Eilat..... (3 Viewers)

[rollingthunder]

Stuff.

1. Aqaba at Dawn.
2. Synchronised M+F Stilt team.
3. The least common of the Sandpipers.
4. femdegg.
5. Eastern stonker.

 

[rollingthunder]

Stufff.

1. Another angle.
2. I remember chasing my 1st down in Kent more years ago than I care to remember (82/83 iirc).
3. Netanilgale.
4. Gift shop mascot.
5. These 2 Black Storks were surprisingly approachable.

 

[rollingthunder]

Stufff.

1. Flamingo-a-go-go.
2. Bonny Rump.
3. Silver-billed and cute with it.
4. Last catch of the day but not the least - break out the RayBans.

 

[rollingthunder]

This Savi's Warbler was a retrap for the 3rd time in about 5 days. It had put on weight but appeared 'dopey'. After photographing it the bird just fluttered down to the ground and initially crept into the grassy patch then moved to some rocks to skulk and finished up by a water pipe. This is for all those that spend hours waiting for a non-singing bird in a patch of East coast scrub.....

 

[Andy Adcock]

Yes the Arava Hostel or is that Hostile?

Very 'different' to the previous one. Cramped and leaving the self-catering a little to be desired i.e. a non-working oven. Not acceptable and I ended up using the Staff one. I expect similar facilities and equipment to that which I have at home. Israel is not a 3rd World country. I feel like I am camping next to a building site - pictures to follow......

Laurie -

I stayed at some horrible places in Eilat including the infamous 'Bianca's' hostel.

 

[Andy Adcock]

This Savi's Warbler was a retrap for the 3rd time in about 5 days. It had put on weight but appeared 'dopey'. After photographing it the bird just fluttered down to the ground and initially crept into the grassy patch then moved to some rocks to skulk and finished up by a water pipe. This is for all those that spend hours waiting for a non-singing bird in a patch of East coast scrub.....

That bird looks sick to me Laurie?

 

[Andy Adcock]

Stufff.

1. Flamingo-a-go-go.
2. Bonny Rump.
3. Silver-billed and cute with it.
4. Last catch of the day but not the least - break out the RayBans.

Which Silverbill Laurie, must be a decent WP tick?

I'm off to Bangladesh on Moday, can't wait!!!

 

[rollingthunder]

Me too but strangely it had put on weight and been caught in the top part of the net. Unsurprisingly it wasn't there this morning. I always wonder if/what the effect of being handled etc has on an individual. I get it that it is for the 'greater good' but the birds as individuals are obviously stressed that is plain to see. The ringing at Eilat is mainly for weight after the Sahara and ticks etc which is not the case for backyard ringing imo. I started ringing many years ago but knocked it on the head for the stress reasons (both to me and the birds).

 

[rollingthunder]

I think it must be introduced Indian. They are super cute and according to Schachar do not compete or cause problems - that's gotta be a 1st for Israel of sorts

 

[rollingthunder]

If you are off to Bangladesh on Monday they will probably have a recipe for it.

 

[rollingthunder]

It is sooo annoying to post photos with text and have them appear in the wrong order - any ideas?

 

[KenM]

It is sooo annoying to post photos with text and have them appear in the wrong order - any ideas?

Post photos and text….before opening the tinnies! 🤣

 

[Andy Adcock]

Post photos and text….before opening the tinnies! 🤣

It's something that happens randomly on the site and numerous people have commented on it.

 

[Andy Adcock]

It is sooo annoying to post photos with text and have them appear in the wrong order - any ideas?

Seems to be a glitch on the site, happens a lot.

 

[rollingthunder]

Mooched around the reserve from 7-1 and left as not only was it hot but it was an open day with face-painting, balloons etc most of it conservation related but I didn’t want to get too broody so left for a beer.

With a week to go tomorrow I am getting into wind-down mode and will only be birding locally until after lunch then flop about. A lift, if offered, will be taken but birders are noticeably thin on the ground so the IBRCE is still the best gig in town for me. The mixed weather forecast might work to my advantage so one of the parks will be done each day and I will finish down at North Beach for at least a nice sunset if nothing else…… The locals say ‘another wave’ is likely so fingers crossed.

Ringing today remained light at about 35 birds but the lack of numbers made up in variety with no less than about 16 species rung a dozen being retraps. Both Lesser and Common ‘throat, Orphean, Reed, Sedge, Olly, European Bee Eater, Great Reed Warbler and an absolute stonker of a Rufous Bush Robin of the Eastern race.

Red-necked Phalaropes had increased to 7. The canal held 100+ waders including. Wood, Green and Marsh Sandpiper, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Spotted Redshank, Little and Temminck’s Stint, Ruff, Greenshank and obviously BWStilt and Spurwing. Egrets/Herons from the freshwater hides were: Grey, Purple, Squacco and Striated Heron, Little of both Bittern and Egret. Raptors were non-existent but did include a mid-distant and longer Jordanian Hills Crested Honey Buzzard. Yesterday saw a very close bird over the reserve which at a distance reminded me of a large Bonelli’s on the underwing layout.

I am optimistic for the remaining week as anything can and does turn up around here….. Despite the sedentary birding I think of it as a few weeks spent around Cley or Minsmere in early May.

Good birding -

Laurie -

 

[rollingthunder]

Stuff.

1. It's that man again - the Scarlet Pimpernel of Eilat.
2. Beeters.
3. The ongoing brutal treatment of the landscape. Concrete to assist water to the sea when it should really be diverted to settle and drain away slower and disperse the valuable desert Swedbank.
4. Giving more food for these.
5. Temmincki.

 

[rollingthunder]

Stufff.

1. Beeters.
2. Legs n Co.
3. Viper - this one is deadly with a trip to the hospital within 2 hours for antivenin. It lies in wait for migrant birds by a drinking pool.
4. The Beast from the East.

 

[rollingthunder]

It's done it again, so annoying, can't be that difficult to sort? The powers that be are soon on your case if you post something that might be a tad non PC - ah well, their game their rules......

 

[MKinHK]

It is sooo annoying to post photos with text and have them appear in the wrong order - any ideas?

If you label your photos before you post them then the problem goes away.

 

[Andy Adcock]

If you label your photos before you post them then the problem goes away.

Or cite to the last three digits of the jpeg number, that's what I now do because of this issue.