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.