Siberian Willow Warbler

Darren Burns had a great bird in the nets this morning. Siberian Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus yakutensis! They are very difficult to separate from P.t. acredula but the biometrics (wing 74 mm - right on the upper range for this subspecies) together with the grey plumage make this individual a yakutensis with a very high degree of certainty.

Another nice bird in the nets a few days ago - 2cy Sparrowhawk. 

And local stuff around Nir Oz - Cranes have arrived (along with the first wintering Robins, Starlings and Chaffinches - boring for the UK but harbingers of winter here and great to see),

and a late Hobby.

The reservoir at HaBesor is still full of Kingfishers - White-breasted, Common (below)

and Pied. Pied is a new one for me on this patch. Once more this area surprises me. Only a matter of time before something really special turns up.