Red
Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
NOTE: Additional photos of the 'possible' Long-toed Stint
have been added to this report. See reference mid-page. |
Ketura sewage
pools 12th May 2003
One of the most interesting dynamics of putting out
a rare bird aler, such as that of the recent possible Long-toed
Stint, is the 'knock on' effect of having a number of
birders searching an area and coming up with additional interesting
finds. Such was the case with this Red Phalarope (a.k.a
Grey Phalarope), found by Eran Banker and Jonathan Meyrav on the
morning of the 12th. This rather 'scruffy bird' was in transitional
plumage from winter to summer, and like many inland Red
Phalaropes, it was extremely tame. |
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The was the first record of a phalarope
of any kind for the greater Lotan/Ketura area and with less than
25 National records, a really superb find for such a small 'wetland'
area.
Added to that, the continued presence of our 2nd local Little
Tern and an Upcher's Warbler that was first found by Eran, really gave a
boost to one of the most neglected birding hotspots in the Arava!
I couldn't find the phalarope today
(13th May) but did have some superb Honey Buzzards overhead
(about 400) including this magnificent, almost burgundy coloured
female Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus),
one of the best of the season and pictured here with Honey
Buzzard (right) for a nice comparison. The Little
Tern was also still present.
At the request of a number of birders, we're also including
a further set of images on the mystery stint, initially posted
as a 'possible' Long-toed Stint on 11th May. |
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To update our readers on the situation, this bird has now been identified
by some as a second-calender year Little Stint (Calidris
minuta), albeit a very long-legged individual. We'll be publishing
a full write up
on this interesting bird in due course. In the mean time, here are
four additional images of this odd individual plus two images of a
more typical Little Stint photographed on the same day and venue (Ketura
sewage pools, 11/05/2003).
Click the thumbnails to enlarge (+)
|
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| Little Stint |
Little Stint |
Calidris sp. |
 |
 |
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| Calidris sp. |
Calidris sp. |
Calidris sp. |
Last, but not least, we've included
an image Lotan's female Red-breasted Flycatcher seen
on 11th May, just our second spring record and always thrilling
to watch.
Good birding,
James P. Smith & The Birdingisrael Team |
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Contact info
Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)
