Thursday 3 April 2014

Israel day 5/6

Days spent birding and evenings spent in meetings leads to confusion as to what day of the week it is but I believe it is now Thursday meaning we have only a day and a half left before returning to Norway.
The last couple of days have been hot and birding has been good although without anything too rare. There has been no raptor migration but the number of warblers has increased. Eastern Bonellis and Lesser Whitethroats are the two commonest species but there are many other species including a few Ruppel's and Orphean.
Two flocks of Blue Cheeked Beeaters flew over today leaving me, in the drivers seat, with no photo opportunity but Kjell managed a good picture as he also did of a 2cy Pallid Harrier. I concentrated on watching it in the bins and scope which only confirmed to me how difficult it can be seeing the relevant ID features on a fast flying bird - good photos are so important.
There is a ringing station at Lotan where we are staying and we have seen Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Savi's Warbler, Nightingale and Ortolan in the hand.
There should be some good photos to upload next week with a Rufous Bushchar being particularly obliging today.

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