Red-rumped Swallow

Undoubtedly migrating to Willington.

Memories of Leighton Moss

My only previous sighting of this species was at Leighton Moss a few years back where the views were a bit more distant to say the least than this bird taken at K19 canal pools.

Wheatears

Greenland, Northern, Isabelline, Black-eared, Pied and Cyprus Wheatears. The latter species was least confiding but a welcome lifer.

IBRC Close Ups

At the IBRC in Eilat. Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike, Bluethroat, Quail, White spectacled Bulbul, Ruppell's, Savi's, Olivaceous and Eastern Bonelli's (Balkan) Warblers.

Desert Finch

So hard to find !! Rah, rah, rah.

variegatus

The rump and tail pattern on this bird photographed at Lotan, indicates the eastern "Caspian" race of Stonechat.

Black Stork Migration

Last Thursday saw a large wave of Black Storks heading north over the Eilat mountains. We estimated 500+ in little over half an hour with several thousand reported through the Arava valley in the single day. Last year I witnessed a similar thing only with White Storks.

How do these birds know to gather from their African wintering grounds and to migrate en-mass on the same morning ? Witnessing large-scale migration is incredible.

Tough Warblers

Arabian Warbler was found collecting food and to our surprise was seen feeding a juvenile on the ground and in the open. A privilage for such a rare bird.

The third image is the best I could manage of an extremely elusive Menetries's Warbler that spent a week living in a lone bush at Yotvata fields but could vanish for ages at a time. It had a jizz quite different from other sylvia warblers, keeping close to the ground in cover and constanly wagging it's cocked tail.

Hoopoe Study

Top Bird

Good numbers through Eilat last week. What a cracking bird !

Larking About

Good rain in the Israeli desert this winter has resulted in some lush green areas for Larks - including this beauty !

Blue Sky, Red Bird

Nearly Spring

Managed to blow the dust off the camera this afternoon. Few birds where I decided to wander but the sunshine was nice.