Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
Pink flashes are back in Larnaca’s salt lake, and yes, the flamingos have returned for their annual winter getaway, proving that sometimes, a little cold weather is no reason to cancel plans.
Over the weekend, locals spotted groups of flamingos gathering in the shallow waters. Some stood in pairs, some in threes with their necks curled close together, looking like they were gossiping about the “nice” Cyprus weather. (Spoiler: the next couple of days are predicted to be the coldest of the winter, so maybe they were just being polite.)
These birds are familiar winter visitors to Cyprus. Every year, they fly in from Eastern Europe and Africa, chasing mild weather and the tasty treats of our nutrient-rich salt lakes. They usually show up in November or December and hang around until spring, wading, feeding, preening, and occasionally striking poses that could make a runway model jealous.
Flamingos aren’t just a pretty sight. Their return reminds us that Cyprus’ wetlands are an important stop on the East African-West Asian bird migration route, a little pit stop for these long-distance travelers.
For locals and nature lovers, seeing flamingos in the lake is a small winter thrill. Whether they’re gliding across the water or standing in a trio that looks like they’re holding a serious weather meeting, these birds bring a bit of color, joy, and cheeky elegance to the Larnaca coastline.
So yes, it might be freezing, but the flamingos are here, and they’re clearly not letting a little cold rain on their parade.
