Thursday 30 May 2019

Israel late April to early May 2019 - Part 1

I was back in Israel this spring, from late April into early May and had been hoping for a good Honey Buzzard and Levant Sparrowhawk passage as well as lots of other great birds. 

The Honey's and Levant's hot the mark whilst I catch the end of the Collared Flycatcher bonanza that was occuring in the country but most other migration was a bit tough with lower than expected numbers of some species. That being said some excellent birds and birding experiences were had and some of the highlights are shown below and in the next page. 

For the Honey Buzzards and Levant Sparrowhawks there are seperate pages for this covering numerous birds. 


Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Yotvata Sewage Ponds : May 2019
Small flocks were noted here and at Ketura

European Roller - En Avrona
One of three birds found in the Acacia thorn scrub.


Black Scrub Robin
This bird was seen feeding a fledgling and put on a fine show early morning at Kibbutz Samar. To see a short video of this click on the YouTube link here https://youtu.be/X-dnj6Kd5aI

Black-winged & Collared Pratincoles - KM20 Salt Pans
Initially I found three Black-winged Pratincoles at KM19 Pool before I relocated them here where they had been joined by a Collared Pratincole which allowed for close comparison between the two species; the Collared is the righthand bird

 European Honey Buzzard - KM20 Salt Pans : late April
This was my best year for this species with large numbers seen on more than one occasion with a peak of around 93,000 through the Eilat mountains on the 5th May. This particular bird came down to drink at the Salt Pans late April. 
For a selection of images of the the Honey's visit the Honey Buzzards 2019 highlights page. For a short YouTube video of some of this spectacle click on the YouTube link here: https://youtu.be/l-q5ysJggi8

Little Bittern, female - IBRCE Ringing Centre
A few inteesting birds were sen in hand at the ringing centre with Rufous Scrub Robin and Corncrake amongst the others. 

 Little Bittern - female  : KM19 Sewage Pond
An extremely tame female Little Bittern fished at the sluice of the sewage pond. At time it was so close I couldn't focus the camera on it. 

Rufous Scrub Robin - IBRCE
Absolutley stunning species that here shows the tail pattern nicely

Masked Shrike - Lake Yeroham

Night Herons - IBRCE : late April
This flock was seen migrating north over the reserve

 Ortolan Bunting - Neot Semadar Sewage Ponds
Only seen on the firt evening were a couple came down to drink at the ponds

Short-troed Eagle - Mt. Amasa : late April 
Mt. Amasa is regularly hosts resident birds with this typical individual amongst those seen

 'Southern' Grey Shrike - KM82 : late April
A pair were holding territory close to the road in this superb birding wadi

 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Ketura Sewage Ponds : May

Broad-billed Sandpiper - KM20 Salt Pans : May
 A very good year for this species with my personal peak count being 19 at this location

Collared Pratincole - KM20 Salt Pans : April
Not overly common this year those that were seen showed very well from the car

Corncrake - Kibbutz Samar : late April
This bird walked past the car whilst I was waiting for Black Scrub Robin to appear

Golden Oriole - Kibbutz Lotan : May
Quiet aa good showing this year with several bright birds present around the Organic Gardens of the Lotan Kibbutz. 

 Scrub Warbler - Uvda
A family party of Scrub Warblers was near the picnic site along Route 12 south of the Uvda Valley turn-off.

Hill Sparrow - HaMeishar Plains : May
A few of this species, my only lifer of the trip, were seen at this splendid location

1 comment: