Israel - 14th to 20th February 2019 - with extension 21st to 23rd February 2019 (1 Viewer)

[Paul Chapman]

It is a relief about Fridays as I am sat on my arse in a firing zone surrounded by Thick-billed Larks. Steve - many many thanks.

 

[DMW]

It is a relief about Fridays as I am sat on my arse in a firing zone surrounded by Thick-billed Larks. Steve - many many thanks.

Probably best to raise your arms and surrender

 

[Steve Arlow]

It is a relief about Fridays as I am sat on my arse in a firing zone surrounded by Thick-billed Larks. Steve - many many thanks.

Excellent news, HaMeisher is pretty much the only place for them this winter.
|:d|

 

[Paul Chapman]

Probably best to raise your arms and surrender

We did! They are mean looking:-

https://twitter.com/PaulBrianChapm2/status/1225841455194935302?s=19

Excellent news, HaMeisher is pretty much the only place for them this winter.
|:d|

Cheers again.

All the best

 

[DMW]

We did! They are mean looking:-

https://twitter.com/PaulBrianChapm2/status/1225841455194935302?s=19



Cheers again.

All the best

Oof! May well be the best lark of all.

 

[opisska]

Can you guys post coordinates for the HaMeisher location? I can't find it on maps.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Paul,
lovely stuff.

 

[Steve Arlow]

Can you guys post coordinates for the HaMeisher location? I can't find it on maps.

the Thick-billed Larks were approximately at this position 30.423047, 34.924137. Usually park by the monument along Route 40 and walk out. Great Lark and Wheatear location

 

[opisska]

the Thick-billed Larks were approximately at this position 30.423047, 34.924137. Usually park by the monument along Route 40 and walk out. Great Lark and Wheatear location

Oh, I know that place, looked quite nice when I was driving though there, never would have guessed that's a Thick-billed Lark site!

 

[Scridifer]

A brilliant read as always Paul, many thanks for taking the trouble to post it! Some great photos too, I especially love the Black Bush Robin! Israel is a place very firmly on my radar!

Chris

 

[Paul Chapman]

Chris - many thanks

Opisska - if you come back, dig out Steve Arlow's report before you do. It is the closest to a comprehensive site guide as you can get. Hameishar also is a couple of ebird hotspots.

All the best

 

[wolfbirder]

Thx Paul and Steve about the Thick-billed Lark updates, wow! That photo!

 

[wolfbirder]

Some co-ordinates on this useful January/Feb report: -

https://www.cloudbirders.com/be/download?filename=STUBBS_Israel_0102_2020.pdf

 

[Andy Adcock]

Are the L Sandgrouse still at the water pipe in Eilat?

 

[wolfbirder]

Are the L Sandgrouse still at the water pipe in Eilat?

Always got the impression that ceased years ago Andy.
Same as KM19 which seems to have become way less reliable.

Think Lich Sandgrouse are difficult birds now sadly.

 

[opisska]

Always got the impression that ceased years ago Andy.
Same as KM19 which seems to have become way less reliable.

Think Lich Sandgrouse are difficult birds now sadly.

KM19 was popular and good (and considered reliable by some locals we met) in 2016, but that's now surprisingly not last year

 

[Steve Arlow]

The Eilat pumping station Litchensteins Sandgrouse ceased to be by the late 90s.

The Km19 Sewage Pond still attracts birds in the evenings but there is very little open space along the embankment for birds to come down now, only about 15-20 feet either side of the sluice. Perhaps someone from the IBRCE could clear some of the reeds to allow birds to return. If birders visit now they would have sit right above where any birds might come in to drink and I suspect they wouldn’t stay long in that case.

Some Litchensteins get seen in the evening overflying the IBRCE at dusk whilst if one is lucky finding birds during the day in Holland Park.

They are around but discovering a new site might mean staying till after dark at the various wet areas to see if any appear.

 

[Andy Adcock]

The Eilat pumping station Litchensteins Sandgrouse ceased to be by the late 90s.

The Km19 Sewage Pond still attracts birds in the evenings but there is very little open space along the embankment for birds to come down now, only about 15-20 feet either side of the sluice. Perhaps someone from the IBRCE could clear some of the reeds to allow birds to return. If birders visit now they would have sit right above where any birds might come in to drink and I suspect they wouldn’t stay long in that case.

Some Litchensteins get seen in the evening overflying the IBRCE at dusk whilst if one is lucky finding birds during the day in Holland Park.

They are around but discovering a new site might mean staying till after dark at the various wet areas to see if any appear.

I was there in 98 and saw them ok, came in at dusk as expected.

 

[Paul Chapman]

We have also spend a whole day looking for the stupid starlings because no other source mentioned where exactly they are seen, so this is a very valuable piece of information. Always makes me wanna go back and try again, just for closure

3 Vinous-breasted Starlings same location this afternoon.

All the best

 

[Andy Adcock]

3 Vinous-breasted Starlings same location this afternoon.

All the best

Are these derived of formerly captive stock Paul?