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Notes from the Central Negev in early April
A carcass at a regular Nature Reserves Authority feeding station near the ancient city of Avdat produced a feeding flock of 24 Griffon Vultures, 2 Egyptian Vultures and 35 Steppe Eagles on 4th April. Only five of the Steppe Eagles where at the carcass itself, while the remaining birds were resting 20-30 meters away. Similar numbers were present there the following day as well. Incidental observations from our survey area included 24 Crowned Sandgrouse drinking at Mitzpe Ramon sewage pools on 31st March when they where latter joined by 4 Black-bellied Sandgrouse giving excellent views of both species. While checking the site again on the 5th April, 10 Crowned Sandgrouse were present. The birds were not shy but seemed to avoid drinking when people are present are the immediate area. Finally, a beautiful Temmink's Horned Lark was present at Hameishar plain on 31st March.
Good birding, Daniel Gelbart Contact infoDaphna Abell |
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Stormy
conditions and cold temperatures throughout the Negev did not produce
much migration until the weekend when on the 4th and
5th April small numbers of Steppe Buzzards started
passing very low over the central Negev, together with Black
Kites, Lesser Spotted Eagles and Steppe Eagles
almost all of the latter being juveniles.