Mid-October (11 - 23) 2003 Sighting Report

Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) Nowadays -
An introduction to Roelf Hovinga's sighting report

Seeing Crowned Sandgrouse in the southern deserts of Israel requires as much luck, as it does skill and hard work. Formerly this species could be predicted at several well known drinking sites ranging across the Negev from Nizzana to Shizzafon. However, in the last few years, while these sites are still occasionally used, Crowned Sandgrouse have become very difficult to find. So much so, that now they are probably the most difficult to see of all the five regular species of sandgrouse that occur in Israel.

Crowned Sandgrouse

Luck was certainly flowing my way when I photographed this fine group of six Crowned Sandgrouse on a desolate stoney ridge in the southern Hiyyon plain in November 2002. This tricky species led Roelf Hovinga and his friends on a merry dance through several desert hotspots in mid-October, before they returned to Kefar Ruppin.

Read here, as Roelf recalls the highlights of their 'sojourn' in the desert.

Good birding,

James P. Smith and the Birdingisrael Team
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11th - Although there was little in the way of migration I spent a top quality morning at my station in Bet Hashitta. An immature Steppe Eagle and two stunning male Pallid Harriers were seen migrating while a Greater Spotted Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard gave superb views. Other migrating raptors included Lesser Spotted Eagle (22), Black Kite (19), Short-Toed Eagle (10) and a lone Red-footed Falcon. In total, fourteen species of raptor were seen in four hours.

Pallid Harrier

Due to the lack of large numbers migrating raptors we had the chance to go birding in the Hula Valley in late afternoon. Although the numbers of raptors and Common Cranes were still very low (more will arrive later in the winter), we found some good species in what must be described as the best wetland area of Israel - Ruddy Shelduck (1), Griffon Vulture (2), White-tailed Eagle (two close adults), Imperial Eagle (1 second cal.), Pallid Harrier (4 to 5), Common Crane (150+), Sociable Plover (2) and Slender-billed Gull (2) were all recorded. In the early evening we visited some eucalyptus groves south of the Hula Valley where we heard (or saw) Tawny, Barn, Scops and Long-eared Owls. Quite superb! And a lovely end to a rich day in the field.

12th - Breakfast was rudely interrupted by news of a first-winter Rufous Turtle Dove (S.o.meena) in the fields north of Kibbutz Kefar Ruppin. This bird was discovered by Yoav Perlman and Vincent de Boer during a pre-breakfast birding session. Never mind the cornflakes! After half an hour of frantic searching the bird was rediscovered. It allowed good views while feeding under a cluster of eucalyptus trees. Thanks to this bird, one of the last days of counting on the raptor survey started with a bang!

My day went on to include some decent Red-footed Falcon migration at Alonim junction where 351 of these delightful falcons passed me in less than three hours. The sight of 105 Red-footed Falcons thermalling right above my head left me speechless! Besides the Red-foots there were about 530 migrating White Pelicans, a 3rd year male Pallid Harrier (found in a small thermal of Red-footed Falcons!) and a scattering of common migrant raptors.

Birding around Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin resulted in views of Stonechat (1), Quail (1) and Savi's Warbler (several).

13th - An early visit to the bird rich areas around Kibbutz Kefar Ruppin proved to be worthwhile. A large alfalfa field gave sightings of Quail (5), Richard's Pipit (4), Short-toed Lark (12) and a passing male Merlin together with larger numbers of Tawny and Red-throated Pipits, and Yellow Wagtails. The ploughed fields around the Kibbutz held three resting Sociable Plovers that were later flushed by a Long-Legged Buzzard. Eleven Common Cranes, always much appreciated, circled above the fields but decided to move on to the south.

Eastern Imperial Eagle

 

After an entertaining morning of birding we (Rami Lindroos, Amit Geffen, Vincent de Boer and myself) visited the Tishlovet reservoirs in the afternoon looking out for waterbirds. Especially well known for the numbers of White-headed Duck that winter here, Tishlovet forms an important stop over and wintering site in this region for thousands of grebes, White Pelicans and ducks. Good numbers were counted including Black-necked Grebe (67), Little Grebe (332), White Pelican (216), Shoveler (2130), Teal (279), Ferruginous Duck (69) and White-headed Duck (3).

While searching for bird filled reservoirs we were lucky enough to find a first-winter Daurian Shrike alongside a reed fringed ditch near Ginnegar.

14th - Just after sunrise we visited an alfalfa field adjacent to the border with Jordan. Our first Skylark and Curlew of the season moved overhead, signs that autumn was advancing. A surrounding well vegetated ditch was alive with Bluethroats, Whinchats, Eastern Stonechats (S. t. maura and S.t. variegata) and Reed Warblers. Other birds of interest were two Little Owls roosting on a nesting box for Barn Owls and about ten Desert Finch.

Although the alfalfa field south of the Kefar Ruppin ringing station held only a few birds, they were of good quality. The unmistakable buzzing call of an Oriental Skylark was heard by Rami Lindroos and we all had brief views of another calling bird flying past us due north. A Richard's Pipit was seen here as well.

15th - Rami Lindroos, Vincent de Boer and myself arrived at the Hula Valley around 05:15. As soon as the re-flooded area was reached we enjoyed the amazing sight of hundreds of Cranes flying from their protected roost site to their feeding grounds north of the reserve. Amongst the many species encountered around the shallow lake that forms the Hula re-flooded area were Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck (3), Spotted Crake (3), Red-rumped Swallow, Citrine Wagtail and Great Reed Warbler (2). Dense flocks of resting White Pelicans, flanked by egrets, spoonbills and wing drying Pygmy Cormorants reminded us of a scene that could have been taken from an African lake!

Using the dirt tracks leading northwards from the Hula reserve we worked our way up to the Baran fishponds, meanwhile scanning the fields for raptors. In between the large numbers of Black Kites, an impressive variety of raptors was found; during the entire day we tallied an impressive 18 species of raptor. Highlights were two soaring immature Imperial Eagles, Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Eagles perched close by, a migrating Steppe Eagle, a total of three Peregrines and a Hen Harrier. Besides raptors there were a few hundred Corn Buntings, a very confiding Little Crake feeding in a small ditch, Eastern Stonechats (3 S.t.variegata and 1 S.t.maura) and a Quail.

Short-eared Owl

The Baran fishponds proved to be a really good spot for Marbled Teal. Two well vegetated fishponds held a total of 66 of these beautiful ducks.

In the evening there was just enough light left to enjoy a group of six Sociable Plovers near the Kefar Ruppin ringing station, found earlier by other members of the survey team.

Today we officially closed the raptor survey of autumn 2003. Thanks to good numbers of migrating raptors and the efforts of a crack squad of participating birders, it has been a highly successful survey. I'm already wondering who will back for next year's survey..?!

Continued
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