Located close to the border with Jordan, the kibbutz grounds are neatly tucked away, just east of Quetura junction, where route 40 from Beer Sheva meets route 90 from Eilat, and just beyond km post 62. The approach road to the kibbutz is 1.5 km long and lined with some very productive Mesquite and Acacia bushes where migrants often include Woodchat Lanius senator and Masked Shrikes L. nubicus, Balkan Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis, Olivaceous Hippolais pallida and Orphean Warblers Sylvia hortensis. Later in spring, Barred S. nisoria and Olive-tree Warblers Hippolais olivetorum are seen, and an IsabelIine Shrike Lanius isabellinus can be seen in the later spring, usually in April.
On entering the kibbutz grounds, please park in one of the two car parks provided and explore the grounds on foot. Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus is often the first bird you will encounter, in the car park followed by Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis, and Hoopoe Upupa epops. From here, proceed directly to the tourism office to receive information on what is around.
From the tourism office progress north into the kibbutz residential area and swimming pool. The lawns and gardens can harbour 100s of migrants, especially in spring, including Quail Coturnix coturnix, , Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Tawny Anthus campestris and Red-throated Pipits A. cervinus, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (many races), Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Thrush Nightingale L. luscinia, Black-eared Oenanthe hispanica and Isabelline Wheatears O. isabellina, Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis, Blue Rock Thrush M. solitarius, Great Reed Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Savi’s Locustella luscinioides and Ruppell’s Warblers Sylvia rueppelli, Collared Ficedula albicollis and Semi-collared Flycatchers F. semitorquata, Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus, Red-backed Lanius collurio and other shrikes, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis, Ortolan Emberiza hortulana and Cretzschmar’s Buntings E. caesia, all of which can be regarded as common migrants on Lotan, although numbers are subject to annual fluctuations.
In the spring of 2012 we had a Cinereous Bunting E. cineracae hopping around with the Cretschmar’s and Ortolan buntings for 11 days straight.
Of course, with these, a number of scarce or rare migrants have been discovered including: Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi (autumn), Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (March-May), Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe (April, although becoming slightly more common), White-throated Robin lrania gutturalis (April), Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca, Menetries’ Warbler Sylvia mistacea ( March-April ) , Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans ( April) , Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (October-December), Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parua (October-November), Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus, and Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus (March-April).
Once you have completed this circuit, it is worth trying your luck at the eastern organic garden .This a first- rate spot. The compost bins attract local Little Green Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Blackstart, wintering Bluethroat Luscinia svecica, Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros and Spanish Sparrow, and migrant Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. All of these will virtually feed at your feet if you are prepared to sit quietly for a few moments. The lush splendour of the organic garden is a haven for tired migrants.
The organic fields east and south of the main garden, are wilder and more exposed, a good place to find Spur-winged Plover and Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (at dusk). These fields, and the surrounding area of the dairy barn, can attract interesting open terrain species including Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata, Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla, Small Skylark Alauda gulgula ( rare ), Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta, Hooded Oenanthe monacha and Desert Wheatears O. deserti (both winter), and Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta (winter). Between July and November, it is worth scanning the dunes, east of the kibbutz perimeter fence between the dairy barn gate and the eastern gate, for Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes. There are several territories of Hoopoe Lark several kilometers north of Lotan, both on the Israeli and Jordanian side of the border, as well as further south at Yotvata. Under no circumstances leave the kibbutz from these gates to explore the desert. You are less than 100 meters from the Israel-Jordan border and birding out of bounds here is not good for you, the kibbutz or the Israeli army! Signs at both gates remind you not to be tempted.
Kibbutz Lotan