Day 7 11.02.2018
Today I was back up at the Low Mountain raptor watchpoint.
Sadly it lacked in any raptors, the Steppe Eagle total for the day being a very
modest three. However, there were some other good birds around, namely the
regular Blackstarts at this site, still showing very well, and a very nice male
Hooded Wheatear, which appeared briefly mid-morning. Also a flock of Tristrams
starlings was nice, while a flock of Pallid Swifts soared overhead.
In the evening, as per, we went snorkelling. Once again it
was beyond amazing, with my first ever Lionfish. SPECTACULAR! An amazing fish
to see, among a raft of other amazing species.
-Blackstart
-Hooded Wheatear
-Tristrams Starling
Species List:
Low Mountain: Blackstart,
Hooded Wheatear, Steppe Eagle, Kestrel, Feral Pigeon, Pallid Swift, Tristrams
Starling, Sardinian Warbler, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Spectacled Bulbul,
Day 8 12.02.2018
In order to work out days off for some of the other
volunteers, I spent the day working in the bird park rather than in the
mountain. It was much slower work, repairing one of the Heligoland traps, but
there were many more birds on offer. Huge numbers of Swifts and Swallows over
the park lake were a nice site, and at least 50 eagles flew over the reserve.
More than the previous day in the mountains! Because I was in the park I was
able to observe some of the Israeli ringing style for when I get into the park
to ring my own birds. I did ring one bird today; a Spectacled Bulbul, what
better bird to start with. It shed absolutely everywhere, but still a nice
bird.
The evenings snorkelling produced a cracking Pufferfish, a
few really smart Groupers and my first Emperor Angelfish, which is an absolute
beast of a fish. A really stunning animal! I also saw my first Greater
Sandplover of the trip, which was obviously very nice.
-Spanish Sparrow
-Spectacled Bulbul
-Funky Grasshopper
Species List:
Bird Park: Pallid
Swift, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Rock Martin, House Martin, Ruff, Common
Snipe, Marsh Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Common Redshank,
Spur-winged Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Steppe Eagle, Steppe
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Spectacled Bulbul, Graceful Prinia, Little Green
Bee-eater, Spanish Sparrow, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler,
Cormorant, Coot, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove,
Feral Pigeon,
Day 9 13.02.2018
This was only my second visit to High Mountain, so I was
hopeful for more opportunities to photograph Wheatears and Larks. Sadly that
was not how things transpired, as a strong northerly wind moved in overnight,
bringing with it rain and a drastic drop in temperature. Most of my watch was
spent huddled up watch the small passage of distant Steppe Eagles. The Larks
and Wheatears did drop by occasionally, but I will have to wait a little while
before I get the shots I have been after.
-Desert Lark
Species List:
High Mountain: Steppe
Eagle, Hooded Wheatear, Desert Lark, Feral Pigeon, Rock Martin,
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