Birding field report - March 2005

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The first 10 days of March were pleasant and more and more migrants dot the skies and the green spots along the southern Arava. On the morning of 11 March I stumbled across a large flock of Bimaculated Larks (60) feeding with Short toed Larks in an open agricultural area near Grofit. Another visit that evening produced nearly 80 Bimacs and 9 Temminck's Horned Larks. Chris Bell and Richard from Ireland joined Tomer and myself on the morning of 12 March to look for the Larks. We did not find Temminck's Larks, but over 100 Bimaculated Larks were by far the biggest flock seen in the Arava for many years. This was the first flock of Bimacs this spring. The following weeks birders reported good numbers of Bimaculated Larks from all over southern Israel , making this spring the biggest spring for this species since 1984. I had several sightings of small numbers of Temminck's Horned Larks during march.

The most confiding bird was a well twitched individual at the compost heaps at K37, which has been in the area for nearly 2 weeks. Other rare Larks seen lately were 7 Thick-billed Larks (3 at the Eilat Mountains (Hadoram Shirichai) and another 4 at the Hayun) on the same morning (17.3). Another Thick-billed Lark was reported on 29 March from K19.

Several other quality species were found during the month of March. On 18 March, Frank Moffat found a White tailed Plover at the Samar Sewage. The bird stayed at least till the 27 . Also in the Samar area, several Semi-collared Flycatchers and large numbers of Bimaculated Larks (up to 200) were seen during the month. A long-staying Little Crake at the sewage pool gave good views as it stuck to a tiny vegetated patch for over 2 weeks.

Large numbers of bright Citrine Wagtails are seen daily. This is definitely a good time to catch up with this bird as we sometimes see 7 birds in a day.

We made several trips to see Sandgrouse come to drink at a nearby pool and had good numbers of Spotted and small numbers of Crowned Sandgrouse come in nearly at every try.

Some local breeders are busy incubating eggs and some are feeding chicks already. Good news comes from at least 2 separate Hoopoe Lark Territories found during March and also a possible Temminck's Lark Territory , in the southern Negev plateau. 2 Different Hooded Wheatear nests were found as well.

Soaring bird migration over Eilat and the Arava is in full swing. Thousands of Steppe Buzzards and smaller numbers of Black Kites, Steppe Eagles, Black and White Storks and other species pass daily, giving amazing views. From the 20 small numbers of Lesser Spotted Eagles can be seen daily. Small numbers of Lesser Kestrels hunt insects over the fields at last light and the first flocks of colorful Bee-eaters hover over bee hives in the fields.

The best bird of the spring was undoubtedly a beautiful summer male Rustic Bunting that I found on the evening of the 25 of March. While observing a feeding flock of Ortolan and Chretchzmar's Buntings, a beautiful Rustic Bunting landed briefly amongst them. After the initial shock, I identified the bird immediately. Panic nearly set in as the bird was flushed after several seconds.

I noticed James Smith and his group and waved them over. After several minutes of searching James and I noticed a single bunting in flight which called very faintly as it passed overhead.

The bird landed in a hedge and after several minutes of scanning I relocated the bird skulking in a dry bush. We all got good views of Israel 's first ever summer male Rustic Bunting. Unfortunately the bird was relocated nearly at last light and even the record shots we managed to get are blurred.

The bird was searched for extensively the next morning but not relocated. Rony Livne reported a single Cinereous Bunting from K37 that morning, and 2 more were seen briefly at the Lotan dairy barn with 85 Bimaculated Larks (27 March).

Indeed quite a spring this is turning out to be. We are sorry for the short period we were not on-line, regular updates will follow.

We are happy to bring you a gallery of images, all taken recently,from the southern Arava, enjoy.

Jonathan Meyrav and the BirdingIsrael team.

 

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
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