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Eilat - Israel 25 November to 2 December 2001,

Justin Jansen, Blitterswijckseweg 3, 5871 CD Broekhuizenvorst, the Netherlands Justinjansen@hotmail.com

Itinerary

From 25 November to 2 December 2001 Eus van den Burg, Bas van Wijk and Justin Jansen made a bird journey to Eilat, Israel. We made several trips around Eilat, and the main birding was not further than 30 kilometres from Eilat. Almost daily we visited the North Beach, Northern Sewage Ponds and Switzerland Park. Other trips where to the Northern Fields, Pumping Station, Eilat Mountains and other spots in and out of Eilat.

The target of the trip was some general birding, as for Eus it was the fourth trip and for Bas the third and the first trip for Justin. We saw 144 species of birds and four mammal species.

We flew with Transavia from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv and from there to Uvda. On the way back straight from Uvda to Amsterdam. The price in total including Hotel (Red Rock), car and flight was around Fl 1000, -- and we used around FL 100, -- on petrol during our stay.

This report is split in two chapters: a daily report and a species overview.

25 November

We left in around 12 in Amsterdam and arrived after sunset at Uvda. From Uvda (40 km from Eilat) we where transported with a coach to Eilat. On the sea out of the Hotel we could observe some Black-headed Gulls roosting and that was the end of the day.

26 November

At first light we start birding from our balcony and soon located at sea my first 3 new species an Adult Armenian Gull and few undermined first winter large gulls, few White-eyed Gulls, 28 Western Reef Herons and also loads of Black-headed Gulls, few fly over Parakeets (Common Ringed-Parakeet?), 20 Great White Egrets, White Wagtails, Eurasian Kingfisher, House Sparrows and few Cormorants.

From the Hotel to Ovira park I noted 2 new species Laughing Dove and Garden Bulbul. Also noted where a Black Redstart, Common Stonechat, House Crow and Chiffchaffs.

A walk through Ovira Park soon resulted in three new species for me a nice White-breasted Kingfisher, 2 Masked Shrikes and 2 Little Blue Bee-eaters. Other species recorded here where a juvenile Red-backed Shrike, 3 Black-crowned Night Herons, Song Trush, Blackcaps, Lesser White-throat (smaller ssp), Bluethroats belonging to the volgae and pallidogularis ssp, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Sardinian Warblers, Laughing Doves, Garden Bulbuls, Collared Doves, House Crows, White Wagtail and House Sparrows.

After breakfast and getting the hire car we went up to the north beach for some birdwatching. Over here soon we located three new species for me a young Steppe Eagle who flew from Eilat Mountains into Eilat and landed over here and few Rock Martins flying around the beach and several nice Pied Kingfishers.  Also a juvenile Long-legged Buzzard prolonging a fantastic sight circling over our heads. A new ssp for me where 2 Striated Herons brevipes over here. Further here several large Gull species, who where hard to identify, only an adult Armenian Gull was a positive identification. Also here Laughing Dove, White Wagtail, Western Reef-heron (10+), Slender-billed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Little Blue Bee-eaters, Little Egrets, White Wagtails, House Crows, Collared Doves, Common Greenshank and House Sparrow.

From here we drove up to the Date Palm Plantations and surrounding fields to the Israel/Jordan border. In this area I recorded two lifers in the form of African Silverbill and Graceful Prinia. Also here Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipit (1), Water Pipits, Red-throated Pipits, Sardinian Warbler, Grey Plover (fly over), Siberian Stonechat maura, Common Stonechat, Garden Bulbul and Chiffchaff. Also we recorded several nice Dragonfly species like Globeskimmer Pantala flavescens, Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii, Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum sinaiiticum and also Tristhemis annulata and Scarlet Dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea. As butterfly species we recorded many Leptotes pirithous.

From here we went to the Northern Sewage Ponds where a Red-wattled Lapwing was recorded 3 days ago.

At the Northern Sewage Ponds we met Dave Murdoch a British Birdwatcher and he signalled us that he had the Red-wattled Lapwing over there. Attempts failed to find it, about an hour later just after Dave was gone we found it again (a new species!) and we could point it out on Killian Mullarney who just arrived. The bird showed himself nicely in a group of Spur-winged Plovers. Also we where tipped by Killian for a female Pied Stonechat what was present at the parking lot from Switzerland Park, he just saw it, also Dave already mentioned that the might still be there. And we decided to go there after finishing the complete round at the Sewage Ponds. Over here we recorded except for the Red-wattled Lapwing, 2 males Hooded Wheatear (new!), Penduline Tit (5), Red-throated Pipits, Water Pipits, White Wagtails, Crag Martins, Rock Martins, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Arabian Babbler (small flock, new for me!), Common Snipe (2), Green Sandpiper, Little Stint, Dunlin, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Zitting Cisticola, Spanish Sparrow and Chiffchaff. Also Eus and Bas saw a Common Pochard over here.

Arriving at Switzerland Park indeed the first bird we saw at the parkingspot as was mentioned by Killian was the first winter female Pied Stonechat, this bird was very confiding and approached us to 3 metres distant. A true new species for us all three. Some quick birding around produced my first (although distant) Dead Sea Sparrows flying over, and some Bluethroats volgae, Common Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Spanish Sparrow, House Sparrow, Red-throated Pipits, Little Egret and a lone juvenile Greater Flamingo. Eus had also a Great White Egret here.

From Switzerland Park we went back to Eilat and went to do some shopping and afterwards we went up to the pumpstation, after a quick check where it was located before we did the shopping. A stop at the cemetery produced two new species: 2 Blackstarts and a nice Desert Lark. Also here a male Hooded Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Steppe Eagle and Common Buzzard.

Just before dark we arrived at the pumping station and after a while 2 males and 1 female Liechtenstein's Sandgrouse arrived and prolonged nice views in the telescope. After complete darkness we heard also few birds but it was too late to find them. Dave Murdoch arrived one minute too late to see the sandgrouses and heard them only, flying over after complete darkness. Also a quick scan earlier produced a (male) Blackbird, Sardinian Warblers, Blackstart and House Sparrow.

27 November

Early morning found us at the North Beach and we noted the following species: a fly over Greater Sand Plover, Eurasian Kingfisher 2, Pied Kingfishers, 2 Striated Herons, Great White Egret (10), 10+ Western Reef-herons, Little Egrets, 2 Cattle Egrets, Caspian Tern, White-eyed Gulls, Slender-billed Gulls, Grey Heron and Common Ringed Plover.

After breakfast we went up to the Adrams Pilars for Sinai Rosefinch, despite many fruits on the ground and an intensive search we failed in locating these birds. Despite that I recorded two species and both where new to me: Sand Partridge and Brown-necked Raven.

After this visit we went up to the Northern Fields, and over there our attempts (as also the following days) failed in locating Namaqua Dove!

A drive around the fields and the surrounding area produced never the less a nice variation on species. We recorded here: Dead Sea Sparrow (50), Spanish Sparrow, Marsh Sandpiper (2), Blackbird (male), Sardinian Warbler, Steppe Eagle (1), Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Ringed Plover, Greater Flamingo, Whiskered Tern (1), Slender-billed Gull, Common Stonechat, Siberian Stonechat variegata, Bluethroat, Water Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Common Shelduck, Common Teal, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Curlew, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Little Blue Bee-eater, Palestine Sunbird and Arabian Babbler and some other commoner species. 

At Yothvatta we stopped at the Petrol Station for a sandwich and for Tristrams Starling. None where there at the moment, but luck was with us. While searching the area we had a migrating flock of 60 starlings that flew into Jordan. Again a new species.  An other new species here where tens of Palestine Sunbirds. Also it was nice to see two Ruddy Shelduck on an agricultural piece of ground. While approaching these birds several Red-throated and Water Pipits flew in front of us as was a Pintail, Crested Larks, SkyLark and a Meadow Pipit. Birding in the bushes here produced except for the Palestine Sunbirds also: Chiffchaff, Blackstart, Common Stonechat, Black Redstart, Siberian Stonechat variegata, (2) Greenfinch and Sardinian Warbler.

In Kibbutz Lothan I received a call from James Smith that he just had a juvenile Pomarine Skua at Switzerland Park, after some general birding around the Kibbutz, with regular species like Palestine Sunbird, Chiffchaf, Goldfinch, African Silverbill, Brown-necked Raven and few other commoner species we went up to Switzerland Park. We recorded a Saudi Arabian butterfly species a Caper White.

Few kilometres from Lothan to the south we braked for an Imperial Eagle that was harassed by a Brown-necked Raven. After good views we drove to Switzerland Park. A police officer seems not to agree that we drove a bit faster and put a hold on us and fined the driver for speeding (Eus!). After this incident we arrived just before dark at Switzerland Park.

At Switzerland Park we didn't saw a sign from the skua, but some quick birding produced the female Pied Stonechat, Whiskered Tern, Graceful Prinia, Greater Flamingo, 2 Marsh Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Little Stint, Ruff and Chiffchaff.

28 November

Eus and Bas started at the North Beach as I slept a bit longer. They encountered the normal species there. After breakfast we went to K33 where we tried to find some nice desert species. During this day strong winds appear and made birding hard, but when we arrived at K33 we saw immediately a young Imperial Eagle at close distant, this superb bird gave some nice views over here. After a while walking in this desert landscape I had two new species some Trumpetter Finches (4) and a fine Hoopoe Lark. Also a Desert Lark showed itself nicely. On our way to Ein Envrosa we had a Hooded Wheatear and I had a Spectacled Warbler.

Ein Envrosa was productive in huge clubs off Dorkas Gazelle Gazullus dorkus about 60 ore so where seen here and a Desert Haze. Also nice where two males Desert Wheatear and a singing Siberian Chiffchaff tristis.

Other birds here included my first Scrub Warbler, Graceful Prinia, Sardinian Warbler, Palestine Sunbird, many more colour variation Chiffchaffs, Arabian Babbler, Blackstart and Common Stonechat.

At our next stop the Northern Fields and surrounding field we recorded: Desert Wheatear (1 male), a nice Barbary Falcon (new!), Southern Grey Shrike aucheri, Greater Sand Plover (1), Greater Flamingo, Black-tailed Godwitt (5), Marsh Sandpiper (1), Kentish Plover (5), Common Ringed Plover, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Avocet (5), Desert Finch (4), Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Dead Sea Sparrow, Palestine Sunbird, Spanish Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bluethroat, Little Blue Bee-eater, Little Stint and Dunlin. Also Dorkas Gazelle and Desert Haze.

After the Northern Fields we left for Switzerland Park, to close the day.

At Switzerland Park we noted several species like Pied Stonechat (1), Siberian Stonechat maura, Common Stonechat, Bluethroat pallidugularis, cyanecula and volgae, Barbary Falcon, Spanish Sparrow and Chiffchaff.

The last light of this stormy day we closed at the North Beach where we head 3 nice Cory's Shearwaters (these birds where also seen by Killian Mullarney and he got the same opinion like we had), 125+ White-eyed Gulls, Slender-billed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Armenian Gull (1), Great White Egret, Striated Heron, Western Reef Heron and 1 Song Trush.

29 November

When it turned light we where already watching from our balcony on sea to find some nice species and it produced the normal species like Western Reef-herons, White-eyed Gulls, House Crows, Grey Herons, Black-headed Gulls, 

Then we went soon to the Wadi Netafin in trying to find Striated Scops Owl, the first bird in the first Acacia was indeed a find and tame Striated Scops Owl. We observed this bird for nearly an hour and could see every single plumage detail. Also here a few dark morph Common Buzzards and an adult Long-legged Buzzard flew around. Further we recorded here: Blackstart, Palestine Sunbird, Sardinian Warbler, Common Kestrel and Chiffchaff.

When we arrived back at the highway we saw a flock off 4 raptors it turns out that it where 2 Steppe and two Imperial Eagles also a male White-crowned Black Wheatear was located here.

The eastern part of Wadi Slomo produced except for some Desert Larks and some Brown-necked Ravens only few birds like Blackstart and Sardinian Warblers. A highlight in this part was a Rock Dove. Also some 5 Hyrax, the main food for Verreaux's Eagles.

The western part produced on a big flat area in the Wadi two nice males Cyprus Warblers and several Sardinian Warblers here. The Cyprus Warblers showed themselves very well in the telescope. Further we recorded here: Desert Lark, Sardinian Warbler, White-crowned Black Wheatear (3), House Sparrow, Sand Partridge (10), Laughing Dove and Chiffchaff. And we saw some Nubian Ibex.

While driving to Switzerland Park we came across an Osprey at Eilat South.

At Switzerland Park we drove straight into the Pied Stonechat, as usual again at the same spot at the Parking space. Also here we found a cyacenula summer plumaged male Bluethroat again who was also on several other previous date there, also a caught pallidugularis and a volgae Bluethroat here, the same juvenile Greater Flamingo, a maura Siberian Stonechat and loads of Common Stonechats, (2) Marsh Sandpipers, Waterrail (few), Coot, Chaffinch, Graceful Warbler, Common Redshank, Ruff, Blackbird (male), Little Stint, Dunlin, Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron, Spur-winged Plover and various different types of Chiffchaffs.

After this show we went to the North Beach to close the day in style. Over here soon a moulting Shearwater (p8 both sides growing) was found, later discussion with Killian proved that we both could agree in the identification of this bird as a Scopoli's Shearwater. Other birds here where the 125+ White-eyed Gulls, Slender-billed Gulls, Western Reef Herons, Baraba Gulls (2), Common Teal and Rock Martins.

30 November

At first light we where at the pumping station to try for House Bunting but our attempts failed. Only Desert Lark, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Palestine Sunbird, Blackcap, Spanish Sparrow, Chiffchaff and House Sparrow could be found here.

From here we went back to the Hotel for breakfast and after this we went to the Northern Sewage Pools.

The Northern Sewage pools where more productive and together with Killian Mullarney we saw 2 nice Buff-bellied Pipits feeding. Also a fly over Small Skylark was very nice. The Red-wattled Lapwing was also around and gave nice views between the Spur-winged Plovers. Various other species where around like: (2) Glossy Ibis (juvenile), (1 juvenile) Black Kite, (1 juvenile) Long-legged Buzzard, Wood Sandpiper, Zitting Cisticola, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Osprey (juvenile), Gadwall (a flock off 45), Common Ringed Plover, (3) Song Trush, Dead Sea Sparrows, Bluethroat pallidugularis and volgae, Reed Bunting, White Wagtail, Common Teal, Rock Martin, Barn Swallow, Penduline Tit (5), Water Pipit and Red-throated Pipit. 

After Killian tips us for a reliable spot for Arabian Warbler, we went of to Yothvatta. After the turn of near the petrol station we took the first road to the right and after passing the last house we walked into the scrub on the right hand side. Here we found 3 Arabian Warblers. The first two birds I missed but an intensive search trough the acacia's and the nearby sewage pools it produced fortunately a female for me! Also here a Hoopoe, Imperial Eagle, Moorhen, Spur-winged Plover, Little Ringed Plover (Eus), Eurasian Wigeon (Eus), Common Teal, Chiffchaff, Bluethroat, Penduline Tit (fly-over), Graceful Prinia, Palestine Sunbird, Coot, Siberian Stonechat variegata, Common Stonechat and Common Snipe.

We heard that a female Finch Wheatear was around at Kibbutz Lothan so we drove up there but missed on this species. The bird was resident and was recorded again at 3 December when we left Israel. No notable birds where recorded here and we went up to Shizzafron.

Over here a desperate search for Syrian Serin and Menetries Warbler produced few species. Species seen where: Calandra Lark (Eus only), Siberian Stonechat ssp, Palestine Sunbird, Crested Lark, Arabian Babbler, Chiffchaff and many White Wagtails. At the so-called sewage ponds here we recorded a nice male Mourning Wheatear (new!), Desert Lark, Crested Lark and two Dorkas Gazelle.

1 December

As we arrived at the Northern Sewage Ponds Killian was already there to made some soundrecordings, and soon after we started chatting with him he heard a Citrine Wagtail somewhere in the sky, soon he located it back and this bird a adult male in winter plumage gave nice views down to few metres. Also the Red-wattled Lapwing was still around together with a 20 Spur-winged Plover and 3 Northern Lapwings. Also nice where the following species here: Desert Finches, Osprey, Caspian Tern, Bluethroat volgae, Eurasian Spoonbill (adult), Hen Harrier (adult female), Marsh Harrier (female), Glossy Ibis (3 juveniles), Gadwall, Black Kite, Reed Bunting, Penduline Tit, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Rock Martin, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow and Common Teal. Bas and Eus heard a Quail here.

And we located a Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly Hemianax ephippeger where a bit of discussion started between Eus and Killian about the identification.

Around 4 PM we went together with Killian to the Saltpans near Eilat to watch gulls. Many gulls where present ore arrived and the most couldn't be identified. Present were a metal ringed third year Baltic Gull and a first year bird. Two nice adult Heuglins gulls and 3 first year bird looked nice as where several adult Armenian Gulls and was a second year Common Gull. Also various Baraba Gulls where around, a first year Yellow-legged Gull and a second year Caspian Gull. Other bird species here included a dark and white morph Western Reef-heron, several Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets and Little Stints. An Osprey tried to scare the gulls off but they appeared quickly again.

2 December

Around 6 we where at the North Beach where we recorded for the last time 3 Pied Kingfishers, 3 Cattle Egrets, about 10 Great White Egrets, few Western Reef Heron, Slender Billed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Eurasian Kingfisher, House Crows (far offshore as normal on the fishing nets), a Caspian Tern and the highlight was a Whiskered Tern in winterplumage. 

After breakfast and the check out from the Hotel we went up to Switzerland park for our last visit, a warm welcome was given from the female Pied Stonechat and she showed herself nice together on a branch with a Common Stonechat. Few Bluethroats of the volgae and pallidogularis ssp feeding at close range. A male Common Pochard was at the pond together with 3 Pied Kingfishers, Gray Heron and a Baraba Gull. Above the Saltpans and at the Saltpans here we recorded the same Greater Flamingo juvenile, Rock Martins, Crag Martins, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshanks, Ruffs, Great White Egret, Spur winged Plovers, Caspian tern, Barn Swallow and Little Stint.

After this we bought some books at the little shop near the last Petrol Station and Reuven Yosef was so friendly to sign the raptor in hand book.

A short stop at the Pumping Station produced an Imperial Eagle, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Blackstart, Spanish Sparrow and few Desert Larks.

From here we drove up to Uvda and on our way up there we recorded in various Wadis along the road few Scrub Warblers, Arabian Babblers, Sardinian Warblers, Garden Bulbul, Spanish Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Bluethroat, Desert Larks and some 40 ore so Nubian Ibex. Like in the past days we recorded in these Wadis also both butterfly species we saw more, the Euchloe falloui and Pontia edusa. On our way to Uvda we had a stop few kilometres past Mount Yosh where we looked for two Verreaux's Eagle's what has been seen the past days. We didn't see a single bird here, but our big reward where two Dromedaries walking in Egypt.

While coming at K40 we took the turn to the Egyptian Border and we drove until we reached a plain just near some buildings along the border. In this area we recorded 10 Trumpetter Finches (new!) and a Mourning Wheatear. This was a shooting zone, so soon we where summed to get off this area. This area could be accessed in the weekend, as Eus and Bas recorded in the past here Desert Warbler and Temmincks Horned lark without problems.

We drove this road back and went up to Uvda where we left few hours later this fantastic country.

Oversight of observed species at Eilat 25 November / 2 December.

Species in bold where new species. And with a streak underneath a rarer species!

1.   Little Grebe - Daily birds at Switzerland Park and at the Northern Sewage Ponds
2.   Cory's Shearwater - 3 birds where logged at 28 November
3.   Scopoli's Shearwater - a single moulting bird was at 29 November around at the North Beach
4.   Cormorant sinensis - Daily several up to hundredth birds, many where around the North Beach and at the Northern Sewage Ponds.
5.   Black-crowned Night Heron nycticorax - 3 recorded at Ovira Park at 26 November and one bird there at 1 December
6.   Striated Heron brevipes - recorded on several dates with a maximum of 6 at 29 November
7.   Cattle Egret ibis - recorded on 3 dates, several at the North Beach and between the gulls at the Saltpans close to Eilat
8.   Western Reef-heron - Daily recorded at North beach, maximum around 30, also at other spots
9.   Great White Egret alba - Daily found at North Beach and at Switzerland Park on two dates, maximum 30+
10.   Little Egret garzetta  - common at several locations, like North Beach, Switzerland Park and Northern Sewage Ponds.
11.  Grey Heron - Daily recorded, most birds near North Beach
12.  Glossy Ibis - 7 birds recorded, along the way to K 20 and at Northern Sewage Ponds 2 and 3 birds
13.  Eurasian Spoonbill archeri - a adult at Northern Sewage Ponds at 1 December
14.  Greater Flamingo roseus - one bird whole week at Switzerland park and huge parties at Northern Fields
15.  Common Shelduck - About 30 birds at Northern Fields at three dates
16.  Ruddy Shelduck - 2 birds near Yothvatta at 27 November
17.  Eurasian Wigeon - One bird near Yothvatta at 30 November
18.  Gadwall - up to 45 at Northern Sewage Ponds
19.  Northern Pintail - Common, for example at Northern Sewage Ponds
20.  Northern Shoveler - Common, at Northern Sewage Ponds
21.  Common Teal - Several birds seen at Northern Fields, Northern Sewage Works and North Beach
22.  Common Pochard - recorded at two dates one at Northern Sewage Ponds on 26 November and one male at Switzerland Park at 1 December
23.  Tufted Duck - several around at Northern Sewage Ponds
24.  Black Kite migrans - two juveniles recorded at Northern Sewage Ponds and Yothvatta on 30 November
25.  Hen Harrier - a female was present at Northern Sewage Pools and recorded at 26 November and 1 December
26.  Marsh Harrier - a female was seen several times at the Northern Sewage Ponds
27.  Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Daily seen, up to 5 a day
28.  Common Buzzard - several birds seen all dark morph
29.  Long-legged Buzzard - recorded on 3 dates a single bird
30.  Imperial Eagle - almost daily seen up to 3 daily
31.  Steppe Eagle orientalis - almost daily recorded up to 3 daily
32.  Osprey - One at southern beach, one at Switzerland park and one at Northern Sewage works
33.  Common Kestrel - recorded daily up to 5 a day
34.  Barbary Falcon - One at Northern Fields and one at Switzerland Park both at 28 November
35.  Sand Partridge heyi - recorded at Adrams Pillars at 27 November and at Wadi Slomo at 29 November
36.  Quail - one heard at Northern Sewage Ponds at 1 December
37.  Waterrail - heard on several dates at Northern Sewage Ponds and at Switzerland Park
38.  Moorhen - at several dates at Switzerland Park
39.  Common Coot - common at Northern Fields and Switzerland Park
40.  Black-winged Stilt - Common at Northern Fields and at Switzerland Park
41.  Avocet - Up to 10 birds on two dates at Northern Fields
42.  Little Ringed Plover curonicus - Near Yothvatta at 30 November
43.  Great Ringed Plover tundrae - Common daily at all wader spots
44.  Kentish Plover - Several birds at Northern Fields
45.  Greater Sand Plover columbinus - Recorded a fly over at North Beach at 27 November and a single bird at Northern Fields at 28 November
46.  Grey Plover - one fly over at the Jordan Border at 26 November and one at the Northern Fields at 1 December
47.  Red-wattled Lapwing aigneri - Seen at Northern Sewage Ponds on 26 and 30 November and 1 December, second for Israel.
48.  Spur-winged Plover - Several spots around Eilat like Switzerland Park and Northern Sewage Works
49.  Eurasian Lapwing - up to three birds at Northern Sewage Works
50.  Dunlin - at most wader sites, common
51.  Little Stint - at most wader sites, common
52.  Ruff - at most wader sites, common
53.  Eurasian Curlew - one record at Northern Fields at 27 November
54.  Black-tailed Godwitt limosa - up to 5 at Northern Fields
55.  Spotted Redshank totanus - several birds at Northern Fields
56.  Common Redshank - common at wader sites
57.  Wood Sandpiper - one bird at Northern Sewage Ponds on 30 November
58.  Common Sandpiper - one bird at 26 November at Northern Sewage Ponds
59.  Green Sandpiper - at most wader sites few birds
60.  Marsh Sandpiper - two birds at Switzerland Park and two at Northern Fields
61.  Common Snipe - several birds, mostly at Northern Sewage Ponds
62.  White-eyed Gull - up to 125 at North Beach
63.  Slender-billed Gull - Up to 50 birds at North Beach also recorded at Northern Fields and several fly overs anywhere
64.  Black-headed Gull - common
65.  Common Gull - a second year bird at the Saltpans at 1 December
66.  Yellow-legged Gull - a first year bird at the Saltpans at 1 December
67.  Caspian Gull - a second year bird at the Saltpans at 1 December
68.  Armenian Gull - several birds like at the Saltpans 5 birds at 1 December
69.  Baltic Gull - a third year and first year birds at the Saltpans at 1 December
70.  Heuglins Meeuw - 2 adult and 3 first years at the Saltpans at 1 December (and Baraba Gull barbabensis several birds at Eilat)
71.  Caspian Tern - one bird daily at North Beach also at Switzerland Park and Northern Sewage Ponds
72.  Whiskered Tern - two birds one at Northern Fields on 27 November and one at the North Beach at 2 December
73.  Liechtenstein's Sandgrouse - 2 males and one female at the Eilat Pumpstation at 26 November
74.  Rock Dove schimperi - a possible wild bird at Wadi Slomo at 29 November
75.  Collared Dove - common
76.  Laughing Dove senegalensis - common
77.  Striated Scops Owl exiguus - At Wadi Netafin on 29 November
78.  Common Kingfisher atthis - regularly seen at North Beach a single bird
79.  Smyrna Kingfisher smyrnensis - one bird at 26 November and 1 December at Ovira Park
80.  Pied Kingfisher rudis - daily seen at North Beach and Switzerland Park, up to 5 birds
81.  Little Green Bee-eater cyanophryrs - daily seen, up to 40 a day
82.  Hoopoe - one bird a Yothvatta at 30 November
83.  Sky Lark cantarella  - at Yothvatta on 27 November
84.  Small Skylark inconspicua - a bird at Northern Sewage Works at 30 November
85.  Crested Lark brachyura - common
86.  Calandra Lark hebraica - a bird at Kibbutz Shizzafron at 30 November
87.  Desert Lark deserti - regular in suitable habit seen
88.  Hoopoe Lark doriae - one bird at K33 at 28 November
89.  Crag Martin rupestris - several birds mostly near Switzerland Park and Northern Sewage Ponds
90.  Rock Martin obsoleta - on various spots present, highest numbers at Switzerland Park
91.  Sand Martin - One bird at Northern Sewage Ponds on 27 November
92.  Barn Swallow - Several birds around, most of them at Northern Sewage Ponds
93.  Water Pipit cautellii - Common at most spot this beautiful ssp cautellii, like Northern Sewage Ponds
94.  Buff-bellied Pipit japonicus - Two birds at Northern Sewage Ponds at 30 November
95.  Tree Pipit - a single bird at the Dadel Plantage at 26 November
96.  Meadow Pipit - single birds at the Dadel Plantage at 26 November
97.  Red-throated Pipit - Common, in summer and winter plumage at every suitable spot
98.  White Wagtail - common
99.  Citrine Wagtail - a adult winter plumaged male at Northern Sewage Ponds at 1  December
100.  Hedge Accentor obscura - a single bird at Switzerland Park at 1 December
101.  Robin - several bird at Ovira Park at 1 December and on several dates at Switzerland  Park
102.  Bluethroat - Several ssp seen like cyanecula, volgae, pallidogularis, svecica and magna, common in suitable habitat
103.  Black Redstart semirufus - Recorded at several dates
104.  Blackstart - In various habitats common
105.  Common Stonechat - various birds, common
106.  Siberian Stonechat - maura recorded at Switzerland park and at Lothan variegata
107.  Pied Stonechat rossorum - A first year female recorded almost daily at Switzerland park, the sixth for the WP
108.  Desert Wheatear oreophila - At Ein Envrosa two males and one bird at the Northern  Fields at 28 November
109.  Mourning Wheatear lugens - a male at the sewage works at Shizzafron on 30 November and near the Egyptian border at K40 at 2 December
110.  Hooded Wheatear - Two birds at Northern Sewage Ponds, one at the Cemetery at 26 November at K33 at 28 November
111.  White-crowned Black Wheatear ernesti - On various spot birds, up to 5 a day
112.  Blackbird syriacus - Two birds recorded one at the Pumping Station at 26 November and at Northern Fields at 27 November and 1 December
113.  Song Trush philomelos - Daily recorded up to three birds a day
114.  Graceful Prinia palestinae - Daily recorded in suitable habitat
115.  Scrub Warbler - Few birds seen, at Northern Fields, Ein Envrosa and in Wadis along the Egyptian Border.
116.  Zitting Cisticola juncidis - A single bird at various days at Northern Sewage Ponds
117.  Spectacled Warbler - a bird near K33 at 28 November and at Ovira Park at 1 December
118.  Lesser Whitethroat - A smaller ssp at Ovira Park at 26 November
119.  Blackcap dammholzi  - at several spots, but up to 5 birds at Ovira park
120.  Arabian Warbler negevensis - up to three birds at Yothvatta at 30 November
121.  Sardinian Warbler momus  - commonly found in any suitable habitat
122.  Cyprus Warbler - Two stunning males at Wadi Slomo
123.  Chiffchaff - Very common, various colour variations, some birds where collybitta,  abietinus and a singing and calling tristis at Ein Envrosa
124.  Penduline Tit menzbieri - up to 5 birds at Northern Sewage Ponds
125.  Arabian Babbler - In suitable habitat daily recorded
126.  Palestine Sunbird - Daily recorded, common
127.  Garden Bulbul - Common
128.  Red-backed Shrike (ssp unknown) - A juvenile at Ovira Park at 26 November and a adult at 1 December at Northern Fields
129.  Southern Grey-shrike - Two aucheri birds around Northern Fields at 28 November and 1 December
130.  Masked Shrike - Up to two birds at Ovira Park on 26 November and 1 December
131.  Tristam's Starling - Up to 60 migrating to Jordan at 27 November at Yothvatta
132.  House Crow - Common at Eilat
133.  Brown-necked Raven ruficollis - In suitable habitat daily recorded
134.  Dead Sea Sparrow moabiticus - At two spots recorded, at Northern Fields and Switzerland Park
135.  House Sparrow indicus - Common
136.  Spanish Sparrow - At various spots, like at Northern Fields
137.  African Silverbill orientalis - In Jordan few birds near the Dadel Plantage at 26 November and next day one at Kibbutz Lothan
138.  Chaffinch - On various dates single birds fly over
139.  Siskin - a single bird at the Northern Fields at 1 December
140.  Greenfinch chlorotica - Two birds at Yothvatta at 27 November
141.  Goldfinch niediecki - Two birds at Kibbutz Lothan on 27 November
142.  Desert Finch - Several birds recorded on various dates at the Northern Fields
143.  Trumpeter Finch crassirostris - About 8 birds at K40 near the Egyptian Border
144.  Reed Bunting (ssp unknown) - Several birds daily at Northern Sewage Ponds

During our stay also Finch's Wheatear, Menetries Warbler, House Bunting, Syrian Serin, Redwing, Red-rumped Swallow, Pomarine Skua and Verreaux's Eagle where seen.

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