wolfbirder
Well-known member
Know it well Jos, you jammed in there mate.
Can only hope they are also by the IBRCE.
Thx again.
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Israel - 14th to 20th February 2019 - with extension 21st to 23rd February 2019 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Paul Chapman
- Start date
Know it well Jos, you jammed in there mate.
Can only hope they are also by the IBRCE.
Thx again.
opisska
rabid twitcher
Pharaoh Eagle Owl can be seen in date palms? What a weird error in choosing a habitat 
Anyway, Nick, seeing as you are going, let me remind you of the Shirihai's site near Idan, where we saw them in 2016 very easily, it's definitely worth checking.
As for the Desert Owls, I believe I have sent you the site where we heard them, if not, hit me with a PM - it's literally next to a tarmac road, so there is no excuse not to try it
PS: this thread really makes me wanna say screw everything and just fly over there, even if there is almost nothing to tick at this time (besides the evil OHBs, if only for "oWP"), but I think I am gonna maintain my cool and do Morocco in a month instead or something
Anyway, Nick, seeing as you are going, let me remind you of the Shirihai's site near Idan, where we saw them in 2016 very easily, it's definitely worth checking.As for the Desert Owls, I believe I have sent you the site where we heard them, if not, hit me with a PM - it's literally next to a tarmac road, so there is no excuse not to try it
PS: this thread really makes me wanna say screw everything and just fly over there, even if there is almost nothing to tick at this time (besides the evil OHBs, if only for "oWP"), but I think I am gonna maintain my cool and do Morocco in a month instead or something
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wolfbirder
Well-known member
Pharaoh Eagle Owl can be seen in date palms? What a weird error in choosing a habitat
As for the Desert Owls, I believe I have sent you the site where we heard them, if not, hit me with a PM - it's literally next to a tarmac road, so there is no excuse not to try it
PS: this thread really makes me wanna say screw everything and just fly over there, even if there is almost nothing to tick at this time (besides the evil OHBs, if only for "oWP"), but I think I am gonna maintain my cool and do Morocco in a month instead or something
Hi Jan yes mate I’m gonna try the site I’ll pm you when I get home. I have 2 nights in Eilat and 2 in Dead Sea area and 3 owl species and a nightjar species to try to connect with. I am quite used to scoring 0 though
-. I know traditionally pharoah Eagle Owls can be seen at Yotvata circular fields or at Iddan. E-bird shows them to be in the wider area but not recently at those precise locations. Recently occasionally around Eilat northern date palms or just south of Hazeva near km152.
I’m probably pissing in the wind regards Desert tawny owl, I’ve given up expecting any reply from certain individuals regards being guided to see them. Anyway I enjoy the thrill of the search myself even though I’m a bit scared of the dark
-.Also I just haven’t got the energy or strength at my age to bird all hours, hence I bird on my own and can rest when needed. I’m not a miserable **** honestly
-. Eyesight and hearing and general sharpness all fast on the decline. I even celotape a piece of paper with an arrow pointing to the right to my dashboard, to remind me to drive on the correct side.I think only 1 OHB still left, who knows that too may have gone but obviously I’m gonna try for it. I get a feeling thick-billed larks will also have gone as the flock at Hameishar are fast dissipating in number - down to 3 a week ago.
Weather looks perfect for this pale Englishman though, about 21-22 degrees C. :t:
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Steve Arlow
Well-known member
As I understand it the Pallid Scops Owls breeding plantations are in the West Bank so its not advisable to wander around at night with a torch looking for them, could attract attention on the IDF if they are not aware you are there. You could contact Eran Bakker or Amir Ben Dov for info on seeing them, I'm thinking of trying in March with Eran as I missed them last month in the Arava.
My January Trip report is up on Cloudbirders now.
wolfbirder
Well-known member
Steve, this what concerned me, and clearly is what Paul was referring to in being a sensitive area. I thought it might be the case, just wanted thoughts of those who go to Israel. I’ll give those plantations a miss and try a few wadis further south.
Appreciate the advice. I sort of suspected this might be the case in the West Bank but wasn’t entirely sure how it might affect birding.i agree birding at night there with a torch may not be the wisest move.
opisska
rabid twitcher
I think that the worst thing that can happen to you is being politely asked to leave. I have done all sorts of crazy things in "sensitive areas", to the point when I ended up on the other end of the spotlighting process than usual, but I never run into actual trouble. A place being technically in the West Bank does not in itself mean much.
I am not sure what "just south of Almog" actually means because satelite does not show any greenery adjacent to Almog from the south, but if it refers to the extensive area by road 90 SE of Almog, I would not even stutter before going there in the night. The only problem as far as I know is that the owls are not very loud and thus quite hard to find. I think the winter acacia method is easier, but it's probably too late for that.
I am not sure what "just south of Almog" actually means because satelite does not show any greenery adjacent to Almog from the south, but if it refers to the extensive area by road 90 SE of Almog, I would not even stutter before going there in the night. The only problem as far as I know is that the owls are not very loud and thus quite hard to find. I think the winter acacia method is easier, but it's probably too late for that.
wolfbirder
Well-known member
When I say south of Almog that’s just a vague description Jan, the article mentions the area concerned and I can only see one area and that is just west of route 90 by kalia beach. That is 2km in length at least. I don’t know if that is the plantation mentioned in the article, tho I can’t see where else it could be.
Paul Chapman
Well-known member
Plenty of ebird checklists:-
https://ebird.org/checklist/S49689878
https://ebird.org/checklist/S52940012
https://ebird.org/israel/checklist/S56590899
https://ebird.org/checklist/S58243563
A number of owls, falcons, warblers, nightjars, etc have locations masked but the Pallid Scops Owl records are public.
All the best
https://ebird.org/checklist/S49689878
https://ebird.org/checklist/S52940012
https://ebird.org/israel/checklist/S56590899
https://ebird.org/checklist/S58243563
A number of owls, falcons, warblers, nightjars, etc have locations masked but the Pallid Scops Owl records are public.
All the best
wolfbirder
Well-known member
Thanks Paul, that certainly looks like the right location as was referred to in that article, or at least a reasonably good one. 2 of those records are February records too, though its interesting that they are seemingly recorded in neighbouring fields.
Also, it seems that birders routinely check these areas, so with discretion I think weather permitting, I will give it a go on the 2nd night in the Dead Sea area, with the first night dedicated to Desert Owl. With dusk at about 6pm, I needn't be out too late either which suits me down to the ground.
E-bird really is a superb source, I have been frantically checking it out, but I couldn't find those very useful sources. :t:
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