Israel April - May 2018 : The Best of the Best

Raptors aside what were the star birds of the trip? As usual its always a tricky thing to pick out favourites but I think these really do stand head and shoulders above the rest

Corncrake : This super tame bird showing down to a few feet in Ofira Park

Pharaoh Eagle Owl : Yotvata Fields. I've tried many times previously to get this fella and it really performed this year showing well on both of the visits.

European Bee-eater : This was a really good year for this species with many being seen on virtually every day of the trip with a couple showing exceptionally close.

Western Rock Nuthatch : The most wanted to see bird of the far north of the country we eventually located a nesting pair near the Mt. Hermon entrance gate.

Black-headed Bunting : Many superb singing males were the at the superb Valley of Tears and the Calandra Lark performed their song and display flight near Tel Shifon. Superb birding in the north.

Whats better, a Black Scrub Robin at Lotan or a Rufous Scrub Robin running around your feet at Samar. I just love these Robins.

Of course the Honey Buzzards that showed eceptionally well at Neot Semadar Sewage Pools as well.

I can't wait to return to this superb birding this country has to offer.