Northern Valleys migration survey – late September 2006

Fall is upon us, temperatures are finally dropping and migration is picking up pace. The survey posts stretch further west, spanning across the Yizre'el valley all the way to the outskirts of Haifa, several kilometers from the Mediterranean sea.

Both Honey Buzzards and Levant Sparrowhawks have reached their peak and are now winding down in numbers. Well over 300,000 Honey Buzzards were counted so far, and another good year for Levants with just over 60,000 individuals counted, a large portion of the world population.

The streams of migrating raptors are very versatile and up to 7-8 species of soaring birds can be seen migrating together southwards.

White Pelicans leave the Hula Valley every morning and pass over the valleys daily, over 10,000 have passed and hundreds are already roaming the various fish ponds, where they will stay for the winter. Several good flocks of 800 – 1000 Pelicans were counted in the past 10 days.

Red-footed Falcons pass by the dozens every day. These small elegant Falcons zoom by at great speeds (and height) in groups of up to 40 birds sometimes. Small numbers of Red foots linger around and hunt the fields here and there.

Lesser spotted Eagles also pass in large numbers towards their peak in early October. Several good days with over 10,000 in late September fill us with anticipation towards a peak day in what looks to be a good Eagle year.

Other good sightings include single Greater Spotted Eagles daily, 5 Eleonora's Falcons so far, several Peregrine Falcons and a probable adult Barbary Falcon, a remarkable sighting in the north.

Also worth noting is a Great Black backed Gull found on the Acre shore on the 30th of Sep. only 7 months after the previous record of this species at the same place.
The bird which due to its size is probably an adult female was seen with various other gulls at the Naaman estuary and seen again the following day. This is still a great rarity in the country and an excellent find.

Stay posted as things heat up in the south as well, a summary of observations from Eilat and the Arava valley will follow shortly.

Good birding

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)