mvecht`s Big Year

[mvecht]

From time to time the fishponds are emptied and become a heaven for storks and egrets

 

 

Edited November 19, 2019 by mvecht
photo added

[mvecht]

#206 Desert Finch (Rhodospiza obsoleta)

Desert Finches are normally found in much drier areas.

extreme backlighting and as we got closer they flew off.

[mvecht]

a few armenian Gull`s were seen.

 

# 207 Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus)

 

adult

Juvenile

 

[mvecht]

In Denmark we typical get Red throated pipits during migration where they are recognized by their distinctive calls

#208 Red-throated pipit (Anthus cervinus)

[mvecht]

Last adittion from Bet Shean

#209 Yellow Wagtail

This bird was hiding well so I have to make do with an EBC.

Not uncommon in Denmark but this is the first time I have seen it in non-breeding plumage.

[mvecht]

Last bird at Bet Shean

#210 Whiskered Tern ( Chlidonias  hybrida)

[Dave Williams]

The fishponds look interesting!

 

[mvecht]

Next stop was Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea.

Ein Bokek is a small area with a lot of hotels for people wanting to take a dip in the Dea Sea.

I am not a beach person but it was an amazing experience to float in the very salty water.

The water was app 30 degrees C and the air 30+.

Sunbirds were quite common, see previous posts.

 

13 November, Ein Bokek Israel

#211 Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus rhipidurus)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by mvecht
wrong numbering

[mvecht]

#212  Blackstart (Cercomela melanura)

 

[mvecht]

#213 Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti)

[mvecht]

#214 Tristam`s starling (Onychognathus tristamii)

 

[mvecht]

#215 Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)

 

[TonyQ]

Tristam’s Starling is a lovely bird, and beautifully photographed 

[mvecht]

@TonyQ  thank you for the kind words. They are quite easy to get close to.

[mvecht]

Nex stop Eilat.

Eilat has an interesting Birding center some 4 kilometers from the beach.

It has been constructed with man made salt and freshwater lakes as well as vegetation suitable for birds to rest. This includes a Sausage Tree so almost like being on safari   There is also well trained staff onsite that do ringing of birds and guiding can be arranged.

The site has been designed to give migrating birds a place to rest and feed before continuing to Africa.

There is a similar site less than 2 kilometers away on the Jordanian side of the border.

16 November International Birding Center Eilat (IBCE)

already counted earlier in the year with bad EBC photos

Dunlin

 

 

White spectacled bulbul

[mvecht]

I had forgooten one bird for Bet Shean

11 November

#216 Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

[mvecht]

One of the better finds

#217 Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

A bit far away but confirmed by the local staff

[mvecht]

#218 Ruff (Calidris pugnax)

I normally see most waders in breeding plumage so I find it difficult to indentify them in the more plain winter plumage.

However I had help 

 

What are our rules for counting handheld birds that have just been ringed?

[Galana]

17 minutes ago, mvecht said:

What are our rules for counting handheld birds that have just been ringed?

Go back five places!!

I don't think there ARE any rules in this game provided it is considered sporting and alive.

[mvecht]

@Galana  in that case here comes 

#219 Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon)

 

 

Edited November 22, 2019 by mvecht
not completed

[mvecht]

#220 Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis cyanophrys)

 

[mvecht]

#221 Slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei)

[mvecht]

In the afternoon we did a desert tour in a Landrover.

The desert reminded us of Africa with quite a few Acacias.

A few Antelope were seen.

Wolves and Striped Hyenas are around but rarely seen. We did see Hyena tracks.

 

Only a few birds in the desert but we did stop at what is known as Flamingo Pools. This is a saline lake were may Flamingoes stay year round, especially the juveniles.

At this particular time there was about 750 birds.

For the last 3 years this "black" Flamingo has been around

 

 

#222 Greater Flamingo  (Phoenicopterus rosues)

 

Edited November 22, 2019 by mvecht
text added

[Galana]

Interesting Black Flamingo. Melanopogon had me going for a bit until I realised you were in Israel not Africa.

What's the difference between an Antelope and a Gazelle?

Edited November 22, 2019 by Galana

[mvecht]

@Galana  I should have been more specific . They are Dorcas Gazelle, but still an Antilopinae