Israel: 28 - 30.03.2018

Day 51 28.03.2018

Sadly today High Mountain failed to build on the exceptional migration of the previous day, with only 1500 Buzzards moving through with very little variety mixed in amongst them. An early Egyptain Vulture was about the best of the rest, although the Hooded Wheatear performed exceptionally well and was always a highlight. Two Grey Wagtails that flew past were also a trip tick for me, so that was quite exciting.

Fortunately once we had called time on the mountains we went out birding around Eilat. Our first stop was Ofira park where we had a Siberian Stonechat, Cretzschmar’s Bunting and a few nice Yellow Wagtails; Flava and Feldeg. Unfortunately none of the birds were approachable, so I was not able to get any good photos.

K20 was the next stop and here we had lots of nice birds. Good numbers of Wheatears; Black-eared, Northern and Desert, plus ample Yellow Wagtails were all around us, whilst on the salt pans themselves there continued to be many wader species. The highlight of these was Broad-billed Sandpiper, of which we found four showing well right next to the car. The only downside was that the light was very poor and not ideal for photography at all. In the fields next to the pans we had one of my most wanted birds for the trip; Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, but tragically it did not linger so flyby views were all I managed to get until we headed to K19 where there were two flying around with a Hirundine flock. The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse also came in to drink, with at least seven on the bank.

-Siberian Stonechat

-Collard Pratincole

-Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

-Broad-billed Sandpiper

Species List:

High Mountain: Steppe Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Desert Lark, Hooded Wheatear, Short-toed Lark, Grey Wagtail,

Ofira Park: Siberian Stonechat, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Blue-headed Wagtail, Woodchat Shrike, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, Palestine Sunbird, Spectacled Bulbul, Cretzschmar’s Bunting,

K20: Dunlin, Little Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Collard Pratincole, Black-winged Stilt, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Ruff, Spur-winged Plover, Marsh Harrier, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Shelduck, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Slender-billed Gull, Desert Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Black-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Blue-headed Wagtail, Water Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Green Bee-eater, Spectacled Bulbul, Glossy Ibis,

K19: Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Common Swift, Lichtensteins Sandgrouse, Black-winged Stilt, Spur-winged Plover, Woodchat Shrike, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, House Sparrow, Black-headed Wagtail, Blue-headed Wagtail, Pied Wagtail,

Day 52 29.03.2018

Today was my last day in the mountains before a much needed day off. Sadly the weather took a turn for the worse with extremely dusty conditions reducing visibility, spots of rain in the morning and a serious gale. Because of this we got to spend the first few hours of the day in the bird park, where we saw a few cool birds; Little Crake, Citrine Wagtail, Savis Warbler and an Israel tick in the form of Indian Silverbill. Sadly once we got up to the mountains we returned to a birdless wasteland. The only birds of any note were three Osprey in a row.

-Indian Silverbill

-Citrine Wagtail

Species List:

IBRCE Bird Sanctuary: Grey Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, White Wagtail, Little Crake, Coot, Cormorant, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Spur-winged Plover, Savis Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Indian Silverbill, Palestine Sunbird, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove,

High Mountain: Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Steppe Buzzard, Short-toed Lark, Hooded Wheatear, Desert Lark, Collard Dove, Brown-necked Raven, Black Stork,

Day 53 30.03.2018

For my first day off in nearly a week I headed out with Tim and his dad around a number of sites between K19 and Yotvata. We started at Elifaz reservoir to look for larks. We found no larks at all, not even Crested Lark, but instead we found my last target species for the trip; Cyprus Wheatear, a cracking male. Sadly it was not cooperative in any way and not approachable. Tim managed a few nice pictures but I was not as fortunate. Still a cracking bird, and another excellent Wheatear lifer.

Still early morning we left and called in at Samar for the Black Bush Robin. We saw it for a short while but it then took off into the bushes where we were unable to relocate it. As a result we continued along our way to Yotvata. As usual the birding here was excellent; with highlights including Namaqua Dove, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, 30+ Lesser Kestrel all showing well and a female Caspian Plover which I found myself. The latter showed very well on a large pile of manure. The supporting cast included much the same as previous visits; Red-throated Pipit, Short-toed Lark, Eastern Orphean Warbler.

In the afternoon we checked the local sewage plants, with limited success. A Turtle Dove was a nice trip tick but that was about all we were able to muster. A check of K20 provided us with more views of Broad-billed Sandpiper, but not a great deal of anything else. We checked Eilot fields in the late evening before heading to K19 for the sandgrouse. A cracking male Ortolan Bunting and a stunning Barbary Falcon were the two standout species, but the birding was generally pleasant with Hoopoe, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and lots of Hirundines. Incredibly the sandgrouse failed to turn up at K19 but there was an impressive roost of Hirundines and Wagtails to compensate.

-Cyprus Wheatear (Photo Tim Jones)

-Black Bush Robin

-Namaqua Dove

-Caspian Plover

-Temminck's Lark

-Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

-Lesser Kestrel

-Broad-billed Sandpiper

Species List:

Elifaz, Yotvata, Samar, K20 & K19: Shoveler, Pintail, Garganey, Shelduck, Egyptian Goose, Coot, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Squacco Heron, Montagu’s Harrier, Hen Harrier,  Barbary Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite, Black Stork, Osprey, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, European Turtle Dove, Namaqua Dove, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, Little Green Bee-eater, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, Spur-winged Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Caspian Plover, Greater Flamingo, Baltic Gull, Heuglins Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Pallid Swift, Common Swift, Sand Martin, Eurasian Crag Martin, Rock Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Red-throated Pipit, Tawny Pipit, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey-headed Wagtail, Northern Wheatear, Cyprus Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Greater Short-toed Lark, Temmincks Lark, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Masked Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Black Bush Robin, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Crested Lark, Ortolan Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Indian Silverbill, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow,

Israel: 25 - 27.03.2018

Day 48 25.03.2018

Today was not a day that will live long in the memory. A long day yesterday had taken its tole, and a cold and windswept High Mountain was not where I wanted to be. There were not even that many birds, just a slow trickle in the morning which then evaporated into nothing for the afternoon. The only consolation for the day was that the young male White-crowned Black Wheatear, which has been a regular feature of high mountain, finally allowed me to get fairly close, so that I was finally able to get some pictures of him.

-White-crowned Black Wheatear

Species List:

High Mountain: Steppe Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Feral Pigeon, Collard Dove, Desert Lark, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Black Stork,

Day 49 26.03.2018

With yesterday being such a slow day in the mountains I am very pleased to report that today was absolutely not a slow day. For most of the morning the sky was full of Buzzards, and then again in the afternoon. However, the most amazing thing is how low the birds were, flying not far overhead in massive flocks of well over 500 birds each. Without doubt the best migration I have seen here so far. There were not a great deal of other species among the Buzzards, but a few Eagles and Black Storks were nice, and as always the White-crowned Black Wheatear was present.

-White-crowned Black Wheatear

-Steppe Buzzards

-Black Kite

Species List:

High Mountain: Steppe Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Little Swift, Pallid Swift, Common Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Black Stork, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Desert Lark,

Day 50 27.03.2018

After a couple of days in High Mountain today I found myself back at Low Mountain. It was an extremely hazy day, with visibility much reduced. Sadly, as has been the recent trend, there were comparatively few birds next to High Mountain, and today the variety was limited as well, with a few Booted Eagles being the only raptors of any real note. The Trumpeter Finches and Sand Partridge provided the entertainment during the quiet spells, as they spent most of the day around the station.

-Blackstart

-Trumpeter Finch

Species List:

Low Mountain: Short-toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Pallid Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Trumpeter Finch, Sand Partridge, Hooded Wheatear, Blackstart, Northern Wheatear, Tristrams Starling,

Israel: 22 - 24.03.2018

Day 45 22.03.2018

My first of two days off in quick succession was spent with Dan touring a few sites to hopefully rack up a few of the species that she had not seen yet. Sadly we did not have much luck, Seifim Plain was almost deserted of birds, with the exception of two Scrub Warblers and a Mourning Wheatear. After that we headed to K20 where we got awesome views of a number of different waders, mainly common species but also a nice Greater Sand Plover. The Lesser Flamingo was still present, although not doing anything exciting.

As it then turned out the volunteers we’re trying for some night birds up north with the champions of the flyway groups. This was something I had wanted to do for a while so was pretty keen, although less so when I heard that none of the birds had been seen the previous night. However, we were in luck as our first stop for Nubian Nightjar came up trumps when we had a very nice individual hovering right above us, clear as day in the light of numerous torches. A Barn Owl was present in the same spot but we did not linger in order to prevent disturbance to the birds. Our other stop was for Desert Tawny Owl which was in one of the Wadis near the Dead Sea. Here we also struck gold. The bird responded to the tape numerous times before we spotted it on a cliff edge some distance away. It sat in the torchlight for a very short time before flying off into the darkness. A very pleasant evenings birding, to say the least.

-Water Pipit

-Slender-billed Gull 

-Ruff 

-Kentish Plover

-Spur-winged Plover

Species List:

Seifim Plain: Scrub Warbler, Mourning Wheatear, Desert Lark, Short-toed Lark,

K20: Little Stint, Red-necked Phalarope, Dunlin, Greater Sand Plover, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Slender-billed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Grey Heron, Shoveler, Shelduck, Ruff, Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, Spectacled Bulbul, Blue-headed Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail,

Dead Sea Area: Long-legged Buzzard, Barn Owl, Desert Tawny Owl, Nubian Nightjar,

Day 46 23.03.2018

Because of the days off had been worked out this was my only day in the mountains before another day off. So I once again found myself at Low Mountain, enjoying a good raptor passage. As usual there was a nice variety including my first Montagu’s Harrier of the trip, a cracking male that flew over to my east. The Steppe Buzzards were the stars of today though as many of the birds flew very low right over the Low Mountain station affording amazing views. I was finally able to take some nice photos of them, and the large thermals provided an excellent arena to appreciate the staggering variety in colours shown in these birds.

-Steppe Buzzard & Black Kite

-Steppe Buzzard

-Long-legged Buzzard

Species List:

Low Mountain: Short-toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Lesser Kestrel, European Sparrowhawk, Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Tristrams Starling, Striolated Bunting, Blackstart, Trumpeter Finch, Sand Partridge,

Day 47 24.03.2018

This is a big day! Since I knew a few people coming out to Israel I was able to organise myself a lift up to the Mcqueens Bustards at Nitzana. This was to be part of a larger day out birding some of the northern areas in preparation for the Champions of the Flyway event that some of the guys I was with were participating.

We arrived at Nitzana for just after first light. It was gloomy and drizzly and windy. Not the ideal start. However, it did not take long for us to find our first target; Cream-coloured Courser with a handful of birds running distantly over the plain. A handful of birds did come closer at one point allowing us great views of these excellent birds. We saw just the one bustard, again very distant, but we got to watch it displaying which was amazing as it revealed all the white plumes around its neck. Sadly it did not come closer but through the scope we got excellent views.

Our next stop was just down the road from Nitzana in a small campsite. Lots of raptors were passing overhead and I got so see many of the species that I had been seeing in the mountains; Booted Eagle, Pallid Harrier etc. But here I also got Lesser Spotted Eagle which was a new species for me. Sadly it did not linger to soar but I was able to grab a few quick photos as it flew over. At the same location we managed Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and Chukar partridge, another new species for me. After that we called in at the sewage ponds nearby. Our stop was only brief but there were a host of awesome species including my first Wood Sandpiper and Collard Pratincole of the trip, plus Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Spotted Sandgrouse coming in to drink. Amongst the reeds there was also African Swamphen, another lifer as the Purple Gallinule complex has now been broken up.

The afternoon was mainly spent running around sites checking on species for the race. First we called off at a country park lake outside of Beer Sheva for Syrian Woodpecker. We had two that showed really well after a while, the female especially performed very nicely. We also made brief stops for Desert Finch, Griffon Vulture, Alpine Swift and Sinai Rosefinch whilst along the way picking up goodies like Eastern Orphean Warbler, Great White Egret and commoner species. We wrapped up the day in Ovda which was very quiet. An absolutely brilliant day out birding, with a host of new species for me!

-Cream-coloured Courser

-Chukar

-Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

-Lesser Spotted Eagle

-Syrian Woodpecker

Species List:

Day List: Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Shoveler, Griffon Vulture, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Chukar, Sand Partridge, Moorhen, Coot, African Swamphen, Macqueens Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Cream-coloured Courser, Collard Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Spur-winged Plover, Common Snipe, Ruff, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Spotted Sandgrouse, Feral Pigeon, Collard Dove, Laughing Dove, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Rock Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Spectacled Bulbul, Bluethroat, Blackstart, Northern Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Mourning Wheatear, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Chiffchaff, Afghan Babbler, Palestine Sunbird, Woodchat Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Brown-necked Raven, Hooded Crow, House Crow, Common Myna, Tristrams Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, European Greenfinch, Sinai Rosefinch, Desert Finch,

Israel: 19 - 21.03.2018

Day 42 19.03.2018

After a very rewarding day off I once again found myself at Low Mountain. The high numbers of the previous week had somewhat subsided but there were still a few raptors moving, and a good variety again. I had three Pallid Harriers, one of which was a stunning adult male, plus two Booted Eagles; one dark and one light phase bird. Then there was the usual; Black Kites, Steppe Eagles and Steppe Buzzards. There was a very nice pair of Trumpeter Finches in the valley below as well.

Because it was a much slower day we left the mountain a little early, giving me enough time to head into Holland Park and there try once again to see the Semi-collard Flycatcher. This time though I finally struck lucky with a very smart male showing for just a few minutes in late evening light before flying off into the park where I was unable to refind it.

-Egyptian Vulture & Black Kite

-Semi-collard Flycatcher

Species List:

Low Mountain: Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Steppe Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Striolated Bunting, Tristrams Starling, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Pale Crag Martin, Sand Partridge, Egyptian Vulture, Pallid Swift,

Holland Park: Afghan Babbler, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Semi-collard Flycatcher, Quail, Sand Partridge, Palestine Sunbird, Spectacled Bulbul, Little Green Bee-eater, Steppe Buzzard, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, Feral Pigeon,

Day 43 20.03.2018

The High Mountain was once again poorer than the previous day, with ‘only’ 1000 Buzzards and a handful of other species. A pale phase Booted Eagle was always a highlight and an Egyptian Vulture was also nice. Sadly most of the birds we had were very distant and as a result the day felt very slow after the last week of excellent passage.

As a result of the passage being slow we were able to get off a little early and we headed into Holland Park again. There were small numbers of common migrants still but nothing exceptional until we had almost left. I was waiting near the road for the other guys to catch up when I spotted a raptor heading towards me. Within seconds of me picking it up I could see that once again I had before me a Crested Honey Buzzard, only this time much lower. If only the light had been good, the bird flew so close over me, it was an amazing encounter as it checked me out as it flew over. We saw it a couple more times before it seemed to roost for the night. An Arctic Skua flew over, which also a new Israel tick! What an excellent end to the day.

-Crested Honey Buzzard

Species List:

High Mountain: Desert Lark, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Hooded Wheatear, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite,

Holland Park: Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Palestine Sunbird, Little Green Bee-eater, Spectacled Bulbul, Sand Partridge, Collard Dove, Laughing Dove, Arctic Skua, Crested Honey Buzzard,

Day 44 21.03.2018

High Mountain was once again my destination for the day. The morning was sluggish despite a promising start, but at around 15:30 the sky absolutely exploded with birds! Three streams of birds were travelling overhead, with a few thousand Steppe Buzzards and Kites passing in just two hours. There were moments in the passage where there were just too many birds streaming through the scope. It was some of the best passage I have got to witness since arriving. Other birds included 19 Marsh Harriers, a couple of Egyptian Vultures and my first ever European Honey Buzzard. I was scoping through hundreds of Steppe Buzzards, when a close soaring bird caught my eye. It was so barred it had to be a Honey Buzzard, although I was initially skeptical, but the tail clearly confirmed it. It then turned to show dark carpals, European Honey, the first of the season and an extremely early record.

-Gecko

Species List:

High Mountain: Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Steppe Buzzard, European Honey Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Osprey, Egyptian Vulture, Desert Lark, Black Stork, Hooded Wheatear, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Crag Martin,