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Birding Hotspots in and Around LotanKey species: Imperial Eagle (winter), Barbary Falcon, Chukar, Long-eared Owl (winter), Hooded Wheatear, Scrub and Cyprus Warblers, Desert Finch, migrant and winter rarities. Wolf, Nubian Ibex and Rock Hyrax. Introduction
Fast developing a reputation as an excellent birding venue, kibbutz Lotan Centre for Birdwatching offers a range of facilities that are tempting more birders away from Eilat each year. Lotan and its immediate surroundings are full of many exciting desert and migratory species. Visiting birders can benefit from Lotan's excellent strategic position and fine facilities in the relaxed confines of a friendly community. Situated just 50 km north of Eilat, Lotan offers good food and lodging, organized bird tours, up-to-the-minute advice from local guides, a nature trail and its own impressive bird reserve (complete with hides and pools) .A range of natural and artificial habitats can be visited within comfortable walking distance of the kibbutz. Birds are often extraordinarily tame on Lotan, making it a photographer's delight. Common daily residents such as Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, Pale Crag Martin Hirundo fuligula, Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos, Crested Lark Galerida cristata, White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga, Blackstart Cercomela melanura, Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps, Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea and Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis, and an abundance of migrants led by Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, Blackcap S. atricapilla and Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita ensure a constant supply of good birding. Kibbutz Lotan Centre for Birdwatching
On entering the kibbutz CD, please park in one of the two car parks provided and explore the grounds on foot. Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus is often the first bird you will encounter, in the car park 1 b followed by Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis. From here, proceed directly to the tourism office to receive information on what is around, or glean the information from the bird observation notice board. From the tourism office progress north into the kibbutz residential area I a and swimming pool I c .The lawns and gardens can harbour 100s of migrants, especially in spring, including Quail Coturnix coturnix, Hoopoe Upupa epops, Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Tawny Anthus campestris and Red-throated Pipits A. cervinus, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (many races), Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Thrush Nightingale L. luscinia, Black-eared Oenanthe hispanica and Isabelline Wheatears. isabellina, Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis, Blue Rock Thrush M. solitarius, Great Reed Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Savi's Locustella luscinioides and Ruppell's Warblers Sylvia rueppelli, Collared Ficedula albicollis and Semi-collared Flycatchers F. semitorquata, Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus, Red-backed Lanius collurio and other shrikes, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis, Ortolan Emberiza hortulana and Cretzschmar's Buntings E. caesia, all of which can be regarded as common migrants on Lotan, although numbers are subject to annual fluctuations. Of course, with these, a number of scarce or rare migrants have been discovered including: Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi (autumn), Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (March-May), Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe (April), White-throated Robin lrania gutturalis (April), Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca, Menetries' Warbler Sylvia mistacea ( March-April ) , Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans ( April) , Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (October-December), Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parua (October-November), Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus, Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus (March-April) and Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea (March-April). Once you have completed this circuit, it is worth trying your luck at the eastern organic garden 1d .This a first- rate spot. The compost bins attract local Little Green Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Blackstart, wintering Bluethroat Luscinia suecica, Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros and Spanish Sparrow, and migrant Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. All of these will virtually feed at your feet if you are prepared to sit quietly for a few moments. The lush splendour of the organic garden is a haven for tired migrants. In 1999, a visiting team of British ringers concentrated most of their effort here, ringing exactly 700 birds of 42 species in just one week, including 19 Quail, 20 Bluethroat, 19 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala, 245 Lesser Whitethroat, seven Riippell's Warbler and 22 Cretzschmar's Bunting. In 1996, we watched Israel's second Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus tuscatus feeding alongside a Cyprus Wheatear, and, in 1997, a Pied Stonechat (the fourth Israeli record) joined the local Stonechats for a day in early November. The organic fields east and south of the main garden, are wilder and more exposed, a good place to find Spur-winged Plover and Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (at dusk). These fields, and the surrounding area of the dairy barn 1e, can attract interesting open terrain species including Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata, Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla, Small Skylark Alauda gulgula ( rare ), Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta, Hooded Oenanthe monacha and Desert Wheatears O. deserti (both winter), and Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta (winter). Between July and November, it is worth scanning the dunes, east of the kibbutz perimeter fence between the dairy barn gate and the eastern gate, for Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes. In 1998 three birds, a male and two females spent weeks faithfully feeding in the same area. Under no circumstances leave the kibbutz from these gates to explore the desert. You are less than 100 m from the Israel-Jordan border and birding out of bounds here is not good for you, the kibbutz or the Israeli army! Signs at both gates remind you not to be tempted. Lotan bird reserve
The alfalfa field is a major attraction for many migrants including Quail, Richard's Pipit (October-November) and other pipits, wagtails, nightingales, 'eastern' Stonechats (October-November), Savi's Warbler, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scilpaceus, Sardinian Warbler, Phylloscopus warblers and buntings. The stony desert area can be good for Desert Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus, which also drink at the nearby pool, and there are one or two records each of Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus, Hoopoe Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens and Temminck's Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha. It is possible to make a loop from the bird reserve back into the kibbutz via the hamada and stony desert areas west of the reserve, passing through the main gate. Ensure that you leave the reserve at dusk as this area is patrolled by the army. The bird reserve at Lotan was created in 1996 and constitutes a triumph for a dedicated band of helpers composed of kibbutz members and visiting volunteers working under the guidance of Mike Kaplin and JPS. This unique effort, among its neighbours, will ensure that resident and migratory birds, and other wildlife have a safe haven in the Arava Valley for years to come. Details and the history of Lotan's bird reserve are available from the Tourism Office on Lotan. Date plantationsThere are three large date plantations within comfortable walking distance of the kibbutz. All are excellent for migrants, especially roosting raptors and are favoured by Steppe Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk and Honey Buzzard. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus is resident in Lotan's date palms 3a and this is also a good place to find Chukar Alectoris chukar, Arabian Babbler and Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis year-round, and Rufous Bush Robin in summer. Typical migrants might include Masked Shrike and Spotted Flycatcher, and occasionally scarcer migrants such as Semi-collared Flycatcher. The plantations of Lotan and Quetura 3c are enclosed and grazed by donkeys, but that of Neot Smadar 3 b is still open, giving the freedom at least to bird from the dirt track in the centre of the plantation. The date plantations are worth visiting throughout the year. Field cropsLotan's fields are best approached by car, as they are relatively extensive and a telescope is required for some observations. Leave the kibbutz from the main gate, turn right onto route 90 and drive north for c.1.6 km. Watch for a small hill to the east of the road, and turn right onto a tarmac track just beyond the hill. The track eventually leads into the fields, the most productive ones being the melon fiedls south of the track. It is possible to drive around most of the fields, but don't attempt to drive through the sandy patches as you are likely to stay there! A good day in spring or autumn can produce some really exciting species in these fields, especially the last sandy field to the south where passage Cream-coloured Courser, Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus and Bimaculated lark have been found. Larks, hirundines, pipits and wagtails occur in large concentrations and in late autumn, finches abound including the occasional Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, but the star species is Desert Finch with gatherings of up to 300 birds. Further east, some citrus groves 4b provide more cover, attracting bee-eaters, warblers and flycatchers, including autumn records of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus and Red-breasted Flycatcher . Many raptors are attracted to the area by these feeding flocks especially Hen Harrier, Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides, Peregrine f peregrinus and Merlin f columbarius in winter, and the occasional Lanner f biarmicus in spring. Nahal QueturaThis beautiful, virtually unspoiled desert wadi and National Nature reserve, north-west of the kibbutz, offers, for those who enjoy along birding hike, peace, quiet and some very interesting birding. It is probably best visited in winter when temperatures are sufficiently low to be conducive to hiking. The marked trail is quite uneven underfoot throughout its length and hiking boots are recommended. The wadi has several important pockets of ancient Acacia forest that support most birds. Though present at low densities, it is possible to find Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi, Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei (winter), Long-eared Owl Asio otus (winter), Desert lark Ammomanes deserti, Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta, Sardinian (winter), Cyprus Syluia melanothorax (winter) and Arabian Warblers S. leucomalaena (one pair), Arabian Babbler and Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus in the lower section Sa. The upper section Sb tends to be better for passage Syluia and Phylloscopus Warblers, and up to six Cyprus Warblers gather here in early March. The territory of a desert race of Eagle Owl Bubo (bubo) ascaphalus is made obvious by a calling bird at night on the impressive limestone cliffs at 5c , the most inaccessible part of the wadi. To date, there have been no daytime sightings, a situation that may not change because of the complex nature of the terrain. Hiking the desert at night, while not impossible, is of course, very dangerous. The wadi has been the winter home of one or two Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca, since at least 1997. If you are exceptionally lucky you may come across a Wolf Canis lupus. Quetura MountainsThe limestone escarpment, to the west of Lotan, extends to the Mount Eyit 6a observation point 5 km west of Quetura junction and, for the purposes of this guide, the Quetura Mountains covers the area to the south of route 40. The mountains are extremely barren, vegetation is mostly limited to .Acacia scrub in dry river beds. Birds are few, but breeding species include Sand Partridge, White-crowned Black and Hooded Wheatears. Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens also occurs, but tends to be more common west of Mount Eyit. In winter, Striated Scops Owl may be found by thoroughly scanning the Acacia trees and occasional small parties of Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus synoicus are seen by the tracks. During spring migration, impressive numbers of raptors and storks pass over the escarpment, especially if there is a light north-east wind. Many birds are low and give fabulous views, recommended watch points (6a-d) are indicated on the map. Breeding raptors include Barbary Falcon and Egyptian Vulture. The mountains can be reached by driving, or hiking west along route 40, for 1.5 km from Quetura junction. A dirt track off to the south leads into a wadi (Nahal Grofit), and continues for c. 2 km until becoming impassable, unless you have a four-wheel-drive-vehicle. Park here and explore some of the surrounding wadis on foot. The rest of the mountains can be viewed from the side of route 40, beyond km post 2. Nahal Grofit and its surroundings support healthy populations of Nubian Ibex and Rock Hyrax. Quetura's fieldsMany passage and wintering species are found here, with a similar range to those described for Lotan's fields. The northern fields tend to be the most productive, in particular where a dirt track leading south from Lotan meets the fields, and a large manure heap 7a is located along a line of tamarisk trees. It may not look impressive, but the birding can be excellent here. Bee-eaters, larks, pipits, wagtails, wheatears, redstarts, warblers, shrikes, finches and buntings all feed here on migration. If the irrigation sprinklers have created puddles in the manure, White-tailed Plover, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius and Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola are sometimes found. Rarer visitors include Bimaculated Lark, Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus and Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalus (very rare in the Arava Valley). Further south, Dead Sea Sparrows nest in small numbers in the taller tamarisk trees between the fields 7b, although they do move around from year to year. The fields are due south of Lotan bird reserve and are easy to reach on foot, or bicycle. To get there by car, drive south on route 90 for c. 1 km whereupon a tarmac track opposite the entrance to kibbutz Quetura leads through a date plantation to a series of fields and orchards all of which are worth searching. Turn left (north), after 0.6 km and drive until you reach the last group of fields, to reach the manure heap. Quetura sewage farmIt is easy to drive past this small area of sewage pools, just south-east of kibbutz Quetura and visible from route 90. However, a surprising number and variety of wetland species are seen here on passage. There is often a selection of herons, egrets, ducks, a few crakes, shorebirds and, more rarely, marsh terns. At the south-east corner, a leaking pipe creates a fluctuating flow of water into the surrounding desert. The vegetation is lush, attracting 100s of passerine migrants, and also large flocks of Spanish and Dead Sea Sparrows in winter. Among the more sought-after species recorded here in recent years have been Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus, White-tailed Plover, Black-winged Pratincole Clareola nordmanni, Little Swift Apus afnnis, Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi and Caucasian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus lorenzii (the second Israeli record). The sewage farm can be accessed from the tarmac track opposite the entrance to kibbutz Quetura, and by then turning south (right), before you enter the date palm plantation. After 500 m you reach the perimeter fence of the sewage farm. Park here and view the pools from outside the fence. Access is unrestricted, but it is as well to leave the area just before dusk. Further details on all these sites are available to birders visiting Kibbutz Lotan Centre for Birdwatching, and can be acquired from staff at the Tourism Office. For those requiring more information on board and lodging, guided bird tours, or any of the ecological initiatives at Lotan, please contact the address below.
Contact infoDaphna Abell |
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Located close to the border with Jordan, the kibbutz
grounds are neatly tucked away, just east of Quetura junction, where
route 40 from Beer Sheva meets route 90 from Eilat, and just beyond
km post 62. The approach road to the kibbutz is 1.5 km long and lined
with some very productive Mesquite and Acacia bushes where migrants
often include Woodchat Lanius senator and Masked Shrikes
L. nubicus, Eastern BonelIi's Phylloscopus orientalis,
Olivaceous Hippolais pallida and Orphean
Warblers Sylvia hortensis. Later in spring, Barred
S. nisoria and Olive-tree Warblers Hippolais
olivetorum are seen, and an IsabelIine Shrike Lanius
isabellinus spent several days here in late April 1999.
Located south of the kibbutz, between the southern
perimeter fence (favoured by Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis)
and a dirt track leading to the border patrol road, the reserve offers
a mix of microhabitats including oasis-type conditions, an alfalfa field,
three pools (with observation hides) , stony desert, sand dunes and
hamada desert scrub. In addition, a small natural wadi on the reserve's
southern border floods during occasional rainstorms, leaving a standing
pool of water for several months. The whole area is rich is birdlife,
both resident and migratory. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides,
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, White Stork Ciconia
ciconia, Little Crake Porzana parua and White-tailed
Plover Vanellus leucurus visited the pools in 1999. Hen
Harrier Circus cyaneus is regular in winter, with Steppe
Buzzard Buteo buteo uulpinus, Honey Buzzard
Pernis apiuorus and Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter breuipes
using the pools during spring migration. The use of hides enables close-up
views of many passerines. A male White-throated Robin in front
of the first hide, dazzled one observer in Apri1999.
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