End of summer photo dump

Since my previous blogpost in late July I have seen lots of great birds, despite the heat and everything else going on here... These are some of the photos I took during the end of summer and early autumn migration that is well underway now.

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory

'Ehrenberg's' Redstart - Jerusalem Bird Observatory

White-throated Kingfisher - Jerusalem Bird Observatory

Long-eared Owl - Jerusalem Bird Observatory

Our restoration site at Maagan Michael is full of birds

Yavne 1 ponds are somewhat quiet this autumn, but I did find there to leg-flagged shorebirds. This Common Redshank was marked at Atlit on July 1st 2025 by Yosef Kiat. I saw it, 95 km south, on August 1st.

This Wood Sandpiper was marked at HaMaapil by Shai Blitzblau  on August 15th 2023. I saw it, 60 km south, on August 16th 2025. 

Yavne1 ponds

An unseasonal, surprisingly early Black-winged Pratincole (with a Collared Pratincole), at HaMaapil.

A trip down to Eilat provided some nice terns (without photos). While searching for the hypocolius family, without success, I saw some locally-produced youngsters.

Arabian Babbler

Kentish Plover

Trumpeter Finch kindergarten

White-throated Robin in the Negev, August 20th - stunning bird, part of a small wave mainly in southern Israel

Black Tern at HaMaapil

Greater Painted-Snipe - this individual has been around since 2021 (when it was ringed - can you see the ring?), mainly at HaMaapil

Global Birdfair 2025

I’m late to the party, but in this case, better late than never.

Over the weekend of 11–13 July, I took part in the world’s largest birding event – Global Birdfair, held in Rutland, UK. You may recall that last year I grumbled about not attending. This year, I decided to go – not because the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th were released, the war Israel is embroiled in has not ended, and certainly not because Israel is drawing less criticism these days given the horrific outcomes of its actions in Gaza. I went because Global Birdfair is THE place to be.

Anyone who’s experienced it knows the unique power of this event – uniting leading birders, conservationists and nature lovers from around the world. The professional, seamless organisation and inspiring leadership by Tim and Penny – or rather, Penny and Tim – played a huge part in making the experience so enjoyable. On the flip side, the FOMO when you’re not there is real – hence my whining last year.

If you’ve never been to Global Birdfair, I highly recommend this excellent YouTube video by Simon McCabe – it gives a great sense of the atmosphere and scale of the event.

This year brought a new experience for me at Birdfair. For many years, I’ve attended as a representative of BirdLife Israel, promoting birding in Israel, our conservation work, and international events like Champions of the Flyway. This year, I wore a different hat – representing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, promoting Birds of the World and other brilliant Cornell projects like Merlin, eBird, and the Macaulay Library. If you missed my recent update on Facebook: since January 2025 I’ve been working with Birds of the World, in parallel to my role at BirdLife Israel, helping expand the project’s reach across Europe.

At Global Birdfair, I took the opportunity to connect with many key partners – existing, emerging, and potential – including organisations, institutions and individuals. It was a privilege to join the fantastic Cornell team. Our stand, adjacent to Swarovski Optik, was buzzing with activity. Interest in the Lab’s work was immense – and I was truly taken aback by how wildly popular Merlin has become. It seems everyone had it on their phones! It’s inspiring to see how many people are taking their first steps into nature through Merlin – their pocket birding companion.

Iain, Alex, Ali, Ian, and me

Alen Kacal from my team at BirdLife Israel was also at Birdfair. I joined all her events and represented BirdLife Israel at several BirdLife International meetings. I was pleasantly surprised by the widespread warmth and appreciation towards Israel – for its birding and for its people. It gave me a sliver of hope that this horrific war might one day end, that stability may return to our region, and that international birders will once again come to witness the miracle of migration in Israel. Here's Alen participating in a panel discussion on the healing power of nature, brilliantly moderated by Nick Acheson:

For me, Global Birdfair is ultimately about people and friendships. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many old friends – some whom I hadn’t seen in years. In previous years, my phone nearly burst with selfies. This time, for some reason, I didn’t bother – so I don’t have many photos. I also won’t be tagging a million people on Facebook. I’ve become a little less social media-savvy of late. These two fine Yorkshiremen deserved attention:

Mark from the internet

Good luck to Rich Baines with his new book - The Rarity Garden!

As always, given the timing and location, birding wasn’t the main attraction at Global Birdfair – especially in the extreme heat. On Friday, temperatures reached 35°C outdoors, and inside the tents it felt like a stifling 50°C. Still, I had to keep my checklist streak alive, so birding was done!

I enjoy birding Rutland Water, even during the quiet season. It's very pleasent. The volume of birds is impressive. My only notable sighting was a group of Bearded Titlings calling from a reedbed not far from the visitor center. I hadn’t realised how rare they are at Rutland Water, so didn’t attempt a recording or photo – my mistake. I was later contacted by the regional eBird reviewer requesting more details – we’ll see what comes of that.

Another amusing eBird moment involved Feral Pigeons. In Israel, every early morning session at this time of year includes flocks of hundreds, often thousands, of Feral Pigeons flying between cities and surrounding farmland. So, when I was birding in Rutland and noticed a few flocks flying over, I casually logged 300 on eBird. Soon after, a reviewer contacted me – apparently, this isn’t normal in Rutland. They’re likely racing pigeons, which shouldn’t be reported on eBird. Odd, I admit – but I accepted the suggestion and removed them from my checklist. That’s a first – being challenged on Feral Pigeons!

After Birdfair, I made a quick dash to Norwich and Norfolk before flying home. I stayed overnight with good friends in Norwich, and the next morning (July 14th) I birded Cley Marshes. It was quite pleasant, with a few early migrant shorebirds – Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper being the most exciting.

The only bird I photographed during the whole trip was a Cattle Egret. Boring?

I am amazed at how rapidly they’ve colonised the UK. I vividly remember a wet August 12th 2008, post-Birdfair (then still called British Birdfair). I was sitting in a hide at Cley with Steve Gantlett and my brother Gidon, when a Cattle Egret dropped out of the grey sky onto the scrape in front of us.

Cattle Egret, Cley, August 12th 2008

Back then, Cattle Egrets were seriously rare in the UK – indeed within minutes dozens of birders twitchers arrived to see them. My brother and I jokingly predicted they’d quickly spread across the country, and even suggested they should be 'stopped' before it was too late – thinking of the ecological damage they’ve caused in Israel’s wetlands and rangelands. Our comments earned a few scowls from grumpy twitchers in the hide. Seventeen years later, that colonisation is well underway. I’m not sure whether the ecological impact of Cattle Egrets – or other expanding herons like Great Egrets – on UK habitats has ever been studied.

Back to 2025, from Cley, I visited friends in Sheringham, then headed to Luton Airport and flew back home.

My full eBird trip report is here.

See you at Global Birdfair 2026!

California part 3 - Stanford and Palo Alto

I am writing here while missiles are exploding over my head... What else is there to do other than reminisce about better days and hope for better days ahead.

After the first two full days of birding in California, I had to slow down a bit because of the Stanford conference I was taking part in. I had time only for quick pre-breakfast sessions on Stanford Uni campus and in nearby Palo Alto. My initial intention was to see enough birds to maintain my eBird checklist streak. However, urban birding in Palo Alto and Stanford was really enjoyable. I appreciated the common urban birds - good diversity, and several attractive species.

Acorn Woodpecker - this is a female (red rear crown), of ssp. bairdi I presume, with a broad pale forehead, solid black chest, and flank streaks.

American Robin is very common but always cool. This male singing by a main road has some skin infection on its legs (known as 'scaly legs'), likely caused by Cnemidocoptic mites or papillomavirus.

One morning I birded with Marty around Lake Lagunita, at the south side of campus, which was actually very nice. A Virginia Rail was calling from the little remaining wet vegetation, listen to it here, somewhat faint, at ''5 and ''14:

Lake Lagunita

Western Bluebird is a common urban feature too, but this male caught the early morning sun so beautifully that its photo had to be taken:

California Towhee - subtle, fairly range-restricted, but very common

Brown Creeper - superficially similar song to European trecreepers

Arizona Gardens in Stanford Campus - the tall palm hosted a Hooded Oriole

Warblers weren't easy to come by in Stanford and Palo Alto during my stay, so I was pretty pleased to stumble upon this singing Yellow Warbler. Listen to it here, at ''5, ''14 and towards the end (California Towhee in the foreground).

My final morning before heading back was spent at Bayfront Park in Millbrae, by the San Francisco airport. It wasn't easy to hear much with all the aircraft noise, but eventually I had good scope views of a Ridgway's Rail feeding along the saltmarsh edge - nice end to an excellent visit to California. 

Check my eBird trip report here - 163 species, 57 checklists (most of them done by Brian and Aaron - thanks again), it was fun and I can't wait to be back and finally catch up with two species I keep missing (because I arrive at the wrong time of year) - Surfbird and Black Turnstone. 

California day 2 - San Mateo county

My second day in California (May 27th) was another full dawn-till-dusk birding day. I had the pleasure of spending the day with Aaron Maizlish. It was spent in San Mateo county, birding from the Pacific coast to the San Francisco Bay area. We met up at Pigeon Point and started off at Gazos beach and Gazos road going inland. The riparian forest was excellent with lots of activity, visual and vocal, and some good stuff.

'Russet-backed' Swainson's Thrush - horrible photo of an insurance tick ahead of a proposed split

Often seen flying up in tree canopies, Band-tailed Pigeon is quite spectacular when seen at eye level. 

In more open, grassy areas a few stunning Lazuli Buntings were seen:

As well as equally-stunning Grasshopper Sparrows ;-)

And a tatty-looking Savannah Sparrow

At Pigeon point we had two Wandering Tattlers. We then headed up the coast towards Half Moon Bay, that produced some nice stuff as well. At sea we had lots of alcids including many Pigeon Guillemots:

At Devil's Slide we had one Rock Wren, but it didn't stick around for photos

Across the ridge, we arrived in San Francisco Bay. At Coyote Point the long-staying Harlequin Duck was located resting on distant rocks:

Nob Hill pond in Belmont provided nice urban birding, with Black Skimmers - that bill:

Cinnamon Teal - what it says on the tin:

We were in desperate need for lingering migratory shorebirds for the day list. We checked different mudflats and wetlands - nothing left behind. Finally, while driving on Dumbarton bridge at full speed, we spotted a group of 'brown' shorebirds in Don Edwards NWR saltpans. We pulled over and enjoyed a medium-sized group of Greater Yellowlegs that also contained a marvelous Wilson's Phalarope (my third ever, after two winter-plumaged vagrants, in Israel and in UK):

'Western' Willet

And a beautiful summer-plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher

We ran out of daylight at Coyote Hills Regional Park. Our daily total of 113 species was quite good, I think. Thanks again to Aaron for another great day out. Aaron worked hard all day, including keeping all the eBird lists.

California part 1 - Monterey

I recently returned from a short visit to California. The main reason to travel there was to take part in a conference that was held in Stanford University. Before the conference I spent two full days of birding in California. The first day, May 26th, was spent in Monterey County with Brian Sullivan. During the day we met up with Paul Fenwick and Brooke Keeney. It was an almost Big Day. Originally Brian had offered me to leave at 2 am and search for owls but I opted for a slightly more 'relaxed' option because I arrived in Carmel Valley close to midnight. It was a fantastic, action-packed day, birding from dawn till dusk non-stop. That's one way to get over a jetlag. We saw so many birds, too many to mention in full here. These were my personal highlights.

We started our day birding along the Tassajara road up the Chews Ridge. The sunrise over the Sierra mountains was breathtaking. 

Early in the morning we saw several Mountain Quails running along the road. The light was bad still, so the photos aren't great, but they are super birds.

Later on in the morning we didn't see them anymore but they remained vocal.

Up the top of the ridge it was very beautiful. So lush and green. Flowers in all their glory. According to Brian, the early part of the spring was exceptionally cold and wet, so breeding bird activity was at its peak when we visited. 

BTW I uploaded this photo and other habitat photos to eBird - I really like this new feature available. I hope I got the plant names right - California Wild Lilac, Foothill Yuca, Sticky Monkey, Scarlet Bugler:

It was very birdy up the mountain, so much bird song, pretty overwhelming for me with all those unfamiliar calls and songs. We searched and found two very cool Black-chinned Sparrows in open habitat:

Lazuli Buntings were singing up there too - stunning birds aren't they:

Around some conifer stands we had the lovely Lawrence's Goldfinch:

Wrentit is such a cool babbler-thing

So is California Scrub-Jay

We bumped into two California Striped Racers up there. So cool how this individual performed the cobra-like the hooding motion:

When we descended into the foothills, we searched and found California's only true endemic bird, Yellow-billed Magpie. We were on a main road without an option to pull over, so the only photos I took are rubbish, through the window. Sorry for the poor quality.

We then met up with Brooke and headed to Moss Landing and vicinity, including Elkhorn Slough and Zmudowski SB. It was packed with birds, lots of waterbirds and coastal stuff, I enjoyed it.

We spent most of the afternoon on Point Pinos, where we met up with Paul. The wind was blowing properly, complete with snow caps, shaky tripods and tons of seabirds. I was hugely impressed by the constant passage of Sooty Shearwaters, 50-60 per minute, an endless stream. There were fair numbers of Pink-footed Shearwaters as well, we counted 76. I was especially pleased to watch Black-footed Albatrosses from land. What a delight. 

Cetacean activity offshore was impressive, with several Humpbacks doing their stuff throughout the session, and a playful pod of Risso's Dolphins entertained us. Getting digiscoped footage of the whales was challenging (for me). It took me many attempts until I eventually got something.

Other cool birds that went through were a single 'Manx' Shearwater (is it actually a Manx Shearwater?), nice numbers of Pacific Loons and Rhinoceros Auklets, Heerman's Gulls - I enjoyed this session very much.

Heerman's Gull

Rhinoceros Auklets

Thanks to Brian, Brooke and Paul for an amazing day. Brian did almost all of the eBirding - hard work! You can check the checklists from May 26th in the Trip Report here.