Black-winged Kite

I suspected that the Black-winged Kites that I saw up until the beginning of July had not flown off and I've been checking likely looking areas but with no luck. Until today! This bird was in a roadside tree between Nir Oz and Nirim.

But wait! The underwing doesn't appear to have a continual dark trailing edge as in the birds seen earlier this year. This looks like the African subspecies (Elanus caeruleus caeruleus). This is a mystery that needs resolving. . . . more research is needed.

Loads of Kingfishers around Besor Reservoir this morning. The water level is rapidly dropping and I really hope that rains come early this year otherwise the reservoir will become a dust bowl.

The Purple Swamphens were out in force - seven in total, all giving reasonable views as they skulked by the reed bed edges.

Looks like the BCBs have finally gone south.