Eilat..... (1 Viewer)

[rollingthunder]

Eilat - 7th March / 15th April.....


Just a few travel details before catching my flight later. By tomorrow lunchtime I shall, fingers firmly crossed, be down in Eilat and will hopefully post daily sightings etc.


I am flying on Brussels Airlines a subsidiary of Lufthansa now I believe. I fly from Birmingham (BHX) to Tel-Aviv Yafo (TLV) with a stop each way at Brussels (BRU). The tickets were purchased in October some 6 months in advance. Research over 5 years has shown that despite the so-called ‘Goldilocks’ slot of about 6 weeks ahead this has not always run true and prices can rise considerably during this period. In fact I decided that due to increased post-Covid demand and both Xmas and Easter visitors I had no wish to be fretting for more than 3 months. My return ticket cost £238 which I was more than happy with, this is Economy Class and includes a cabin bag of 8kg. This will contain all electrics, computer, camera stuff plus liquids, pills etc etc. It won’t weigh much more and in my experience if it looks ok then no attention is paid. There are many ways to bring the odd heavy or bulky item without being noticed - my own Trompe de L’oeil. A small rucksack under my smock brings no scrutiny whilst a pillow stuffed with clothes is never questioned as everyone needs a headrest don’t they? In addition I added a hold bag for £42 return for my bike. The allowance for this is 23kg. Bear in mind that items like walking trousers, fleece, shoes etc will be worn on the day. Minimal clothes are being taken as I wash stuff with Dr Beckman’s paste which works in any water temperature - drying will not be a problem! The current 14-day forecast is upper 20’sC to lower 30’sC. Spare clothes will be carried in the hold case wrapped against my Brompton folding bike. Things like spare tyre, tool kit, puncture stuff and tubes will also be encapsulated in the bike case which is a tough Samsonite.


I leave BHX at 1615 local and an hour later land at BRU having gained an hour in the process - who needs Time Lords. The transfer wait is just over 2.5 hours before once again departing for Israel. I finally land at TLV about 2.30am having gained another hour in the process. I intend catching a train to Tel-Aviv Central Bus Station. This costs a coupla quid and the service starts about 5/530. This is direct whereas the bus is 1 change and doesn’t operate until about an hour later. I do not drive and rarely use taxis preferring to travel socially. The coach service is hourly to Eilat and runs from about 6 onwards and is just over £20 something. Midweek from 6-10 is deemed to be ‘quiet’ but this route is the one that is recommended to book in advance. Unfortunately the website is Hebrew and trying to pay for it would be a nightmare so I will buy a ticket when I turn up. I intend using local buses in Eilat and for that you have to use the indigenous Rav-Kav swipe card. Again you have to be in-country to get one so that will be carried out down in Eilat. The current political and religious ‘Fauda’ means the bus route has (and is routinely) changed. It usually runs down to Ashkelon and over to BeerSheeva but as that is near Gaza it now is straight down towards the Southern end of the Dead Sea and straight to the Gulf of Aqaba.

I have heard that the Brussels Airlines Cabin Crew put on a good show.

I have obtained 420 New Israeli Shekels in advance from my local Tesco. This cost me £102 - the exchange rate is about NIS 4.38 = £1. Tesco were half the rate that the Post Office wanted. 4.2 as opposed to 3.8 commission is not charged but is obviously included in the rate offered. My Nationwide Building Society no longer offers the service and my Santander Bank is online only and a week for it to arrive at home. I upgraded the former to take advantage of their holiday insurance which is unbelievably comprehensive at £13 a month. I will take it out for 2 months and then revert to the old one until travelling to Batumi, Georgia, in September. The upgrade is actually less than the 2.5% I would have been charged for changing money and purchases abroad. Obviously holiday insurance covers valuables, particularly binoculars and bike but the main reason is health insurance including the wretched Covid. All restrictions are now lifted for visiting Israel including Visas but health insurance is mandatory - there are no checks but they assume only an eejut would not have suitable cover.

The bulk of my moving around will be on the Brompton. This will enable me to get off piste and find my own stuff. It also means it is very easy to fold up for either travelling on a bus to say Ramon or Yotvota or hitching a lift. Most of my birding will be within 15 miles of Eilat and I anticipate cycling 25-30 miles a day with a total in excess of 1k. The terrain is flat to undulating and the off-road tracks will be nice and hard but negotiable. All repair and spares will be on board along with appropriate gear, snacks, drink. There are some excellent MTB routes once off the bus which I intend undertaking. All this means not only keeping fit but birding areas where most visiting birders do not cover - for me it’s all about finding my own stuff with the usual welfare of the bird caveats.

The lighting hours are ideal for my Circadian clock. Currently Sunrise is around 6am and Sunset just before 6pm. I am very much an early bird and hot to trot before the first call to prayer. So it will be up with the Hoopoe Lark, bird most of the day, finishing around North Beach at Beersheba o’clock then allow myself some imbibing time - plans are not the only things that are ‘fluid’. The early dusk will allow a bit of a recharge for refreshment and notes etc. I am also looking forward to going out, certainly every other day, during the crepuscular period to look and listen for nocturnal species. I do not tape-lure or spotlight and hope I do not bump into anybody that is…..

I am residing at the Hostel Abraham which is about 1k from Eilat Bus Station and is ideally situated for getting out and about - Eilat is a small place so you are not far from anywhere by the looks of it. The hostel is large and modern with over 400 beds. I am in a 4-berth dorm which contains 2 singles and a double bunk. I have opted for bed only as I do not wish to be tied to a breakfast time and will pick up stuff en-route from a supermarket or cafe at any stage during the day. The rate is a very reasonable £26 per night on which I receive a 30% discount as I stop over 6 nights which brings it down to about 18 pounds. The booking system means that I cannot reserve more than 13 nights in one go and cannot stop for more than 30 days. I presume this is to deter ‘digital nomads’ and leave it open to people actually visiting and travelling. I have emailed my trip details and the wish to stop for 6 weeks and I get the impression that ‘the management’ will look favourably on the request of this infidel birder from a distant land following his own star…..

I have obviously timed it for optimum Spring migration and have sandwiched the International Bird Festival in the middle of the trip. I shall also be around for the Champions Of The Flyway. Although solo I look forward to bumping into others in the field and socialising over a beer. There is a strong chance I will refresh memories with UK birders I have known from twitching and the Scillies as well as new faces and potential friends. I have been following Israeli birders including Jonathan Meyrav and Yoav Perlman for years so a handshake will be in order.

I will post on equipment etc when actually in Eilat.

Good birding -

Laurie -

Attached: I am packing for any local issues.

Attachments​

• 
  Raiders.jpg
  41.2 KB · Views: 0

Chance favours the prepared mind

 

[Paul Chapman]

Very jealous of what will I am sure be some excellent and varied spring passage. 👍

 

[foresttwitcher]

Careful of the video Laurie, you'll have the woke brigade after you...

 

[Bubbs]

If I was you I would seriously think about deleting your attachment which shows the firearm.

 

[Farnboro John]

If I was you I would seriously think about deleting your attachment which shows the firearm.

Yep, not known for sense of humour out there.

John

 

[rollingthunder]

It's a still from a movie and a video from YouTube!

Currently languishing in Brussels Airport before the 4 hour flight to TLV.

Laurie -

 

[Arbu]

It's a still from a movie and a video from YouTube - if that upsets a few pillow biters then so be it.

Currently languishing in Brussels Airport before the 4 hour flight to TLV.

Laurie -

I hope you don't find yourself languishing in a Tel Aviv detention facility next...

 

[MKinHK]

This should be fun...

 

[rollingthunder]

42 days and 42 nights in the wilderness - that’s 2 more than Moses!

Arrived Eilat at midday today following a 4.5 hour coach from Telaviv (Jerusalem) Central bus station - NIS 68.50 single (£16) Route 445. Having been up for over 24 hours I catnapped en-route.

I am flattered that the IDF might be checking my Birdforum posts for content - I think the Israeli government have more than enough on their plate at the moment. I don’t and never have lived in a World where I look over my shoulder and find the current cancel/woke culture a joke but that’s me and thanks for your concern. I did wonder when a soldier c/w combats and scoped rifle got on the bus and sat behind me but I think he was just on his way to a base somewhere in deepest Negev. Apparently they used to travel down in dedicated army buses but now use public transport and inveigle themselves for citizen protection at the same time - more bang for the taxpayer Shekel I say.

I noticed just North of Ramon Airport that there was a distant light haze. Upon arrival it was hardly perceptible but what was was the moderate breeze that had whipped up. Warm but irritiating - yes Mr Sirocco had come out to play. Perhaps this is why I didn’t see a single large bird in the sky not only during the coach journey but around Eilat during the day. I was not only tired but had things to do like booking in, paying for it, eating something late-afternoon and a coupla hours much-needed kip. I clocked a moderate-sized raptor heading North at about 5pm. Without any fine detail I put it in the Lesser Spot box. The bird was beating hard against the wind and because of this the flight profile and proportions were difficult, for a mere mortal, to work out. Obviously other birds would have been moving but to me there was no obvious movement. En-route South I only had a handful of purposeful Swallows, 3 Black Redstarts at 2 coach stops and a few Hooded Crows. A few tantalising things flitted from the tinted coach windows including a Lark which ‘wasn’t quite Crested’ but I have done enough coaching to not lose any sleep over unidentified flitters.

The weather down here has been unseasonably warm the last 2 weeks with temperatures in the 27-33c. It is dropping down to 23-27c for a few days before rising again. It does mean a balmy and pleasant 20c+ as I type at 10pm. Unless I hear of something the first few days I will be settling in and finding my feet. First off tomorrow morning will be a good few hours at the IBCRE reserve. A former industrial site iirc that has been transformed into Minsmere/Cley x10 with the quantity, quality and volume of migrant species that is truly jaw-dropping to an English Midlands birder surviving on avian gruel. It is an observation watchpoint and ringing station. I eagerly look forward to a first, of many visits.

Good birding -

Laurie -

 

[wolfbirder]

Enjoy Laurie!

 

[vergan]

I am jealous, I remember back my days sleeping in a car around Eilat north beach, decades ago.
Great trip, I expect you to enjoy it!!!

 

[Steve Arlow]

You can bird the IBRCE and then along the canal down to North Beach, via the east side of the canal, and the Palm Plantations. I done that a couple of times last year on foot, IBRCE to North Beach and back.
The palm plantation immediately north of the IBRCE is where the Crestged HBs hang out and spending a little time along the embankment along the canal, by the steps to the trail through the sites north section, will likely reward you with a bird or two.

Great birding, I not out there until the end of April but already feeling the pang of not being there this March

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I did wonder when a soldier c/w combats and scoped rifle got on the bus and sat behind me but I think he was just on his way to a base somewhere in deepest Negev. Apparently they used to travel down in dedicated army buses but now use public transport and inveigle themselves for citizen protection at the same time - more bang for the taxpayer Shekel I say.

I was in Israel in '89 and the IDF would hop on buses or even hitchhike when traveling as individuals even back then. You do get used to seeing armed soldiers on public transport. I was also told that an active duty soldier is never to be without their rifle. It leads to stories/pictures of women in bikinis carrying a rifle (actual, not posed), but so be it.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I was in Israel in '89 and the IDF would hop on buses or even hitchhike when traveling as individuals even back then. You do get used to seeing armed soldiers on public transport. I was also told that an active duty soldier is never to be without their rifle. It leads to stories/pictures of women in bikinis carrying a rifle (actual, not posed), but so be it.

Very odd for me to see teenage (or at least that's what they looked like), female soldiers in bus stations etc, going home or somewhere else but always armed.

 

[Farnboro John]

I was in Israel in '89 and the IDF would hop on buses or even hitchhike when traveling as individuals even back then. You do get used to seeing armed soldiers on public transport. I was also told that an active duty soldier is never to be without their rifle. It leads to stories/pictures of women in bikinis carrying a rifle (actual, not posed), but so be it.

When we were there a few years ago soldiers invariably had a firearm with them. However, we noticed that in Eilat it was magazines off, but up in the Golan they were on, and I bet they were full....

John

 

[Arbu]

Glad you made it safely through immigration. Did they check your health insurance? Supposedly this is a requirement to enter the country.

 

[vergan]

Glad you made it safely through immigration. Did they check your health insurance? Supposedly this is a requirement to enter the country.

That should be a new requirement.

 

[rollingthunder]

Health insurance is mandatory according to what I have read and I do have a copy of mine but nothing was asked for. Considering the current situation I honestly think it matters not one whit to the Israeli authorities - just take a look at the headlines. I have only started taking health insurance since holidaying the last 10 years with The Bride before then I never even considered it but as one get older it becomes an issue and I do not want whatever assets and savings to be spent on a private Lear Jet carting me back home.

Laurie -

 

[rollingthunder]

You say IBCRE I say ICRBE…..

I never can get that right but have been visiting the place as an initial ‘go to’ for the first full 3 days of birding. I will make it the primary locale for the first week as it helps me get my feet and a chance to have a chat with whoever is visiting. The volunteers are very friendly and affable is is the main dude Noam Weiss. He was the first person I ran into and chatted away. Whilst I was searching the skies he appeared mollified by my binoculars and enquired as to the vintage. I said bought for the Scillies in ’81 and still going strong altho I can’t vouch for the owner. He cheerfully bade farewell and said pop to the ringing office a coupla times an hour to see what has been trapped - duly noted.

It’s safe to say the concensus is that it is quiet at the moment but picking up. Personally it suits me because I have to get out of my Western Mediterranean comfort zone and prepare for what might be thrown at me. I can honestly say that I feel out of my depth and it hasn’t even started. I will give a few examples that have given me a reality check. From the coach en-route I clocked what was a ‘Raven’ I thought it looked smaller but I did note that it was glossy looking - it didn’t immediately dawn on me that it was Fan-tailed. Outside the Hostel I heard a Bulbul but didn’t know that Yellow-vented was common around Eilat. Same with the Corvid I saw pecking in the date palm. I thought it’s not a Hoodie it’s smaller and it’s not a Jackdaw…..House Crow. Just 3 examples of preparing oneself.

Despite migration being slack there is plenty to see and more than enough goodies for an Eilat newbie like me. As I am cycling I can enter the reserve from the back side. This still doesn’t mean you can avoid the welcoming committee comprising several pairs of Spur-winged Plovers and very impressive they are too. Today, in addition to pairs on eggs, were a group of about 75 birds on one of the salt causeways. Not one of those was bothered as presumably they are migrants. Waders are small in presence but groups of aggressive Ruff are dotted here and there with the odd Little Stint ducking and diving. A call I thought was a Greenshank turned out to be a Marsh Sandpiper - on reflection lighter and thinner. Rock Martins and Rumpers are frequent with the odd Crag reported. 4 species of Swift were reported before I arrived by 7 on Wednesday comprising Common, Little, Plain and Alpine - at height so best of luck with the Plain it’s above my pay grade as they say. Today’s raptor passage picked up with an estimated 200 Steppe Eagles and similar Steppe Buzzard. In addition a pale Booted and an up close and personal Oriental Honey Buzzard wowed the fortunate few. Meanwhile a quick scan behind revealed a wire-perching Black-winged Kite.

As things quietened a lift was kindly offered by the volunteer standing in for Noam (elsewhere more of that later). A quick mooch up to the KM19 and KM20 pools. En-route we picked up slightly scruffy 1st-Summer male Citrine Wagtail and 3 Little Green Beeaters. Upon arrival it was deemed quiet (he was looking for Wheatears) but 300 Slender-billed Gulls and a Broad-billed Sandpiper hit the spot for me - birding in the Worst Midlands means I am easy to please. A slight detour and we were in luck both wintering flocks of Dead Sea Sparrows and their Spanish cousins were still here. The Swedish birder says that back home they are called Tamarisk Sparrows!

I am still knackered so I will sign off and put a few pics up over the weekend.

Good birding -

Laurie -

 

[Steve Arlow]

Fan-tailed Ravens are more abundant around the Dead Sea areas whereas the other Raven, Brown-necked Raven, would be the default large corvid once you pass Mitzpe Ramon and into the south. There were a couple of Fan-taileds around the IBRCE last week which is extremely unusual that far south.
Noam is a great guy, working hard to always improving the IBRCE and other areas, Sachar is also great and will be very helpful with info.