Early April 2004 Birding Report , Southern Arava

The first week of April represents a transitional period in the spring migration in southern Israel. The wintering birds are nearly all gone, and new and interesting species, mostly Sub-saharan migrants arrive. The lawns and fields hold large numbers of Yellow Wagtails, especially the central European ssp. Flava ,thunbergii and dombrowski. who replace the east European ssp of feldegg and supercirialis which pass mostly in March.

The first few days of the month also saw waves of Wryneck (with up to 15 ind. around Lotan on the 4th and 5th) and large numbers of Blackcaps slowly replacing the Lesser Whitethroats, which peak in march.

Olivaceous, Willow and E Bonnelli's Warblers can be seen in increasing numbers, especially in acacia trees, and the days are full with the beautiful calls of European Bee Eaters (hundreds pass over the Arava these days) and the melodic song of Rufous Bush Robin, which breeds on the kibbutz.

A summary of interesting observations from the beginning of April.

Red-breasted Merganser 02 Apr. 2004. k19 Sewage.

Sinai Rosefinch, 2 at the Eilat Mountains on April 3rd

Little Crake, up to 6 birds, at Neot Smadar.

Baillon's Crake, 1 seen 8th of April, Neot Smadar (Yoav Perlman and others) .

Water Rail , 1 at Neot Smadar on 9th

Bar-tailed Lark , 2 at km33 9th April.

Blue-cheeked Bee Eater , scattered flocks reported the past 5 days

Richard's Pipit, 2 1 at Yotvata on 8 th and 1 same location 9th .

Stay posted.

Jonathan Meyrav and the Birding Israel 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)