Fall 2008 – Southern Israel observations

We are wrapping up a great fall season. October 2008 was a great month for birding in Israel. I am happy to post a summary of the month's birding highlights and images, mainly from southern Israel, but with a few exceptional records from up north.

On October 8th a Paddyfield Warbler was caught and ringed at the Eilat ringing station. This is only the 6th record in Israel. The bird was ringed by Noam Weiss and a few lucky birders were present to enjoy this genuine rarity. We thank Oded Keynan for the in the hand image.

On the 12th, the first Yellow-browed Warbler for the season was ringed in Eilat.

On the 15th a bright Olive-backed Pipit was photographed at the Samar Date plantation. On the 16th and 18th Common Rose Finches were trapped and ringed at Eilat. Around mid month a nice

wave of Red-breasted Flycatchers began with several dozen reported right into November.

From around the 16th up to 5 Red-breasted Flycatchers were at Bahad-1 alone. Exceptional were several records of adult male RB Flycatchers. A plumage rarely seen in Israel, bright adult males were at the Mitzpe Ramon sewage, the Yotvata Acacia scrub and at Eilat. On the 16th another Yellow-browed Warbler was reported from the Bahad-1 sewage. This bright individual was present till late in the month.

On the 17th a Steppe Grey Shrike was seen and photographed near Urim (following 1 at Ein Dochan on the 14th) and a first winter male Black Redstart of the rare form phoenicuroides was near Nizanna.

On October 21st there was a Black winged Pratincole at K20, an Isabelline type Shrike, probably Turkestan on the border fence east of K20, 1 White-tailed Plover at Elifaz and a juvenile Cream colored Courser at Samar.

On the 22nd - 14 Bimacualted Larks (rare in the fall) , 3 Lesser Short-toed and 8 Bar tailed Larks at K76, 2 RB Flycatchers at Yotvata, including one incredible full adult male at the Acacia scrub, and a late, calling, Upcher's Warbler.

Early on the 23rd we had 15 Griffon Vultures with a juv. E Imperial Eagle near Mitzpe Ramon, and a Siberian Chiffchaff at Bahad-1.

Sooty Falcons showed well till late in the month. The pair near Arava junction raised 3 young and the whole family was present till at least the 20th. In the southern Arava it was not a great year for Sooty Falcons. Probably only 2-3 pairs bred and not many juveniles were seen. In 2007 around 6 pairs successfully bred in the region. This might have something to do with the low annual rainfall, since no other parameter was different between the 2 last years. 

A Nizzana tour late in the month provided amazing views of 9 Macqueen's Bustards holding winter territories and the desert was full of puddles and drinking Sandgrouse. 2-3 E. Imperial Eagles are now at their wintering spots between Eilat and Lotan and are frequently seen.

And from Northern Israel came a few excellent birds

Lesser Yellowlegs in the Beit Shean Valley – the 2nd Israeli record

Late in the afternoon of September 25th a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs was found at the Maoz Haim fishpond complex. The bird was found by Peter Kinsella, Lee Gregory, Chris Lansdell and Tuvia Kahn. This is only the second time the species in recorded in Israel and this nice juvenile lingered for 10 days, allowing everyone to enjoy it.  These images were taken by Lee Gregory on the day the bird was found.

A splendid Black-winged Kite was seen on Oct. 16th, in the Beit Shean Valley. The bird, maybe a returning individual from 2004, frequented the fields along the Kfar Rupin road. The Kite was very aggressive towards other birds and provided amazing photographic opportunities.  We thank Aviv Warulker for his images.   

Stay posted for an excellent fall photo gallery and more news from the field.

Jonathan Meyrav

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Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)