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>> Monthly Summaries

December 2008


Tomer Landsberger

Below is a summary featuring the most interesting observations from this month, based on reports from the ISRABIRDNET mailing list and other sources.
Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus): 3 off Jaffa on 25/Dec and 2 on 26/Dec (B. Granit et al.); several more observed off Med. shore during storms by various observers.

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelicanus crispus): 1 above Yesodot with White Pelicans, 03/Dec (E. Hadad).

Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica): 1 still present at Eilat eastern lagoon.

  
Black-throated Diver Gavia stellata
  

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina): 1 at HaMa'apil reservoir, 17/Dec (R. Ram et al.).

Smew (Mergellus albellus): 1 Nov reservoir, Golan, 19/Dec (S. Alterman).

Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus): 4 with 90 Griffons, on a carcass in Wadi Zavitan, 27/Dec (O. Horine, S. Alterman, T. Kahn).

  
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
  

Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax): 1 at Revadim, 13/Dec (Y. Koren et al.); 1 at the Hula valley re-flooded area, 14/Dec (D. Yosha et al.); 1 at En HaMifratz, 19/Dec (P. Rudaeff).

  
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax
  

Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius): 6 at Urim fields 07/Nov onwards (O. Horine, S. Alterman et al.); 1 west of moshav HaYogev, Jazrae'l valley, 14/Dec (O. Hatzofe).

American Golden Plover (Pluvialis Dominica): 1 still present at Ma'agan Michael fishponds in mid December (J. Meyrav).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius): 1 still present at Ma'agan Michael fish ponds in early Dec (S. Agmon et al.).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus): 1 still present on 23/Dec at Acre beach (I. Shimshon).

Pale Scops Owl (Otus brucei): 1 at Wadi Shahamon, Eilat (N. Weiss).

Oriental Skylark (Alauda orientallis): up to 5 at Yotvata fields (N. Weiss et al.).

Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus japonicus): tens at Yotvata fields (N. Weiss et al.); up to 5 at Ma'agan Michael fishponds throughout the month (S. Agmon, M. Craig); 2 at Tzora'a fields, 26/Dec (E. Banker).

Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni): up to 5 at the Yarkon park (T. Kahn, S. Alterman).

  
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
  

Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprimna): a male and female near Heimar reservoir, 08/Dec onwards (I. Tsurim et al.); 1 male at Wadi Mishmar, 26/Dec (S. Alterman, A. Ben Dov).

  
Kurdish Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprimna
  

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus): 1 at Merom Golan orchards, 19/Dec (S. Alterman); 1 at El-Rom, 23/Dec (B. Granit).

Yellow-browed Warbler (Philoscopus inornatus): 1 at Pardes Hanna, 27/Dec (O. Jonsson).

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus): 7 at Cedar viewpoint, Gallilee; 1 at El-Rom gardens, 20/Dec (B. Granit, A. Cohen, R. Livne); 6-10 at Merom Golan, 20/Dec (B. Granit, A. Cohen, R. Livne).

  
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
  

Black Bush Robin (Cercotrichas podobe): 1 near Yoseftal hospital, Eilat (N. Weiss et al.). The first winter record.

Red-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus): 1 at El-Rom orchards, 20/Dec (A. Cohen).

Pine Bunting (Emberiza leucocephala): 15 juvs with a flock of 107 Yellowhammers in a drinking spot at the lower Hermon, 06/Dec (A. Ben Dov); 3 at Birya orchard, 06/12 (A. Ben Dov).

  
Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephala
  

Little Bunting (Emberiza pussila): 1 at Yotvata's circular field, 13/Dec (E. Hadad, C. Moyal).


Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
(Merops persicus)Arava valley, Apr.05

Rose-coloured Starling
(Sturnus roseus) Eilat area, May.05

Yellow-legged Gull
(Larus michahellis) Ma'agan Michael, May.05
 
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