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Birding in Lotan (continued)By Lyn Mair, Africa Birds & Birding, Volume 4 (5) September 1999 [page 1] [page 2] Our next outing took us to the north-western Negev for an overnight stay on a large, extremely comfortable kibbutz. On the way we called in at the Shizzafon sewage pond. This is weathear territory: Northern, Black-eared, White-crowned and Hooded were all present. A few Little Green Bee-eaters added a splash of colour. The route we followed went towards Be'er Sheva, skirting around the spectacular Ramon Crater. A breakfast stop at the little town of Mitzpe Ramon unexpectedly produce the best ever coffee and French patisserie. In a tamarisk grove at the local sewage ponds we found a female Bluethroat, a female Semi-collared Flycatcher with those diagnostic double white wing bars, and a host of tiny warblers: Bonelli's, Olivaceous and Orphean. Birding over the golden barley fields of Urim produced an interesting, extremely pale Peregrine (race calidus) which breeds in the Arctic tundra. A flock of about a thousand White Storks flew overhead, as did a huge Short-toed Eagle. An early morning drive took us to Nizzana on the Sinai/Egyptian border. Next to an army base we found a family of three Houbara Bustards, birds hunted almost to extinction in some surrounding countries. In this arid part of the desert we saw the first of many Cream-coloured Coursers, and there was also a shy Dorcas gazelle that bounded away on sight. The Nizzana sewage ponds was the next port of call. Here Black-bellied and Spotted Sandgrouse came in to drink, their distinctive calls breaking the silence. Arabian Babblers and Grey Shrikes were conspicuous on the acacias. In the low scrubby bushes nearby, a pair of golden jackals were eyeing the sandgrouse as a potential meal. After lunch at Sde Boker, Ben Gurion's desert home, we stopped at the impressive Ma'ale Zin, the wilderness of Zin. As we watched a Mourning Weathear disappear down into the valley below, we noticed a small herd of Nubian ibex sheltering from the sun next to a rocky outcrop. Overhead we had a Griffon Vulture, more Steppe Buzzards and a really close-up view of a Honey Buzzard - all travelling north at great speed. The last word must go to Eilat, a seaside resort of high-rise hotels, shopping malls, and an airport right in the middle of the town. North Beach, however, with its odd collection of residents in tents with their horses and dogs, is a great birding spot. Flocks of ducks and Purple Herons were winging in from the gulf. White-eyed and Black-headed gulls and an assortment of terns were resting on the buoys and ropes in the bay. We drove back to Kibbutz Lotan for our last night. Our chalets were a tad basic but comfy and spotless. The bar fridge was stocked with boxes of fruit juice, an assortment of local beers, a litre of fresh milk and a bowl of fresh fruit. There was a kettle, crockery and cutlery, with tea and coffee provided. All in all, it was an excellent birding week, with 183 species seen. Further Reading
Contact infoDaphna Abell |
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