Days of strong northern wind

Not much new to tell about ringing. Strong northern wind has stayed here and made ringing a bit difficult. We are still enjoying mostly of local specialities but also some new migrant passerines have arrived. Curruca is getting more common and some Rüeppell's Warblers have been ringed among them.

Steppe Eagle migration has been very nice during the last three days. Northern wind has been so strong that many eagles have passed the ringing station very low. Daily Steppe Eagle numbers counted during ringing have been around 350 birds. Among them we have seen some Short-toed Eagles, Booted Eagles, Greater Spotted Eagles and Black Kites. Also first Lesser Spotted Eagle passed the station yesterday.

Swifts have had also good migration. Hundreds of Common Swifts have passed but also some tens of Little Swifts have been seen in those flocks. Yesterday we saw first Alpine Swifts coming from the sea at the North Beach in the evening. Today North Beach gave nice views of 3 Oystercatchers and 3 Western Reef Herons. Oystercatcher is nothing for me but in Eilat it is a scarce migrant and made some Israeli birdwatchers happy.


Little Green Bee-eater.


White-eyed Gulls at the North Beach.


Some nice bird has made the staff happy.