The following list of rare and unusual species was compiled by Yoav Perlman, a member of the Israel Rarities & Distribution Committee. It includes records for the period 22nd December 2001 through to 21 January 2002.

A strong westerly storm hit the Mediterranean coast, peaking on January 9th, and resulted in some exciting seabird observations:

White-faced Storm Petrel: If accepted, Israel's 1st, off Ma'agan Michael, January 9th.

Balearic Shearwater: If accepted, Israel's 2nd, off Jaffa Port, January 9th.

Leach's Petrel: Max. count 80 (2nd highest recorded daily count), Ma'agan Michael & Jaffa port, January 9th.

Long-tailed Skua - 1 , 1st-winter, off Jaffa Port, January 9th.

Some interesting wildfowl were found as well:

Red-breasted Goose - 1, Bnei-Yisrael reservoir, Golan Heights, January 16th -18th at least. First record in Israel since 1984.

Smew - 1, Sea of Galilee, January 18th-19th .

Red-breasted Merganser - 5, Sea of Galilee, December 31st - January 18th at least.

White-headed Duck - 854 were counted at Tishlovet reservoir, near Afula on January 2nd, and 150 were at Revadim reservoirs, Central Israel, on January 12th.

Good numbers of White-fronted Geese and Mute Swans were also reported.

Passerines:

Pine Bunting - 6, Golan Heights, January 16th-18th, at least.

Cheers,

Yoav Perlman / IRDC.