The Central Negev Migration Survey 2002

By Daniel Gelbart and Jonathan Meyrav

For most of this spring, we are conducting a migration survey, the focus of which is the monitoring of flocks of large migrant soaring birds such as raptors, storks, cranes and pelicans. The survey is taking place in the Central Negev, with count stations at a number of locations along road number 40, the main route between Eilat and Beer Sheva. We are based at Kibbutz Lotan throughout the season with the survey being organized by Dan Alon of the Israel Ornithological Centre. Here we present the first of a regular series of migration updates for this season.

We are now in our second week of the Central Negev migration survey. After a relatively slow first week we had our first good day of migration on 12th March with 461 Black Storks, 475 Common Cranes, 200 Steppe Buzzards and 53 Steppe Eagles.

Incidental observations of some interesting 'desert' birds since 3rd March have included a male Lesser Kestrel just north of Mizpe Ramon where a 'fly over' Cream-coloured Courser was also seen.

The Hameishar plains produced the most interesting sightings with:
3 Cream-colored Coursers
3 Spotted Sandgrouse
2 Bar- tailed Desert Larks
19 Bimaculated Larks - an excellent find on 6 March
4+ Desert Wheatears

Read more Negev Migration Survey 2002 reports

• Second report >>
• Third report >>

Good birding,

Daniel & Jonathan

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)