Phasouri reedbed (aka Akrotiri marsh) is a highly important wetland
in Cyprus both for breeding and passage birds. Whilst the breeding birds
include Ferruginous Duck and Little Bittern, birders perhaps best know the site
for the range of passage birds, such as herons, waders, crakes, wagtails and
pipits, that use the pools on the reed/grassland interface as a feeding
resource. The site is highly popular
with birders due to the often very close viewing and the good chance of turning
up a rarity. The marsh also has wider importance
for its wildlife, not least for the diversity of plants supported by the
fluctuating and frequently brackish conditions.
These include the Lesser Water-plantain and the Marsh Lax-flowered
orchid.
However, the number of birds currently using the marsh is way below
the peaks of past decades. A key issue has been the spread of reeds into
the grassland area with the resultant loss of the mosaic of open grass and
pools. A project to begin the restoration of the marsh (www.akrotirimarsh.org), funded by the
Darwin Initiative, is currently being undertaken by Birdlife Cyprus, the RSPB,
the Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre and the Cyprus Sovereign Base
(whose land it is situated on).
The first crucial task is to understand why the reeds are spreading.
The hydrology of the area is complex, with a history of draining (for mosquito
control), of controlling water (probably for grazing purposes) and of recent
neglect of management. Although water levels have generally dropped in
recent years, they have also become more static as the drainage ditches have
become choked with reeds and the sluices have fallen into disrepair. Water may
not get so high in the winter but also may not drain effectively in summer.
This has allowed the reed to spread into the grassland with a parallel
reduction in grazing by the local community on the remaining grassland. And this is no ordinary reed; it grows to 5m
plus!
So the key to a successful restoration is to gain control of the
water by clearing ditches and installing new sluices. Reeds will need scraping back and new pools
created. The other crucial element is to work with the local community to
increase the amount of cattle grazing the marshes in order to control reed
regrowth. Currently, grazing animals are
tethered but the installation of fencing will allow animals to wander freely
into the edge of the reeds. The main restoration work will be underway this
coming autumn.
A week working in the field in Cyprus in spring is not the worst job
in the world. Early morning wanders
across Akrotiri plain saw arrivals of birds most days; the first day had a
sizeable arrival of Ortolan Bunting and Tree Pipits and on the last day Pied
and Collared flycatchers were everywhere. Glossy Ibis were arriving in flocks
every day. Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers drifted through most days and a couple
of Eleonora’s Falcons made an early return.
The marsh itself provided Purple and Squacco Heron, Great Snipe, Little
Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Black, Grey and Blue-headed Wagtails and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters.
The local specialities of Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Wheatear and Masked Shrike all
performed on cue.
The project also aims to enhance the visitor facilities on site
through the provision of hides and paths. The present open access is a
free-for-all that benefits just a few, disturbs birds and minimizes the number
of people that can enjoy the site. The
aim is to provide new walkways and observation points, enhancing both viewing and
photographic opportunities. Overall, the
project aims to restore the diverse habitats of the marsh and to strengthen the
relationship between the marsh and the local community. So make Phasouri reedbed a must visit site on
your next trip to Cyprus, enjoy the birds and the facilities, and then enjoy
beer and sheftalia in the local Polis Tavern.
