February 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.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor): 1 at Sde Eliyyahu, 07-08/Feb (A&H. Zunz); 1 at Menashe reservoir, 08/Feb (C. Rozen).

	Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons): 25 at Bnei-Israel reservoir, 08/Feb (T. Simantov).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula): 2 at a flooded are near Meitzar, Golan, 08-10/Feb (T. Simantov et al.). The first in 18 years.

	Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator): 2 between Shezaf and Shitim beach, Sea of Galilee, 16/Feb (R. Mizrachi). Only one there on the following week.

	Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus): 1 at Eilat, 09/Feb onwards (N. Weiss et al.). The first winter record.

	Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

Great Bustard (Otis tarda): 1 still present east of Ma'ale Gamla, Golan, 11/Feb (J. Meyrav, T. Kahn).

Sociable Plover (Vanellus gregarius): 1 in full breeding plumage at Yotvata circular field, 25/Feb (N. Weiss).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla): 1 1st winter off Jaffa port, 20/Feb (A. Ben-dov, S. Alterman, T. Landsberger).

Pallas's Gull (Larus ichtyaetus): 1,300+ at Sde-Eliyyahu reservoir, 21/Feb (A. Ben-dov). Very high count.

	Pallas's Gull (Larus ichtyaetus)

Hoopoe Lark (Alaemon alaudipes): 1 at the Meyshar, 23/Feb (T. Simantov); 1 at Eliphaz, Southern Arava, (N. Weiss).

Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni): up to 3 still present at Eilot's northern date plantation (N. Weiss et al.).

Rose-coloured Starling (Sturnus roseus): 1 at Bat-Yam, 15/Feb (Y. Dax, A. Han).

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus): 1 at Mei Ami, 05/Feb (A. Ben-dov).