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Observations from the Central Negev - late AprilThis week we only had 2 full days of raptor migration watching, as both of us took part in a breeding raptor survey of the Negev desert. The full data from the survey is collated by Ofer Bahat, but it can be said from our impressions from the field that the number of pairs of Golden Eagles is drastically low compared to previous years. On the other hand, Griffon vultures appear to have renewed a handful of nests that have been abandoned for several years. Throughout the area of Nahal Zin small parties of Sinai Rosefinch were seen, the largest group being 20 birds in Nahal Hava. During the course of the week migrating raptors filtered through in low but steady numbers. The highlight was an adult Bonelli's Eagle migrating north on the 11th April. In the area of Mizpe Ramon up to 16 Griffon Vultures were seen daily with at least 6 pairs breeding close by. The last week was the best, with several hundreds of Steppe Buzzards and smaller numbers of Booted, Lesser Spotted and Steppe Eagles passing through daily. Our last day on the Negev highlands produced 150 Honey Buzzards and a light phase adult Eleonora's Falcon. From the 25th of April the Negev raptor migration survey will be moving south to the Eilat mountains to monitor the large scale migration of Honey Buzzards. Read more Negev Migration Survey 2002 reports Daniel Gelbart & Jonathan Meyrav Kibbutz Lotan Centre for Birdwatching. Contact infoDaphna Abell |
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