Day 36 13.03.2018
Low Mountain was the destination of choice for today’s
raptor count. Sadly it was lacking in numbers of birds, but from our position
we could clearly see large numbers of Buzzards and Black Storks heading over
High Mountain, meaning it was not a tedious watch. In addition to this, we had
a few Black Kites, as well as a dark phase Booted Eagle. As for the passerines;
we had a flyover Striolated Bunting and flyby Syrian Serin. We tried to locate
the bird, as it looked like it may have landed, but we had no joy on that
front. After the mountains we went for a look round the bushes of Liebzi where
we found a few nice birds, namely a female Ruppell’s Warbler and a Cretzschmar’s
Bunting.
-Blackstart
Species List:
Low Mountain: Black
Kite, Booted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Steppe
Buzzard, Black Stork, White Stork, Feral Pigeon, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove,
Tristrams Starling, Striolated Bunting, Syrian Serin, Common Whitethroat,
Spectacled Bulbul, Blackstart, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift,
Bushes of Liebzi: Lesser
Whitethroat, Ruppell’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spectacled Bulbul, Cretzschmar’s
Bunting, Sand Partridge, Blackstart, Laughing Dove, Collard Dove, Spanish Sparrow,
House Sparrow,
Day 37 14.03.2018
My return to High Mountain produced an excellent day of
migration. By far the most abundant bird was Steppe Buzzard with 1709, but a supporting
cast of Storks, Eagles and other Raptors kept us on our toes, filtering through
the flocks looking for other species. 118 Black Kites was an excellent count, as was 6 Egyptian Vultures. Osprey was notable in being my first for
the trip. The first was quickly followed by the second.
After the mountain, it being a warm day, we headed to the
beach for my first snorkel in some time. It produced some very nice fish,
including my first ever garfish, specifically a Red Sea Houndfish. As with
every dive there were a few new species to add to my growing fish list for the
trip.
-Black Storks & Steppe Buzzards
-Black Kite
Species List:
High Mountain: Black
Stork, Osprey, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Steppe Eagle,
Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Alpine Swift,
Lesser Kestrel, Swallow, House Martin, Hooded Wheatear, Collard Dove, Feral
Pigeon, Laughing Dove,
Day 38 15.03.2018
Low Mountain was once again the destination of choice, and
it was a very good destination with a really good passage of raptors. Although
not huge numbers, there was a steady stream
of birds throughout the morning, mainly Steppe Buzzards but with a few
more nice additions. A pale phase Booted Eagle was a highlight, as was an adult
Egyptian Vulture, as well as the smartest Lesser Kestrel I have ever seen a
stunning male. Throughout the day there was also a steady passage of Swifts,
and the Striolated Bunting was around as usual.
-Pallid Swift
Species List:
Low Mountain: Steppe Buzzard, Steppe Eagle,
Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Egyptian Vulture,
Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, House
Martin, Pale Crag Martin, Striolated Bunting, Trumpeter Finch, Blackstart,
Spectacled Bulbul, Palestine Sunbird, Tristrams Starling, Laughing Dove,
Collard Dove, Feral Pigeon, House Crow,
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