Paphos village readies for bird spectacle

In a few days time the annual spectacle of migrant swallows gathering in the village of Mesana in the Paphos district will again be visible, the community council has warned.

Each year between August 4 and 8 thousands of the birds prepare to flee by collecting on the electricity cables in the centre of the village between the hours of 6 and 8am, offering a spectacle for residents and visitors.

According to Birdlife Cyprus, although stunning this is not a rare phenomenon but typical behaviour for social bird species such as swallows and white swallows.

White swallows nest in groups under the roofs of old buildings, and some areas, such as Mesana, offer many such nesting areas, resulting in a large colony in the village.

After a busy breeding season, families begin to gather as they prepare for their epic journey to Africa, where they will spend the winter, Birdlife said.

This seems to have been a good year for the species, it added, as the impressive number of birds suggests ample food availability and reproductive success.