Birding in August - Southern Israel

4th August

I spent the morning with Ido Tsurim, Nir Sapir and Eyal Vanunu, beginning at Eilat north beach, which was remarkably quiet by recent standards. Highlights included about 8 Cory's and 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Western Reef Heron, a second-summer Arctic Skua and an adult Baltic Gull. In comparison to the tern 'extravaganza' of 28th/29th July there very few terns of any kind at the beach.

Some returning passerine migrants were discovered at Eilat's north sewage pools including 2 juvenile Black-headed Yellow Wagtails and 4 Black-headed Buntings, three of which were juveniles. Also present, at least 16 Little-ringed Plovers.

Little Stints were much more evident at Ein Evrona salt pools with about 35 present. Other shorebirds worthy of note included 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers and a Marsh Sandpiper.

At Lotan, at least 2 Eastern Olivaceous Warblers were present.

Click on the pictures to enlarge (+)
Black-headed Bunting	Black-headed Bunting
Cory's Shearwater	Western Reef Heron

Good birding,

James P. Smith and 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)