Pioneer Birding: Eilat, Israel

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Eilat, Israel - great first day!

The opening day of Birdfinders first week in Eilat got off to a terrific start today (March 12th). The day was hot from start to finish, accompanied by a strong southern wind at times. Although migrants were in very short supply, we did well on quality with highlights including a close White-tailed Lapwing at Km20 where we also found two male Citrine Wagtails and a nest-building Dead Sea Sparrow, Desert Finches in Eilot's fields, Armenian, Steppe, Siberian and Baltic Gulls together on the southern Salt Pans, White-eyed Gulls, Pied Kingfishers and a staggeringly close Striated Heron at Eilat's north beach and four Egyptian Geese at Km19. The most obvious migrants were Sand Martins, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, Black-headed Yellow Wagtails, Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, and there was a lone Masked Shrike in Central Park behind our hotel.

Raptors were few as might be expected in Eilat in strong southern winds, but we had great views of Spotted and Steppe Eagles today, plus multiple Steppe Buzzards and Marsh Harriers.

Here a few pics from the day with everything to play for in the forthcoming days;