Late July 2003

30th July 2003

Another thrilling month in southern Israel is drawing to a close with yet more exceptional tern viewing at Eilat. On the 28th Barak Granit, Amit Geffen and Yoav Perlman observed 17 Bridled Terns, 6 Lesser Crested Terns, 2 White-cheeked Terns and no less than 3 Arctic Terns! All of the latter were first summer birds. This was the largest gathering of Arctic Terns seen in one day in Israel and yet this species was once a great rarity.

Also on the 28th, returning migrants near Lotan included an adult Common Cuckoo and an Orphean Warbler in Nahal Ketura.

The 29th July held much the same selection of species at the north beach with at least 14 Bridled Terns recorded well into late morning. At least 3 Lesser Crested and 2 Arctic Terns were still present along with several Cory's and one Sooty Shearwater.

Arctic Tern 1st summer	Arctic Tern
Arctic Tern 1st summer	Lesser Crested Tern
Lesser Crested Tern	Lesser Crested Tern

It was also good to see about a dozen adult Little Stints at Ein Evrona salt pools as well as several more at Eilat's northern sewage pools with a dozen or so Little Ringed Plovers.

All of these tern images were taken on 29th July. The Bridled Terns were just that bit too far out sea to grab any decent images. Sorry folks.

By way of correction!! Barak Granit has pointed out that the flock of Bridled Terns seen by Daniel Gelbart on 26th July was actually not the largest seen in Israel as we stated. The largest flock was of 37 birds seen on 16th July 2001 by Barak himself. Apologies to Barak and our readers for that error.

Good birding,

James P. Smith & 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)