Yesterday I reached a personal milestone in my eBird 2019 Checklist-a-day Challenge. It was my 200th day in a row of submitting meaningful eBird checklists. The last day that I did not submit an eBird checklist was
December 23rd 2018.
I spent the day with SPNI's youth bird club, led by the
wonderful Yael Lehnardt, up on Mt. Hermon. This was Yael's ultimate trip with
the group before moving on. Huge appreciation to Yael for years of endless
dedication, efforts and inspiration. She raised a fantastic generation of
brilliant young birders, naturalists and conservationists. These young boys and
girls already impact the Israeli birding and wildlife scene greatly. Our
birding itinerary included a strenuous climb up Mt. Hermon, from 1400m to
2100m. It was very hot, solar radiation was fierce, terrain was rough and our
backs were in pain for carrying so much water and gear. However, it was such a
symbolic morning, to conquer the mountain, see the birds, and feel the
youngster's huge satisfaction of withstanding the challenge.
Birding was tough, but we managed to see all expected Hermon
specialties, including Asian Crimson-winged Finch, Pale Rockfinch, Horned Lark,
Sombre Tit and Western Rock Nuthatch. Perhaps the most extraordinary
observation was a congregation of forty (!) Common Ravens, surely
attracted to rubbish outside a military base. This is by far the largest
concentration every recorded in Israel of this scarce species. Nice also to
connect with two Chaffinch, that only recently were realised to breed in
Israel. I managed three checklists with the group- of the climb up, hills abovethe upper cable station, and drinking pools. My bird photos are shit, sorry -
harsh light and other excuses.
Stunning
vista over the Hula Valley before climbing up
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tail-less Pale Rockfinch
Juvvy Syrian Serins
Zygaena olivieri
Our climb
Yael and her group
No comments:
Post a Comment