Drama in the Nizzana Wilderness – Late July 2008

All images copyright of Amir Ben-dov

One nice and toasty morning Amir Ben Dov head out to the Nizzana area to brave the heat and try some photography. The semi desert area around Nizzana is famous as the last stronghold of the endangered Macqueen's Bustard in the Middle East. This interesting and wild region is largely a military training area and is rarely disturbed. Many desert species call this area home and there is no better place in Israel to observe breeding Spotted and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream Colored Coursers, Larks and more.

That morning Amir was fortunate enough to find a family of Black-bellied Sandgrouse, parents and a very young chick. While trying to position himself for photography Amir noted an adult Southern Grey Shrike perched nearby. This Shrike was of the local subspecies elegans, which shares the region with the common subspecies of Israel's deserts, aucheri.

After a few moments the Shrike must have made up its mind and dove directly towards the Sandgrouse family.

Despite its small size the Shrike showed remarkable boldness and attacked the Sandgrouse chick in front of its parents. After pecking the poor chick several times the Shrike proceeded to try and lift the chick in the air and carry it away. After several foiled attempts to carry it the Shrike stayed and ate its prey.

Amir was lucky enough to be there to witness and capture this amazing event and we thank him for the images.

Stay posted, the fall migration season has already started and we will go back to regular updates on the site.

Jonathan Meyrav /// Lotan Center for Birdwatching

 

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)