Southern Observations – Late October, early November 2006

Pied Wheatear images copyright and courtesy of Rony Livne

I am happy to bring a short summary of the significant sightings in southern Israel from the past few weeks.

As previously mentioned the fall migration season was an exceptional one for Red breasted Flycatchers. Over 20 birds were noted, mostly in southern Israel but some were recorded in unusual locations like the Jerusalem foothills and the Dan region.

Several Daurian Shrikes were reported throughout the country; in the south a female type was present in early October near the IRBCE Park in Eilat and a stunning male was present near Yahel (K76) towards the end of the month. On the 30th October, Ehud Dovrat and Noam Weiss reported a probable Tawny Eagle from the Eilat date plantations, unfortunately the sighting was insufficient and the bird was not seen again. That same day Ehud had a good sea watching session from the North Beach and recorded a Brown Booby and a White-cheeked Tern, Noam on the other hand caught and ringed a bright Yellow-browed Warbler at the park.

November started with the regular arrival of Striated Scops Owls to their wintering grounds, the Acacia dotted Wadis of the Arava. 2 Owls were found in early November; both in regular and well known locations. On November 2nd Ehud Dovrat reported a Yellow-browed Warbler at Neot Smadar.

On the 7th Barak G. Tomer L. and Roni L. found a 1st winter male Pied Wheatear near Neot Smadar sewage. The bird was very confiding and posed for many great photos and close scrutiny of its interesting plumage.

On the same day Arnon Tsairi reported a group of 9 Dotterels near Sdeh Boker, where small numbers of Syrian Serins were seen as well as 2 Finsch's Wheatears

On the 9th of November Eran Banker relocated the Pied Wheatear and also photographed a nice Olive-backed Pipit at Neot Smadar's alfalfa fields.

Noam Weiss of the IBRCE reported some more good birds from the southern Arava and Eilat. A Syrian Serin was caught and ringed (very rare this far south) in the Park, a nice ochrorus Black Redstart in Samar and a single Ruddy Shelduck has been present at the K20 pools since the 10th. More interesting winterers and vagrants are yet to come, please stay posted.

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)