One of the joys of being based at Lotan during the winter is the opportunity for some great local hiking within walking distance of the Kibbutz. We're extremely fortunate to have the Ketura 'wilderness' Reserve so close to Lotan and every once in a while I treat myself to a long 'sojourn' over this rugged terrain.

Although the species logged on such a trip is often limited, the quality is usually high. By the end of my walk I'd found three Striated Scops Owls, including two that were some 3 kilometres from the site that I'd discovered on the 23rd and unlikely to involve the same individuals. Soaring raptors included two superb Bonelli's Eagles and a Long-legged Buzzard.

However, the main highlight of trip was mammalian and not avian. At around noon I stumbled across, and surprised a group of four Wolves in a remote wadi. Unfortunately, they were rather quick to at depart but I managed to get a couple of distant record shots before they scampered into the distance. Amazingly, I found the same group of Wolves in totally different area some five hours later and I was certainly impressed to see Wolves so active in the daytime. Other mammals in the reserve today included Nubian Ibex and Dorcas Gazelle.