Negev Highlands

A trip to the Negev Highlands this morning was rewarded with a mix of birds and mammals - not too many of either but great views which made up for the lack of numbers. The weather was unusually cool for mid-May and it was very pleasant to be out. Zero passage of migrants but many Black-bellied Sandgrouse around,

this one landing confidingly close (for a Sandgrouse).

This pigeon ending up as a meal for a Long-legged Buzzard . . . .

A single Crowned Sandgrouse flew over calling.

Mammals included a group of Wild Ass, difficult to spot these - they easily disappear on a hillside,

except in silhouette, (Monarch of the Wadi),

a Ruppell's Fox (running up this wadi - too quick to grab a pic), and a superb male Nubian Ibex taking it easy on the stones.

Black-headed Bunting

Great morning at Sde Boqer. First off, I saw my first Striped Hyena attempting to cross the road on my way to work. A beautiful beast. It scarpered before I could park and get my camera.

Bird of the Month (for me at least) was found by Darren Burns in the nets this morning. A female Black-headed Bunting! This is the first ringing record at Sde Boqer since May 2008. A great find.

Quite a few species ringed today including Marsh Warbler and Barred Warbler, Crested Lark, Masked Shrike. The tail-end of migration definitely has a few surprises left!

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Ok, so not as exciting as some of the other birdy stuff happening here but a good garden tick for me.

Great Spotted Cuckoo, fast approaching adulthood but still begging from its 'parents'. Nice gape . . .

 . . . more?