Birding and photography in the Nizzana area 7/5/2004

Dr. Paul Sterry is a top class bird photographer from England . He has been photographing birds for over 20 years and his photographs have been featured in many magazines, articles and books. Some of his recent works are The Complete Photographic Guide to British Birds by Collins publishing and the new Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Mediterranean . Both are superb books, with Paul writing the texts and providing most photographs.

Paul has been coming to Lotan for 3 years now and has really learned to love the area and is amazed every time with the phenomenal photographic opportunities available virtually everywhere. His current visit was timed mainly for the Honey Buzzard migration, but when I mentioned the superb drinking pool for Sandgrouse near Nizzana, Paul just could not refuse. A first rate gallery of some of the images Paul took on this visit will be featured here very soon.

Paul and I left at 4:30 in the morning in order to get to Nizzana and have time to set up a hide before the birds fly in to drink. We timed it right and after 15 minutes of preparations everything was set up. I sat a spot overlooking the pool some 70 meters away, and Paul was waiting in his hide at water's edge. At this point the anticipation was high and the funny incidents started. First, 2 ultra light gliders came buzzing low over the pools, scaring all the birds. I was worried but then the waders returned to the pool and we still had a few minutes before the arrival of the sandgrouse. That's when the dogs appeared. Yes, a pack of 4 stray dogs came wandering into the sewage pools, and sat in the water right at the corner where the birds usually drink. At this point panic nearly settled in as the air was starting to fill with the beautiful calls of the first groups of Spotted Sandgrouse. Finally the dogs got out and started moving, not before one smelled Paul's hide suspiciously.

And then the Sandgrouse arrived and for the next hour or so we enjoyed one of the most beautiful spectacles in Israeli birding. Hundreds of Sandgrouse, of all 4 Negev species (Spotted, Crowned, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed), flew in from all directions, filling the air with their wonderful calls, and settled down in a dry pool nearby. Slowly the birds walked across the track, meters from the hide, and drank. Over 400 Sandgrouse showed up with around 220 Spotted Sandgrouse, 85 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, 70 Black-bellied and 30 Crowned Sandgrouse. The birds would come down to the water in small groups, and after drinking, climb back on the bank and preen. We noticed some of the males dipping their breast feathers in the water (and some literally showering), probably to carry water to their young at the nest. After the birds left Paul exited the hide and as he was stretching he admitted that the experience was one he would remember always, and some of the images, really are priceless.

We spent some more time around Nizzana, finding some typical species like 4 Cream Coloured Courser, Little Owl, Spectacled Warbler and many Southern Grey Shrikes.

While watching the Sandgrouse I also witnessed 3 Foxes take down a weak Gazzelle calf, and tear it up for their young, as the mother stares helplessly nearby. This might seem as a gruesome thing to see, but its nature at its most dramatic.

As mentioned we shall feature a large gallery of Pauls superb images shortly.

Till next -

Jonathan Meyrav 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)