EILAT - 2001

Report of a visit by Mark Doveston, Simon Goodwin, Stuart Hodson and Colin Moore between 19th and 26th March. Prepared by Simon Goodwin: simon@goodwin85.freeserve.co.uk

Preamble

One of the 'pre-fabs' at Moon Valley Hotel

After Thomsons cancelled our holiday because of the ‘deteriorating political situation’, we re-booked with Longwoods, an Israel specialist, who quite rightly foresaw no problem in booking holiday-makers into Eilat - an area which (so far) has never experienced any of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The downside was some extra cost (increased to £410) and the Manchester to Ovda flight which now called in at Gatwick, increasing flight time by two hours. Adding this to the fifty minute coach transfer from Ovda to Eilat meant a long day’s journey. The upside was that we were able to specify bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the Moon Valley that had been used the previous year. This is one of the more ‘mature’ establishments in the hotels area of Eilat. Visually it looks like a set of pre-fabs. However it is efficient, clean, comfortable and (except for the sparrows at 4am and a group of army conscripts one night) quiet. The trees around the apartments and swimming pool are not just the usual date palms and can be a source of food for warblers etc. The food at the Moon Valley was good. The buffet breakfast was substantial and members of the party took the opportunity to stoke up for the day on a variety of egg concoctions. The main downside of this was that an hour’s peak birding time was lost. The evening meal at about £9 was convenient, substantial and tasty. You can stock up for lunch at the ‘Israeli Bakery’ - a take-away on the corner of Ophirim Park which sold various local ‘pasties’. We bought bottles of water daily but the stuff out of the tap seemed fine and caused no stomach problems. Most hotels in Eilat are convenient for birders although caution is advised about booking into one of the accommodations at Coral Beach; these are a bit too far off the beaten track.

Be warned. Eilat only offers four things: sun, birds, scuba-diving and a variety of ways of spending money. Many trips (Egypt, Petra etc) and evenings out (Bedouin, Kibbutz etc) are offered, but cost a small fortune - a one-day trip to Petra costs $200. As a centre for a family holiday with ‘a bit of birding’, boredom and bankruptcy would soon set in amongst the non-birding members. However as an opportunity to view ‘European’ birds it arguably has no equals.

A hire car, category B, was pre-booked for the week from ‘Thrifty’ (booked through Holiday Autos) for £199; and we were given a free upgrade to category C. Be warned that you are not covered ‘off road’ and many of the tracks that you may want to use are fairly rough. Having no wish to crunch the catalytic converter we never attempted to make it to the top of Mt. Yoash. Having said that we have used ‘Thrifty’ on a number of occasions in the past and had no trouble with them. They said that they are not worried about the odd minor scratch and indeed did not seem to make any sort of check when we returned the car. Petrol is a bit cheaper than in UK and we used less than two tankfuls all week, not feeling the need to make the long trek to the Negev Desert. Many areas can be reached on foot (Ophirim Park, North Beach, Canal, Salt Pans, Date Palms, Pumping Station, Cemetery and South Fields) but most of these sites involve being out for the day and this implies carrying food, (lots of) drink and ‘scopes etc - not too pleasant when it gets hot. Eilat has been rapidly expanded and local scrub has virtually disappeared. It was noticeable, though, that for the first time virtually no new hotels were being built. A car is essential for Yotvata, the desert and raptor-watching in the mountains. Eilat itself is fairly busy, but once outside the roads are relatively quiet and the drive to Shizzafon via Ovda very quiet. In 1997 one lone birder we knew spent most of his time on foot but hired a cycle to reach K33 and North Fields. Eilat itself is not the only place suffering from habitat destruction. The valley floor between there and Yotvata is gradually being taken over by new plantations of date palms and fields of melons, onions, maize etc. This has resulted in an increase in the size of the various irrigation ponds but, more worryingly, in the destruction of the few reed-beds. Those south of the irrigation ponds at K20 have disappeared and an area that contained grebes, crakes and ducks in 1997 is now barren. Additionally the reed-beds behind Yotvata sewage works have been ‘prettified’ and are now less productive.

Generally the locals ignored us, probably having realised from experience that birders object on principle to spending money whilst on holiday. Our tour rep instantly recognised us as a lost cause and didn’t even try to get us to come to the ‘Welcome Meeting’ or sell us any of the additional trips. There were approximately 60 birders there during our week, about half the number that one could find in previous years, presumably due to the increased tension after the breakdown of the peace talks. The birders included the all-knowing Brit and, complete with ‘Finn-sticks’, the usual clutch of awesome Scandinavians, who surely must have some genetic enhancement to their eyesight. With fewer birders the grapevine wasn’t so good but information seemed to get around. Security was fairly lax given the circumstances although we broke the all-time record for being questioned on the tarmac between leaving the incoming flight and before reaching the arrival hall at Ovda. After that we were only ‘studied’ by an occasional inquisitive Jordan border patrol complete with machine-gun but they eventually ignored us when we resolutely focussed our binoculars in the opposite direction. (One Israeli from the north told us that is was perfectly safe to go bird-watching on the Golan Heights but this was one piece of advice that we chose to ignore.)

The birds
Compared to the reports from the early ‘90s, Eilat has been relatively quiet for passerines in recent years. However this year was noticeably poorer; ‘Eilat veterans’ who had been six or seven times said it was easily the worst year they could remember. It would seem that the large ‘falls’ and the astronomical numbers of abundant migrating species such as Lesser Whitethroat and Red-throated Pipit may be a thing of the past, possibly owing to the increasing urbanisation of Eilat and the gradual drying out of Southern Israel which, it is suggested, means that the birds are passing straight through or diverting course. We arrived in a mini-heatwave with daytime temperatures nearing the mid-30s. This had resulted in all the winter visitors disappearing so no Greenfinch, Syrian Serin, Sinai Rosefinch and, most surprisingly given the numbers in previous years, no Sardinian Warbler. With no significant southerly winds, North Beach produced little beyond the local species. However there were some north and west winds during the week which gave a reasonable, if somewhat variable, raptor movement. Deciding whether to go raptor-watching on any one morning is a fine art, but a north or, even better, a north-easterly, wind, however strong, is not to be ignored. With a southerly wind you can probably afford to concentrate on the passerines etc in the valley. One day the usually productive westerlies were too strong and there was little raptor passage. In the latter half of the holiday the temperatures settled down to the usual Eilat upper-20s. In the last couple of days there was a noticeable increase in passerines and on occasions it became the old-Eilat-problem of which bird to look at first rather than hunting down odds and sods. Nevertheless, even a bad year such as this produces an excellent variety of species and in true Eilat fashion you never knew quite what is going to be around the next corner.

The two main guides that we used were Harris et al ‘The Macmillan Birder’s Guide to European and Middle Eastern Birds’ and the newish ‘Collins Bird Guide.’ These were supplemented by Jonsson‘s ‘Birds of Europe’, ‘Birds of the Middle East’ by Porter, Christensen & Schiermacker-Hansen ,Harris et al: The ‘Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification’ and Dick Forsman’s ‘Raptors of Europe and the Middle East’. The last author was seen at one of the raptor watch-points but we were able to resist the temptation to rush across for his autograph.

Apart from birds we saw Dorcas Gazelle (more than in previous years), quite a few Nubian Ibex, two desert foxes with a cub at K40, one locust(?) and miscellaneous lizards, one of which was about two foot long with a “head as big as a fist”; some butterflies including a number on migration at the raptor watch-points.

The local bird-watching guru, Hadoram Shirihai, organises trips to the Negev (one day £35) for Bustard, Vulture, Sandgrouse etc, and to “local wadis” for Hume’s Tawny Owl (£15!) and Egyptian Nightjar (£20!). You’re supposed to use your own transport as well. Talking to birders who’d partaken, the Owl and Nightjar trips were a “rip-off” and this week the Negev trip was very disappointing with only a few of the promised species, although, to be fair, that area had poor weather on the day of the trip. The latter does involve getting up at 3 a.m. followed by an unpleasant three-hour drive at speeds up to 130 km/hr. It didn't appeal to us.

Sites

Ophirim Park
Otherwise known as Shulamit Park or even Birdwatching Park. Situated in the hotels area and visited most mornings before breakfast. A productive spot but fewer species than in previous years; several new buildings on this small patch of green can’t have helped.

Pumping Station
Situated in the hills at the north-western edge of the town. A small area continually watered is the attraction here. To catch the star act, arrive half an hour before dusk, settle down and wait for Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse. Often worth visiting at other times.
Cemetery
Roughly north-east of the Pumping Station at the end of Jerusalem Street, although the easiest access is now off the new ring-road. A pleasant spot for an hour or so.
New Lagoon and Football Pitches
A new piece of landscape architecture near North Beach. The previous year the edges had been well grassed and hence attracted birds. Unfortunately the grass is no longer watered and the edges are reverting to sand. Nearby, two football pitches are still watered and did provide food for pipits etc.

K33
Right-hand side of Arava road. Desert spot which for some unfathomable reason attracts larks. Best early as the activity in the past has usually slackened off after 10am. Additionally it’s not a bad spot to observe passage through the valley.

Canal
The old canal has been replaced between North Beach and the Salt Pans by a newly-dug one which contained a foot or so of water. Towards the Salt Pans the reeds have re-established along the sides and provide a protective habitat. Unfortunately the growth is such now that it is very difficult to view what is lurking in the bottom.
Salt Pans
North of the hotels area. Access is now restricted and many of the pans cannot be viewed adequately.
Ringing Station
Now situated to the north of the salt pans. The northernmost pan and a new pond to the north of that have been converted into a ‘Nature Reserve’. The idea is commendable but in practice there are problems. There is no cover around the edge of the ponds and it’s far too easy to disturb any birds, with the result that not long after first light anything interesting will have been flushed. Additionally there now appears to be a flourishing market in ringing holidays and the surrounding scrub contained a large number of nets. As in this country a ‘nature reserve’ is becoming somewhere that humans can interact with nature rather than somewhere that nature can be left alone to thrive.

K40
Right-hand side of Arava road. Date palms, desert and sewage pond. Produced a good variety of birds this year and worth a couple of visits. The unfenced new plantations of date palms provided one of our best sources of resting migrants.

Date Palms
East of the Salt Pans. Much reduced in size, although with some new planting now. There is an increasing number of date palm plantations as one moves north towards Yotvata but many of them are fenced off.
Wadi (Nahal) Schlomo (Ovda Road)
Just below main raptor watch-point, an unpretentious wadi which in 1995 had attracted a good variety of birds, but not so productive since.
South Fields
North of the (Eilat) Date Palms. An area of melon fields and greenhouses with windbreaks across the canal from the Ringing Station
K20
North of Eilat on the east of the main Arava Road. Fields, scrub, greenhouses and irrigation ponds which you can drive around - THE wader spot. The reed-beds to the south are now useless. An essential visit though.

North Beach
The informal evening meeting spot for many birders. Grip and be gripped whilst watching seabirds and egrets coming in to roost from the Gulf of Aqaba. Fairly quiet here this year; a lack of southerlies may have been to blame.

Camel Farm
(Bottom of Wadi (Nahal) Schlomo) Two km up Wadi Schlomo from Coral Beach (one km north of the Camel Farm) this wadi opens out a little and in 2000 provided us with a superb spectacle of passing migrants between 4pm and 5pm. No joy this year though.
Shizzafon
Turn left off Arava road onto the ‘40’ road after passing Yotvata and drive into mountains for approx five km. On the right in the middle of nowhere is a sewage pond from which a trickle of a stream runs. The nearby Kibbutz (turn right at ‘island’ in front of Kibbutz and go 100m) has cultivated fields on both sides of the road. Worth at least one visit although this year the results were disappointing. (An alternative to going via Yotvata is to travel on the quieter and more attractive road via Ovda, turning right when reaching the ‘40’ and then left after a couple of km.)

K18
Going south from K20 along the track (at approximately K18) are some recently extended and productive irrigation ponds. Just to the north are some spoil heaps which were the only site for Bimaculated Lark. The whole area from K20 south to the Jordan Border Crossing has potential.

Amram Pillars
Sinai Rosefinch winter site. Turn left off the main Arava Road at K20, fork right after 2km and go a long way up a poor track. You then stop at the camping sign, put some oranges on the ground and wait. Not visited this year as the Rosefinch had already left.
Yotvata
To the east of the petrol station (the only source of refreshments outside Eilat) are scrub, acacia trees, fields, a watered garden area and a usually productive sewage pond, behind which are some reed beds and scrub. A whole day could easily be spent in this area AND you have easy access to ice-cream, food etc.
K26
A “nature reserve” on the right of the Arava road with scrubby desert and acacia trees. Only for the desperate as we found it disappointing.
K50
Wooded area just to south of Yotvata on west of main road (parking on east side). Arabian Warbler spot.

Raptor Watch-Points (RWP)
Anywhere between four and eight km from Eilat in the mountains on the Ovda Road. The main spot is three-quarters of the way up the hill on the right-hand side. The lowest RWP proved best after 11:00 when activity had died down higher up. On days when the wind was northerly or westerly, the main RWP was best between 8:30 and 10:30. When birds were passing high we tried a watch-point further up near the Egyptian border crossing but it can’t be recommended. There is an afternoon passage between 4:00 and 5:30 but this seems to be very variable; it shouldn’t be ignored however. To confound all this received wisdom two Belgian(!) birders went to the watch-point one afternoon between 13:00 and 16:00 (normally a hopeless time) and reported tens of thousands of Buzzards in a southerly (similarly a hopeless direction) wind. Bizarre! The first person to develop a local pager system for birders will deserve a medal.

Itinerary
20th virtually no wind (very light southerly)
am: New Lagoon, bottom of Canal, Football Pitches, Ophirim Park, K20
pm: K20, Wadi Schlomo (raptor watching), North Beach
21st light east veering to light north wind, thunderstorms in mountains in evening
am: Ringing Station, RWP, Shizzafon
pm: Shizzafon, Yotvata, K40
22nd light north wind
am: Ophirim Park, RWP, Wadi Schlomo
pm: K18, Camel Farm, North Beach
23rd southerly wind
am: RWP, K33
pm: K50, Yotvata
24th strong west wind
am: RWP, Wadi Schlomo, Pumping Station
pm: Date Palms, Ringing Station, Pumping Station
25th light west wind
am: Ophirim Park, RWP, K26
pm: K40, Yotvata, K40
26th light north wind
am: Ophirim Park, RWP, K18

Systematic List
Bird names in Bold Italics were not seen by the party this year. Information in italics at the end of each species relates to visits made in 1995/7 & 2000.
Black-necked Grebe Recorded in 1995 at North Beach and in 1997 in the now-destroyed reed-beds at K20.
Little Grebe Two on the new pond at the Ringing Station on 21st and 24th. Two in the reedy ponds at K20 and one at Yotvata in 1997.
Brown Booby Just one record in 1995 and regular sightings at North Beach in 1997.
Cormorant Three over the New Lagoon on 20th, and seven in the Ringing Station area the next day. About 30 records in 1997 and 2000 but just one in 1995.
Green-backed Heron (Mangrove Heron, Striated Heron) Four birds on the riggings off North Beach on 22nd. (It would seem that these riggings, part of a fish farm, are to be dismantled in the next eighteen months as the fish farm is causing ecological damage to the coral reef.) One sighting in 1995 and two in 1997, both off North Beach
Little Bittern Only recorded in 1995, a single, migrating through the desert at K33.
Night Heron A single at K20 on 20th Recorded on three dates including a party of five over Salt Pans in 1995.
Cattle Egret Two records in 1995, one in 1997 and three in 2000.
Squacco Heron One on the Canal on 20th and two the following day at the Ringing Station. A single on the Salt Pans in 1995, birds at Yotvata and K18 in 1997 and 2000, and additionally K20 in 1997.
Little Egret At least 10 in the Canal area on 20th, six at the Ringing Station the next day, 42 flying over North Beach in the evening on 22nd, and eight on the Salt Pans on 24th. Maximum numbers of 22 in 1995, six in 1997 and 30 in 2000.
Western Reef Heron (Reef Egret) A big miss. Normally any visit to North Beach in the evening would produce a few of this species. There was, it seems, a single with a party of over 50 of the above species during one evening when we didn’t visit. One can only speculate whether, with the increasing numbers of Little Egrets, this species is being squeezed out. A maximum of two in 1995, six in 1997 and five in 2000.
Grey Heron All seen between the Ringing Station and North Beach: nine on 20th, five on 21st, 15 on 23rd and four on 24th, with the exception of 12 at K20 on 20th. Maximum numbers of 18, 40 and 15 in 1995, 1997 and 2000 respectively.
Purple Heron Five in 1995.
Black Stork A fairly good year with 93 at the RWP and 14 at the Camel Farm on 22nd. followed by four on 23rd, 123 on 24th and 60 on 26th: all at the RWP. 150 recorded on each of two dates in 1997 but a combined total of only about 50 in 1995. 2000 produced 600 on one day and 150 on another.
White Stork Only singles at the RWP on 22nd and 24th, but on 23rd there were 400 over the RWP and about 3000 over Yotvata late in the afternoon. We parked up in a field and about half of these birds came down to roost in the trees around us, often only a few yards away. One of the most noticeable features of this experience was the sound of many of the birds bill-clapping away to each other. About 50 in 1995 and 20 in 2000, but a sensational passage over RWP and in particular through the desert at K33 in 1997 with our count of 4000 birds now felt to be a considerable under-estimate.
Spoonbill A single at K18 on 22nd. One at the Ringing Station in 2000.
Glossy Ibis A party of 12 just over the Jordan border near the Date Palms in 1995.
(Greater) Flamingo Numbers of most birds in the Eilat area generally seem to be decreasing but the size of this group at K20 just grows and grows - this year it was up to 262 (on 20th). None in 1995, no more than 60 in 1997, 100 plus in 2000.
Shelduck After last year’s numbers, back to normal with just two, at K20 on 20th Just a single in 1997 and none in 1995 but 250 at K20 in 2000.
Ruddy Shelduck A complete surprise: four on the Salt Pans on 21st. Not previously recorded.
Wigeon A single at Yotvata on 23rd. Only previously noted in 2000 with records of over 20 birds.
Mallard Three at K20 in 1997.
Pintail Five at K20 on 20th. Only previously recorded in 1997, over 60.
Shoveler Small numbers - eight at K20 on 20th and 13 over the Date Palms on 24th - although we additionally had several large flocks of unidentified ducks at North Beach. Several hundred in both 1995 and 1997, and 40+ in 2000.
Teal At least ten at K20 on 20th followed by two records from Yotvata: one on 23rd and a pair two days later. Only previously recorded in 1997.
Garganey About 30 in 1997.
Tufted Duck 23 at K20 on 20th. Only previously recorded in 2000, just two.
Black Kite The differences between the standard ‘western’ Black Kite and the sub-species aegyptius and lineatus, with their large pale primary patches and more forked tail, were once again very noticeable. Reasonable, if not outstanding, numbers: 20 above Wadi Schlomo on 20th, five at the Ringing Station and 15 at the RWP the next day, a total of 60 at K18 and the RWP on 22nd, followed by 25, ten, 20+ and 50 nearly all at theRWP over the last four days. About 700 in both 1995 and 2000 but only about 70 in 1997.
Egyptian Vulture Far more than normal: singles on 20th, 21st and 22nd, four on 23rd, two on 25th and finally six on 26th - all at the RWP. Half a dozen in both1995 and 2000 but only one in 1997.
Griffon Vulture A surprise: a single on the first afternoon over Wadi Sclomo. A single recorded in 1995.
Short-toed Eagle A good year started with one fairly close over the sewage works at Shizzafon on 21st. Then there were three the next day: two at the RWP and one at K18, followed by two at the RWP on 23rd. Three in both1997 and 2000 but just one in 1995.
Pallid Harrier Disappointingly no males. As some compensation there were three female-types: at the RWP and Yotvata on 23rd and K18 on 26th. Two in both 1995 and 2000, and a single in 1997, all males.
Hen Harrier An unidentified ringtail, which was probably of this species, on 22nd at the RWP. One ringtail in 1995, a male in 1997, three males and two ringtails in 2000.
Montagu’s Harrier A dubious tick in 1997
Marsh Harrier An improvement over previous years with a single at Yotvata and two at K40 on 21st, two at the RWP the next day, four at Yotvata on 23rd, at least four in the Date Palms area on 24th, and finally two singles at the RWP and K40 on 25th. Mainly males. Nine birds in 1995 and seven in both 1997 and 2000.
Sparrowhawk All records relate to singles: Ophirim Park on 20th and 24th, Yotvata on 23rd and 25th, and the Date Palms and K50 both on 23rd. Ten birds in both 1995 and 1997 with just four in 2000.
Levant Sparrowhawk A very early bird showing all the features of a male of this species passed overhead at the RWP on 23rd in a group that also contained a Short-toed Eagle and an Imperial Eagle. Not previously recorded.
Long-legged Buzzard The first was a single at the RWP on 23rd which was followed by three there on 26th, the same date when another single was seen at K18. Two in 1995 and eight in 2000.
‘Steppe’ Buzzard By no means excessive numbers but quite sufficient to keep the interest going. Most sightings relate to the RWP but there are usually odd birds at various locations. Daily totals for the week: 200, 300, 1500, 750, 50, 100 and 1000. About 10,000 altogether in 1995, no more than 1000 in 1997 and about 20,000 including 12,000 in one hour in 2000.
Steppe Eagle Excellent numbers for this impressive bird. Usually at this time of year all birds are in the easily identifiable pre-adult stage, but surprisingly about 20% appeared to be adults - possibly another indication that migration was late this year. One adult in a fairly ragged condition gave excellent close views. The first were two above Ophirim Park and two over Wadi Schlomo on 20th, followed by three at the RWP the next day. 22nd provided 14: 12 at the RWP and two at the Camel Farm. The final four days at theRWP produced 22, six, five and 22 respectively. Additionally there was an eagle sp over Wadi Schlomo on 20th. About ten/day on 1995, less than half that in 1997 and about 40 in 2000.
Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle Theoretically we missed this bird by a couple of minutes at the lower RWP, but considering the source of information we have to remain a bit dubious. One of the local, and elusive, breeders gave us a treat in 1997
(Greater) Spotted Eagle Possibly the bird of the trip. One of the Finns told us that there was a juvenile bird with tail feathers missing hanging about around Yotvata, and, lo and behold, it showed twice for us there on 25th. Even without the tail feathers clue the views were such that we would have eventually got around to identifying it despite the species being unexpected around Eilat in the spring. Not previously recorded
Lesser Spotted Eagle One, probably three, in 2000.
(Eastern) Imperial Eagle One over the RWP on 23rd. Unfortunately if you were concentrating on finding this bird you were unlikely to get onto the Levant Sparrowhawk which was passing at the same time. One in 1995 and three in 2000.
Booted Eagle None until four on the last day: three dark-phase birds at the RWP and a light-phase over North Beach Six in 1995, one in 1997 and five in 2000
Osprey Three birds all over the RWP: two on 22nd and a single on 24th. Five in both1995 and 2000. A single in 1997
Red-footed Falcon An unexpected male in 2000.
Kestrel Singles at Ophirim Park and K20 on 20th and the RWP and K40 on 21st, were followed by five at K18 on 22nd. 23rd gave us just a single, at K33, but there were again five the following day: four around the Date Palms and one at the RWP. Finally there were singles at K40 on 25th, and at both Ophirim Park and K18 on 26th. No matter how hard we tried we could turn none of them into the next species. Four in 1995, about half a dozen in 1997 and 16 in 2000.
Lesser Kestrel A single in 2000.
Hobby Only recorded in 1995, a single.
Barbary Falcon All records from the RWP. A single on 22nd, a possible attacking a passing eagle three days later, and a falco sp on 21st. Two records of singles in all previous years.
Peregrine A confident id of a single at RWP on 24th. Not previously recorded.
Lanner One after wagtails at Shizzafon in 1997.
Sand Partridge Damn things get harder and harder to find. Eventually three appeared above the Pumping Station on 24th. After learning their call, one was heard at the RWP the same day with two also along the Ovda Rd on 25th. Recorded at five sites in 1995, three sites in 1997 and just one site in 2000.
Quail Just one bird in the Date Palms on 23rd. Only previously recorded in 2000 when 20 were seen.
Little Crake Up to three birds in the now non-existent reed-beds at K20 in 1997.
Moorhen Two sites: K18 a single on 22nd and Yotvata, ten on 22nd and at least two on 25th. Three, five and two respectively in previous years.
Coot Just two on both our visits to the Ringing Station on 21st and 24th. None in 1995, up to 20 at K20 in 1997, up to eight at Yotvata in 2000.
(Common) Crane A single over the Camel Farm on 22nd added this species to our holiday list. Not recorded in 1995, but 18 at K33 and a single at RWP in 1997. 13 birds at K33 in 2000.
Stone Curlew One bird in the scrub at K20 on 20th. Only previously recorded at K40, two in 2000.
Oystercatcher An uncommon species for Eilat but we could have wished for something a little more unfamiliar: two at North Beach on 22nd. Not previously recorded
Black-winged Stilt Like the Greater Flamingo, another unexciting species that seems to be on the increase: 50 at K20 on 20th, 20 at the Ringing Station the next day, ten at K18 on 22nd followed by a single at Yotvata on 23rd. The number at the Ringing Station had reduced to five by 24th whereas at Yotvata the numbers had increased to 16 on 25th. There were an additional four at K40 on this date. Finally there were still ten at K18 on 26th. No more than six birds in total in 1995, a maximum of 20 at K20 in 1997 with 40 there in 2000.
Avocet Two at K20 on 20th. 20 in 2000, a single in 1997 with four in 1995.
Black-winged Pratincole A probable at Yotvata in 2000.
Collared Pratincole Two in both1995 and 2000 with five in 1997.
Cream-coloured Courser Only recorded in 2000 when a single at K40 and two birds at K33 were the star birds of the trip.
Ringed Plover On 20th there were at least seven at North Beach and three at K20. This was followed by three at the Ringing Station on 21st and a single at K18 the next day. Up to 15 together in both 1995 and 1997 but a maximum of eight in 2000.
Little Ringed Plover Surprisingly found only at one site, K18: four on 22nd and eight on 26th. Larger numbers in all previous years.
Kentish Plover 25 on our only visit to K20 on 20th. Thereafter just two, on 21st at the Ringing Station. Up to ten together in both 1995 and 1997 but only five all holiday in 2000.
Greater Sand Plover A K20 speciality and the single there was duly ticked on 20th. Singles in 1995 and 2000 with two in 1997, all at K20.
White-tailed Plover Only recorded in 2000, in the Canal.
Spur-winged Plover (Spur-winged Lapwing) A flamboyant and noisy bird recorded at the New Lagoon, Date Palms, Canal, Yotvata, Ringing Station, K40, Shizzafon and K18 with daily totals of 12, 20, six, 18, two, 20, ten. Total counts smaller in previous years.
Dunlin A single of this uncommon-to-Eilat species at K20 on 20th. Just a single, recorded in 1997.
Little Stint Increased numbers over previous years with up to 100 at K20 on 20th. Additionally there were ten at the Ringing Station and two at Shizzafon on 21st, and five at K18 the next day. Maximum counts on any one day of ten, eight and 40 in 1995, 1997 and 2000 respectively.
Redshank K20 produced up to ten on 20th, the Ringing Station/Salt Pans area five and four on 21st and 24th respectively, with two at K18 on 26th. Significantly greater numbers in previous years.
Spotted Redshank A single at Yotvata on 23rd and 25th. Only previously recorded in 1997.
Greenshank Another increase. On 20th there were five at K20 and three by the Canal. On the following day the Ringing Station held three. Finally singles at North Beach and K18 on 22nd. Four were reported in both 1995 and 1997 with two in 2000.
Wood Sandpiper Singles at Yotvata and K18 on 23rd and 26th respectively. A total of six recorded in 1995, five together in 1997 but none in 2000.
Common Sandpiper Just a single in both 1995 and 1997.
Green Sandpiper Like 2000, low numbers. 21st provided six at the Ringing Station and three at Shizzafon. There were four at K18 the next day, and two at Yotvata and a single in the Date Palms on 23rd. By 25th the number at Yotvata had reduced to one. On 26th there were just two at K18. Over 50 in 1995, about 70 in 1997 but only three in 2000.
Marsh Sandpiper Singles at K20 on 20th and the Ringing Station the following day. Up to three birds on previous holidays.
Ruff Another species whose numbers showed a considerable increase with 50 at K20 on 20th. Elsewhere there were 20 at the Ringing Station and a single at Shizzafon on 21st, eight at K18 on 22nd, ten and five at Yotvata on 22nd and 24th respectively, five at the Date Palms on 24th and ten at K18 on 26th. About 20 in 1997 and 2000 with only five birds in total in 1995.
Curlew A single recorded in 1995.
Black-tailed Godwit Recorded in 2000, a single at K20.
Common Snipe A noticeable increase over previous years started with just a single at Shizzafon on 21st. K18 held two on both the following day and 26th. On 23rd there were two at Yotvata which increased to 11 by 25th. Additionally the Salt Pans saw five on 24th. A total of three in 1997, four in 2000 but none in 1995.
Arctic Skua A single at North Beach in 1995 and 1997.
Slender-billed Gull Recorded at North Beach, K20 and Salt Pans with daily totals of 60, 30+, 40+, 0, 30, 0, 10 - less than in previous years but maybe we weren’t trying. Daily maxima of 30, 200 and100 in the three previous visits.
Little Gull A single was recorded in 1995.
White-eyed Gull Visits to North Beach produced at least 20 on 20th and 22nd. Similar numbers in previous years.
Black-headed Gull Do we care? Daily estimates of 50, 25, 40+, 0, 100, 0, 0. A maximum daily count of 20 in 1997 but at least a hundred recorded on several dates in 1995 with about half that number in 2000.
Mediterranean Gull A first-year bird over the Canal on 20th. Probably one of the rarest birds of the trip. Not previously recorded.
Great Black-headed Gull (Pallas’s Gull) A North Beach speciality but just two on 22nd. Maxima of two recorded in 1995, with six in 1997 and four in 2000.
Yellow-legged Gull Recorded either at North Beach or just to the north with, exceptionally, a single at K20. Six on 20th, 20 on 22nd (mainly first and second -year birds) and five on 25th Small numbers in 1997 and 2000 but up to 20/day in 1995.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Small numbers: 30 on 20th but just three on 22nd and five on 24th Very variable with a maximum of 200 in 2000, no more than 30 in 1997 but regular three-figure counts in 1995.
Sandwich Tern Two from North Beach on 20th, with at least three there two days later. Two in 2000, up to six in 1997 but none in 1995.
Common Tern Two at North Beach on both 20th and 22nd. Either a single or two on previous visits.
Caspian Tern Records came from the New Lagoon, the Ringing Station and North Beach: seven on 20th, two the next day, three on 23rd and two on 24th. The odd single in both 1997 and 2000 but up to six in 1995.
Bridled Tern Unexpectedly recorded on North Beach in 2000.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Two in the glooming at K40 sewage works late on 21st. Not previously recorded.
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse The usual stunning experience. This year 25 including 10 males turned up a little earlier than usual in the evening to drink at the ‘pool’ next to the Pumping Station on 24th. 23 in 1995, 18 in 1997 and 31 in 2000.
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon As usual several hundred birds could be seen from Ophirim Park in the mornings commuting across the Gulf of Aqaba between the Moon Mountains and Jordan.
Collared Dove Various sites. Compared to previous years, larger numbers with about 30 birds seen most days. Of note were100 migrating north on one day in 1995.
Palm (Laughing) Dove (Too?) common - between 20 and 60 every day.
Turtle Dove A single at Yotvata on 23rd. Only previously recorded in 1995, also a single.
Namaqua Dove The flock at K20 now seems to have declined to one female which we failed to locate. We also failed to find a pair reported in the Date Palms area. Fortunately we were more successful with a pair at K40 on 25th. Up to ten in 1995, four in 1997 and five in 2000.
Great Spotted Cuckoo One, probably two, first-summer birds gave good views in the acacia trees at Yotvata on 21st. Only previously recorded in 1995, a single.
Ring-necked Parakeet (Rose-ringed Parakeet) Two over Ophirim Park on 20th with eight there on 22nd. Also on the latter date three were seen from North Beach; on 26th a number were heard in this area. Only previously recorded in 2000, 20 above Ophirim Park.
Tawny Owl A bird heard in 2000.
Little Owl Recorded in 1995, a calling bird.
Little Swift A single recorded in 1997.
Alpine Swift Disappointing, just two distant birds at the RWP on 22nd. Six in 1995 and 2000, seven in 1997.
Pallid Swift Nearly every time we got near enough to a swift for id purposes they appeared to be of this species: 18 moving north through K40 on 21st, ten on both 22nd and 23rd at the RWP with a similar number at Yotvata on 25th. About five in 1997.
Common Swift Only two birds, at the RWP on 26th, were we able to assign to this species compared to above. There were however significant numbers that have to go down as swift sp, daily totals being 20, 15, 60, 0, 10, 5, 10. Several hundred in 1997 and 2000 but less than 50 in total in 1995.
(Common) Kingfisher A single at North Beach which was probably one of the two along the Canal on 20th. A single in all previous years.
Smyrna (White-breasted) Kingfisher Proved even more elusive than usual with just a brief glimpse in Ophirim Park on 20th. A single recorded in the Date Palms in 1995 with three there in 2000.
Pied Kingfisher Just a single on 20th along the Canal. Two recorded in 1997 and 2000 but none in 1995.
Bee-eater About 40 birds in 1995 (a slightly later holiday), none in 1997, two in 2000.
Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater Only recorded in 1995, a party of 20.
Little Green Bee-eater Nearly always in pairs. Two at Ophirim Park on every visit, singles at the Canal and the Ringing Station on 20th and 21st respectively, four at K20 on 20th, four at K40 on 21st with two there four days later, two at K18 on 22nd, two at Yotvata on 23rd and 25th, two at Date Palms on 24th and two at K26 on 25th. Birds at K20, Date Palms, Yotvata, Camel Farm, K18 and K40 in 2000. Additionally birds seen at Shizzafon and the Cemetery in 1997 and up to seven at Yotvata in 1995.
Hoopoe All records of singles - at K20 and Wadi Schlomo on 20th, Shizzafon on 21st, Yotvata on 21st and 23rd, and the Cemetery on 24th - the exception being two at K40 on 25th. Up to ten in 1997 and 2000 but fewer in 1995.
Wryneck As usual confiding birds: two (one of which was being photographed from a ridiculously close distance) at Yotvata on 21st and 25th, a single in Ophirim Park on 24th and 25th, singles in the Date Palms and at the Cemetery on 24th, with one at K40 the next day. A total of five in 2000, odd singles in 1997, up to three together in Ophirim Park in 1995.
Hoopoe Lark A single seen and another heard at K33 on 23rd. Three seen in 1997 including one bird sensationally displaying a few feet away from us. At least six seen in 1995 but just two in 2000.
Short-toed Lark The best year yet. The first was a single at the Football Pitches on 20th. 21st produced 14 at K40 followed by eight at K18 and two at Yotvata on the next two days. This hadn’t prepared us for the flock of 100 feeding on the recently disturbed onion fields at K40 on 25th. Finally there were still two at K18 on 26th. Very variable numbers. 40 in 2000, none in 1997, 70 odd migrating north through the desert in 1995.
Desert Lark At the RWP and related areas (Camel Farm and Wadi Schlomo): three on 22nd, two daily from 23rd to 26th. Additionally there were two at the Pumping Station and a single at the Cemetery on 24th. Similar numbers in previous years.
Bar-tailed Desert Lark A brief view of a single at K33 on 23rd. Decreasing numbers: one in 2000, three in 1997 and six in 1995, all at K33.
Dunn’s Lark Only recorded in 1995: three at K33.
Bimaculated Lark With the disappearance of the hay bales close to the Jordan Border Crossing, the ‘guaranteed’ site is a spoil heap just to the north of the irrigation ponds at K18. Two gave quite spectacular views on 22nd. Seven in 1995, a single in 1997 and three in 2000.
Crested Lark Recorded at Date Palms, K18, the Canal, Shizaffon, Yotvata, K20, K40, K50 and K33. Successive dates produced eight, 12, six, seven, two, four, six. Similar numbers in previous years.
(Barn) Swallow Very disappointing daily totals: 15, 20, seven, four, six, 12, 20 About 50/day in both 1995 and 1997, but twice this number in 2000.
Red-rumped Swallow Again really low numbers: 0, ten, four, 0, 0, three, five. Three-figure counts in 1995 and 2000, but about half this number in 1997.
Crag Martin Only recorded in 2000, two at Shizzafon.
Pale Crag (Rock) Martin After last year’s exceptional numbers, back to bits and bobs: two at Wadi Schlomo on 20th, singles at Shizzafon and K40 the next day, two at the RWP and singles over Eilat and the Camel Farm on 22nd, singles over the Ovda Rd and at Yotvata on 23rd, one at the Pumping Station on 24th and finally a single at RWP on 25th Just four in both 1995 and 1997, but nearly 100 in 2000.
Sand Martin Apart from at least 30 at K40 on 25th only small numbers: three at K20 on 20th, five at K40 on 21st, four at K18 the next day, a single at Yotvata on 23rd and two at K18 on 26th. About ten/day recorded in 1995, but no more than 20 in total in 1997 and about ten in 2000.
House Martin Once again very disappointing being only recorded on 21st: a single at Shizzafon and at least four at RWP. Less than 50 in 1995, about 70 altogether two years later but roughly 250 in 2000.
Tree Pipit Ophirim Park held one on 20th and 22nd, and two on 25th and 26th. Additionally there was a single at Shizzafon on 21st and two at Yotvata on 25th. One in Ophirim Park in 1995, up to two there in 2000 and two at the New Lagoon in 1997.
Meadow Pipit A single bird in Ophirim Park in 2000.
Buff-bellied Pipit Two, of Siberian race ‘japonicus’, in Ophirim Park in 2000.
Red-throated Pipit Considering the disappointing numbers of other passerines, many more than might have been expected: six on the Football Pitches and two at K20 on 20th, a single at Shizzafon and ten at K50 the next day, 15 and 20 at the K18 on 22nd and 26th respectively, and one at the Date Palms on 24th. A total of 15 in 1995, seven in 1997 but just four in 2000.
Water Pipit Reasonable numbers although they didn’t compare with the influx noted the previous year: two on the Football Pitches and ten at K20 on the first day, two at the Ringing Station and a single at Shizzafon on 21st, six the next day at K18, one at the Ringing Station on 24th and an increase to 15 at K18 by 26th. 16 in total in 1997, just five in 1995 but over 70 in 2000.
Tawny Pipit Seven recorded in 1995, one in 1997 and three in 2000.
Richards Pipit Only recorded in 2000, at Shizzafon.
White Wagtail Up to 50/day except 23rd when there were about 100 on fields at Yotvata and 200 coming to roost at the sewage works there, and 26th with roughly 100 at K18. About 50/day in previous years.
Citrine Wagtail At least six individuals. Shizzafon held one male and one juvenile on 21st; the remainder were first-winter males: two at K20 on 20th and two at K18 on 22nd with one there on 26th. Two males in 1997, three in 2000 and a pair in 1995.
Yellow Wagtail Disappointing numbers. For the first time Ophirim Park failed to provide the opportunity of sorting out the various sub-species. Feldegg: one at K20 on 20th, ten at Shizzafon and singles at K40 and the Ringing Station on 21st, six at K18 on 22nd, five at Yotvata the next day with one there on 25th, and finally two at K18 on 26th, Flava: Shizzafon two on 21st, K18 two on 22nd and three on 26th, Yotvata a single on 23rd, Beema: two at Shizzafon on 21st, Lutea: a single at K18 on 22nd. Total numbers reached three figures in all previous years.
Yellow-vented (Spectacled) Bulbul An attractive bird that was often seen, heard and ignored. Daily counts: 50, 50, 30, 25, 30, 30, 20. Uncounted in previous years but similar numbers.
Grey Hypercolius A vagrant to Eilat that was recorded at K20 in 1997 and 2000.
Bluethroat Always a welcome sight; a couple had prominent white spots. Four were seen on 21st: two at the Ringing Station and singles at Shizzafon and Yotvata. The next day produced three, two at K18 and one in Ophirim Park. After that only a single in the Date Palms on 23rd and two at K18 on 26th. Up to twenty in 2000, ten in 1997 but only five in 1995.
Nightingale 25th produced two at K40 and a well-seen bird at Yotvata, with at least one in Ophirim Park the next day. Try as we might we couldn’t make any of them into Thrush Nightingales. Recorded in 1995, two singles and 2000, one.
Rufous Bush Chat (Rufous Bush Robin) A single was eventually located on the last day of the holiday near the irrigation ponds at K18. Recorded in 1995, three individuals, and 2000 with a single at Yotvata.
Black Bush Chat (Black Bush Robin) An unusual species for Eilat recorded in both 1995 and 1997 in Ophirim Park.
Redstart Only a few especially compared to the previous year’s totals; all at Yotvata and ‘eastern’ race males: a single on 21st and three on 25th. Four or five individuals only in 1995/7 but over 20 birds (mainly ‘eastern’ race) in 2000.
Black Redstart Singles of the ‘eastern’ race at Yotvata and in the Date Palms at K40 on 25th. Singles at Shizzafon in 1997 and Yotvata in 2000.
Blackstart A confiding species, full of character. 20th: a single in Wadi Schlomo. 21st: three at Shizzafon. 22nd: two at the RWP and four in Wadi Schlomo. 23rd: two at K50. 24th: at two the Cemetery, Pumping Station and Wadi Schlomo. 25th: two at K26 and Yotvata. Slightly larger numbers in previous years.
Stonechat Only recorded in 2000 when 13 turned up at various sites. To our shame we never investigated closely as to their particular race.
Northern Wheatear A disappointing year for most wheatear species especially considering the numbers recorded in 2000. 20th: two at K20. 21st: singles at Shizzafon, K40 and the Ringing Station. 22nd: single females at Wadi Schlomo and the RWP. 23rd: females again at Yotvata (one), K33 (three) and the Date Palms (one). 24th: six at the Cemetery and five at the Date Palms. 25th: eight at K40 and two at K26. 26th: four at K18 and a single on the Ovda Rd. About 25 in total in 1997, a dozen in 1995 but an average of 30/day in 2000.
Desert Wheatear Males at K20 in 2000, Shizzafon in 1997 and K33 in 1995. Additionally probable female at Shizzafon in 2000.
White-crowned (Black) Wheatear Whilst hardly shy and retiring, this species was not so confiding as in previous years. Daily totals along the Ovda Rd, RWP or Wadi Schlomo: one, three, four, one, three, four, nil. Additionally there were singles at Shizzafon (21st), the Cemetery and Ringing Station (both 24th). Similar numbers on previous trips.
Isabelline Wheatear Three singles: at K20 on 20th, and Wadi Schlomo and K18 (both on 22nd). Not recorded in 1995 but two at the bottom of the track up to Mt Yoash in 1997, and three singles in 2000.
Black-eared Wheatear Thankfully for identification purposes nearly all males, although a couple of these had distinct differences from either the typical ‘western’ or ‘eastern’ morph. Three at K20 on 20th, a single at Shizzafon the next day, one at K50 on 23rd, singles the following day at the Date Palms, Pumping Station and Cemetery, and on 25th at K26. Just two females: at Yotvata on 23rd and K40 on 25th; fortunately the former had been the object of study for over an hour by two competent ‘Filey birders’ before we came along. Only five or six in total seen in 1995 and 1997, but up to 40 in 2000.
Mourning Wheatear A single was picked up on the first day at K20. A single below Mount Yoash in 1995, none in 1997 but four at Shizzafon in 2000.
Hooded Wheatear A pair on Mount Yoash summit in both 1995 and 1997, and a male at Yotvata in 2000.
Blue Rock Thrush As in 1997 there was a female at the Cemetery (on 24th). None in 1995, one in 1997, and single males in Eilat and at the Pumping Station in 2000.
Rock Thrush Surprisingly, in addition to the above there was a female of this species at the same time and place. Not previously recorded.
Song Thrush One in Ophirim Park in 2000.
Reed Warbler Apart from one in the Date Palms on 24th, the remainder were all found in Ophirim Park: three on 22nd, singles on 24th and 26th. Just a single in 1997, three in 2000 but between ten and 20 individuals in 1995.
Great Reed Warbler Quite a surprise to find this (relatively) hulking thing in the bushes in Ophirim Park on 25th. Not previously recorded.
Sedge Warbler A lot of time was spent investigating one particularly dark individual which spent most of the week lurking in dense undergrowth in Ophirim Park. In addition to this were two and a single at K18 on 22nd and 26th respectively, and three at the Date Palms and a second bird at Ophirim Park both on 24th. About ten in 1995, double that in 1997 but none in 2000.
Cetti’s Warbler Heard in 1995 and 2000.
Graceful Warbler (Graceful Prinia) A common Eilat resident that provided the background calls at several sites. 20th: two along the Canal. 21st: six around the Ringing Station, three at Yotvata and two at K40. 22nd: two at K18. 23rd: six in the Date Palms and four at Yotvata. 24th: about 15 around the Date Palms and Ringing Station. 25th: two at K40 and five at Yotvata. 26th: two at K18. Similar numbers recorded in previous years.
Scrub Warbler A glimpse of a single at Shizzafon on 21st Three (Wadi Schlomo and Shizzafon) in 1995, a single (Wadi Schlomo) in 1997 and two at K20 in 2000.
Olivaceous Warbler A plain but surprisingly attractive bird that one wished appeared in greater numbers. The main site was Ophirim Park with two on 22nd and 25th, one on 23rd and three on 26th. Additionally there were singles at K50 (on 23rd) and the Cemetery (on 24th). Similar numbers on both previous holidays.
Whitethroat Few and far between, certainly compared with the previous year, with just a single at Yotvata on 21st and at least two in Ophirim Park on 22nd. Two singles in 1997, six individuals in 1995, but up to 50 in 2000.
Lesser Whitethroat Fewer than in two of the previous visits, but still the expected species when movement was first seen in a bush or tree. There seemed to be at least two sub-species and one notes with interest the comment in the ‘Collins Bird Guide’ that ssp. curruca and minula grade into each other. Daily approximations at various sites: 50, 30, 20, 20, 25, 40, 40. About 50/day in 1995 and 2000, but less than half these totals in 1997.
Blackcap Like several other passerines numbers started to increase significantly towards the end of the week, daily counts being: three, one two, five, seven, 18, 20. Daily counts of between two and 20 in 1995, no more than five/day in 1997 and only seven all holiday in 2000.
Orphean Warbler Once again only a single - on the last day of the holiday in Ophirim Park. Four singles noted in both 1995 and 1997, but only one in 2000.
Sardinian Warbler A winter visitor which, probably due to the mini-heatwave we experienced at the beginning of the holiday, had already left. Eight in 2000, 14 in 1997, but only three singles in 1995.
Ménétries’ Warbler A first-winter male in Ophirim Park in 1997.
Ruppells Warbler A few started to appear towards the end of the week: single males at Ophirim Park and K40 on 24th and 25th, with a female on the former date in Wadi Schlomo. Two singles in 1995 and 2000 but six individuals in 1997.
Cyprus Warbler Another winter visitor which had already left probably due to the hotter weather. Recorded in 2000 at Wadi Schlomo.
Arabian Warbler These things can be very elusive but two provided good views at one of the known sites, K50 - on 23rd. Two at Yotvata in 1995 and one at K50 in 1997.
Subalpine Warbler Singles recorded in 1995, in Ophirim Park, and 2000, at K20
Spectacled Warbler There is usually the odd unexpected species in Ophirim Park, and this year it was provided by Great Reed Warbler and this species where a female was present on 21st, 25th and 26th. Additionally there was a female in the Cemetery on the former date. Not previously recorded.
Willow Warbler Recorded in 1995, a single, and 2000, at least five.
Chiffchaff Reduced numbers again, but still plenty of material for those fascinated by sorting out the various sub-species (or should that be separate species?) Daily counts: 20, 40, ten, eight, 15, 15, ten. About 200 in total in each of the previous years.
Bonelli’s Warbler (At the risk of repeating myself) reduced numbers again, with no ‘western’ race birds being noted. 23rd produced a single at Yotvata and two at K50. Two days later there were two at Yotvata, one in Ophirim Park and two at K40. About ten in total in both 1995 and 1997, and 15 in 2000.
Collared Flycatcher Only recorded in 1995, two singles.
Semi-Collared Flycatcher Not normally expected until April, one of the bonuses of the mini-heatwave we experienced was that it probably caused this species to move through earlier. Three (two females and a male) in the gardens at Yotvata on 21st and a male in the fields at Yotvata on 23rd. Not previously recorded.
Penduline Tit Recorded (heard) in 1995.
(Brown) Arabian Babbler A typical year for this characterful bird; three at K20 on 20th, four at K50 and two at Yotvata on 23rd, and a single at the Ringing Station on 24th. Six in 1995, 15 in 1997, nine in 2000.
(Orange-tufted) Palestine Sunbird Even amongst the variety of bird-life that Eilat throws up, this attractive species still looks out of place; you feel that it really belongs in a more tropical habitat. A male at Yotvata on 21st and 25th with a pair there on 23rd. Two pairs at K50 on the latter date Similar numbers in previous visits.
Great Grey Shrike Two in 1997 and 2000, and three in 1995.
Masked Shrike Quite reasonable numbers for this confiding and attractive bird: singles at K20, Yotvata, Wadi Schlomo and Ophirim Park on the first four successive days of the holiday, with two at Yotvata, and singles at K26 and K40 on 25th. About half a dozen in 1995, two in 1997, with 13 in 2000.
Woodchat Shrike Recorded on three dates: 20th (one in Ophirim Park and two at K20), 25th (singles at Yotvata and K26) and 26th (one at K18). About ten in both 1995 and 1997, with six in 2000.
Tristram’s Grackle (Tristram’s Starling) Tristram’s Grackle is one the great names in bird-watching; I can’t bring myself to call it Tristram’s Starling. 20th: seven around Wadi Schlomo. 21st: five at Yotvata. 24th: two at both the Pumping Station and Wadi Schlomo. 25th: four at Ophirim Park. 26th: two at the RWP. A total of up to 30 in 1995 and 1997. Smaller numbers in 2000 except for 145 passing over Yotvata.
Brown-necked Raven All checked to ensure they were not Fan-tailed Raven (which is unusual this far south in Israel). K20 and Shizzafon held singles on 20th and 21st respectively, K40 three on 21st and one on 25th, Ovda Rd one on 21st, Camel Farm and K50 singles on 22nd and 23rd respectively, Yotvata one on 23rd and 25th, the RWP two on 23rd/24th and 26th with a single there on 25th. Similar numbers on previous visits.
Indian House Crow This is what you get when you cross a Jackdaw with a Raven. The size of the daily count depended how much of our time was spent in Eilat: 20, five, ten, two, ten, five, five. Similar numbers on previous visits.
Spanish Sparrow As usual variable numbers, with singles on 20th (at K20), 21st (in Opirim Park), 23rd (at Yotvata) and 24th (at Pumping Station), two on 26th (singles at our hotel and K18), seven on 22nd (two at Ophirim Park and five at Camel Farm), yet at least 40 on 25th at K40. Similar variations in daily counts in previous years but two or three times more birds in total in 1995 and 1997.
House Sparrow Noticeably less, the vast numbers seen previously coming in to roosts seem to have almost disappeared - not just in UK is this species decreasing. Daily counts: 100, 50, 30, 25, 25, 50, 50. Uncounted in previous years.
Dead-Sea Sparrow Two in 1997, singles in 1995 and 2000.
Syrian Serin Another winter visitor which had left early due to the hot weather. Recorded in 1997 and 2000 at Shizzafon.
Greenfinch See previous comment Eight in 1997, 13 in 1995, four in 2000.
Sinai Rosefinch Ditto. Not previously recorded.
Linnet A new bird for us in Eilat. For some reason it didn’t receive the same interest as Spotted Eagle and Semi-Collared Flycatcher. Not previously recorded.
Desert Finch This species proved to be a real pain on the last two visits, but this year one obliged by popping up on wires near the Ringing Station on 21st. Only recorded in 1995, two parties: one of 20, the other of eight.
Cretzschmar’s Bunting Another great bird-name. Numbers noticeably built up towards the end of the week. 20th: a single at K20. 21st: two at Yotvata. 22nd: a pair at K18. 23rd & 24th: nil. 25th: at least ten at K40. 26th: ten at Ophirim Park and 20 at K18. About a dozen in 1997 and 2000 with twice that in 1995.
Trumpeter Finch Four recorded in 1995 with five including three at Shizzafon in 2000.
House Bunting Only recorded in 1995, two.
Ortolan Bunting A single with the Cretzschmar’s in the date palms at K40 on 25th. Recorded at Shizzafon in 1995, with three in 2000.

A good crowd at the raptor watch-point