Trip Report: Israel, November 7-17, 1996

Group:

Jukka Ihanus (JI)
Heikki Kotilainen (HK)
Juha Piipponen (JP)
Eelis Rissanen (ER)

General Remarks:

Authorities seemed to be a bit more alert than on the previous visit, maybe due to the problems in the peace process etc. Anyway Mount Hermon was closed (and every road sign there was turned in the wrong direction, actually not a problem after you know it). We were stopped by a couple of soldiers (not professional soldiers, but ones in training) at Nizzana, they had orders to call a professional officer if somebody was seen there too often. Well, no officer showed up, and eventually they let us go. Also we were turned back from the northern fields of Yotvata by two soldiers (with fancy sunglasses) in a Jeep. Anyway, later on we bravely drove around the pools at k18 without any trouble in spite of numerous signs. It seems to depend on your luck. We did not drive through the West Bank and therefore advise people not to drive through Tel Aviv area in the rush hour...

Anyway, November seems to be quite good for birding there. Places mentioned can be found from D. Gosney's booklet Finding birds in Israel and more recent information from Gosney's http://www.birdguides.com/ or to be more exact http://www.birdguides.com/foreign/Israel.html. Also the OSME homepage is worth checking for latest records.

Route (number of species on that day in parentheses):

7.11. Eilat: Beach - Salt pans - Wadi - Amram's Pillars - Pumping station (61)
8.11. Nizzana-Urim (70)
9.11. Be'er Sheva - Ma'agan Mikhael - Tishlovet Reservoir (98)
10.11. Mount Arbel - Wadi Ammaud - Gamla - Hula (88)
11.11. Hula Valley (77)
12.11. Tirat Zevi - Kefar Ruppin (86)
13.11. Nizzana - Sede Boquer - Dead Sea (49)
14.11. Ein Gedi - Nahal Arugot - Yotvata - Eilat (67)
15.11. Eilat: Cemetery - Beach (only a few...)
16.11. Eilat & Arava valley: k33, k40 (92)
17.11. Yotvata - k40 - Eilat - En Netafim - Eilat (72)

Accommodations:

6.-7. Hotel Etzion, Eilat
Reserved through travel agency, ok

8. Youth Hostel, Be'er Sheva
Hard to find, some way south from big hotel (Desert Inn?). Price 76 (4 room) - 90 (double room) NIS per person, ok

9.-11. Motel Mital House, Tiberias
About the first accommodation when coming from Nazareth direction, price only 60 NIS / person in double rooms, good take-away pizzeria in the same building. We liked it.

12. Youth Hostel, Be'er Sheva (again)

13. Ein Gedi camping
Near the beach, a room for 4 cost 116 US dollars. Coming out of door in the morning we saw immediately Fan-tailed Ravens, Tristram's Grackles, and four Silverbills.

14.-17. Hotel Etzion

Systematic list:

1. Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
   Here and there in reservoirs and fishponds. Highest count about 60 at Tishlovit in the evening of 9th, other observations at Be'er Sheva sewage pools Ma'agan Mikhael, Hula, Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin.

2. Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus
   One at North Beach on 16th

3. Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
   Approx. 10 at Tishlovit in the evening of 9th.

4. Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster
   One juvenile present at North Beach apparently all the time. Usually on a floating barrel behind the fish farm.

5. Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
   From 2 to 20 at North Beach. 50 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, +500 at Hula on 11th and also some at Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

6. Pygmy Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pygmeus
   12 at Tirat Zevi and 20 near Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

7. White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
   200 Between Tel Aviv and Ma'agan Mikhael and 1400 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. At Hula 800 on 10th and 500 on 11th. +10 Dead near a fish pond near Hula reserve almost under a electric wire (with no balls... I mean the orange ones). Had hit the wire or been shot? Smell was so awful we did not do further examinations...

8. Striated Heron, Butorides striatus
   One juvenile seen from North Beach on 14th, 15th and 16th, probably present all the time, sometimes hard or totally impossible to see.

9. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
   Very common North of Negev, hundreds in Hula valley and around Bet Shean. About 400 at Ma'agan on 9th.

10. Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
    1 at EIlat Salt ponds on 7th, 30 at Ma'agan Mihael on 9th, 10 at Hula on 11th, 60 altogether at Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin on 12th and about 10 in Eilat on 16th.

11. Western Reef Heron, Egretta gularis
    Always some individuals present at North Beach in Eilat. Highest count 10 of light and one of dark morph on 14th.

12. Great White Egret, Egretta alba
    Clearly most common egret: 100 At Ma'agan Mikhael (9th), 200 at Hula on 10th, 150 At Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin on 12th and also one in Eilat on 16th.

13. Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea
    20 to 100 in Eilat, mostly at North Beach, 300 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, about 100 in Hula and also common at Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin.

14. Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
    1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, 1 at Tirat Zevi on 12th and one at Yotvata sewage pools on 14th.

15. Black Stork, Ciconia nigra
    On the fields of Hula Valley 13 on 10th and 40 on 11th, 20 at T Zevi and Kefar R on 12th.

16. White Stork, Ciconia ciconia
    20 at Ma'agan M on 9th, a few in Hula Valley and 15 at Tirat and Kefar, not very many anyway.

17. Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
    50 at Ma'agan on 9th and 30 at Hula on 11th (only 3 seen on 12th)

18. Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
    100 at Ma'agan on 9th but only 2 at Hula and 2 near Bet Shean.

19. Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
    2 ad. and 1 juv. in Eilat on 7th, later 5 adults. 30 at pools at k18.

20. Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
    18 at k18 on 16th and one at Eilat salt pans on 17th.

21. Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
    2 at Ma'agan on 9th, on 16th 1 at pools near k18 and 7 (4 the next day) behind the sewage pond at k40.

22. Wigeon, Anas penelope
    2 in a fishpond in Hula Valley on 10th, 1 at k40 sewage pond on 16th.

23. Teal, Anas crecca
    Rather common, for example 80 at Nizzana, 200 at Ma'agan and hundreds in the Hula valley, 100 at Eilat on 16th

24. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
    A single male at Nizzana on 8th, appr. 50 at Be'er Sheva on 9th and 200 at Hula on 11th.

25. Pintail, Anas acuta
    3 at Nizzana on 8th

26. Shoveler, Anas clypeata
    3 at Nizzana on 8th, 50 at Be'er Sheva on 9th, and approx. 300 in the Bet She'an area on 12th

27. Garganey, Anas querquedula
    10 on 9th at Be'er Sheva, some at Ma'agan and 2 near Hula on 11th

28. Ferruginous Duck, Aythya nyroca
    2 at Tshlovit reservoir on 9th and 3 at Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

29. White-headed Duck, Oxyra leucocephala
    3 (at least) at Tishlovet reservoir on 9th (JP,JI).

30. Pochard, Aythya ferina
    Approx. 50 identified at Tishlovit reservoir on 9th and 60+ at Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

31. Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula
    200 at Nizzana on 8th. I recall also some at Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin

32. Black Kite, Milvus migrans
    Plenty of then around Urim, about 200 on at one rubbish dump somewhat west of Urim fields. High concentrations also in Hula valley and Bet shean. About 300 altogether on 9th, most of which at fields near Ma'agan Mikhael.

33. White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
    Two adults, presumably the breeding pair, at cotton fields near Hula reserve on 10th.

34. Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus
    6 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, 30 at Gamla on 10th, 40 at Hula on 11th,+10 at Sede Boqer on 13th and about 10 at the mountains near En Gedi on 14th.

35. Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus
    10 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, about 10 in Hula Valley on 10th, also about 10 around Tirat Zevia and Kefar ruppin on 12th. Also some single birds here and there.

36. Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus
    Seen somewhere almost every day. Best concentration in the Hula valley: approx. 20 birds seen on 10th. Other places include surroundings of Bet Shean and Urim - Nizzana area.

37. Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus
    3 males and one female (adults) at the fields south of Urim on 8th.

38. Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
    1 to 5 individuals daily.

39. Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
    1 Near Bet She'an on 12th and maybe the same bird a couple of hours later near Kefar Ruppin.

40. Buzzard, Buteo buteo
    Seen daily, not very great numbers, 10 at Hula valley on 11th.

41. Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus
    At least 10 at Urim on 8th, 5 in the Hula valley on 11th and several others scattered along the way. Seen almost daily.

42. Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina
    One subad on 7th over the Date palm plantation in Eilat. (JP)

43. Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga
    One subad (about 3-cy) seen well at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. One adult and 3 subadults near Hula on 11th. One interesting-looking subad with some light colour in underwing median coverts near Dead Sea on 14th. Two near a unofficial rubbish dump somewhere behind the Cemetery on 17th (HK).

44. Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis
    About 50 at the mountains just outside Eilat on 7th. Several near a unofficial rubbish dump somewhere behind the Cemetery in EIlat on 17th (HK).

45. Imperial Eagle, Aquila heliaca
    3 juv. and 1 subad seen at Urim on 8th. Also one possible adult sitting far away on a pylon. 5 juv. and 1 subad in the Hula valley on 11th.

46. Bonelli's Eagle, Hieraeetus fasciatus
    1ad. and 1 juv. at Gamla on 10th, 1 at Sede Boqer on 13th

47. Booted Eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
    One pale phase individual at Eilat Cemetery on 15th (JI,JP).

48. Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
    1 in Eilat on 7th (JP).

49. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
    1 in the Negev desert near Sede Boqer in the morning of 8th

50. Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
    Quite common, especially in the north. Approx. 200 seen between Be'er Sheva and Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th.

51. Hobby, Falco subbuteo
    1 at Nizzana on 8th, 1 at Mount Arbel on 10th, 1 in Eilat on 16th

52. Merlin, Falco columbarius
    1 at Nizzana on 13th.

53. Saker, Falco cherrug
    1 juvenile on a pylon at Urim on 8th.

54. Peregrine, Falco peregrinus
    1 adult at Eilat on 7th, 2 at Urim on 8th, 1 juvenile at at fish pond near Bet Shean on 12th.

55. Barbary Falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
    1 at the Dead Sea on 14th (also 2 unidentified large falcons the same day) 2 in Eilat on 16th.

56. Chukar, Alectoris chukar
    About 40 in Nizzana on 8th,15 at Mount Arbel on 10th, 50 at Nizzana and 10 at Sede Boqer on 13th and also some Near En Gedi on 14th.

57. Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi
    A few in several places: Eilat Cemetery, Nizzana (10 on 8th), En Gedi

58. Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus
    2 males and 2 females at the fields near Hula reserve on 10th.

59. Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus
    4 seen at Ma'agan Mikhael, some voices heard also in other wetland areas.

60. Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
    Several tens at wetland areas: Ma'agan Mikhael, Tishlovet (9th day approx. 50 altogether), Hula Valley Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin. Also some in ponds and reeds of Arava.

61. Coot, Fulica atra
    Where we saw Moorhens we saw even more Coots (no counts).

62. Crane, Grus grus
    Thousands in the Hula Valley on 10th (estim. 2000 seen) and 11th. Other observations: 1 in Eilat on 7th, 3 at Nizzana on 8th, 200 near Tishlovit reservor on 9th and 1 juv. on 16th and 13 on 17th at k40 sewage pond.

63. Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
    One near the sewage ponds at Nizzana on 8th. 4 on the runway of the airfield at Nizzana and one some kilometers south of that on 13th.

64. Stone Curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus
    1 at Nizzana on 13th (JI, HK, ER)

65. Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus
    30 at Be'er Sheva sewage pools and 20 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, 10 in the Hula Valley on 11th and about 20 At Tirat Zevi, Kefar Ruppin and surroundings on 12th. Best count 40 at saltpans in Eilat on 17th.

66. Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
    2 at Hula on 11th, 15 near Bet shean on 12th.

67. Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula
    2 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, 5 in the Hula Valley on 11th. About 20 in the Bet Shean area on 12th. At salt pans in Eilat: 5 on 7th, 50 on 16th and about 100 on 17th.

68. Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius
    5 in Eilat on 7th.

69. Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
    5 at Kefar Ruppin on 12th. Eilat: 15 on 16th and 20 on 17th at salt ponds.

70. Spur-winged Plover, Hoplopterus spinosus
    Common, especially north of Negev. Best single spot Be'er Sheva sewage pools, where about 200 present. Only few in Eilat and Yotvata and in between.

71. Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
    100 at Urim on 8th, 10 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, common at fields of Hula Valley and surroundings of Bet Shean, In Arava only one seen on 16th and 17th at k40 sewage ponds.

72. Sociable Plover, Chettusia gregaria
    Three among Lapwings at Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

73. Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola
    1 at ponds in Eilat on 7th, 16th and 17th. One at k40 sewage pond on 16th.

74. Golden Plover, Pluvialis apricaria
    4 on fields near Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

75. Sanderling, Calidris alba
    2 at pools in Eilat on 7th, 5 on 16th.

76. Little Stint, Calidris minuta
    50 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. 250 total estimated in Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin and pools nearby on 12th. 200 at pools in Eilat on 16th and 17th (a few also on 7th).

77. Temminck's Stint, Calidris temminckii
    3 at pools in Eilat on 7th, 8 at Kefar Ruppin on 12th

78. Dunlin, Calidris alpina
    A few in Eilat on 7th 20 at Kefar Ruppin on 12th, 7 at North Beach in Eilat on 14th. On 16th and 17th 150-200 at pools in Eilat.

79. Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
    Few among other calidrids in Eilat, hard to distinguish, hard to count in wintering plumage.

80. Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
    50 at Be'er Sheva sewage ponds and some at Magan Mikhael on 9th, a few in Bet She'an area, also small numbers seen in around several ponds in Eilat-Yotvata area.

81. Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago
    1 at Nizzana on 8th, as many as 50 at Magan Mikhael on 9th, some at Tishlovet. Some here and there in the ponds and wetlands in Hula and Bet She'an valleys and Yotvata-Eilat area.

82. Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus
    10 at Be'er sheva and Ma'agan on 9th, a flock of 50 at pools between Bet She'an and Kefar Ruppin on 12th. 5 in Eilat on 17th.

83. Redshank, Tringa totanus
    Singles or small groups at almost every pool visited as well in Eilat as in Hula and in between. 20 around Hula on 11th.

84. Greenshank, Tringa nebularia
    5 in Eilat on 7th, 16th and 17th.

85. Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
    2 at ponds in Eilat on 7th. 2 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. 2 at Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

86. Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola
    1 at Nizzana on 8th, Present in small numbers at Be'er Sheva and Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. Also in Hula (5 on 11th) and Bet She'an area. 1 in EIlat on 16th.

87. Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
    1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th (JI,JP)

88. Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
    4 seen at some ponds in Hula Valley on 11th, 5 in Kefar Ruppin and Tirat Zevi on 12th.

89. White-eyed Gull, Larus leucophtalmus
    20 to 100 continuously at North Beach in Eilat. Could be attracted with pieces of bread.

90. Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus
    10 to 20 at North Beach in Eilat, 20 at Ma'agan M on 9th, 200 at the Sea of Galilee on 10th. Common in Hula and Bet She'an area.

91. Slender-billed Gull, Larus genei
    5 adults at North beach in Eilat from 14th to 17th.

92. Common Gull, Larus canus
    1 adult at North beach on 16th and 17th.

93. Yellow-legged Gull, Larus cachinnans
    a few individuals of several ages at North Beach in Eilat.

94. Armenian Gull, Larus armenicus
    +500 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th, several hundreds on Hula and Bet She'an areas.

95. Siberian Gull, Larus heuglini
    1 subad at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th

96. Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia
    1 to 4 patrolling continuously North Beach in Eilat

97. Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
    About 25 at dusk (quarter past 5) at pumping station in Eilat on 7th and 16th.

98. Crowned Sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
    A flock of 10 arrived to drink at the pool (the new place closer to the main road) in Nizzana after others sandgrouse had left the plains nearby (about 10 o'clock) on 13th. It's easy (for JP) to get several pounds of sand into one's lungs by running from distance after the whistle has been blown...

99. Spotted Sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus
    About 200 at Nizzana on 8th and 13th. The behaviour was the same: They arrived from the west to a rocky area 0.5 - 1 km south of the pool and stayed for about an hour after which they headed east in larger flocks. Some time after that there were some flocks flying west.

100. Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
     The behaviour was exactly the same as with Spotted Sandgrouse. The numbers were somewhat higher, 300 or so.

101. (Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Pterocles alachta)
     A large flock (hundreds or more likely thousands) seen flying in the distance at dusk North of Urim on 8th. ID not confirmed.

102. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Columba livia
     Numerous everywhere

103. Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
     Common

104. Laughing Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
     As previous

105. Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis
     2 males by the road near bird sanctuary in Eilat.

106. Ring-necked Parakeet, Psittacula krameri
     2 on 9th and 2 on 13th flying over highway near Tel Aviv

107. Striated Scops Owl, Otus brucei
     1 at 7th and surprisingly 2 on 16th day at traditional place (with less commercial potential nowadays) in Eilat.

108. Little Owl, Athene noctua
     1 at roadside east of Nizzana on 8th.

109. Little Swift, Apus affinis
     6 at Mount Arbel and 20 at Gamla on 10th.

110. Alpine Swift, Apus melba
     2 at Gamla on 10th.

111. White-breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
     1 on 8th between Nizzana And Urim. At Ma'agan Mikhael, Hula Valley and Bet She'an area every set of fishponds seemed to have some individuals. Anyway, none at all seen in Eilat-Yotvata area. Day estimates: 10 on 9th, 10 on 11th, 30 on 12th

112. Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
     Seen at same habitats as White-breasted, but was a bit more common although a bit harder to spot. Appeared in Eilat area, too.

113. Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
     Appeared in slightly higher numbers than Smyrna in the same places. 1 almost always at North Beach in Eilat

114. Little Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis
     Appeared in small groups, several groups seen daily around Eilat-Yotvata area.

115. Hoopoe, Upupa epops
     Seen at least in Nizzana, Urim and Be'er Sheva. e.g. total 8 on 9th.

116. Syrian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus
     2 at a rubbish dump SE of Urim on 8th, 1 near Tel Aviv on 9th, 1 at Gamla on 10th and 1 at Newe Ativ on 11th.

117. Skylark, Alauda arvensis
     Common, fields at Urim, Hula and Bet She'an for example hold large flocks.

118. Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula
     2 with skylarks on fields near Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

119. Wood Lark, Lullula arborea
     3 at Gamla on 10th.

120. Crested Lark, Galerida cristata
     Common, although not in very high concentrations.

121. Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra
     50 at Urim on 8th, 1 flying over Be'er Sheva sewage pools on 9th, and a flock of 100 near Kefar Ruppin on 12th.

122. Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti
     4 at parking near Amram's Pillars on 7th, several at Nizzana on 8th and 13th, 2 at Sede Boqer on 13th. 2 near Dead Sea on 14th, 2 at the Cemetery in Eilat and 2 at Ein Netafim on 17th.

123. Bar-tailed Desert Lark, Ammomanes cincturus
     2 by the road halfway to Amram's Pillars on 7th.

124. Hoopoe Lark, Aleamon alaudipes
     1 in the sand dune area behind the sewage pool of k40 on 16th and 17th.

125. Grag Martin, Ptyoprogne rupestris
     Some at Ma'agan Mikhael, some tens at mountains near the Sea of Galilee and at Golan Heights.

126. Pale Crag Martin, Ptyoprogne obsoleta
     Several tens each day in Eilat and at Southern Dead Sea.

127. Brown-throated Sand Martin, Riparia paludicola
     Among other martins at reeds behind a pool north of North Fields near Eilat on 16th. Found couple of days earlier. 3rd for Israel

128. Sand Martin, Riparia riparia
     20 at Reeds behind a sewage pool north of North Fields on 16th.

129. Swallow, Hirundo rustica
     Seen in small numbers almost every day. Common in Hula valley and around Bet' She'an.

130. House Martin, Delichon urbica
     Some individuals among other martins. Eilat, Ma'agan Mikhael etc.

131. Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta
     10 at Be'er Sheva sewage ponds and some at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th. Several tens at the pools in Tirat Zevi and Kefar Ruppin on 12th. 5 at the sewage pond at k40 on 16th.

132. Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis
     Some at Ma'agan Mikhael, Mount Arbel, Hula and also in Eilat.

133. Red-throated Pipit, Anthus cervinus
     About 20 seen in Eilat (North Fields, Beach etc.). Some in Negev, Hula Valley and Bet She'an.

134. Long-billed Pipit, Anthus similis
     1 at Wadi Ammaud on 10th.

135. Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava
     A few, most of which only heard.

136. Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
     1 at Eilat on 7th, 1 At Wadi Ammud on 10th. Some in Hula Valley on 11th and around Bet She'an on 12th.

137. White Wagtail, Motacilla alba
     Some at almost every pool.

138. Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos
     Everywhere where there are some bushes or trees.

139. Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
     2 (singing) at Mount Arbel on 10th.

140. Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
     Quite common, found at almost all places having reeds.

141. Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
     Only few. Missähän niitä oli ?

142. Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
     Seen every day. Gardens, bushes etc.

143. Blackstart, Cercomela melanura
     Present in small numbers in semi-desert areas at Dead Sea, Negev and Eilat area.

144. Stonechat, Saxicola torquata
     Seen daily, scattered, no counts.

145. Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
     2 near Eilat on 14th and 3 on 16th.

146. Isabelline Wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
     1 on 8th and 3 on 13th around the airfield at Nizzana.

147. Desert Wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
     2 at Nizzana on 8th and 13th. 2 at k33 on 16th and 17th

148. Black-eared Wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
     1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th.

149. Finsch's Wheatear, Oenanthe finschii
     1 on 8th near Nizzana Castle and 3 9km south from Nizzana Castle on 13th.

150. Mourning Wheatear, Oenanthe lugens
     A few around Eilat and Nizzana.

151. Hooded Wheatear, Oenanthe monacha
     1 female by the road to Aqaba in Eilat on 7th and 1 male somewhat south of the sewage ponds of k40 on 17th.

152. Red-tailed Wheatear, Oenanthe xanthopymna
     1 in a Wadi just outside Eilat on 7th. About 12th record for Israel. Thanks to the Belgian who ran half a kilometer to tell us.

153. White-crowned Black Wheatear, Oennthe leucopyga
     Around Eilat, for example in Ein Netafim, Cemetery.

154. Blue Rock Thrush, Monticola solitarius
     Several at Mount Arbel and Wadi Ammaud on 10th

155. Blackbird, Turdus merula
     2 at Be'er Sheva on 9th, some near the Sea of Galilee and in the Hula Valley on 10th and 11th. Also some singles later on.

156. Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos
     1 near the ringing station in Eilat on 16th and one at the sewage pond of k40 on 17th.

157. Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti
     Commonly heard in Hula and Bet She'an. Some seen also.

158. Graceful Warbler, Prinia gracilis
     Heard and seen in many places with suitable bushes: Eilat, Nizzana etc.

159. Fan-tailed Warbler, Cisticola jundicis
     1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th.

160. Moustached Warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
     5+ at Tirat Zevi on 12th, took a little patience to see (...and a little help from my friends - JP).

161. Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
     1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th.

162. Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
     1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th (JI,JP). Actually we could not make a Clamorous one out of it, however hard we tried.

163. Clamorous Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
     Several seen at last at Tirat Zevi (~20) and Kefar Ruppin on 12th. Not so hard to see as Moustached.

164. Spectacled Warbler, Sylvia conspicillata
     1 near Nizzana Castle on 8th (JP) muut ?

165. Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
     Some in Eilat-Yotvata area and Negev.

166. Cyprus Warbler, Sylvia melanothorax
     1 in a Wadi just outside Eilat near road to Ovda on 7th.

167. Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
     1 female at Mount Arbel on 10th.

168. Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
     Quite common. Usually in the bushes around pools.

169. Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
     1 at Ma'agan Mikhael on 9th.

170. Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
     1 at Eilat on 16th (JI, HK)

171. Arabian Babbler, Turoides squamiceps
     5 at Nizzana on 8th and 13th, Common in En Gedi.

172. Great Tit, Parus major
     Several near the Sea of Galilee on 10th and 11th.

173. Penduline Tit, Remiz pendulinus
     2 at Bet She'an on 12th.

174. Palestine Sunbird, Nectarina osea
     Observed throughout the country in bushes.

175. Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor
     A few almost every day.

176. Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor
     A few near Eilat at the end of the trip.

177. Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio
     1 juv at Yotvata sewage farm on 14th., 1 at Switzerland park in Eilat on 7th

178. Jay, Garrulus glandarius
     5 seen from car between Beer Sheva and Tel Aviv on 9th. 1 at the Sea of Galilee on 10th. Local race quite different from that what we are used to.

179. Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
     10 near Tel Aviv on 9th, common at Hula Valley and Bet She'an area.

180. House Crow, Corvus splendens
     Up to 50 in Eilat.

181. Hooded Crow, Corvus corone (cornix)
     Quite common in N Negev and north of that.

182. Fan-tailed Raven, Corvus rhipidurus
     Altogether about 100 seen at Dead Sea, Ein Gedi and southwards on 14th.

183. Brown-necked Raven, Corvus ruficollis
     Few individuals here and there in dry areas, deserts and mountains, e.g. Arava, Negev and Dead Sea.

184. Northern Raven, Corvus corax
     2 among other ravens at Dead Sea on 14th.

185. Tristram's Grackle, Onychognathus tristramii
     2 at Eilat on 7th and 20 on 16th, common at Dead Sea: Ein Gedi etc.

186. Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
     Large flocks at Urim, Be'er Sheva, Hula Valley and Bet She'an area.

187. House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
     At many places with people and animals.

188. Spanish Sparrow, Passer hispanolensis
     Seen daily. Often formed larger flocks than House Sparrow and favoured more places with bushes and reeds. Largest flock 200 at Yotvata sewage farm on 17th.

189. Dead Sea Sparrow
     One female at k33 in Arava Valley on 14th. 30 at North Fields on 16th and 30 at Yotwata on 17th.

190. Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
     3 near Urim on 8th. Common in Hula Valley And Bet She'an area.

191. Serin, Serinus serinus
     20 near the road at Wadi Ammaud on 10th.

192. Syrian Serin, Serinus syracus
     2 at the sewage ponds of Yotvata on 17th. They were quite co-operative when it comes to photographs (~2 films)

193. Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris
     10 near Nizzana Castle on 8th. Several tens seen in the North.

194. Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
     10 somewhere on 8th. 30 Near the Sea of Galilee on 9th. Many flocks in the Hula Valley and Bet She'an area.

195. Linnet, Carduelis cannabina
     1 at South Fields on 7th. 10 at the Sea of Galilee on 10th. Common in the North, Hula, Bet She'an etc.

196. Desert Finch, Rhodospiza obsoleta
     5 at Eilat on 7th. 5 in the trees near Nizzana castle on 8th and 13th. 15 near Eilat on 14th

197. Sinai Rosefinch, Carpodacus synoicus
     9 (4 red males) at Amram's Pillars on 7th. 1 at Ein Netafim on 17th.

198. Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia
     10 at Mount Arbel on 10th.

199. House Bunting, Emberiza striolata
     2 at cemetery in Eilat on 15th.

200. Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra
     1 at Nizzna on 8th, 4 at Mount Arbel on 10th. 10 near Mount Hermon on 11th.

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