Central Negev - Sde Boker, Mitzpe Ramon and Yeruham reservoir

The central Negev is by all means an impressive place. The deep canyons, the steep cliffs and the unique geological structures of the famous craters are home for breeding raptors such as Griffon and Egyptian Vultures (the later arrives back in February), Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, Barbary and Lanner Falcons, and Long-legged Buzzard. The canyons and the many wadies around Sde-Boker are a good place for the sought after Hume's Tawny Owl and the desert subspecies of Eagle Owl (B.B. ascalaphus). Little Green Bee-eater, Sand Partridge, Blackstart, Blue Rock-Thrush, Scrub Warbler, Desert Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Sinai Rosefinch (the best place in Israel for this species), Desert Finch and Brown-necked Raven are to be found at the desert oases. Syrian Serin winters here in its hundreds. Single Cinereous Vultures may also winter here, and can sometimes be seen among the many Griffon Vultures. Sde Boker area is also one of the best places in Israel to look for mammalian predators. Striped Hyena, Wolf, Red and Blanford's Foxes and the critically endangered Arabian subspecies of Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) are all possible here. Indeed, a recent night hike by two of the 'Desert Birds' team ended up with all but the Blanford's Fox within 2 hours! The Mizpe Ramon area is an excellent place for late autumn migrants such as Redstarts, phylloscopus Warblers, Pipits, Thrushes and Wagtails together with some rarities such as Red-breasted Flycatcher (the best place in Israel, up to 7 birds together), Olive-backed Pipit, Hume's and Yellow-browed Warblers and Little Bunting. Crowned and Black-bellied Sandgrouses are seen regularly at some drinking spots around the town.