Siberian or Caspian Stonechat? This cracking individual was close to the Sde Boker experimental plots. It's definitely a Siberian (
Saxicola maurus) due to orange breast patch with contrasting white underparts, bright wing patch, neck band extending far back (orange hind neck in Spring), white rump. However, the tail pattern indicates that it is a subspecies - Caspian Stonechat (
S. m. variegatus). With thanks to Gidon Perlman for his comments.
Other 'no surprise' migrants passing through the Sde Boker experimental patches were Sedge Warbler,
Ruppell's Warbler (with an iridescent snack),
and a rather wary but stunning samamiscus Redstart.
Even tiny patches of grass can hold a Quail and one unexpectedly flew up from under my feet. I'm expecting a few buntings any day now and will be watching the experimental plots closely.
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