Persian Wheatear

As is usual for mega wheatears here I'm probably the last one to twitch it. I wasn't too bothered if I dipped as the bird was located on Mt Amasa. I only visit this site once or twice a year but it is always a delight. I arrived early and was joined by two bird photographers. We quickly found the bird but the views were not enough for one of the photographers who tried to get as close as possible (fair enough) using zero field skills (not fair enough). Initially the bird allowed a fairly close approach but he managed to scare it. His repeated attempts resulted in the bird flying off down the valley. Very frustrating to watch. I left them to it and spent a very pleasant hour or two on the hillside enjoying other birds - a Long Billed Pipit displaying, Woodchat Shrikes, Orphean and Spectacled Warblers, Blue Rock-thrushes and Cuckoos being the highlights. Moving round the hill I was gratified to see the photographers finally drive off. Patience rewarded with some cracking views!

Here's an awful pic (below) but it shows the red rump and pale underwings . . . .

 It then hopped down into recess in the rocks where it spent time feeding.

 Amazingly well camouflaged.

  

Other highlights of the day - this very photogenic Spectacled Warbler

and one of the Blue Rock-thrushes doing a display dance(???)

On the way back to Nir Oz I detoured by the Besor Reservoir. Lots of water, lots of shallow pools but very few birds. Gratifying though to see a Purple Swamphen (terrible record shot, distance and heat haze is my excuse) back on this site

as well as a Marsh Sandpiper (also with heat haze).

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Been meaning to put this on the blog for a couple of weeks now. We saw this eagle nearly every week over the winter. Mostly in the same tree and usually with a couple of hoodies attendant. Sometime in the first week of March s/he set off back to Eastern Europe. Migration is a risky time for birds, especially raptors and s/he will have to run the gauntlet of hunters, trappers, wind farms and other dangers. This is the last set of photos I have of this beautiful and majestic bird - hoping to see it again in early November.

Desert birds

Spent the weekend in Eilat. Met up with Shachar at the bird park which was quiet except for some Penduline Tits. We then headed for the date palms to see if we could connect with the Olive-backed Pipit. We did, but only by call. Most frustrating. We then decided to swap rarity for beauty, gave up on the pipit and headed for Amram's Pillars. Desert birds, especially if common, can be overlooked and underappreciated but check out the colours on these birds. Sinai Rosefinch . . .

 Ok, the females are a bit drabber but still cute.

Sand Partridge - incredible plumage!

 Plenty of Trumpeter Finches around too.

 And now for wheatears. White-crowned Black.

 Hooded - great tail pattern.

 We were watching this bird - it flew down out of sight and a second later

this Mourning Wheatear flew up and took the Hooded's place.

Same thing happened later - this Hooded replaced by a White-crowned Black. No idea where the Hooded went or where the WCB came from.

Much more unusual - Basalt Wheatear.

 And Blackstart - common but full of character.

Asian Desert Warbler - another real gem of a Sylvia - love that combination of yellow eye and cinnamon tail.