is also convenient because trends can be easily read as 2 The TRIM programme can be downloaded free from https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/society/nature-and-environment/indices-and-trends--trim--, while BirdSTATs, a companion programme to TRIM, enabling easier data entry, is available free from the website of the European Bird Census Council (EBCC): http://www.ebcc.info/index.php?id=608 Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 6

percentage changes. Trends for single species generated by TRIM can be aggregated (in a standardised manner) to produce trend indexes for groups of bird species, such as the Common Birds Index or Farmland Bird Index. Such indexes can be produced both on a national scale and on a supra-national scale, such as for the EU. Common Birds Index, Farmland Bird Index and Forest Bird Index for Cyprus: the three indexes, for the ten-year period 2006-2015, as derived from CBMS data, are shown in Graph I below (which is the same graph as on page 2): GRAPH I: COMMON, FARMLAND AND FOREST BIRD INDEXES FOR CYPRUS, 2006-2015 Both the Common Birds Index and the Farmland Bird Index show a decline during the period 2006-2009, with this decline being more pronounced for the sub-set of 25 bird species largely dependent on farmland. The year 2009 represents a low point for common birds as a whole, for farmland birds in particular and also for forest birds (see Forest Bird Index discussion below). This low point could be related to the below average (500mm) rainfall levels in Cyprus over the period 2005 2008 and the 2007/08 drought, as shown on left (latest available Cyprus Meteorological department records). Low rainfall levels tend to affect food availability for birds during the breeding season by reducing plant growth, which will in turn reduce availability of fruits, seeds, insects and other invertebrate and vertebrate prey (such as lizards). After 2009, there is a recovery evident for both common birds and for farmland birds, though farmland birds only return to the baseline level in 2013 and decline again thereafter. Common bird numbers are thus overall more stable than those for farmland birds over the ten year Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 7

period. This suggests birds that are more dependent on farmland habitats (including cultivation, permanent crops and grazed scrub/phrygana) fared worse during this period than common birds as a whole in all habitats taken together. Studies on a European scale have shown that the intensification of farming practices on the one hand and the abandonment of cultivation in traditional farming areas on the other, have led to marked declines in farmland birds and other wildlife across the continent in recent decades 3. While the reasons behind the negative trend for farmland bird numbers in Cyprus over the period 2006-2015 are not clear, both intensification and abandonment patterns have been evident in Cyprus farmland in recent decades. These changes are likely to have had a degrading effect on the quality of farmland as a habitat for birds and wildlife in general, as has been shown to be the case for Europe as a whole. So the Farmland Birds Index trend for Cyprus could be linked to recent precipitation patterns, recent changes in farmland management on the island, or both, but other factors could also be involved. The Forest Birds Index shown that the sub-set of forest birds (17 species largely dependent on forests) in general fare better than common birds, and certainly better than farmland birds. Notably, the decline over the period 2006-2009 seen for common and farmland birds is not evident for forest birds, though 2009 is again a low point. Overall, the Forest Bird Index can be said to be stable over the period 2006-2015. 3 See, for example: a. Vorisek et al. 2010. European trends in farmland birds. BOU Proceedings Lowland Farmland Birds III. http://www.bou.org.uk/bouprocnet/lfb3/vorisek-etal.pdf ; b. Donald et al. 2006. Further evidence of continent-wide impacts of agricultural intensification on European farmland birds 1990-2000, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 116(2006) 189-196; c. European Environment Agency, the European Grassland Butterfly Indicator: 1990 2011 (Tech. Rep. No. 11/2013, EEA, Luxembourg, 2013). Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 8

European common bird Indexes: TRIM-based indexes can be produced not only at national level but also at supra-national level. BirdLife Cyprus contributes CBMS data from Cyprus to the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), which produces indexes for common, farmland and forest birds at a European level, pulling together data from 28 different countries 4. The indexes produced under PECBMS are weighted by estimates of national population sizes, to allow for the fact that different countries hold different proportions of the European population of each bird species. This allows representative trend patterns for the continent to be generated by PECBMS. Supranational indices for each species are then combined to create multi-species indicators. Although national schemes differ in field methodology, these differences do not influence the supranational results, because the indices are standardised before being combined. The Farmland Bird Index (FBI) for the EU produced by PECBMS is recognised as an EU indicator of Sustainable Development, while EU member-states are obliged to produce national FBIs as an indicator for the implementation of the EU Rural Development Regulation. The latest versions of three main European indicators produced by PECBMS for common farmland, common forest and all common bird species for Europe are shown in the graph below, for the period 1980-2014. The numbers in parentheses show the numbers of species in each indicator. While these European indexes are much longerterm than the Cyprus indexes presented in this report, it is evident that there is a broad similarity in the patterns shown for common breeding birds at the pan-european and Cyprus scales. At both scales, farmland birds have fared worse. The major difference is the catastrophic decline in farmland bird numbers seen across Europe over the past three-and-a-half decades (1980-2014). This dramatic decline has not been recorded in Cyprus, at least not in the recent short term, over the period 2006-2015. Sadly, there is no systematic data available on longer-term population trends for common breeding birds in Cyprus. The data shown in the graph above was produced jointly by the EBCC, the RSPB (the BirdLife partner in the UK), BirdLife International and Statistics Netherlands. Further details of bird indexes at a European scale can be found on the EBCC website: http://www.ebcc.info/pecbm.html 4 The participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 9

Trends and population size estimates for individual common breeding bird species in Cyprus, 2006-2015 This section presents, for each of the 40 common breeding birds in Cyprus individually: 1. A graph showing the population trend (index) for the species over the ten-year period 2006-2015, based on an analysis of CBMS data using the TRIM programme, as explained earlier in this report. For each species, the overall trend line (in blue) shows how numbers have varied over the period when considering all survey sites where the species was recorded. Where a given species occurs in significant numbers in farmland and/or forest habitats, trend lines are also shown separately for these habitats (in yellow for farmland and in green for forest), based only on data from survey squares in the corresponding habitats. In the legend beneath each graph is the overall trend assessment (as derived from TRIM analysis see table below for explanation of trend notations used) plus the number of survey squares used for each trend line (with the notation n ), i.e. the number of squares where the species in question was recorded over the tenyear period. Where a species shows a definite upward or downward trend, the relevant P-value (showing the level of statistical significance based on the TRIM analysis) is also noted in the legend. Explanation of trend notations: Strong Increase - increase significantly more than 5% per year. Moderate Increase - significant increase, but not significantly more than 5% per year. Stable - no significant increase or decline, and most probable trends are less than 5% per year. Uncertain - no significant increase or decline, and unlikely trends are less than 5% per year ( and indicate up or down pattern). Moderate Decline - significant decline, but not significantly more than 5% per year. Steep Decline - decline significantly more than 5% per year (5% would mean a halving in abundance within 15 years). The trend results for individual species for 2006-2015 are also summarised in the table on page 3 of this report. 2. A population size estimate (range) for Cyprus for each common breeding species, based on analysis of recent field data using the Distance programme. The CBMS survey methodology (see appendix) involved recording birds in distance bands either side of the transect line, a methodology adopted to enable density estimation using the Distance programme. The most up-to-date population estimate is given for each species. These population estimates derive from one of two recently completed BirdLife Cyprus programmes: 2.1 The 2013 estimates were made under the 2012-2013 programme (funded by the Interior Ministry) for reporting on the status of birds in Cyprus for the requirements of Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). This work involved estimating population sizes (using Distance) for all breeding species in Cyprus. 2.2 The 2015 estimates were made under the 2013-2016 programme (again funded by the Interior Ministry) for preparation of Management Plans for Natura 2000 sites for birds (SPAs) in Cyprus. This programme also involved determination of Favourable Reference Values (FRVs) for all breeding SPAqualifying species, 21 in total. While this work involved estimating population sizes (using Distance but also Maxent modelling) for only 6 common breeding birds, these estimates are preferred here as the they are more up-to-date than the article 12 estimates. The population estimates (ranges) shown below refer to all of Cyprus. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 10

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000-5,000 pairs Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar 2. Population size estimate (2013): 60,000 120,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 11

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000 7,000 pairs Quail Coturnix coturnix 2. Population size estimate (2013): 2,000 5,000 calling male birds Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 12

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 30,000 70,000 pairs Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2. Population size estimate (2013): 8,000 15,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 13

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 3. Population trends 2006-2015: 4. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000 10,000 pairs Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius 2. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000 5,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 14

Little Owl Athene noctua 2. Population size estimate (2013): 4,000 10,000 pairs Swift Apus apus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 15,000 60,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 15

Roller Coracias garrulus 2. Population size estimate (2015): 1,000 3,000 pairs Crested Lark Galerida cristata 2. Population size estimate (2013): 45,000 90,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 16

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2. Population size estimate (2013): 75,000 175,000 pairs Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica 2. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000 8,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 17

House Martin Delichon urbica 2. Population size estimate (2013): 10,000 60,000 pairs Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 2. Population size estimate (2013): 2,000 7,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 18

Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca 2. Population size estimate (2015): 50,000 100,000 pairs Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti 2. Population size estimate (2013): 25,000 90,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 19

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis 2. Population size estimate (2013): 40,000 120,000 pairs Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida 2. Population size estimate (2013): 20,000 70,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 20

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata 2. Population size estimate (2013): 7,000 15,000 pairs Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 2. Population size estimate (2013): 60,000 110,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 21

Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax 2. Population size estimate (2015): 60,000 75,000 pairs Cyprus Coal Tit Parus ater cypriotes 2. Population size estimate (2015): 50,000 80,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 22

Great Tit Parus major 2. Population size estimate (2013): 50,000 150,000 pairs Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 2. Population size estimate (2015): 4,000 7,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 23

Cyprus Jay Garrulus glandarius glaszneri 2. Population size estimate (2013): 3,000 8,000 pairs Magpie Pica pica 2. Population size estimate (2013): 10,000 40,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 24

Jackdaw Corvus monedula 2. Population size estimate (2013): 10,000 30,000 pairs Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix 2. Population size estimate (2013): 20,000 45,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 25

House Sparrow Passer domesticus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 300,000 800,000 pairs Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 2. Population size estimate (2013): 150,000 400,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 26

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 2. Population size estimate (2013): 15,000 45,000 pairs Serin Serinus serinus 2. Population size estimate (2013): 2,500 10,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 27

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 2. Population size estimate (2013): 40,000 120,000 pairs Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2. Population size estimate (2013): 70,000 150,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 28

Linnet Carduelis cannabina 2. Population size estimate (2013): 20,000 60,000 pairs Cretzschmar s Bunting Emberiza caesia 2. Population size estimate (2015): 5,000 15,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 29

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala 2. Population size estimate (2013): 7,000 15,000 pairs Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 2. Population size estimate (2013): 20,000 50,000 pairs Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 30

APPENDIX: CBMS Instructions for Recorders BirdLife Cyprus CBMS INSTRUCTIONS YOUR SURVEY SITE The survey organiser will give you the location of your site (a 1km x 1km square), please survey the site that is assigned to you as we cannot use data from other (non CBMS) sites. Please remember that records from sites containing only a few species or small numbers of birds are just as valuable as those from sites with a lot of species or birds. If it s not possible to survey your site for any reason (access problems, construction etc) please contact the survey organiser. The most valuable information comes from sites that are surveyed over a number of years, preferably by the same person. This consistency allows bird numbers to be compared more reliably. We hope therefore that when you take on survey sites you consider this to be a long-term commitment. THE FIELD RECORDING FORM Please use the standard CBMS Field Recording Form to record your survey observations in the field. The form is available to download from the BirdLife Cyprus website (www.birdlifecyprus.org) or from the survey organiser. Make sure you write your full name and the site name & code (provided by the survey organiser) on the form when you do your survey. YOUR SURVEY ROUTE - A LINE TRANSECT When visit the site for the first time, you need to plan a route for the survey. The ideal route is through the middle of the 1-km square using an existing linear feature such as a dirt track. However, this ideal situation rarely occurs in the field and you will have to adapt your route accordingly. The transect should be around 1km in length (minimum length is 500m) and the route does not have to be a straight line (but should not loop back on itself). Routes should be easy to follow recording birds is difficult when also fighting with vegetation or climbing over walls! For future reference, all survey routes will be recorded as GPS tracks and stored in both electronic and paper form by BirdLife Cyprus. The survey organiser will coordinate with you to arrange for this recording of new survey routes. Again consistency is important and the same route should be used for all visits to the site. When surveying in future years the route should not change unless absolutely necessary please consult the survey organiser if your route has to be changed for some reason. Any unusual features or problems with your route can be recorded in the notes on site/transect route box. WHEN TO VISIT Each site should be surveyed twice each year one Early season visit and one Late season visit. This will ensure that both resident breeding species and late-arriving migrant breeding species are covered effectively by the survey. The early visit should be between mid-march and end April, but earlier in March (March 1 st 14 th ) is OK if your diary is too full to allow a later visit. Delaying the early season visit till after mid-march avoids recording too many winter visitor or migrant non-breeding birds. The Late visit is between May 1 st and end June. The Early and Late CBMS visits should be at least one week apart (at least two weeks apart if possible). Surveys should be done in the morning, in the 4 hours after sunrise. This timing is to avoid the period of reduced bird activity from late morning onwards. Always record the date of the visit and the start and end time of your transect on the Field Recording Form. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 31

If for any reason you will not be able to complete one or both of your visits to a site in a given year please inform the survey organiser as soon as possible. If possible visit the survey site before your early survey to check the area and become familiar with both the site and bird species present (unless you are already familiar with the site). You can also practice distance estimation on this preparatory visit (see distance bands below). This visit should not count as one of the two survey visits. WEATHER Please do not survey birds in poor weather - persistent heavy rain, very poor visibility or strong wind. Weather conditions should be recorded on the form in the relevant box using the codes below, one code for each of the listed categories. If during your survey visit conditions change please select the single category that best represents the overall conditions. Code Cloud Wind Rain Visibility Temperature 1 0-33% Calm None Good Cool 2 33 66% Light Drizzle Moderate Warm 3 66 100% Windy Showers Poor Hot RECORDING BIRDS The method used for the CBMS is a simple line-transect survey. Using your Field Recording Form write down all the birds you see or hear as you walk along your transect route at a slow, steady pace. A 1km transect should take 40-60 minutes to complete. Birds are recorded in distance bands on either side of your transect line (see DISTANCE BANDS section below). Pause to scan for birds or identify a bird, but avoid stopping for long periods or wasting too much time trying to identify a bird that simply refuses to show. The trick is to try to keep to a steady pace, to avoid birds flying ahead of you along the transect, as this increases the risk of counting the same individual bird twice ( doublecounting ). Birds will of course move during the survey, so please use your judgement to decide which individual birds you may have already recorded. A cautious approach is best, so if you are not sure the bird a new individual, don t record it (it is better to under-estimate rather than over-estimate bird numbers). Record all birds seen, whether flying perched or on the ground and also all birds that are only heard. Note the species and the number of individuals, where they are first detected (see under DISTANCE BANDS below). Record all birds on or to either side of your transect line. Don t record birds that are behind you as you start the transect, or beyond the end of the transect as you finish. Record the sex and/or age of the birds where possible. Sex can be indicated using the appropriate symbols ( for male or for female) or m for male and f for female, and age by juv for juvenile birds. Any breeding evidence (such as birds carrying food or nesting material) is recorded in the additional notes box at the bottom of page 2 of the recording form. Birds heard but not seen. If you identify a bird by song or call but don t see the bird please add an h next to this record. If you subsequently see the same individual bird (and you are sure it is the same individual) then underline the specific entry to indicate it is no longer a heard only record. For example if you hear a Cyprus Warbler write Cyprus warbler h, if you then see the bird it would become Cyprus warbler h. If you are unsure of a species then please record as best you can e.g. warbler spp. or Cyprus/Sardinian warbler. If you subsequently identify the species you can correct the specific entry accordingly. Flocks and family groups should be recorded with an estimate of numbers. In mixed flocks of adults and juveniles give your best estimate of how many adults were present. Please indicate flocks by writing fl next to the species name and for family group use fg. For example a flock of nine Woodpigeon would be noted as woodpigeon 9 fl and a pair of Greenfinch with three young birds would recorded as greenfinch 5 fg. Colony counts birds nesting in colonies in the square (e.g. House Martins, Spanish Sparrows) are not properly monitored using transect counts, so if possible just count or estimate the number of adult birds in any colony you come across this information can be recorded in the additional notes box at the end of the form. Note where the colony was in the relevant distance band column, recording the species and Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 32

adding a C notation for colony. Colony counts are separate data from your transect counts, but of course birds from a colony may be seen along the transect and should be recorded in the standard manner. At the end of the transect the survey is finished. Do not record birds beyond the end of the transect or when walking back to the starting point - any new species or interesting observations after the transect is ended should be recorded in the additional notes box and not as part of the survey. DISTANCE BANDS Using the columns set out in the recording form, record birds in one of the following distance bands, according to where they are when first detected (ignore where they move to subsequently): 1. Within 25 metres either side (right or left) of the transect line. 2. Between 25 and 100 metres either side of the transect line. 3. More than 100 metres either side of the transect line. This includes even distant birds up to about 250m away. 4. Flying birds. Birds flying overhead that are judged to be passing through and not actually using the site (e.g. for hunting) are considered overflying birds and should be recorded in the middle, overflying, column on the form. If, however, a flying bird is deemed to be using the site (i.e. not overflying ) it should be recorded in the band it was first seen in, with a symbol to indicate the bird was in flight. For example, hovering kestrels, larks in display flight and feeding swallows are considered to be using the site, whereas a hooded crow or woodpigeon flying over you at a great height is probably not using the site, but just moving through and on to another area. Use your judgement to decide which birds are using the site but try to be consistent in your choices. Distances are estimated at right angles to the transect line. So, for example, a bird seen 200m ahead of you but within 25m of the transect line should be recorded in the first distance band (0 25m). The form does not have to be an accurate map of bird locations but recording birds on the left or right depending on which side of the transect route you first detect them will help you keep track of individuals and avoid double counting. Report on Status of Common Birds in Cyprus, 2015 Page 33