British, Irish & WP Birding
by Richard Bonser
Introduction
I first visited
With flights from the
The aim of this report is to update, to an extent, my report from December 2005 with hopefully a fair amount of new information and to document how enjoyable a relaxed spring visit to
Literature
A lot of sites visited were either given to me by birders via email or they were sites that I’d been to in 2005. ‘A Guide to the Birding Hot-spots of
Websites and acknowledgements
A lot of the information that was used I got off the ‘usual suspects’ so thanks once again to Chris Batty, Chris Bell, Alan Clewes, Andy Clifton, Lee Gregory and Andy Holden. Thanks to Alan who’s allowed me to use a couple of his photos from his visit the week prior to mine. Other birders that either helped with information either prior or during the trip included Yaron Charka, Sean Huggins, Graham Langley, Yoav Perlman and Noam Weiss. Finally an eternal thanks to Shaun Robson and his crew who miraculously found my GPS and returned it to me safely – I still owe you those beers lads!
The IsraBirding website has up-to-date information and trip reports with the forum section having recent news and comments from Israeli birders.
Other information
Driving through the West Bank is perfectly fine and from Tel Aviv we used this route, via
Daily Diary
30th March 2008
We flew from
31st March 2008
As the saying goes, I was determined to save the best until last. Therefore the target for my first full morning was to ‘clear up’ on what you may term those dreaded Category C species. So I was up at dawn, sensibly leaving Karen to explore Tel Aviv on her own, while I headed 30miles north to the small town of
Pardes Khana-Karkur (north-east of Hadera)
I arrived and parked my car in a small car park off Hadekalim Street and commenced my search for Black-hooded Parakeet, a species which maintains a ‘sustainable (though not expanding) population’ in the area (IRDC bulletin 6:01). Knowing that a couple of mates had seen the species the day before I headed to where they’d seen a single bird after an hour or so of searching. Alas there was nothing unsurprisingly although large numbers of squawking Ring-necked Parakeets flew around the area as offensively as they do in
Wandering around the area for a couple of hours I managed to chalk up some interesting species – Syrian Woodpecker, Palestine Sunbird, Graceful Prinia, White-breasted Kingfisher, Jay (of the race atricapillus), Red-rumped Swallow, Laughing Dove, Lesser Whitethroat as well as some more exotica in the form of Common Myna. After a couple of hours searching and the rain had passed, I eventually found a pair of Black-hooded Parakeets in trees at N32°28’18”, E34°58’30”. So, after admiring the birds for what they were worth, I headed off back to Tel Aviv conscious of the time (it was now mid morning) and my heart set on the next Cat C extravaganza – Vinous-breasted Starling.
Glossy Ibis Pardes Khana-Karkur 31st March 2008
By now it was late morning and it had turned into a decent day weather wise as I pulled into the eastern parking lot at
A quality Masked Shrike in the area of scrub by the river near the starlings was a good start and, walking through the park area, it was evident that a fall of wagtails had occurred – at least 100 White Wagtails along with Yellow Wagtails of the races flava and feldegg (Black-headed Wagtail). Jackdaws and Hooded Crows were numerous, as were Spur-winged Plovers and Yellow-vented Bulbuls, while smaller numbers of Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Hoopoe were seen. A Steppe Buzzard soared over and three White-breasted Kingfishers posed well at various points on my walk while other exotica other than the starlings included Monk and Ring-necked Parakeets and hundreds of Common Mynas. An adult Night Heron over the road as I headed back to Tel Aviv reminded me that I was actually on the
White-breasted Kingfisher Hayarkon Park 31st March 2008
Having picked Karen up after her morning seeing the sights of Tel Aviv, we headed off east through Jerusalem and The West Bank to Ein Gedi midway along The Dead Sea where we were to spend the night at the rather chilled out and tranquil setting of Ein Gedi Kibbutz.
Masked Shrike Hayarkon Park 31st March 2008
Kibbutz Ein Gedi
While unloading our stuff in this well-vegetated area overlooking Ein Gedi and the popular birding site of Wadi Arugot, the first Fan-tailed Ravens and Rock Martins of the trip soared above us. A walk around the gardens in the last hour or so of light produced a Red-rumped Swallow and a Wryneck amongst the commoner species with pride of place going to a flock of c.50 European Bee-eaters that were looking to pitch down for the night.
1st April 2008
I awoke early and decided to have a walk around the kibbutz gardens before breakfast. Things were rather noisy so I knew the grackles were in town…
Kibbutz Ein Gedi
They weren’t around yesterday evening but they were here with a vengeance this morning – a flock of c.50 noisy Tristram’s Grackles were moving through the gardens making their presence known to all and sundry. Walking to the northern perimeter of the complex to have a look over Wadi Arugot, I disturbed an active party of three Arabian Babblers that showed well and appeared unperturbed by my close approach. The Wryneck was still present in the bushes with Lesser Whitethroat, Palestine Sunbird and Blackcap also seen. A fair number of Fan-tailed Ravens, Rock Martins and Red-rumped Swallows flew overhead. A lone male Yellow Wagtail on the lawn was of the race thunbergi.
After breakfast we headed down to Ein Gedi spa where guests of the kibbutz get free access to the facilities. I wasn’t too keen on the mud bath and the mineral treatments, but I was persuaded to have a swim in The Dead Sea – Karen couldn’t believe I’d visited the area previously and not even had a paddle! After an hour or so I departed the spa, leaving Karen there, and headed to the north of Ein Gedi to Ein Salvadori with Mountain Bunting and other dry wadi species in mind.
Ein Salvadori
Just a couple of miles north of Ein Gedi, I pulled off route 90 and parked my car then followed the path marked by the blue and white rocks to N31 ° 31’12”, E35 ° 23’10” (for directions see Mountain Bunting in species notes). The walk up to Ein Salvadori produced a handful of Blackstarts and numerous Tristram’s Grackles while a dozen or so Ortolans were presumably migrating through the area. Upon reaching the vegetation after scrambling up the path, I flushed a pair of Sand Partridges that settled on nearby rocks and gave good views. After a bit of scanning around, I found the target bird Mountain Bunting singing though it proved remarkably difficult to locate due to the echo in the ‘bowl’ created by the rocks. The scrub in the wadi held a few Lesser Whitethroats and an Eastern Orphean Warbler while Rock Martins and Fan-tailed Ravens appeared overhead in small numbers. A big bonus were a pair of Sinai Rosefinches – the male looking pristine – and a Trumpeter Finch that came down to investigate the area presumably drawn by the small amount of water in an otherwise barren landscape.
I couldn’t get back to the spa quick enough believe it or not. If ever you swim in The Dead Sea, make sure you have a shower afterwards as the chaffing I experienced while climbing the path at Ein Salvadori was one of the most excruciatingly painful moments I’ve experienced to date. And it was then time for the drive to Eilat - my nerves had been severely tested as I’d received a text the previous evening telling me that the Black Bush Robin (found on 28th March) was still at the bird sanctuary.
Eilat
I wish I could say the drive was uneventful… it did take only 2 ½ hours but I’d forgotten how rife with police route 90 is between Yotvata and Eilat! So we got pulled over and a stern looking Israeli police officer asked me the usual questions – presumably me deliberately acting like the stupid tourist and Karen smiling sweetly did the trick and we got a warning not to do it again.
I had a brief look around the bird sanctuary late afternoon but unfortunately the gate was closed so, rather frustrated, I had to do without the Black Bush Robin for today with numerous European Bee-eaters being little compensation. I returned to the car and found Karen with a police car – while I’d been away she’d taken a couple of photos of the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing that had presumably alerted their attention. Once they had a look at our passports and established we’d once again been naïve tourists, we were on our way to
Western Reef Egret North Beach 1st April 2008
2nd April 2008
I awoke early, bumped into Shaun Robson and his team as I was leaving the hotel, and met Yaron at
Eilat Bird Sanctuary
Located just to the north of the town, to get here turn right off route 90 (if you’re going north) to the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing - just after the garage on the northern edge of town. Follow this road around past the border crossing and then you’ll pick up ‘birdwatching’ signs and you can park by the gate at N29°34’20”, E34°58’21”. Noam let us in (well, he let Yaron in and I accompanied him) and we quickly headed to the spot along the main track just beyond the small ringing hut. And, then, if by magic there it was – a gorgeous Black Bush Robin showing well in the path side scrub just as the sun was beginning to come up. What a quality bird – cocking its tail and flicking its wings presumably displaying and interesting to find out from Noam that despite the brown primaries they’re unsafe to age.
Loads of hirundines flew overhead including lots of Red-rumped Swallows, while Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats were present in good numbers. Back at the ringing hut we were shown a Wood Warbler and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and a scan of the scrapes produced Wood and Green Sandpipers and several Little Stints. A very nice start to the day and it was only quarter to eight!
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Eilat Bird Sanctuary 2nd April 2008
Northern Date Palms, Eilat
And so the slog started. Yaron and I walked through the gate at N29°34’57”, E34°58’30” and commenced the search for the wintering Crested Honey Buzzard. Needing to be back at the hotel for breakfast a quick wander around proved fruitless. But, after spending five hours at varying points in the day, and seeing countless Steppe Buzzards in the process it was not until late afternoon that the target bird was found – particularly nervous and when eyeball contact was made, it moved on through the plantation. A really good bird to see and the first winter record of this species anywhere in the Western Palearctic. Searching the area through the day did produce some good birds though with two Olive-backed Pipits being the undoubted highlights while other birds noted included Redstart, Black-eared Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit and Hoopoe with European Bee-eaters, Red-rumped Swallows and an Osprey overhead.
Hilton Queen of Sheba Hotel, Eilat
While chilling out mid morning (in between Crested Honey Buzzard searches) a small movement of raptors flew over the hotel complex – 1 Steppe Eagle and 150 or so Steppe Buzzards – several of which struggling to gain height over our towering hotel as they came in quite low from the Gulf of Aqaba. Three Tristram’s Grackles were present in the hotel grounds most of the morning.
I remember being quite impressed with the small parks in Eilat town during my winter visit so, with Karen, we had a quick walk from our hotel and ended up in
Elifaz (km38)
Having just seen the Crested Honey Buzzard at the northern date palms late afternoon, I received the text I’d been waiting for – Yaron had been birding between Eilat and Yotvata and had stumbled on a male Caspian Plover. Being a fan of waders and a new bird for me, this was one of the bird’s I’d most wanted to see anywhere in the world. So you can imagine my reaction when I clapped eyes on this pristine individual as it fed on an isolated patch of dung piles in the early evening sun – what a cracking bird and I watched it for the next hour or so with the crowds. The area was teeming with birds and Short-toed Larks, Northern Wheatears, Red-throated Pipits and Yellow Wagtails made use of the habitat. Thoroughly satisfied I headed back to Eilat for the evening.
Caspian Plover Eilfaz 2nd April 2008
3rd April 2008
Another early morning leaving Karen in bed while I headed out on foot to search for migrants in
The lack of sprinklers and water meant that birds were few and far between. Nonetheless I enjoyed the hour or so in this small park recording a female Ruppell’s Warbler uncharacteristically hopping around on the grass, an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and a couple of confiding Ortolans. Several Tree Pipits and Chiffchaff were present along with Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Hoopoe and a Sedge Warbler.
Ortolan Ofira Park 3rd April 2008
Km20 saltpans
After another quality breakfast Karen and I headed out for a few hours. Visits to the
Red-necked Phalarope Km20 saltpans 3rd April 2008
Elifaz (km38)
After relaxing at the hotel for a bit, I headed out on my own late afternoon to have another look at the Caspian Plover. With reduced crowds, the proved exceptionally confiding and in the end I was provided with pant wetting views – the highlight of my trip. A couple of Desert Finches were found on the nearby arable land, welcome indeed as it was a species I’d not seen for a few years. Similar to yesterday large numbers of larks, pipits and wagtails were buzzing around the dung piles with the Yellow Wagtails looking particularly vivid in the bright light.
Caspian Plover Elifaz 3rd April 2008
In tune with a couple of nights ago North Beach was once again quiet – the resident White-eyed Gull population always provides something to look at while small numbers of Western Reef Egrets, Caspian Terns and an Osprey were other birds noted. And by this time Karen had walked along the beach from our hotel and I was ready to call it quits for the day.
4th April 2008
Ofira and
Another early morning visit and, after bumping into Sean Huggins the previous morning who recommended Central Park as being better than Ofira, I decided to do them both. There had been a fall of Ortolans with about a dozen seen and, in amongst these, I recorded my only Cretzschmar’s Bunting of the trip. The parks weren’t dripping with migrants but a group of five Squaccos that I inadvertently flushed from some trees in
Hoopoe Central Park 4th April 2008
Km20 saltpans
After spending the morning relaxing in the hotel, I headed out at midday to the saltpans to see what birds were present. The Red-necked Phalarope was again present on the eastern lagoon while much the same selection of birds as yesterday were seen though the Broad-billed Sandpiper was absent. Large numbers of Slender-billed Gulls fed over the pools with smaller numbers of Black-headed Gulls mixed in.
Km19 – area by cowsheds just north of the reservoirs (near N29°36’34”, E34°59’28”)
After a Pine Bunting had been reported here yesterday and a male Pied Wheatear this morning, it was rude not to check the site out. However I had no luck with either species although at least ten Ortolans were feeding on grain within the dairy while large numbers of White Wagtails and Red-throated Pipits were present. Prolonged views of a falcon over the area provided me with good views of an adult Barbary Falcon, a species I’m often rather sceptical of reports of due to the confusion with the various races of Peregrine. Driving back towards route 90 a Subalpine Warbler showed well in an isolated acacia bush.
Elifaz (km38)
Karen and I headed out early evening and, predictably, revisited the male Caspian Plover that was still showing well. In amongst the numerous Short-toed Larks, Yellow and White Wagtails a male Woodchat looked rather out of place and two Bimaculated Larks were an excellent bonus. The lack of wind meant an abundance of flies so Karen was rather keen to leave and as we left I noticed a flock of fifteen or so Desert Finches in the nearby arable field.
Yotvata
Heading north along route 90 I had to swerve the car as to my surprise, walking around on the hard shoulder of this busy road was a Short-toed Eagle. Turning the car around and fearing the worst as I presumed it had been a road casualty, the bird thankfully flew a short distance where we watched it for the next ten minutes or so along with two other cars of birders. When we arrived at the circular fields at Yotvata the wind had got up, the light was fading and very little was around. So we headed back to Eilat, again very satisfied with the day.
Short-toed Eagle Yotvata 4th April 2008
5th April 2008
This was to be my final full day in Eilat and I decided to spend the first three hours of light up in the
I hooked up with a group of four Belgian birders on the track on the right of route 12 just before you get to the brow of the road by
Hilton Queen of Sheba Hotel, Eilat
Back at the hotel after breakfast, I chilled out for the rest of the morning and early afternoon watching about forty Steppe Buzzards drift over along with a group of 7 Armenian Gulls. A couple of Tristram’s Grackles were vocal in the hotel grounds and a handful of Rock Martins flew over.
Eilat Bird Sanctuary
The gate was open so I walked in and had a look around. Unfortunately a quick search for the Black Bush Robin mid afternoon drew a blank but it was evidently still around. I flushed a Quail from beside the path, a confiding male Black-eared Wheatear showed well by the parking area and a Masked Shrike sheltered from the heat in a small area of trees. Hundreds of Red-rumped Swallows were passing through, several stopping at the pools to drink along with a dozen or so Yellow Wagtails (including a couple of feldegg) and a Wood Sandpiper.
Elifaz (km38)
The Caspian Plover had unfortunately gone but there were still large numbers of birds on the dung piles. A mini influx of Isabelline Wheatears was apparent while a male Black-eared Wheatear was a new bird from yesterday. Poor views of one Bimaculated Lark were obtained in amongst the commoner Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits, Yellow and White Wagtails.
Red-throated Pipit Elifaz 5th April 2008
Sewage ponds and reeds near
This area can be found off the rough track on the east side of route 90 opposite the turn off to
Km19 modern sewage works (at dusk)
We arrived at 7pm as we’d been advised this was a sensible time by other birders, only to find an obnoxious photographer telling us to hurry up and be seated as the target bird would be arriving any minute. Knowing how late Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse come in to drink when I’ve seen them previously I just thought what a twat the bloke was (I didn’t say anything as Karen specifically instructed me not to kick off and create a scene) and we sat down on the bank at N29°36’34”, E34°59’28”. And so it was that a full fifteen minutes later in the gathering darkness I located a pair of Sandgrouse as they came into drink on the northern bank of the reservoir. Views weren’t tremendous but the people sitting near me seemed appreciative – and to make things more enjoyable, the twat photographer who at one point switched on a rather bright beam, didn’t see them. Mind you I have heard a photographer say ‘I’d rather not see a bird than see it poorly’ so perhaps he was happy he missed the birds.
6th April 2008
I woke up just before breakfast, foregoing any early morning birding, and we then sadly left Eilat and headed north during the day ready for our mid evening flight back to the UK. That was the theory anyway – in reality our flight didn’t leave for another two days due to a combination of firstly technical problems and the part being in the
Birding on the way up was pretty steady. A quick stop at the viewpoint at Mitspe Ramon to view the crater produced a Desert Lark and a Griffon Vulture just north of the town while a walk around the area at Ben Gurion’s grave, Sde Boker produced another Griffon Vulture and a Masked Shrike. The highlight of the day however, under darkening skies and poorer weather, was as we were driving along route 40 just south of Be’er Sheva a spectacular flock of in excess of 3,000 White Storks circled – presumably thinking of ditching down in the inclement conditions.
As mentioned previously, after getting to Tel Aviv airport in ample time, we were due for an extended stay in
7th April 2008
After the carve up of the night before, we didn’t actually get to bed until gone 4.30am in the morning so it was a rather late start as you can imagine. A walk along the sea front/scrub from The Holiday Inn in Ashkelon produced a few birds of note – a Hoopoe, a Northern Wheatear, a pair of Sardinian Warblers, a Graceful Prinia and a couple of Common Mynas. The rest of the day was spent in transit to and from the airport, in the airport and generally becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of the flight back to
8th April 2008
Another day of hanging around in
Species notes
Western Reef Heron
Appeared to be relatively common at Eilat where birds of all colours were seen either on the beach in front of us or on the offshore fish platforms with Little Egrets.
Pallid Harrier
A superb male on active migration was seen flying north late afternoon over the airfield in Eilat town on 1st April.
Crested Honey Buzzard
Small numbers of this species are now seen annually with migrating Honey Buzzards over the Eilat area. However, my visit luckily coincided with the presence of the first wintering individual of this species for
Crested Honey Buzzard Northern Date Plantation March 2008 (photo:Alan Clewes)
An adult was seen well over the cowsheds at Km19 for a prolonged period during the afternoon of 4th April.
Sand Partridge
A pair was seen at Ein Salvadori, north of Ein Gedi on 1st April. This was a chance encounter while searching for Mountain Bunting and observations from my 2005 trip suggest this is a common species in the dry wadis of the southern half of the country.
Caspian Plover
This species occurs in small numbers each spring in the Eilat area and, from research, can turn up anywhere in suitable habitat from Eilat town to north of Yotvata normally either the last week of March or the first week of April. I was lucky to see a superb confiding male at Elifaz (km38) on 2nd – 4th April that favoured a small area of dung piles that were a magnet to birds (mainly larks, pipits and wheatears) – N29°46’52”, E35°01’12”. Prior to my visit, a flock of 5 birds were at Yotvata North Circular Field for several days during the last week of March at N29°54’15”, E35°04’18”.
Broad-billed Sandpiper
An adult showed well at Km20 saltpans on 3rd April in amongst Little Stints and Dunlins. Up to two had been present in the days prior to my sighting.
Red-necked Phalarope
A winter plumaged individual was a surprise at the Km20 saltpans on 3rd April, being present again the next day.
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse
The formerly reliable spot by the pumping station on the western fringes of Eilat town is now defunct. Fortunately, these small sandgrouse have found an alternative dusk drinking site at Km19 with at least two birds reliably coming in to drink five to ten minutes before dark. Turn east by the Km19 post on route 90 onto the sandy track that takes you between the dairy/cow sheds and the northern side of the modern sewage works. Once parked go through the fence and up the bank to view from N29°36’34”, E34°59’28”. The birds come in at dark so ensure you are in place a good 15-20 minutes before to avoid disturbance – on my visit views of the two birds were quite distant in the gloom but I’ve been assured that some evenings they can appear in the north-west corner of the reservoir close to where you’ll be sitting.
Bimaculated Lark
A species I have not encountered that regularly so it was good to see two individuals that showed well at times on the dung piles at Elifaz (N29°46’52”, E35°01’12”) in amongst large numbers of Short-toed Larks and Red-throated Pipits.
Bimaculated Lark Elifaz 4th April 2008
Olive-backed Pipit
Several individuals of this species remained from the winter at the Northern Date Plantation, Eilat and while searching for the Crested Honey Buzzard on 2nd April, I recorded two individuals in the middle section of the plantation. Access to the area was by walking through the gate at N29°34’57”, E34°58’30”.
Black Bush Robin
This species occurs sporadically in the Eilat area in spring and it was fortunate that a male was found a couple of days before I arrived in
Black Bush Robin Eilat Bird Sanctuary March 2008 (photo:Alan Clewes)
Hooded Wheatear
A male was encountered rather fortuitously while looking for raptors at
Arabian Babbler
Three showed very well at Ein Gedi Kibbutz early morning on 1st April. It is a relatively common and vocal species in wadi and dry scrub areas in the southern half of the country.
Tristram’s Grackle
Present in good numbers and some decent sized flocks at Ein Gedi Kibbutz and Ein Salvadori on 1st April. At least three birds also frequented the Hilton Queen of Sheba Hotel, Eilat during our stay.
Tristram's Grackle Ein Gedi 1st April 2008
Fan-tailed Raven
Seen relatively regularly in the day or so that I spent around Ein Gedi with sightings at both the Kibbutz and Ein Salvadori.
Desert Finch
A flock of about fifteen birds were seen in the arable field immediately adjacent to the dung piles at Elifaz (N29°46’52”, E35°01’12”) on 4th April (two being present the previous day).
Sinai Rosefinch
A male and female were seen on 1st April at Ein Salvadori, north of Ein Gedi (see directions under Mountain Bunting).
Mountain Bunting
Asian House Bunting, Striated Bunting or Mountain Bunting – whatever you want to call it – no longer occurs regularly in the Eilat area and to find this species these days the best bet is The Dead Sea. A small area of greenery formed by a spring at Ein Salvadori, north of Ein Gedi has become the best site recently to find this species in
Category C Species
The IRDC (Israeli Rarities and Distribution Committee) in 2007 accepted four species of ‘established exotic bird’ onto Category C of the Israeli list – see here for more details. Two of these – Monk Parakeet and Common Myna – were easily seen with the former common in
Black-hooded Parakeet
A small population of this species can be found to the north of Tel Aviv in the town of
Vinous-breasted Starling
This introduced species is relatively easy to find in certain areas of
Vinous-breasted Starling Hayarkon Park 31st March 2008
Species List
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Common Teal Anas crecca
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus
Steppe Eagle
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi
Quail Coturnix coturnix
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Coot Fulica atra
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus
Armenian Gull Larus armenicus
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus fuscus
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii
Rock Dove Columba livia
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Black-hooded Parakeet Nandayus nenday
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Common Swift Apus apus
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
Alpine Swift Apus melba
White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus
Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata
Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Rock Martin Hirundo obsoleta fuligula
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
House Martin Delichon urbica
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla feldegg
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Blackstart Cercomela melanura
White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga
Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Eastern Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida elaeica
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris
Rüppell's Warbler Sylvia rueppelli
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps
Great Tit Parus major
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
House Crow Corvus splendens
Hooded Crow Corvus cornix
Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus
Tristram's Grackle Onychognathus tristramii
Vinous-breasted Starling Sturnus burmannicus
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Trumpeter Finch Rhodopechys githagineus
Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus synoicus
Desert Finch Rhodopechys obsoleta
Ortolan Emberiza hortulana
Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia
Mountain Bunting Emberiza striolata