The famous flamingos that grace Larnaca's salt lake between the months of November to March have finally appeared this year, later than usual due to the dry weather.
Despite the popular misconception that the flamingos stop over in Cyprus on their way to and from Africa, the flamingos actually come from Turkey where they breed in the summer months. As temperatures in Turkey become considerably colder at this time of year, they make their way to Cyprus. Their first choices of habitat on the island are Larnaca Salt Lake and Akrotiri Salt Lake, with the Oroklini Lake as a back-up. This year, the Akrotiri lake has been considerably wetter than Larnaca, and so the flamingos have been there until now, rather than absent from the island.
Research Coordinator for Birdlife Cyprus, Martin Hellicar, explains that there has to be a correct balance for the flamingos to come to Larnaca: "Flamingos have a good sense of when a lake reaches the right conditions for them and once they have identified that, can be there within a day. The salinity of the lake waters has to be just right for the shrimps they feed on to thrive and that is dependant on there being an optimum amount of water in the lake."
During December 2013, Martin recorded just eight flamingos on Larnaca's salt lake, but wetter weather since is enticing them in larger numbers and their flocks can reach up to 10,000.
In the past, the Flamingos were victim to lead pellets from a nearby shooting range, and the presence of the airport still poses a threat, but Martin says that conditions are much better than they were two years ago: "The lake is an EU Natura 2000 site which means that under EU law, it is a priority to protect the species there. As such, there is a management plan in place that is doing okay. The flamingos are like a flagship species – if they are okay and doing well, then the plan is working."
Larnaca salt lake is the second largest salt lake in Cyprus after the Limassol salt lake and measures 2.2 square km. Its flamingos are a significant part of the town's identity, a major tourist attraction and its mascot.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly newspaper 04/01/14
