BIRDTRIP REPORT TO ISRAEL March (13-) 15-24, 1996 Rob Goldbach March 13-24 Harry Lehto March 15-24 Kirsi Lehto March 15-17 ITENERARY (Times indicate time of arrival in local SUMMER TIME) 13.3 Zikron Yakoov, Ma'agan Michael 15.3 16.00-16.20 & 18.50-19.10 Zikron Yakoov, 16.30-18.30 Maga'an Michael 16.3 08.30-09.10 & 12.30-12.40 Zikron Yakoov, 9.30-12.30 Maga'an Michael- -14.30 Jerusalem - 15.30 -17.00 North End of Dead Sea - -17.30-21.00 Ein Gedi 17.3 06.30-8.10 Ein Gedi - 10.30 Harzeva- Udva Airport - - 14.00-14.20 Mount Yoash - 14.30-16.40 Wadi Shlomo 17.00-19.30 Eilat(K19, North Beach) 18.3 07.00-19.15 Eilat(7.00WPS, 9.20LOP, 11.00MtKapanen, 11.30NS, 13.00NB, 13.20PG, 15.20SF, 16.20K20, 18.50SP, 19.00NB ) 19.3 07.10-19.25 Eilat(7.10WPS, 8.00NS, 9.00-11.30MtKapanen, 12.30 Red House 12.50 NB -> 15.00 K19, 15.30 K20, 17.00 AP, 19.10 WPS) 20.3 07.00-19.00 Eilat(7.00K33, 11.00K40, 12.30K53, 17.10K33, 17.45NB+SP) 21.3 07.00-19.20 Eilat(7.00Cemetery, 8.15 Red House, 8.30-10.30 MtKapanen, 11.30NB, 12.15RS, 13.00SF, 14.15K20, 14.50K50+53, 18.00K19, 19.00 NB) 22.3 06.30-13.30 Eilat(6.30NB, 7.15PG, 7.40 RS, 8.30MtYoash, 10.00-10.30 MtKapanen, 12.00K50, 13.00-13.30 K53) - 16.10-17.30 Sede Boque - 18.45-20.00 Nizzana (Airstrip, 19.30- Sewage Pond) 23.3 07.00-14.40 Nizzana(07.00 Airstrip, 08.00 Sewage Ponds, 10.30 Airstrip 11.00 Wadi Nizzana, 12.00 Nizzana Airstrip, 13.20 Wadi at intersection of Nizzana Road and Road to Shivta) 14.00-17.00 Urim Road 18.00-18.10 Ma'agan Zoter 24.3 07.00-10.00 Lod - - Airport - No birding due to heavy rain. WEATHER: Temp wind clouds visibility 15.3 15C -20C 2bf 0/8 Hazy 10km 16.3 15C -27C calm 0/8 10km(Coast), >30km Dead Sea 17.3 18C -30C 0-2bf N 0->2/8 Ci >30km 18.3 14C -27C 0-3bf 2->4/8 Ci >30km 19.3 12C -27C 1->4bf N 0->5/8 Ci, As >30km 20.3 12C -32C 0-2bf N 0-1/8 Ci >50km 21.3 13C -30C 2bf N 0-1/8 Ci >50km 22.3 12C->25C 0->4bf W 2/8 Ci-7/8 Cb >50km -> 500m 22.3 ->10C 1bf 6/8 Ac, Cb >20km Nizzana 23.3 8C->24C 2bf 4-7/8 Ac, Cb >20km 23.3 ->14C 0bf Showers <1km Lod 24.3 15C-20C Continuous Rain LOCATIONS VISITED: The area around EILAT appears to be under heavy development. Trip reports as recent as 1985 appeared to have old details. Particularly heavy development was sensed around the North Beach area and the North end of the Salt pans. Also it appeared from the city map that the area of the water pump station is under threat (Ring Road). This is why we thought of adding a summary of the locations we visited. We should also note that Hadoram Shirihai's booklet "Birdwatching in the Deserts of Israel" (BDI) is out of print and partially out of date. We will next list our intenerary in the order we visited the sites. 1) MICHAEL MA'AGAN (MM) is located near the Coastal Highway from Tel Aviv to Haifa, about 100km from Ben Gurion Airport. Driving North along the coastal higway take the exit to Zikron Yakoov (ZY) and Tiberias. Drive East. At first trafic light (a couple of kilometers from coastal highway, before the first hills) take a right (South) towards Zikron Yakoov. Drive a further 2 km or so. About 200 meters before the intersection to Zikron Yakoov on the left side or 50 meters before a police station (also on your left) turn right onto what looks like a farm yard area. Turn immadiately a second time right to a dirt road due North. It goes into an Avocado plantation and turns soon West towards the shore. Follow this road as far West as you can. Find the bridge that crosses the highway. We had to park 50 meters west of the highway because of a closed gate. From there on we walked along the fish ponds (busy on Sabaths!) to the shore line. The reed beds on the left side held some Clamorous Reed warblers. On the right side shore birds and Gulls were plentiful. We did not pay much attention the the ponds East of the Coastal Highway, although they are supposed to be good too. 2) NORTH END OF DEAD SEA The alfafla field mentioned in Shirihai's BDI was now a melon field, and obviously the Black Francolins were not present there any more. Seemed good for shirkes and warblers. The first sighting of a Namaqua dove was an elusive male bird located about 1km North of the T-intersection at the North End of Dead Sea. 3) EIN GEDI (EG) The Oasis on the Dead Sea. Unfortunately we did not have much time here. We tried to find the Hume's Tawny Owl from the amphiteatre and the picnic area at the lower end of (the Canyon) Nahal David. In the picnic area we got some quick views of some large Bats and a nightjar. 4) HARZEVA Some 140km N/NNE of Eilat. A good eating place right at the service station. Due to lack of time no birding done. 5) EILAT AREA RAPTOR MIGRATION: We used the follwing points for migration: Mount Kapanen -(MK) As one leaves Eilat towards the mountains the road starts to climb. Before the first down hill on this road (maybe 4km from city limit sign) stop your car. The view does not appear extraordinarily good, but the raptors will pass over giving good views. Lower Observing Point (LOP) - is where the road reaches a low point after Mount Kapanen. It is close to the point where Wadi/Canyon/Nahal Shlomo starts to run parallel to the road. (Unnamed) - After LOP the road starts to climb quite steeply. About halfway to Mount Yoash, there is a small lay by on the right side. This appears to be a favored point to many raptor watchers. Top of Mount Yoash - the high point of the area. En Nefatim -- we tried to get there, but the road was obviously in a condition unsuitable for ordinary cars. LOCATIONS ON THE WEST/NORTH WEST SIDE OF EILAT- The following four sites are just outside the present city. The Water Pump Station area appears to be under threat. The four sites are listed from North to South. In most cases we saw no other birders in the morning while birding these sites. Cemetery: North west of Town. Drive to the End of Sederot Ha Temarim, from there you should be able to see the Cemetery. Please behave respectfully. Water Pump Station (WPS): About 1 km West/Southwest of the Cemetery. Drive West on Los Angeles, which turns into Ha Sorta'im. Just before the Sports stadium turn right to Ha Iztadion. After about 200meters turn left following the wall of the stadium. Some 150 meters in front of you can see the pump station. The drinking site was during our visit under an acacia tree. To see Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse be there WELL before sunset and leave when the last sandgrouse have left in the dark. Nahal Shahmon (NS): Can be accessed from three directions: From the water pump station. Take a dirt road, that passes the large water tanks towards the mountains. After about 1 km turn left. You'll have to drive another kilometer before you get to the first Acacias. Alternatively, you can access the Nahal by driving from the main intersection of the city about 2km towards the mountains. Turn into the Nahal right after the last city buildings on your right side. If you are coming from the mountains you can access the area by turning left right after a military camp on your left side and large water tanks on your right side. This dirt road is marked "Nahal Roded". After about 300 meters take the first turn right. 200 meters down the road and you are in the middle of Wadi Shahmon. We had in this Nahal several warbler species, House Bunting and Little Green Bee-eater. A Bateleur was seen in this area soon after we had left Eilat. Nahal(Wadi) Shlomo (WS): Easiest to access from the North End of the Nahal. Drive to the Mountains. About 7km from Eilat main intersection, the last wadi you cross before you start to climb the long and steep ascent to Mount Yoash is Nahal Shalomo. Turn back to the wadi and go SW along it. It is about an 8km drive. We had Hooded Wheatear, and Sinai Rosefinch about were Nahal Shlomo and Nahal Rehavam meet. ROAD 90: K12 Eilat - The locations along Road 90 are given by the kilometer signs. They are distances measured from Taba Boarder Crossing point on the Egyptian boarder. The central intersection in Eilat is about K12. Red House - A one hectare coastal patch of wasteland about 300m south of the main intesection between the Red House hotel and the military port. The apartement building North of the patch has the word RED written on its roof. North Beach - Older trip reports mention extensive thickets North of the North Beach. They have all been cleared. The Beach itself appears to be heavily populated by people living in tents. Still it provides two stretches (30m, 50m) of sandy beach that birds appear to frequent. Also it provides views of birds in the Aqaba harbor. Seems to be at its best very early in the morning and very late in the evening. A gathering site for birders in evenings. Located right where the Israel-Jordan border meets the Sea. Birdwatching Trail - Things seemed to have changed considerably. Driving North along the Tour and starting from North Beach (NB) along the Canal(C). The saltpans (SP) appeared quite empty, so we did not spend much time there. During some evenings they had decent numbers of Gulls. The Palmdate Groves (PG) appeared good. We spent too little time there. Southern Fields (SF) were good for wheatears. A Dung Heap and the nearby Ringing Station (RS) -- on the West side of the road, about 200 meters before the Boarder Crossing to Jordan appeared good for various kinds of birds. During our short visit to the ringing station we had splendid opportunities to study birds in hand (Wryneck, Isabelline Wheatear, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Feldegg race of Yellow Wagtail, Prinia, Pallid Warbler, Hoopoe and Kentish Plover). About half way between the Boarder crossing point and Road 90 there were hay bails (HB) close to the road. These were good for buntings. Apparently the location of hay bails changes from year to year. The palm date grove (PG) just north of the road between boarder crossing and the Highway 90 was good for various passerines. North Fields (NF) used to be alfalfa fields and a couple years ago they were melon fields. Now grapes are grown, and birdwise they appear to have lost their siginificance, except for wheatears. K18.5 or K 19 Beyond what used to be the North Fields, there is a complex of Sewage ponds. This was very good for wagtails. It offered also good views of individual shore birds, bee-eaters and some passerines. The South-West most pond (30m by 50m) was the best one. K20 A second complex of ponds at the Jordanian boarder. Despite of being on the boarder zone, it seemed OK to drive on the dike closest to Highway 90. Some Belgian birders were chased away by the boarder patrol after driving on the dike closest to the boarder. During our trip the only site for Dead Sea Sparrow, and the only reliable site for Namaqua Dove was between the greenhouses and the road leading to the ponds. Armar's Pillars Opposite to the K20 pond complex, is a dirt road that leads WEST (left if you're coming from Eilat). About 2.5 km from Highway 90 take the right fork, and drive another 4 km or so. You will enter a very primitive picnic site. This is the location for Sinai Rosefinch. We saw good raptor migration here one evening between 5 and 6PM. K33 Desert bird habitat. Sand (coarse and fine) with small bushes in between. It seemed that large areas were deplanted by catepillars. Still some pretty good habitat appears to remain between K32 and K34, with the entry to the habitat at K33. For the sake of rare larks stay on the dirt roads. Keep you eye on migrating birds too! Desert Finches were flying by during the morning in small flocks. K40 Multiple habitats: Palm date grove, Dung heap, Hay bails, Sand dunes, small sewage pond. The Date grove (200meters from Highway 90) appeared good for passerines. The Dung heap and hay bails had Bimaculated larks and Cretzschmar's buntings. We did not go to dunes or the ponds. K50 Good looking Acacia area on the west side of Highway 90 (left of the road coming from Eilat). Reputably one of the best sites for Arabian Warbler. Appeared to be good for other warblers too. K53 THE site for Arabian Warbler (1-2 pairs left) is 200meters East/South-East of the gas station . Also good for Little Green Bee-eater and Brown Babbler. Sites we did not visit thoroughly during our trip Canal, Date palm groves, Saltpans, Down Town or Hotel Area City Parks. 6) SEDE BOQUER About 145 N/NNW of Eilat and 40km S or Be'er Sheva as the Sandgrouse flies. Our first aim was to get to Canyon Avdat. Unfortunately we arrived at 16.30. The guard at the gate told us that nobody is let in after 4PM, and that after 5PM the canyon must be vacated. We saw some vultures both from the road descending down to Avdat and from Ben Gurion Field School. 7) NIZZANA 35km West of Sede Boquer and 55km SW of Be'er Sheva as the Saker flies. Our first experience with Nizzana was quite "exciting". Soon after Sede Boquer signs of "Firing range area" started appearing on both sides of the road. These signs appeared to be everywhere all the way from Massabe Sade to Nizzana. We were at the infamous airstrip (just south of the ruins) at sunset, and managed to see the Houbara Bustards. We had planned to stay overnight in the car at Nizzana. After turing off the car lights we saw a pair of Jeep headlights starting to approach us. We were soon told that A CURFEW STARTS AT 5PM, AND NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO MOVE AROUND IN NIGHT TIME. We ended up sleeping in the car at the Be'er Sheva Market place, where dog packs were fighting, wild cats marking their territories and rats trying to get into the car. After all this we ended up in Nizzana early next morning (SABATH!). If you visit NIZZANA do so at Sabath. First try to find the Houbara Bustard 50 meters South of the southern end of the airstrip, on both sides of the road WITHOUT LEAVING THE ROAD (to minimize disturbance) and after an hour from sunrise move to the Sandgrouse area closer to the Nizzana ruins. The sandgrouses can be seen flying over the road East of the Ruins to the waterholes located between the two military camps. 8) MA'AGAN ZOTER A small pond on the way from Urim to Tel-Aviv. CAR RENTAL We rented a car from Budget rent-a-car through a Finnish Travel Agent for 9 days March 15 to March 24 with unlimited mileage for 1692 FIM (380 USD) + 15 USD Airport tax for a compact 5 door CCMR type (second smallest size, air conditioned) FIAT. This was enough for 2 people, and temporarily for 3. We slept two nights in the car. We drove 1758 kilometers. The roads were of good condition (except for some 10 km of road under construction to Sede Boquer). General speed limit appears to be 90km/h, but you tend to slow down traffic if you drive 110km/h in the desert. Gasoline price was on average about 2.6NIS (=4FIM=0.90$/liter), and gasoline consumption about 74liters/1000km. You will need an international driver's license. The license numbers of all drivers, as well as their names and birthdays, plus a credit card. Drivers under 25 years have to pay an extra daily charge. Before you sign the agreement make sure that you and they agree on what is paid and and what needs to be paid (eg. AIRPORT TAX). Get your signed credit card slip back when you return your car (unless you use it for paying some charges). OTHER TIPS To find your way around Eilat: We first found the Tourtist Center (Behind the Burger King, 50 meters West from the central trafic light intersection of Eilat) on Derek Yotham. Here you can get a city map to get to the Birdwatching center at Sederot Ha Temarim (open 7AM-11AM, and sometime in the afternoon (3-7PM?)) LANGUAGE: English is spoken by most people. The official language is Hebrew, thus quite often vowels vary in translitterated names eg. ELAT and EILAT are the same thing, as are Avedat, Avdat and Avadat. CURRENCY: During our trip the exchange rate on street was 1USD = 3 New Israeli Shekels, or 1NIS = 1.5 FIM. To get cash exchanged, it was most convenient to walk close to the bank just 50 meters down the road from the birdwatching center and to look like as if you were searching for somebody. The street exchange fellows (1-3 at a time) changed also larger dollar notes for smaller ones with no commission. Exchange rates in the bank was 2.87NIS for a dollar after commission. Stores and restaurants accepted dollars but at even lower rates (2.70-2.85 NIS/1 USD). MILITARY: Many bird sites are very close to boarders or otherwise sensitive areas. Mind your actions near Nizzana (curfew after 5PM), Jordanian boarder and the North end of the Urim fields. ENTERING ISRAEL: If there's a chance that you may enter Egypt or an Arab country (except Jordan) while your passport is still valid, you should ask for NO STAMPS at the entry port. You will be asked about this on your departure, but the above reason is a sufficient explanation upon departure. YOUR VISA NEEDS TO BE VALID FOR 3 MONTHS **AFTER** YOUR TRIP. FLIGHTS FROM ISRAEL: Any time you take a flight from Israel you will be crossexamined by at least 2 examiners. Be honest and reply to the questions only. Having a bird book and a bird note book in your pocket ready may be useful for "proving" of what you were doing in Israel. ACCOMODATION: We stayed one night at Ein Gedi Camping ($90/3 persons in a caravan), and 5 nights in a guest house (The Gardens) in Eilat at Sederot Ha-Temarim (80 NIS/night for the two of us) plus two nights in the car. There appears to be loads of youth hostels in Eilat. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES ON SPECIES ================= DAILY SUMS OF SPECIES * = Zikron Yakoov $ = 3 isolated species on March 13 not seen otherwise + = present but with no number estimate sp = unidentified to species 20+ = Lower limit estimate of 20 s = sound K = thousands (2K = 2000) D = Only dead birds ?= ID may not be final yet. MM Michael Ma'agan, -> To Jerusalem, -> To Ein Gedi, EG Ein Gedi -> To Eilat , -> To Nizzana, N Nizzana, U-MZ Urim and Ma'agan Zoter DATE 15 <----16-----><-----17----> 18 19 20 21 22 22 22 23 23 MM MM MM->J->EG EG EG ->E <----Eilat------>->N N N U-MZ Little Grebe 20 4 4 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Cormorant 50+ 4 2 - - - - | - - - 6 3 2 2 | - - - - White Pelican 2D - 1D - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Striated Heron - - - - - - - | - - - 1 - 3 - | - - - - Night Heron - 60 30 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Squacco Heron - - - 1 - - - | - - - - - 1 - | - - - - Cattle Egret 10+200 10 + - - - | - - - - - 2 - | - - - 43 Western Reef Heron - - - - - - - | - 2 1 - 5 1 3 | - - - - Little Egret 50+ 8 10 + - - - | - - 1 - 4 1 - | - - - - Great Egret 30+ 5 6 + - - - | - - - 27 - - - | - - - 1 Grey Heron 50+ 8 10 + - - - | - 1 35 - 18 - 40 | - - - 1 Black Stork - - - - - - - | - 5 - 310 - 63 82 | - - - 8 White Stork 200* - - 800 - - - | - - 2 3 - - - | - - - - Spoonbill - 2 - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Flamingo - - - - - - - | - - 14 14 - 10 - | - - - - Ruddy Shelduck - 4 - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Shelduck - - - - - - - | - - 6 6 - - - | - - - - Gadwall - - 2 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Common Teal 30 30 20 - - - - | - - 13 - - - - | - - 30 10 Mallard 20 10 15 - - - - | - - 20 6 - - - | - - - 40 Pintail 8 - - - - - - | - - 8 8 - - - | - - - - Garganey 50 50 100 - - - - | - - - - 20 20 3 | - - 8 25 Northern Shoveler200 25 - - - - - | - - - - 6 - - | - - 2 400 Pochard - - - - - - - | - 12 - - 10 - - | - - - - Tufted Duck 60 - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Black Kite 25+ 8 2 35 - - - | 1 13 20 920110250150| - - 140 Egyptian Vulture - - - - - - - | 2 - - 7 - 2 1 | 2 - - - Griffon Vulture - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | 4 - - - Short-toed Eagle 1 - - 1 - - - | - - 1 2 - - - | - - 2 1 Marsh Harrier 10 2 3 - - - 1 | - 1 3 4 1 1 1 | - - 7 - Hen Harrier - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 3 - Pallid Harrier - - - - - - - | - 1 - 3 - - - | 1 - 4 1 Goshawk - - - - - - - | - - - 1 - - - | - - - - Sparrowhawk 1 - - - - - - | 1 - - - - 2 - | - - - - Steppe Buzzard - 2 1* 1 - - 2 | 3 250380 5K100 2K 1K| 3 - 5 2 Long-legged Buzzard- - - - - - - | - - - 5 - - - | 1 - - 1 L. Spotted Eagle - - - - - - - | - - - 4 1 1 - | 1 - 22 8+4sp Spotted Eagle 1 1 - - - - - | - - - 1 - - - | - - - - Steppe Eagle - - - - - - - | - 1 27 130 1 20 8 | - - 1 - Imperial Eagle - - - - - - - | - - - 1 - - - | - - - - Booted Eagle - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - - - | - - - 3 Lesser Kestrel 2* - 3* - 1 - - | - 1 - - 1 1 - | - - - 3 Eurasian Kestrel 10 10 10 10 2 - - | 3 - - 3 1 2 - | 6sp- -2+30sp Lanner - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 1 - Barbary Falcon - - - - - - - | 1sp - - - 1 - - | - - - - Chukar 5 - - - - - 2 | - - - - - - - | 7 - 110 - Sand Partridge - - - - - - 20 | - 2 s 3 - 1 - | - - 4 - Quail 1 2 - - - - - | - - 16 6 - 4 - | - - 4 - Moorhen 15 8 4 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Eurasian Coot 15 10 6 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 1 - Common Crane - - - 500 - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Houbara Bustard - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - 1 2 - Black-winged Stilt20 20 50 - - - - | - - - - 3 - - | - - 12 - Avocet - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - - - | - - - - Stone-curlew - - - - - 1 - | - - - - - - - | - 5 - - Cream-col. Courser - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 2 - Collared Pratincole- - - - - - - | - - - - - 3 - | - - - - Little Ring. Plover2 - 1 - - - - | - 10 - 10 s 12 - | - - - - Ringed Plover 15 - 5 - - - - | - - - 2 - - - | - - - - Kentish Plover 100+ 6 10 - - - - | - 5 90 66 - 22 10 | - - - - Greater Sand Plover- - - - - - - | - 1 - 6 2 2 3 | - - - - Spur-winged Plover30+15 25 - 4 - - | - 4 1 6 - 2 - | - s 20 25 White-tailed Plover- - - - - - - | - 1 - 2 - 2 - | - - - - Little Stint 150 3 10 - - - - | - - - 8 - 2 - | - - 2 - Temminck's Stint 5 3 4 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Dunlin 10 - - - - - - | - - - 8 - - - | - - - - Ruff 75 150 220- - - - | - 5 - 27 - 15 3 | - - 50 - Snipe 5 2 - - - - - | - 2 1 - - 1 - | - - - - Whimbrel - - - - - - - | - - - - - - 1 | - - - - Curlew - - - - - - - | - - 1 1 - - - | - - - - Spotted Redshank - 2 - - - - - | - - 2 4 - 3 - | - - 1 - Redshank 20 10 10 - - - - | - - 1 3 - 2 1 | - - - - Marsh Sandpiper 3 8 + - - - - | - - - 1 - - - | - - 1 - Greenshank 2 3 10 - - - - | - - - - 2 1 - | - - - - Green Sandpiper 1 1 2 - - - - | - - s 22 1 2 - | - - 1 - Wood Sandpiper 1 - 1 - - - - | - - - 1 - 1 - | - s - - Common Sandpiper 10+ 6 + - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Shorebird sp - 200 - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - White-eyed Gull - - - - - - - | - 14 12 - 19 15 - | - - - - G. Black-Headed 12 14 6 - - - - | - - 2 - 2 1 - | - - - - Little Gull 2 22 30 - - - - | - - - - - 1 - | - - - - Black-headed Gull ++ 150 250- - - - | - 30 100 5 30 50 50 | - - - - Slender-billed Gull1 - 3 - - - - | - -200+ 5 5 8 2 | - - - - Lesser BB Gull 1 4 5 - - - - | - - 100 1 20 50 40 | - - - - Heuglin's Gull - - 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Yellow-legged Gull+sp - 1 - - - 20M| - 20 1 150 25 50 8 | - - - - Armenian Gull+sp 200 80 100 + - - - | - - - - 4 - - | - - - - Caspian Tern - - - - - - - | - - 2 - - 1 - | - - - - Sandwich Tern 2 - - - - - - | - 2 - 5 5 - - | - - - - Common Tern - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - 1 3 | - - - 1 Lichtenstein's SG. - - - - - - - | - - - 41 - - - | - - - - Crowned Sandgrouse - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 9 - Spotted Sandgrouse - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 735 - Black-bellied SG. - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 325 - Pin-tailed SG. - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 255 40sp Rock Dove - - - ++ 5 - - | 5 30 + 10 3 4+ >1K| - - 15 100 Eur. Collared Dove - 4* * 150 20 - 15 | 10 5 25 30 50 15 15 | 20 - - 190 Turtle Dove - - - - - - - | - - - - - 1 - | - - - 6 Laughing Dove - 5* * - - 20 20 | 15 10 30 20 30 40 10 | - - - - Namaqua Dove - - - - 1 - - | - - 7 5 - 5 - | - - - - Ring-neck. Parakeet- - - - - - 1 | - - - - - 1sp - | - - - - Agapornis sp - - - - - - 1 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Nightjar sp - - - - - 1 - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Little Owl - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - 2 2 Striated Scops Owl - - - - - - - | - - - - 1 - - | - - - - Swift - 2 - - 100 - - |30 100 50 20 1 10 30 |50 - 100 - Pallid Swift - - - - - - - |a50 - - 5 - 100 - | - - 25 - Alpine Swift 2*$- - - - - - | - - 1 2 - 27 - |20 - - - Little Swift 2*$- - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - WB Kingfisher 6 3 1 1 - - 2 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Kingfisher 1 1 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Pied Kingfisher 25+12 10 - - - - | - - - - 2 1 1 | - - - 3 Li Green Bee-eater - - - - - - 2 | - - 4 1 4 5 2 | - - - - Hoopoe 2 2 - - - - 1 | - - 5 2 4 8 - | - - - 9 Wryneck - - - - - - - | - - - - - 6 - | - - - - Syrian Woodpecker 1* - 2 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - BT Desert Lark - - - - - - - | - - - - 25 - - | 3 - - - Desert Lark - - - - - - - | - 3 11 14 10 - - | - - - - Hoopoe Lark - - - - - - - | - - - - >7 - - | - - - - Bimaculated Lark - - - - - - - | - - - - 4 - - | - - - - Short-toed Lark - - - - - - - | - - 60 20 95 25 20 |50 20 400 - Lesser ST Lark - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 50 - Crested Lark + 10 8 - 15 - 2 | 8 - 10 4 25 10 5 |10 - 100 Rock Martin - - - - - - 10 | 4 - 1 8 - 8 2 | - - - - Sand Martin - - - - - - - | - - - 1 10 - - | - - 2 - Barn Swallow + 200100 + 20 - - | - 20 20 10 30 10 10 | - - 5 5 Red-rumped Swallow - - - - - - - | - 1 50 10 20 20 30 | - - - - House Martin - - - - - - - | - - 10 1 5 10 3 | - - 5 - Tawny Pipit - - - - - - - | - - - - 3 1 - | 2 - 5 2 Tree Pipit - - - - - - - | - - - 2 - 4 - | - - - - Meadow Pipit - - - - - - - | - 2 - 1 - 1 - | - - - - Red-throated Pipit20 15 6 - - - - | - 2 - - 6 - 1 | - - 1 - Water Pipit 15 4 3 - - - - | - 10 - 10 - 7 - | - - - - Buff-bellied Pipit - - - - - - - | - 1 - - - - - | - - - - Yellow Wagtail 1 4 6 - - - - | - 30 s 80 4s 55 10| - - 5 - Citrine Wagtail 2 2 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Grey Wagtail 1$ - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - White Wagtail 20 20 10 - - 2 - | - 2 20 100 25 50 10| - - 50 15 White-spec. Bulbul - 10*10*15 5 10 100| 20 20 70 30 40 40 20| - - - - Wren - 1* 2* - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Rufous Bush Robin - - - - - - - | - 1 - - - - - | - - - - European Robin 3* - 2* - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Nightingale - - - - - - - | - - - - 1 1 3 | 3 - - - Bluethroat 2 - 2 - - - - | - 1 1s - 1 1 - | - - - - Black Redstart 3* - - - - - 1 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Redstart - - - - - - - | - - 4 1 5 36 8 |10 - 3 - Blackstart - - - - - 4 20| 20 4 15 7 1 32 5 | 3 - 1 - Stonechat 20 1 - - - - - | - 1 - - - 2 1 | - - - - Isabelline Wheatear4 - 1 - - - - | - - 2 1 3 2 2 | 1 - 2 - Northern Wheatear - - 2 - - - - | - 2 5 5 7 8 11| 3 - 3 2 Pied Wheatear - - - - - - - | - - - - - 1? - | - - - - BE Wheatear - - - - - - - | 1 - 21 7 5 15 18| 6 - 7 - Mourning Wheatear - - - - 1 - - | 6 - - - - - - | 2 - - - Hooded Wheatear - - - - - - - | - 1 - - - - - | - - - - WC Black Wheatear - - - - - 1 - | 2 3 2 2 - 2 - | 2 - - - Blue Rock Thrush - - - - - - - | 1 1 3 2 - 3 - | - - - - Blackbird - 4* 5* - - - 1 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Song Thrush 3* - 1* - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Cetti's Warbler 3 1 - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Graceful Prinia 40 15 25 - 10 - - | - - 3 3 5 7 - | - - - 1 Scrub Warbler - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - 1 Sedge Warbler - - 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Reed Warbler 10 10 20 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Cl. Reed Warbler 5 - 4 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Olivaceous Warbler - - - - - - - | - - - - 4 - - | - - - - Spectacled Warbler - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | 3 - 1 - Subalpine Warbler - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - - - | - - - - Sardinian Warbler ++* - 2* - - - - | - - - - 3 4 - | - - 1 - Rppell's Warbler - - - - - - 1 | - - 10 7 1 11 6 |10 - - Arabian Warbler - - - - - - - | - - 2 - - - 1 | - - - - Orphean Warbler - - - - - - - | - 1 - - - 1 - | - - - - Lesser Whitethroat - - 2 - 10 5 15 | 3 7 18 15 23 67 32 |30 - 4 - Whitethroat - - - - - - - | - 1 - 1 - - - | - - - - Blackcap 2* - - - 1 - 4 | - - 1 - 4 17 9 | 8 - 2 - Ea Bon Warbler + sp- - - - - - - | - - 4 3 7 36 8 | 4 - - - Chiffchaff + 3 10 - - - 15| - 1 - 1 1 2 - | 2 - - - SColl. Flycatcher - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - 1sp - | - - - - Arabian Babbler - - - - - - 6 | - - 2 - 10 7 2 | 1 - - - Great Tit 10* - 1* - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Penduline Tit - - 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Palestine Sunbird - 10* 5* 5 - 2 5 | - 1 8 7 5 16 11 | - - - - Great Grey Shrike - - - - 2 - - | - - - - 2 1 - | 1 - 1 Woodchat Shrike - - - - 2 - 1 | 1 - 1 4 6 6 1 | 2 - 4 Masked Shrike - - - - - - - | - - 3 2 - 3 - | - - - - Jay 3* - 1* 1* - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - 2 Jackdaw - - - 5 - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Indian House Crow - - - - - - - | - 16 14 7 31 2 4 | - - - - Carrion/Hooded Crow+ 20 5 40 - - - | - - - - - - - | - 2 5 100 Brown-necked Raven - - - - - - 3 | 50 - 1 5 5 25 2 |35 - 15 - Common Raven - - - - - - 2 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Fan-tailed Raven - - - - - 2 2 | - - - - - - - | - - - - Tristram's Grackle - - - - 2 2 150| 10 - 12 10 s - - | - - - - House Sparrow + 15 5 - 15 20 15|30 6 >2 26 20 25 30 | - - - 30 Spanish Sparrow - - - - 20 20 30|10 25 >15 16 20 25 20 | - - - 100 Dead Sea Sparrow - - - - - - - | - - 50 8 - 2 - | - - - - Chaffinch + 5 10 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - 1 Tristram's Serin - - - - - - - | - - 4 - - - - | - - - - Greenfinch + 5 5 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 10 1 Goldfinch + 3 5 - - - - | - 1 - - - - - | - - - 20 Linnet - - 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - 40 Desert Finch - - - - - - - | - - - - 15 4 - | - - - 7 Trumpeter Finch - - - - - - - | 2 1 10 3 - 1 - | 8 - - - Sinai Rosefinch - - - - - - - | - 1 - 8 - - - | - - - - House Bunting - - - - - - - | - - 1 - - 2 - | - - - - Cinereous Bunting - - - - - - - | - - 1 2 - - - | - - - - Ortolan Bunting - - - - - - - | - - - - - 5 - | - - 1 - Cretzschmar's Bun. - - - - - - - | - - 25 23 36 33 33 | - - 10 10 Reed Bunting - - 1 - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - Corn Bunting - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - 2 3 SOME COMMENTS ON SOME OBVIOUS RACES: YELLOW WAGTAIL: The dominant race is feldegg. We saw two dombrowsii type yellow wagtails. These are birds from a stable hybrid feldegg x flava population breeding in Romania. Also 2 M.f.flava were seen at Magaan Michael. BLUETHROAT: Both white and red-spotted birds. Former possible cyanecula and the latter appeared quite dull, could have been pallidogularis or volgae. LESSER WHITETHOAT: Mostly curruca-type, and possibly minula. (A very dark headed bird was photographed.) GREAT GREY SHRIKE: In apppearance quite similar to the Northern races. Possibly L.e. elegans. JAY: Race: G g. atricapillus. head very contrasty. REDSTART: Two types: P.p phoenicurus (33 birds in Eilat) and samamisus (12 birds in Eilat). The race of 9 birds was not noted. The nominate race is widespread and the latter race breeds in Greece and Turkey. ------------------ NOTES ON LOCATIONS WHERE BIRDS WERE SEEN. These sites indicated are just representative. For common species not all sites have been mentioned. ZY = Zikron Yakoov E =Elat WPS=Water Pumpin Station MM = Michael Ma'agan LOP=Lower Observing Point NB=North Beach EG = Ein Gedi MK =Mount Kapanen SP=Salt Pans SB = Sede Boquer WS =Wadi(Nahal) Shlomo SF=South Fields Niz= Nizzana NS =Nahal Shahmon RS=Rigning station MZ = Ma'agan Zoter Cem=Cemetery PG=Palm Date grove(s) Har= Harzeva K50,K53=Yotvata HB=Hay Bails AP = Armar's Pillars ________________ Podiceps ruficollis Little Grebe MM Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant MM,NB Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican MM only dead birds Buteroides striatus Striated Heron Red House Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron MM Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron C, TelAviv - both flying over Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret SF,Common in MM and North of Urim Egretta gularis Western Reef Heron NB + Gulf of Aqaba Egretta garzetta Little Egret MM,C,SP Egretta alba Great White Egret MM + 1 flock at SP,MZ Ardea cinerea Grey Heron MM,NB,SP,K20,MZ Ciconia nigra Black Stork Migrating (MK,AP,LOP) Ciconia ciconia White Stork Migrating (MK,TelAviv,Urim) Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill MM Phoenicopterus ruber Flamingo K20 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck MM Tadorna tadorna Shelduck K20 Anas strepera Gadwall MM Anas crecca Common Teal MM,K20,NB,Niz,MZ Anas platyrhynchos Mallard MM,K20,NB,MZ Anas acuta Northern Pintail K20 Anas querquedula Garganey MM,NB,MZ Anas clypeata Northern Shoveler MM,NB,Niz,MZ Aythya ferina Pochard NB Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck MM Milvus migrans Black Kite MM,MK,AP,LOP,SF,WPS,Niz,Urim... Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture Sedom,MK,AP,SB,K55 Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture SB Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle MK,migrating,Niz,Urim Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier MM,EG,MK,K18.5,K20,PG,K53,Niz,Urim Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier Niz,Urim Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier MK,AP,Niz Accipiter gentilis Goshawk MK Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk Har,MK,migrating Buteo buteo Steppe Buzzard MM,MK,migrating,Niz,MZ Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard MK,migrating Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle MK,K33,Niz Aquila clanga Spotted Eagle MM,AP,Niz Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle MK+Eilat area in general,AP,K33 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle MK Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle MK + Urim Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel ZY,MK,K33,Niz-Urim Falco tinnunculus Eurasian Kestrel Coast,Eilat region,may unid'd Falco biamircus Lanner Massabbe-Sade jct (40E of Niz) Falco pelegrinoides Barbary Falcon K33 and one likely at Sedom Alectoris chukar Chukar MM,EG,Mizpe-Ramon,Niz Ammoperdix heyi Sand Partridge EG,Eilat deserts+hills to Niz Coturnix coturnix Quail MM,K20,SF,NS,Niz Gallinula chloropus Moorhen MM Fulica atra Eurasian Coot MM,Niz Grus grus Common Crane One migrating flock near Tel Aviv Chlamydotis undulata Houbara Bustard Niz South end of Airstrip Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt MM,C,Niz Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet K20 Burhinus oedicnemus Stone-curlew EG,Niz Airstrip Cursorius cursor Cream-colored Courser Niz South end of Airstrip Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole K18.5 Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover MM,K18.5,SP Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover MM,K18.5,K20 Char. alexandrinus Kentish Plover MM,NB,K18.5,K20,RS Char. leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover NB,K18.5,K20 Hoplopterus spinosus Spur-winged Plover MM,K18.5,K20,C,Niz Chettusia leucura White-tailed Plover K18.5,K20 Calidris minuta Little Stint MM,K20,Niz Calidris temminckii Temminck's Stint MM Calidris alpina Dunlin MM,K20 Philomacus pugnax Ruff MM,K20,K18.5,Niz Gallinago gallinago Snipe MM,K18.5,K20 Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel NB Numenius arquata Curlew K20 Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank MM,K20,Niz Tringa totanus Redshank MM,K20,NB Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper MM,K20,Niz Tringa nebularia Greenshank MM,NB Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper MM,K20,K40,C Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper MM,K18.5,Niz Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper MM Larus leucopthalamus White-eyed Gull NB Larus ichtyaetus Great Black-H. Gull MM,SP Larus minutus Little Gull MM,NB Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull MM,NB,SP Larus genei Slender-billed Gull MM,NB,SP Larus fuscus Lesser Black-B. Gull MM,SP,NB Larus (arg) heuglini Heuglin's Gull MM Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull MM,SP (incl. unidd) Larus armenicus Armenian Gull MM (incl. unidd),SP Sterna caspia Caspian Tern SP Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern MM,NB Sterna hirundo Common Tern NB,SP,MZ Pter. lichtensteinii Lichtenstein's Sandg. WPS Pterocles coronatus Crowned Sandgrouse Niz (9.45) Pterocles senegallus Spotted Sandgrouse Niz (8.35-9.45) Pterocles orientalis Black-bellied Sandg. Niz (8.44-9.45) +Urim(sp) Pterocles alchata Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Niz (8.35-10.00) Columba livia Rock Dove Jerusalem,E;Niz+MK (wild?) Streptopelia decaocto Collared Dove EG,Eilat,K53 Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove SF,North of Urim Stre. senegalensis Laughing Dove ZY,EG,E+K53 Near vegetation Oena capensis Namaqua Dove K20,North End of Dead Sea Psittacula krameri Ring-necked Parakeet EG,MK(sp) Agapornis sp Lovebird sp EG Caprimulgidae Nightjar sp EG Anthene noctuaa Little Owl Niz Airstrip+ruins Otus brucei Striated Scops Owl K53 Apus apus Eurasian Swift Migrant Apus pallidus Pallid Swift MK(A few large flocks),Newe Zoham Apus melba Alpine Swift MK,K53,SB Apus affinis Little Swift ZY Halcyon smyrnensis White-br. Kingfisher MM,EG Alcedo atthis Kingfisher MM Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher MM,NB-C,MZ Merops orientalis Little Gr. Bee-eater EG,NS,K18.5,K53 Upupa epops Hoopoe MM,EG,SF,K18.5,PG,NS,K53,Urim Jynx torquilla Wryneck PG,RS,K53 Dendrocopos syriacus Syrian Woodpecker ZY Ammomanes cincturus Bar-tail. Desert Lark K33,K94.5 Ammomanes deserti Desert Lark WS,WPS,NS,LOP,AP,K33... Alaemon alaudipes Hoopoe Lark K33 Mela. bimaculata Bimaculated Lark K40 Cala. brachydactyla Short-toed Lark SF,HB,K18.5-53,K94.5,Niz,Urim Cala. rufescens Lesser S.-t. Lark Niz Airstrip Galerida cristata Crested Lark MM,EG,Eilat region,K12-40,Niz,Urim Ptyonoprogne fuligula Rock Martin EG,Ovda,NS,MK,PG,K18.5,K50 Riparia riparia Sand Martin K18.5,K33,Niz Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow MM,PG,migrating,K33,K40,Niz ... Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow migrating,K33,K40,Eilat,Niz ... Delichon urbica House Martin MK,NB,K33,Niz Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit K33,RS,K94.5,Niz,Urim Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit WPS,MK,Cem,PG Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit K18.5 Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit MM,K18.5,K33,MZ Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit K18.5 Anthus rubescens Buff-Bellied Pipit K18.5 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail MM,K18.5,SF,RS,K33,K40,Niz, Motacilla citreola Citrine Wagtail MM Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail MM Motacilla alba White Wagtail MM,EG,RS,K18.5,K33,K40,Niz... Pycnonotus xanthopygos White-spectacled Bul. common... (not Niz) Troglodytes troglodytes Wren ZY Cercotrichas galactotes Rufous Bush Robin WPS Erithacus rubecula European Robin ZY Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale K53,PG,K94.5 Luscinia svecica Bluethroat MM,Har,C,RS,K40 Phoenicurus ochruros Black Redstart EG Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart WPS,PG,K50,K53,RS,Cem,Niz Cercomela melanura Blackstart EG,WS,WPS,NS,AP,MK,Cem,K50,K53 Saxicola torquata Stonechat MM,K18.5,K20,K50,Urim Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline Wheatear MM,MK,WPS,PG,C,RS,K33,K40,Niz Oenanthe oenanthe Northern Wheatear WPS,K18.5,Niz,Urim Oenanthe pleschanka Pied Wheatear K20,ID still open. Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear Har,WPS,NS,PF,SF,K20,MK,K33,Niz.. Oenanthe lugens Mourning Wheatear EG, Odva to Eilat, K94.5 Oenanthe monacha Hooded Wheatear WS Oenanthe leucopyga Wh.-cr. Bl. Wheatear MK,NS,Cem - mountains Monticola solitarius Blue Rock Thrush WPS,NS,Cem,K18.5 - mountains Turdus merula Blackbird ZY,EG Turdus philomelos Song Thrush ZY Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler MM Prinia gracilis Graceful Prinia MM,SF,C,RS,K53,K40,MZ Scotocerca inquieta Scrub Warbler Wadi(beginning of road to Shivta) Acro. schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler MM Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler MM Acrocephalus stentoreus Clam. Reed Warbler MM Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler K53,RS Sylvia conspicilata Spectacled Warbler Niz Sylvia cantillans Subalpine Warbler NS,K94.5 Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler K33,K50,K53,Cem,Niz Sylvia rueppelli Rueppell's Warbler EG,WPS,NS,K33,K50,K53,Cem,K94.5 Sylvia leucomelaena Arabian Warbler NS,K53 Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler WS,K50 Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat MM,EG,WPS,NS,MK,RS,K33-53,Cem,Niz Sylvia communis Whitethroat K18.5,K20,Cem Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap EG,WS,K40,K50,K53,Niz Phy.(bon.) orientalis Eastern Bonelli's War.WPS,NS,RS,SF,AP,K50,K53(inc unid) Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff MM,EG,WS,SF,K53 Ficedula semitorquata Semi-coll. Flycatcher PG Turdoides squamiceps Arabian Babbler EG,SF,K53 Parus major Great Tit ZY Remiz pendulinus Penduline Tit MM Nectarinia osea Palestine Sunbird ZY,EG,WS,WPS,NS,E,K50,K53 Lanius excubitor Great Grey Shrike K33,Niz Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike EG,C,SF,RS,K19,K33,K40... Lanius nubicus Masked Shrike WPS,NS,Cem,RS,K53 Garrulus glandarius Jay ZY,MZ Corvus monedula Jackdaw Tel-Aviv rubbish tip Corvus splendens Indian House Crow Eilat Downtown,NB,WPS Corvus corone Carrion/Hooded Crow MM,Niz,Urim Corvus ruficollis Brown-necked Raven EG,EG-E,NS,MK,K18.5-K53,AP,SB,Niz Corvus corax Common Raven EG Corvus rhipidurus Fan-tailed Raven EG Onychognathus tristramii Tristram's Grackle EG(Common),WPS,MK,NB,K33... Passer domesticus House Sparrow MM,EG,K18.5,WPS,E,K53... Passer hispaniolensis Spanish Sparrow EG,Har,WPS,E,PG,K20,Urim... Passer moabiticus Dead Sea Sparrow K20 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch MM,Urim Serinus syriacus Tristram's Serin MK Carduelis chloris Greenfinch MM,Niz,Urim Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch MM,K18.5,Urim Carduelis cannabina Linnet MM,Urim Rhodospiza obsoleta Desert Finch K33(migrating),RS,Niz Bucanetes githagineus Trumpeter Finch K160,WS,WPS,MK,NS,AP,K33,K94.5,Cem Carpodacus synoicus Sinai Rosefinch WS,AP Emberiza striolata House Bunting NS,Cem Emberiza cineracea Cinereous Bunting HB Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting HB,Niz Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar's Bunting HB,K18.5,WPS,K33-K53,Cem,Niz,Urim Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting MM Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting Niz,Urim Birds seen by others and not by us ------------------------------------ Aquila verrauxi Verraux's Eagle: 19.3 AP,20-21.3 MtYoash,24.3 MK Strix butleri Hume's Tawny Owl - trips led by Hadoram Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Jaeger - North Beach Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern - North Beach Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo - Road to Sylvia melanothorax Cyprus Warbler - In several Wadis ============================================================================== MAMMALS ---------- Mongoose Spec. (species not found in books) Magaan Michael Musk rat 1 Magaan Michael Bat Spec. several Ein Gedi Rock Hyrax 20+4+1 Ein Gedi Capra ibex several herds Ein Gedi to the Eilat mountains Dromedarius 3 Harzeva Fox 1 Near Ringing station Mouse sp 1 Near Ringing station Jackal (2) Nizsana ============================================================================== Compiled by Harry Lehto Elotie 1 A 8 FI-20780 Kaarina FINLAND email: hlehto@astro.utu.fi