James Smith's Daily Sightings Reports Fall 2001

30th November 2001 - Southern Arava

After a great day in the field yesterday I was assigned to indoor duties and spent most of the day in a meeting with the Israel Rare Birds & Distribution Committee. The results of the meeting will appear on this site in due course.

It was, however, a fruitful day for several friends that spent sometime in the field. Killian Mullarney had a particularly good day at Eilat's north sewage farm where he noted an extra-ordinary flock of 35 Gadwall. This is not a rare bird in Israel, but Shirihai (1996) notes that only singles are recorded in Eilat. My own experience suggests that flocks of over 4 birds are very unusual in the Eilat area, but 35 is clearly exceptional. Killian also noted no less than 20 Glossy Ibis here and about 10 Fieldfares in the grape vines to the south. Perhaps more sought after southern Israel species were 2 very flighty Oriental Skylarks and 2 skulking Buff-bellied Pipits. Also of note, 2 Common Gulls at Eilat's salt pans.

The Red-wattled Lapwing and the Pied Stonechat remained in their previously reported locations and both birds were seen by Barak Granit, Yoav Perlman, Nir sapir and Ido Tsurim.

Grateful thanks go to all the above named observers.

Good birding to all,

James Smith.

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