Akrotiri Salt Lake: November 2011
I was able to photograph approximately 12,000 pink flamingos there.
We estimated that approximately 12,000 birds were wintering in the salt lake.
Many flamingos also commuted to Larnaca Salt Lake and Oroklini Wetlands.
Akrotiri Salt Lake: November 2019
I was able to photograph approximately 3000 - 5.000 pink flamingos there.
We estimated that approximately maximal 5.000 birds were wintering in the salt lake.
Akrotiri Salt Lake: November 2021
I was able to photograph approximately 3000 pink flamingos there.
We estimated that approximately maximal 3.500 Flamingos were wintering anthill end of December 2024 in the salt lake.
Akrotiri Ladys Miles Pool - January 2025
I was able to photograph approximately 50 - 60 Flamingos in small Groups there.
We estimated that approximately maximal 150 Flamingos where wintering fro November 2024 anthill January 2025 in the Salt Lake Area.
By winter 2023, the number of flamingos present had dropped to a maximum of 250 birds, and by winter 2024-2025, I could find a maximum of 150 flamingos in the salt lake. But it's not just the flamingos that are affected; the number of Limicol birds has also declined sharply.
Driving along the road from the Limassol Casino to Fasouri, one finds countless new construction areas that extend right up to the edge of the Akrotiri Salt Lake. These new developments also significantly increase the environmental impact of the entire marsh. As the Game and Fauna Department also reports, there are several unsafe waste dumps from which pollutants are being flushed into the salt lake and Lady Miles Pool and Marsh.
Investigations are ongoing, but rapid information and corresponding responses are not expected. Assuming the sudden disappearance of the flamingos, the salt lake will be seriously affected starting in 2023. However, to date, none of the responsible authorities has taken any action against these illegal dumping sites.
It is assumed that the harmful wastewater destroys the micro composition of the salt lake and thus also destroys the food, especially of the flamingos.
Zakaki Marsh and Hide - known as Lake Makria - not a pretty sight for birdwatchers and nature photographers and Tourist.
As soon as you approach the parking lot at Lake Makria, you feel the warm welcome. The entire visitor parking lot is filled with trailers and containers. If you drive a little further, you have
to drive through deep potholes, which are usually full of rainwater in winter. There's room to get out.
The path to the hide is protected by a privacy wall with bird information panels. When you then go up the stairs to the observation tower, it feels like walking into a junk den: dirty and
smeared, with no inviting seating.
The most amazing thing, however, is Lake Makria, which is completely overgrown with reeds, leaving barely any room for the large bird species, herons, ducks, etc. What else is there to observe
here? During the reconstruction of the stormwater canal in 2013, an island was built in Malakia Pool, which later became a hotspot for all ducks and storks in Zakaki Pool, providing plenty of
space for all herons, harriers, reed warblers and crack's species.
And the responsible persons from Limassol Municipality gives as promises to keep the Area under best Natur Condition. OK, not everyone rember, but everytime I pass the Place I do...
Kommentar schreiben
Paul Foster (Sonntag, 30 März 2025 10:02)
So very sad that these beautiful birds, have declined by their thousands every year Albert,it is imminent that very soon, there will be no Flamingoes left on the Akrotiri peninsular...sad sad times!