2nd/3rd January

The new year opened with some excellent news in the form of two Brown Boobies Sula leaucogaster that were discovered at Eilat's north each by Vincent De Boer and Roelf Hovinga late afternoon of the 2nd. Formerly much more regular, Brown Booby has become very scarce at Eilat since the publication of the Birds of Israel in 1996, the most recent observation being a brief visit by an adult in mid-April 2003.

Both birds appeared to be in their first year, and were still present the following morning when they could be found easily - with the naked eye - just off the north beach. Other nice species at the beach included 10+ Western Reff Herons, 2 Pallas's Gulls and a Heuglin's Gull.

Another highlight of the 3rd was a Striated Scops Owl discovered at a traditional wadi on the outskirts of Eilat, and further north we enjoyed good views of a perched juvenile Bonelli's Eagle at Yotvata

Roelf and Vincent also reported a healthy flock of 13 Sinai Rosefinch at Amram's Pillars campground.

Click to enlarge [+]
Brown Booby	Brown Booby	Brown Booby
Brown Booby	Striated Scops Owl	Bonelli's Eagle - juvenile

The following gallery of images are all from the 3rd of January 2003.

Good birding,

James P. Smith, Susannah B. Lerman and the Birdingisrael Team

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)