Southern observations, late winter (Jan-Feb 2007)

Winter is slowly coming to an end. All in all it is quite a mild winter so far. Besides single violent systems that made their way this far south in the country, the weather was calm and so was the bird watching. Although most target species were present and showed reasonably well, no major rarities were reported. We ran a few short tours this winter and enjoyed steady winter birding in great weather. In mid January some significant flooding occurred in the eastern parts of the Arava valley. Most of the flooding happened in Jordan but several small ravines and wadis in our area flash flooded as well. This is a good sign and if the weather stays warm we should expect a lush and green spring come March. Here are some of the highlights of the past few weeks, site to site, from the southern Negev and all the way down to Eilat.

The Sdeh Boker area, as every winter, was good for Syrian Serins, as small groups could be seen around the village and the Kibbutz. Around Ein Ovdat the resident Bonnellis Eagles and Griffon Vultures are getting ready for the breeding season.
At Mitzpe ramon small numbers of Syrian Serins were seen as well in January.
Further south, on route 40, the Meishar area provided some good birds in the vast desert plains, up to 25 Spotted Sandgrouse, 10 Bar-tailed Larks and a pair of Asian Desert Warblers were seen during Dec-Feb. A single Hoopoe Lark was seen by Noam Wiess, Marcus Craig and myself , on different occasions. 

K76 received quite a bit of rainfall and the seasonal puddles and vegetation were frequented by good numbers of birds. Up to 250 Spotted Sandgrouse and up to 40 (!) Bar-tailed Larks were seen on several occasions in the mornings. And a single wintering Asian Desert Warbler held territory north of the pumping station.

Yotvata's circular fields were one of the best sites this winter .Up to 5 Buff-bellied Pipits and 5 Orientel Skylarks were present on most visits with a supporting cast of several Hen Harriers, single Marsh Harriers and dozens of Water and Red throated Pipits. Noam Wiess reported an Egyptian Nightjar in the fields, seen on the night of January 25th.

Eilot's southern date plantations, just north of Eilat provided shelter for many birds. Amongst the dozen or so Water and Red-throated Pipits, 2 Buff bellied Pipits were present since January 12th. Noam Wiess found an Olive backed Pipit in a plantation just north of there on Jan. 28th.
Noam also reported a Juvenile White-tailed Eagle at K19 on December 27th (2006).

From early February spring migration was becoming more and more evident.
Small numbers of House Martins, Barn Swallows and Swifts started trickling through and small numbers of Steppe eagles with single Steppe Buzzards are seen daily.

On the 7th I had a great day with a great mix of wintering and early spring species. I started at Eilat. At the beach there were 2 Common Gull and a Little Gull that are worth noting. At the southern date Plantation I located the 2 wintering BB Pipits and unfortunately only heard the Olive Backed Pipit Noam found. I continued north and had good views of a Spotted Eagle and the 3rd cal Bonnelli's Eagle at K19, (a bird that was present here from early December).
At K 20 there was a lot of mud but the only significant birds were 3 Pallas's Gulls on the banks.
At Yotvata, the circular field provided the usual 2-3 Buff bellied Pipits and 3 Oriental Skylarks. A single Quail was flushed as well. 2 Black Storks that passed overhead were my first of the spring. Several fresh new compost heaps were dumped the day before and were alive with birds, many White Wagtails, 2 Feldegg Yellow Wagtails, my earliest ever, an Isabelline Wheatear and several Black Redstarts were noted.

I wrapped up the day with a visit to a small Acacia wadi near Lotan. I paid a visit to a wintering Striated Scops Owl and enjoyed great views of a male Cyprus Warbler nearby.

We are all very excited towards the upcoming spring migration festival 18-24th March 2007. It is shaping up to be quite an event with many people booking and showing interest. There are still places available for packages, and also for specific activities, lectures and tours.
I would like to thank Thomas Krumenacker again for letting us use his images and add his email for those interested in images or prints – Tkrumenacker@yahoo.com

Stay posted as the spring unfolds.

Jonathan Meyrav.

Contact info

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