December 2004 - second half

Golan Heights
Two Radde's Accentors, different birds than the 3 birds reported on the 12 th. were at different apple orchard, near El-Rom on the 27 th , make a total of 5 birds in that area. At the same place 30 Mistle Thrushes were noted (BG). The two long staying Smews were seen again at Revaya reservoir on the 16 th (ED,AV,BG).

Lake of Galilee and around
A Horned Grebe was reported on the 21 st near En-Gev (OH), Should be the 3 rd for the country if accepted. The 2 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen again at Maagan Beach (DP). One Wallcreeper and one Alpine Accentor were at the Arbel cliff on the 31 st (ED, EV).

Beit Shean and Jezrael Valley
980 White-headed Ducks were at the Tishlovet reservoirs on the 17 th , presenting a new national record. At the same place 3 Red-crested Pochards , 5 Marbaled Teals and a male Daurian Shrike were noted (RM, BD). A White-tailed Plover was reported at Gesher fishponds on the 23 rd (DP).

Zevulun Valley
A roost of 8,000-10,000 Black Kites was located at En-Afek on the 28 th (AB).

Carmel coast
30 Greater Sand-plovers at Habonim coast and 33 Greater Flamingos were at Atlit salt pans on the 29 th (DR). An unusual winterer Bar-tailed Godwit was at the same place, the following day (YD).

Jerusalem
On the 16 th , 3 Goldcrests were seen at mt Hertzel (DS, NS). The birds seen again on the 23 rd (YK).

Dan region
136 White-headed Ducks were at Matash Ayalon on the 22 nd (RM).

Jeudean Plains
About 215 White-headed Ducks were counted in the area on the 18 th and 23 rd (RM, EH). 8 Imperial Eagles, 1 Lesser-spotted Eagle, 17 Spotted Eagles, 2 Bonelli's Eagles, 510 Black Kites, 66 Marsh Herriers, 15 Hen Herriers, 7 Pallied Herriers, 15 Long-legged Buzzerds, 17 Buzzerds, 15 Sparrowhawk, 1 Goshawk, 2 Merlins, 1 Lanner, 2 Peregrines and 285 Kestrels were counted between the 29 th -31 st in the whole area. In addition 220 Golden Plovers, 100 Stock Doves, 30 Reed Buntings and 1000 Bramblings were noted (EZ, AT).

North-Western Negev
12 Dotterels were at Urim on the 12 th (YP). On the 31 st 2 Sakers, 2 Lanners, 6 Peregrines, 2 Merlins (very poor number ), 10 Imperial Eagles, 5 Pallied Herriers, 600 Pin-tailed Sandgrouses, 1650 Cranes, 7 Sociable Plovers, 124 Golden Plovers and 2 Richard's Pipits were noted at Urim area (BG). 1800 Black Kites, were gathering to roost at Gevulot and about 5000 birds came to roost at Eshel Hanasie (BG), brings the total close to 7000 birds at the northern Negev.

Eilat and the Arava
A Black-throated Diver was found at the lagoon near the North Beach on the 21 st (GO), the bird twitched by many birders and joined by another individual on the 31 st (RL, TL).