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White-throated Robin 10-11/4/ 2004
These past 2 days have been two of my most memorable days on Lotan and the area. Amazing birds were found along the Arava and in our back yard here on Lotan. 10th April
We headed north to Samar Date Plantation, a stroll around the compost heaps yielded many Black-eared Wheatears, Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher. As we were heading back to the car I noticed a Semi-collared Flycatcher, probably a 1 st year male, and Vince and I enjoyed great views for a few minutes. Vincent was all smiles for his lifer and we set out to Yotvata. On arrival we were treated to outstanding views of a male Montague's Harrier, slowly soaring over the scrub. At Yotvata we met Nir Sapir and Rami Mizrachi, Who reported 2 Upcher's Warblers, and 1 Olive Tree Warbler. The Acacia scrub was full of birds and we noted E Bonelli's , Wood and Arabian Warbler. Around 12:00 Dubi Shapiro and Barak Granit who were birding in the area found a male White-throated Robin. This is an extremely rare bird in spring and since many birders were in the area about 12 people saw the bird before lunch. No doubt a great find. In Lotan many birds today with 2 Citrine Wagtails, 1 Collared Pratincole and large numbers of Wryneck (at least 30 around the kibbutz) . 11 th April (a day to remember) This day was heating up rapidly and the winds were slowly shifting from cool northerlies to warm eastern winds, which brought heat and dryness and interesting birds as the day advanced. 2 Great White egrets and a Gull-billed Tern flew over lotan in the morning, and a Little-ringed Plover was caught and ringed.
The birding just kept getting interesting and even while watching the Robin we noted a few Ficedula type Flycatchers (Semi Collared) around the organic garden. On the way from the gardens to the residential area the british ringers ( Chris, Jackie, Gary and Oscar ) found an interesting Hippolais Warbler, and both Vincent and myself, having scrutinized the bird, agreed on their initial ID of Upcher's Warbler.
What a day! I have seen impressive falls of birds before, but never have I witnessed a gradual buildup in numbers before our very eyes. The ringers reported good numbers of Semi-collared flycatchers from Lotan's date plantation, and Dr Reuven Yosef reports ringing 11 Semi-collared flycatchers this morning in Eilat. Good Birding, Jonathan Meyrav and the birdingisrael team Contact infoDaphna Abell |
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I was joined by Vincent De Boer who came down from Gamla in northern Israel to sample some desert birding in the Arava in Spring. We started the day at km33 flats. The morning was cool and windless, but an hour or so yielded only Short-toed Larks, and Yellow Wagtails migrating north over the valley. 2 distant Bar-tailed Larks were nice, but the birds were few and far between. 1 young male Pallid Harrier is worth mentioning.
After lunch Vincent and I slowly birded the kibbutz grounds and found no less than 17 Semi-collared Flycatchers, 2 Collared Flycatchers and 4 Thrush Nightingales. In the afternoon, I flushed a female Golden Oriole when trying to get images of a male Collared Flycatcher.