It's this time of year in Israel when migration is at its best. Skies are full of soaring birds, and on the ground passerines are everywhere. This morning migration seemed to peak, with a huge fallout. It was literally raining birds - wheatears, buntings, pipits, wagtails and warblers dropping down from the sky, darting beetween houses and gardens where I live. Exciting stuff.
Yesterday morning Hulda Reservoir (with Piki) was really good. Our humble contribution to World Shorebirds Day included fair numbers of shorebirds, but passerines were the real attraction. The reservoirs' vegetated banks were exploding with migrants, mainly Willow and Savi's Warblers. Hard to imagine how many Willow Warblers pass through Israel these days. Great fun. eBird checklist here.
Yesterday morning Hulda Reservoir (with Piki) was really good. Our humble contribution to World Shorebirds Day included fair numbers of shorebirds, but passerines were the real attraction. The reservoirs' vegetated banks were exploding with migrants, mainly Willow and Savi's Warblers. Hard to imagine how many Willow Warblers pass through Israel these days. Great fun. eBird checklist here.
Willow Warbler
Lesser Grey Shrike
Zitting Cisticola
Later on my family celebrated a birthday at the JBO. I crept into the bird hide for a short while. It was hot but it really busy: birds were constantly coming in to drink and feed (eBird checklist here). Best was a 1cy Collared Flycatcher. Prominent migrant in spring, in autumn they are rather scarce.
Common Nightingale
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