Our History

BirdLife Cyprus History

BirdLife Cyprus was founded in 2003 through the merger of the Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) and the Cyprus Ornithological Society (1970), and today is one of the leading nature protection organizations in Cyprus with around 10 staff and more than 500 members.

The most important milestones and events leading to the founding of BirdLife Cyprus and thereafter are below:

1957

1957

Cyprus Ornithological Society (Κυπριακός Ορνιθολογικός Σύνδεσμος) is founded and registered as a Society, attracting mainly English bird lovers and birdwatchers living in Cyprus

1957

1970

1970

Cyprus Ornithological Society (Πτηνολογικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου) is founded and registered as a Society, mainly attracting Cypriots

1970

1970

1970

Launch of the Cyprus Bird Ringing Scheme using bird rings with Cyprus Orn Soc as return address

1970

1988

1988

Cyprus ratifies Bern Convention for the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats

1988

2002

2002

Illegal Bird Trapping Monitoring programme starts with support from the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK)

2002

2002

Spring 2002

1st bilateral meeting of COS (1970) and COS (1957) in Platres to discuss merger, represented by Melis Charalambides and Jeff Gordon respectively and refereed by Michael Gore. The whole process was strongly supported by Mr Tassos Leventis also.

2002

2003

February 2003

1st AGM of newly formed BirdLife Cyprus and publication of first BirdLife Cyprus monthly newsletter. BirdLife Cyprus keeps Greek name of COS (1970).

2003

2003

March 2003

Inaugural meeting of BirdLife Cyprus. Melis Charalambides appointed Chairman. Mr Tassos Leventis appointed President.

2003

2003

2003

BirdLife Cyprus gets first staff member 

2003

2004

2004

Cyprus accedes to the EU and Birds Directive comes in force and BirdLife Cyprus publishes 2004 IBA Inventory

2004

2007

2007

Inauguration of new offices of BirdLife Cyprus at Strakka (50th anniversary COS (1957) celebrations)

2007

2011

2011

BirdLife Cyprus awarded BirdLife International full Partner status

2011

2012

2012

BirdLife Cyprus’ membership reaches 500

2012

2012

2012

Start of first LIFE project for the restoration of Oroklini Lake 

2012

2013

2013

Birds ringed by BirdLife Cyprus ringing scheme surpass 73,000; database managed by Alan Crabtree

2013

2013

2013

BirdLife Cyprus organizes 300th field meeting for members and friends

2013

2013

2013

BirdLife Cyprus celebrates 10th Anniversary.

2013

2014

2014

New IBA inventory published; Cyprus now has 34 IBAs

2014

2014

2014

LIFE Oroklini Project successfuly completed

2014

2017

2017

Restoration project of Akrotiri Marsh funded by the Darwin Initiative completed

2017

2018

2018

Start of the Cyprus Bycatch Project to understand and mitigate the negative effects of bycatch of vulnerable species like dolphins, turtles, sharks and rays and seabirds.

2018

2019

2019

Cyprus bird trapping levels hit record low

2019

2019

2019

Start of LIFE with Vultures, a targeted conservation project for the protection of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus.

2019
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