Mid march 2009 Rarities – Kittlitz Sand Plover, Black Bush Robin and more

Spring migration is in full swing and the mornings are cool and full of passerine calls, as Short-toed larks, Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, Sylvia Warblers and more start to appear in numbers at every green spot in the southern Arava.

The Acacia Wadis are full of Balkan (E. Bonnelli's) Warblers and E. Olivaceous Warblers and the resident species are singing and territorial.

Click the pictures to enlarge [+]

Kittlitz Sand Plover	Kittlitz Sand Plover	Kittlitz Sand Plover	Black Bush Robin	Black Bush Robin

On the 9th a group of visiting Dutch birders, Niels van Houtum Swen Rijnbeek & Dick Groenendijk, found a Black Bush Robin at Holland Park on the outskirts of Eilat.

The Black Bush Robin, a fine male, was quite loyal to one area of the park and with some time posed for some images. On the morning of the 14th a Hume's Warbler was heard at Holland Park but despite extensive efforts the bird was reluctant to show.

On the 13th Chen Rozen reported a summer plumage male Kittlitz Sand Plover from the K20 salt pools. The bird was seen well that evening and the following day (Saturday the 13th) and was admired by many birders. Kittlitz Sand Plover is a great rarity in Israel and this bird is the first record for nine years in Israel and the first in 23 years in Eilat! Indeed a great find and hopefully the bird will stick around so that everyone could enjoy it. Thomas was kind enough to post his fresh images from today of this elegant and rare Plover.

Spring 2009 started with some great birds and it seems that many foreign birders are also migrating to Eilat this year. With so many eyes scanning the desert, it’s sure that more quality species will be found are the best is yet to come, stay posted.

Jonathan Meyrav

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