We decided to check some military areas in this morning with the hope of finding some sandgrouse at their favourite drinking pool. Sure enough, just after 8am we heard the 'cackling' calls of Crowned Sandgrouse and 11 birds flew by and landed in the desert giving extremely good, prolonged views. About half an hour later large numbers of Spotted Sandgrouse began to arrive with about 110 birds coming into drink giving a thrilling spectacle.

Good views of other species in the area included Bluethroat, Mourning Wheatear, Water Pipit and 2 Desert Finch that came in to drink.

We spent much of the afternoon in the area of Eilat but found migrants in rather short supply. However, the afternoon was lifted by superb views of 24 Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse drinking at a traditional spot towards dusk, bringing our sandgrouse tally for the day to three species and we were certainly pleased with that.

Good birding,

James Smith