Paul and Mike were already out and about by 6 a.m., perhaps inspired by a familiar background chorus of Blackbirds and Great Tits, intermingled with the more exotic sounds of Yellow-vented Bulbuls and Hoopoes. We enjoyed a short walk around Kibbutz Gevulot having good views of a couple of the 'hoped for' Syrian Woodpeckers.

Paul was especially keen to get some photos of Black Kites, so after breakfast we went over to the local refuse tip and found good numbers of flying and perched Black Kites. However, we soon became side-tracked by an impressive 'take off' of White Storks, many of them low overhead. On a personal level, it was my first White Stork migration of the year, and I found it difficult not to be overcome with awe as 5,500 White Storks lifted out of the fields in the early morning sun. Paul later concentrated on photos, while Mike and I enjoyed an immature Imperial Eagle and another Syrian Woodpecker.

During mid-morning we drove over to Moshav Dekel, an impressive area of steppe landscape, much of which had 'greened' over after a fairly wet winter. It proved to be an excellent choice of venue as we soon noticed a 'stream' of White Storks approaching quite high from the south-west. First indication looked as though we could have been watching a couple of thousand birds, but as we discovered more birds and bigger spiraling groups it soon became apparent that we were in the middle of a spectacular passage. When all the birds had passed I estimated that the stream contained a minimum of 12,000 White Storks and with them about 30 Common Cranes and 35 White Pelicans. After such a wonderful migration, the rest of the steppes yielded little interest. We gathered our thoughts and headed back to the Kibbutz to meet our friend Sara'le.

Sara'le was very determined to show us a Long-eared Owl that she knew to be roosting in some pines trees near the dining room. After twenty minutes or so, Mike and his keen eyes found not one but two Long-eared Owls well hidden high in one of the pines.

The rest afternoon was spent in Nizzana with Cream-coloured Courser in mind, which we duly found but not close enough to photograph. Again, we were lucky enough to enjoy good views of a male Houbara Bustard with its amazing 'dancing' display and at least 120 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse feeding close the road. The last birds at Nizzana were a flight of Spotted Sandgrouse, and on the way home a couple of Little Owls perched on boulders close to Ashalim.

Two hours later we were back at Lotan, and after supper were treated to excellent, prolonged views of a Barn Owl outside the guest rooms and tourism office rounding off our first Negev trip of the season very sweetly indeed.

Good birding,

James Smith