Southern Israel, 27th March – 13th April 2000
James J. Packer* & James R. Diamond
*15 Camberley Walk, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. UK.
We attended the Raptors 2000 conference in Eilat from 3-7 April, so we took advantage and tagged a week either side.
We stayed at Villa Kibel the whole time. Basic small apartments in the residential part of Eilat, but certainly all a birder needs. Self catering facilities varied between rooms, so make sure you know what you’re getting. At the very least it will be an electric two ring stove and a fridge. One room also has an oven and microwave, all appear to be the same price (GBP35 for the room per night)!
We hired a car which is essential if you are to fully exploit the whole area around Eilat. We found Eldan cheaper than the international companies, and they are very efficient.
Contact details:
Hanan@el-dan.com
Eldan Rent a Car
143 Merkaz Shalom
Tel.972 7 6374027
I shall not go into detail about the sites we visited. All are mentioned in the guide books. Even with those that are out of date (most of them), you’ll quickly work out good areas. If you find an alfalfa field you’re laughing, there’s not many of them left.
The landowners seem extremely relaxed about allowing access. It took us a while to realise we could walk around fields with no bother. Be polite, don’t walk across fields, have a bit of common sense, and you’ll have no bother!
Apart from at regular checkpoints we had no hassle from police or the army. Always carry your passport with you, and if stopped you will be asked for the car’s licence. We found ours tucked away behind the sun visor. Might have been better if we had found this out before the bloke with his big gun questioned us!
A word of warning: A car load of British birders got fined on the spot for not stopping at a red sign with the white hand. These signs are everywhere! Driving in Eilat is an experience. Use you horn at every possible situation or else you’ll feel left out! If you don’t start quick enough to qualify for the Grand Prix at junctions or traffic lights the taxi driver behind you will beep until you do. Eilat taxi drivers are nutters. Outside of Eilat, don’t be tempted to follow the local tradition and wait until blind corners to overtake, it’s easier on straight bits!
SYSTEMATIC LIST
- Little Grebe
Five at Ne’ot Hakakar fish ponds on March 31st - Sooty Shearwater
One off North Beach on April 10th and 12th - Great Cormorant
Four, North Beach on March 28th, singles at North Res throughout - Great White Pelican
One on the Salt Pans in the evening of April 9th - Little Bittern
One outrageously confiding female at North Res on April 12th - Black-crowned Night Heron
12 at the Salt Pans on April 5th, 13 at IBRCE on 7th, 12 on 10th and one on 12th - Striated Heron
Two at North Beach fish farms throughout. - Squacco Heron
Apart from singles widely distributed, three were at the Salt Pans, March 28th, four at Ne’ot Hakakar fish ponds on March 31st, two IBRCE on April 2nd, three North Beach on 3rd, three IBRCE on 5th, three North Res on 10th, four North Beach on 12th - Cattle Egret
Two at IBRCE on April 1st, 3rd, 12th, two Yotvata on April 2nd - Western Reef Egret
Up to two at North Beach fish farms throughout. Distant views. One Salt Pans on April 5th. - Little Egret
10 Salt Pans on March 28th. Up to 30 North Beach throughout. - Grey Heron
Up to 40 at Salt Pans and 20 at North Res throughout - Purple Heron
One at Salt Pans on April 5th and 9th - Black Stork
Single at North Res on March 29th, and IBRCE on April 5th, two North Res on 10th, 39 over IBRCE on 10th - White Stork
Five, Salt Pans on March 28th, six IBRCE, March 30th, about 300 near Nizzana on April 5th, about 3000 over North Res on April 8th and 7000 over IBRCE on 9th, 1000 over Km 20 and two IBRCE on 10th, five En Avdat on 11th - Glossy Ibis
Ten at the Salt Pans, Eilat, on March 28th - Eurasian Spoonbill
One at IBRCE on April 5th - Greater Flamingo
Up to 60 at North Res throughout - Common Shelduck
Up to two at the Salt Pans and 100 at North Res throughout - Eurasian Wigeon
One male at Yotvata sewage pond on March 29th, 30th, April 2nd, 8th, about 30 at North Beach on April 4th, three at North Beach on April 6th and 12th - Garganey
Five off North Beach and 41 at North Res on April 6th, 150 North Beach on April 7th, 20 at North Res on 8th, five North Beach on 10th, six North Res on 11th and eight on 12th, 10 North Beach on 12th - Common Teal
Two at North Res on April 8th - Mallard
Two at North Res on April 6th - Northern Pintail
Up to 30 at North Res throughout - Northern Shoveler
Up to 80 at North Res (peak April 1st), 70 off North Beach on April 6th - Common Pochard
30 at North Beach on April 4th - Tufted Duck
One male at North Res on April 6th - European Honey Buzzard
Five over Salt Pans with Steppe Buzzards on March 28th were very early - Black Kite
Five, Salt Pans on March 28th, 15 over Km 40 on April 1st, 30 Mt Yoash on 7th. Elsewhere smaller numbers anywhere over the whole area - Egyptian Vulture
Singles at Ne’ot Hakikar and Nahal David on March 31st, Nizzana on March 5th, two at Km 40 on April 1st, one North Res on April 9th, four at En Avdat on 11th - Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Two over Ben Gurion and four, En Avdat on April 5th with 25 here on 11th - Short-toed Snake Eagle
Singles near Yotvata on March 29th, Shizzafon on 30th and April 8th, Nahal David on March 31st, North Res on April 10th and 12th - Western Marsh Harrier
Four North Res on March 28th. Elsewhere small numbers scattered throughout the whole Arava valley. - Pallid Harrier
Single ringtails over Shizzafon on March 30th and IBRCE on April 10th. A harrier seen from the airport coach on March 27th was probably this species - Montagu’s Harrier
One male at Km 40 on April 1st and one ringtail near En Avdat on 11th - Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Two, Km 40 on April 1st, three at IBRCE on 5th, five Mt Yoash on 7th. Singles around Eilat on many other dates. - Steppe Buzzard
Until about April 11th, daily migration of many tens of thousands, passing up through the Arava valley or over Mount Yoash, depending on wind direction. Numbers declined from 11th onwards. - Long-legged Buzzard
Singles over Eilat on March 28th, dark bird drinking at IBRCE on April 10th and En Avdat on 11th - Lesser Spotted Eagle
38 over Ben Gurion Rest Stop and 15 over En Avdat on April 5th, two here on 11th - Greater Spotted Eagle
One with Lesser Spotted over En Avdat on April 5th. Thankfully ID’d by Hadoram - Steppe Eagle
Four over Salt Pans on March 28th, one Ovda valley on April 2nd, three Ben Gurion and one En Avdat on 5th and 15 on 11th, one Shizzafon on 8th - Booted Eagle
Singles Yotvata on March 29th, Mt Yoash on April 2nd, Shizzafon on 8th, North Res on 9th and 12th (dark), two En Avdat on 11th - Bonellis Eagle
At least three at En Advat on April 11th - Osprey
One over IBRCE on April 7th - Common Kestrel
Singles regularly seen throughout the Arava valley - Hobby
One over Mt Yoash on April 7th - Barbary Falcon
One over Salt Pans on March 28th, excellent view of a 1st year at Yotvata on 30th - Chukar
Five at Nizzana on April 5th, three at Shizzafon on 8th - Sand Partridge
About 15, pumping station on April 2nd, 8 Shizzafon kibbutz on 8th, two En Avdat on 11th - Common Quail
Outrageously obliging. Small numbers seen all over the place. They seemed to get everywhere! Five together at Km 20 on April 9th - Water Rail
One in the stream at IBRCE on March 30th and April 12th - Spotted Crake
One in the stream at IBRCE on April 12th - Little Crake
At least four at Ne’ot Hakikar fish ponds on March 31st - Common Moorhen
Less than five on most sewage ponds - Common Coot
Four Yotvata on 30th singles at several other sewage ponds - Common Crane
One at Yotvata on March 29th - Houbara Bustard
At least two, including a briefly displaying male at Nizzana on April 5th - Eurasian Oystercatcher
Two off North Beach on April 10th, and three here on 12th - Black-winged Stilt
Common and present throughout on the Salt Pans and North Reservoirs (up to 50). Regular on most patches of sizeable water - Pied Avocet
Three North Res on March 28th, five on 29th, four on April 1st, one on 8th, 9th, 10th - Cream-coloured Courser
12 at Nizzana on April 5th - Collared Pratincole
Eight at North Res on April 8th and one on 12th - Little-ringed Plover
Up to 30 at North Res throughout. Smaller numbers at Salt Pans/IBRCE - Ringed Plover
Regular at North Res and Salt Pans. In smaller numbers than LRP - Kentish Plover
Common at Salt Pans and North Res. Maximum 150 North Res on April 9th - Greater Sand Plover
One first year at North Res on March 31st, April 1st, 6th and 8th - Caspian Plover
One male in ploughed field at Km 37 on March 29th, two at Shizzafon alfalfa fields on April 8th - Grey Plover
One at North Res on March 31st, April 1st, 6th,11th, two on 8th, 9th, 12th, one Salt Pans on 10th - Spur-winged Plover
Common, and observed at many locations. Breeding noted at many sites, mainly sewage pools - White-tailed Plover
One showing down to 3 metres at North Res on March 28th - Little Stint
Up to 200 at North Res (peak April 6th) - Temmincks Stint
One, Salt Pans on March 28th - Curlew Sandpiper
Two, North Res on April 8th, 10th, three on 11th - Dunlin
Four, North Res on March 28th, about 10 on 29th, 15 on April 2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 7 IBRCE on 5th - Ruff
Up to 50 at Salt Pans and 70 North Res throughout - Common Snipe
Three, Yotvata sewage ponds on March 29th, and IBRCE on 30th - Black-tailed Godwit
Single at North Res on April 1st, 60 here on 6th - Whimbrel
One near Ne’ot Hakikar on March 31st - Eurasian Curlew
Singles, Salt Pans on March 28th, North Res on April 6th, 9th and 10th - Spotted Redshank
Five at Salt Pans on March 28th, three North Res on April 9th - Common Redshank
Common at Salt Pans and up to 40 at North Res - Marsh Sandpiper
Up to 35 at North Res (max April 9th), and 27 at IBRCE (April 5th) - Common Greenshank
10, North Res on March 28th, 15 on April 9th, 25 on 11th. Smaller numbers on all other dates, 5 at IBRCE on April 5th, 10 on 10th - Green Sandpiper
Two, North Res on March 29th, one Shizzafon on 29th, two IBRCE on 30th, one Ne’ot Hakikar on 31st, 18 North Res on April 2nd, 2 IBRCE on 5th, 5 North Res on 6th, two Shizzafon on 8th, three North Res on 11th and two on 12th - Wood Sandpiper
18 at North Res on April 8th, eight at IBRCE on 9th, three North Res and one IBRCE on 11th 10 North Res on 12th - Common Sandpiper
One at IBRCE and two at North Res on April 6th three at Yotvata on 8th, one North Res and IBRCE on 10th one North Beach on 10th, five North Res on 12th - Red-necked Phalarope
Singles at IBRCE on March 29th and North Res on 30th, 31st, April 2nd, 8th two North Res on April 6th, three on 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th - Arctic Skua
One, North Beach on March 28th - White-eyed Gull
30, North Beach on March 28th, 15 on April 1st, 10 on 4th, two on 7th, seven on 11th, five on 12th - Little Gull
One 1st year at North Beach on March 31st, April 4th. It moved to IBRCE on 9th and 11th - Black-headed Gull
Single at IBRCE, 40 at North Res on March 28th, five at IBRCE on April 5th - Slender-billed Gull
Up to 40 at IBRCE and 100 at North Res throughout, 50 at North Beach on 31st Smaller numbers on all other dates - Lesser Black-backed Gull
Less than 20 off North Beach and around Eilat throughout. (L. f. fuscus) - Siberian/Heuglins Gull
One North Beach on April 10th - Yellow-legged Gull
Less than 10 at Salt Pans throughout - Great Black-headed Gull
At least nine at North Beach on March 28th, four on 31st, two on April 1st, one IBRCE on April 5th - Gull-billed Tern
Two, Salt Pans on March 28th, three at North Res on 29th, two here on April 2nd, one on 8th, 9th, 12th - Caspian Tern
Singles North Beach on March 28th, April 1st, 4th, 7th, IBRCE on April 1st , 5th, 7th,12th, three at IBRCE on 3rd - Sandwich Tern
Two North Beach on March 28th, three on 31st, two on April 6th, three on 10th - Common Tern
Two North Beach on March 28th, four on 31st, three on April 1st, four on 5th, three IBRCE on 6th, 50 North Beach on 10th, 20 on 11th, 25 on 12th - Bridled Tern
One North Beach on March 28th, 31st and April 7th - Little Tern
Seven at IBRCE on April 12th - Whiskered Tern
One at North Beach on April 1st - White-winged Black Tern
One at IBRCE on April 5th, one North Res on 11th, three here on 12th, 250 flew north over North Beach on 12th - Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse
10 drinking at the pumping station on April 2nd. - Crowned Sandgrouse
Seven flew over Shizzafon sewage pond on April 8th - Spotted Sandgrouse
About 70 in the Ovda valley on April 2nd, three at a drinking pond, Nizzana on 5th - Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Four feeding in a ploughed field near Nizzana on April 5th - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
About 10 in flight at Nizzana on April 5th - Feral Pigeon
Common around Eilat and other settlements - Eurasian Collared Dove
Common in small numbers around Eilat. Many checked for African Collared Dove, none were! - European Turtle Dove
Two at Km 20 on April 9th, one IBRCE on 12th - Laughing Dove
Very common around all human settlements - Namaqua Dove
Three at Km 40 on March 29th, four (3 male, 1 female) near the sewage canal on April 10th - Rose-ringed Parakeet
Eight flew over Eilat on April 1st - Great Spotted Cuckoo
One near the sewage pond at Yotvata on March 29th - Common Cuckoo
One heard at Km 40 on April 9th - Little Owl
One near Ovda Valley on April 9th - Common Swift
Probably about 50% of swifts checked were this species - Pallid Swift
Many of the swifts seen well were this species. Excellent views of several at Ne’ot Hakikar on March 31st. About 10, Km 40 on April 1st. Of 100 swifts at IBRCE on 11th, the majority seemed to be this species. - Alpine Swift
Singles at IBRCE on March 30th, Ben Gurion and En Avdat on April 5th - Little Swift
One hawking over a field for ages at Km 40 on April 1st - White-throated Kingfisher
One at Ne’ot Hakakar fish ponds on March 31st - Common Kingfisher
Singles at North Beach on April 4th, 6th and 12th - Pied Kingfisher
Singles at IBRCE on April 1st, North Beach on April 4th, 10th, 11th, with two here on 12th - Little Green Bee-eater
Usually seen in pairs, at many locations. Nest excavating at North Res throughout. Five at IBRCE on April 11th, and four on 12th - Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
One near the sewage canal and salt pans on April 5th - European Bee-eater
Small numbers seen and heard over many locations. 20 at North Res on March 28th, 15 here on April 1st, 20 at IBRCE on 11th - Roller
Singles at North Res on April 1st and near IBRCE on 12th - Hoopoe
One in Central Park and one in Ofira Park on March 28th, three at Yotvata on March 29th and 30th - Wryneck
Singles in many locations, but five were in Central Park on March 28th, two Yotvata on 30th, three Ofira Park on April 1st and 12th, two Shizzafon on 8th and 9th - Bar-tailed Lark
Two at Km 33 on March 29th, at least four singing at Nizzana on April 5th - Desert Lark
About six at Km 33 on March 29th, two Ovda valley on April 2nd - Hoopoe Lark
Excellent views of one at Km 33 lark field on March 29th. Characteristically it never flew and walked away from us, hence was difficult to locate initially. - Bimaculated Lark
One at Km 40 on March 1st, one Km 20 on 9th and 10th - Greater Short-toed Lark
Small groups in many locations. We checked them all for Lessers, but none were! About 40 at Shizzafon on April 5th and 8th was a largish group. - Crested Lark
Common. Regularly seen in small groups (usually less than 10) on virtually all open ground. - Temminck’s Horned Lark
One at IBRCE on April 3rd - Sand Martin
Common in small numbers, usually around water. - Rock Martin
Around Eilat, about half the Rock/Crag Martins were this species. We stopped bothering after a while. - Crag Martin
Around Eilat, about half the Rock/Crag Martins were this species. We stopped bothering after a while. - Barn Swallow
Common throughout in small numbers - Red-rumped Swallow
Common throughout in about same numbers as Barn Swallow - House Martin
10 over Central Park on March 28th Similar numbers over many areas. - Richards Pipit
One or two in alfalfa field at Shizzafon kibbutz on March 30th. - Tawny Pipit
Two at Km 40 on April 1st, one at Shizzafon on April 5th, two here on 8th - Tree Pipit
Common. 30 in Ofira Park on April 1st, 30 Shizzafon on 8th - Meadow Pipit
Singles in Ofira Park on many dates. Not common. - Red-throated Pipit
10 Ofira Park on March 28th, 50 at Shizzafon on April 8th, about 150 Km 20 on April 9th, 40 here on 10th, 30 Ofira Park on 12th Lower numbers throughout on many other dates. - Water Pipit
30 in Ofira Park on March 28th, 10 here on April 1st, 3 at Km 30 sewage pond on March 29th, 2 Ofira Park on April 7th Singles at many other sites. - Buff-bellied Pipit
One in Ofira Park on April 1st - Black-headed Wagtail
Groups of up to 50 flava wagtails of many different subspecies in virtually all damp or agricultural habitats - Citrine Wagtail
One female at North Res on March 28th, 29th, 31st, April 1st, three (2 male, 1 1st year female) at Shizafon sewage pond on 30th, one male at IBRCE on April 1st - White Wagtail
Groups of less than five in many suitably damp or agricultural habitats - White-spectacled Bulbul
Very common. Found virtually everywhere where there’s some vegetation - Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
Singles at Yotvata on April 1st, Shizzafon on 8th, IBRCE on 12th - European Robin
One at holiday village, Yotvata on March 30th - Common Nightingale
One at IBRCE on April 1st and 12th - Bluethroat
Small numbers of either white or red-spotted in virtually every patch of greenish vegetation, especially around water. Even on our patio in the middle of Eilat. - Black Redstart
One at the IBRCE on April 9th - Common Redstart
One male, Central Park, two Ofira Park one North Res March 28th. Three Km 40, one North Res on 29th, five Shizzafon and Yotvata on 30th, two Ofira Park on April 1st, two Shizzafon on April 8th, one Ofira Park on 12th, two cemetery on 12th. A large proportion (>50%) were P. p. samamiscus. - Blackstart
Common in virtually all wadis and areas of acacia scrub - Whinchat
One male at Shizafon on April 8th, one Eilat cemetery on 12th - Stonechat
One at Shizzafon sewage pond and another in the kibbutz on March 30th - Isabelline Wheatear
Common in groups of less than 5 in many widely scattered localities. - Northern Wheatear
10 Central Park on March 28th, 10 Km 33 on 29th many other over a widely scattered area. - Black-eared Wheatear
Possibly the most common Wheatear. Regular in small numbers almost everywhere. 20 at Km 40 on March 29th - Mourning Wheatear
At least one at Shizzafon sewage pond and two in the kibbutz on March 30th, one Ovda Valley on April 2nd, two Shizzafon on April 5th, three En Avdat on 11th - Hooded Wheatear
One at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th, one on the road up to Amram’s Pillars on 10th - White-crowned Black Wheatear
Two at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th, one at the pumping station on April 2nd, four up to Amram’s Pillars on 10th. Elsewhere singles in higher ground and in many wadis throughout the Negev - Rock Thrush
At Shizzafon kibbutz one female was present on March 30th, one male on April 5th and two males on 8th - Blue Rock Thrush
One male at Km 40 on April 1st, one female in City Wadi on April 2nd, one female in Shizzafon Kibbutz on April 2nd - Cetti’s Warbler
One, Ne’ot Hakikar fish pond on March 31st - Graceful Prinia
Common in small numbers in most scrub, reed beds and sewage ponds - Streaked Scrub-Warbler
Despite reports from previous years of how common this species was, we only saw one, at Shizzafon sewage ponds on April 8th - River Warbler
Good but brief views of one at Shizzafon sewage ponds on April 8th. Running around on the ground like a mouse. Hiding in vegetation and crawling between bushes when disturbed - Savi’s Warbler
One in Ofira Park on March 28th - Sedge Warbler
Three at IBRCE on March 30th, one at Nahal David on 31st, two IBRCE on April 5th - Reed Warbler
Two, IBRCE on March 30th, one pumping station on April 2nd - Clamorous Reed Warbler
At least two, Ne’ot Hakikar fish ponds on March 31st. Difficult! - Great Reed Warbler
Singles at IBRCE and in Ofira Park on April 3rd - Olivaceous Warbler
Common in small numbers in almost any scrubby habitats. Three in Central Park on 28th, at least five, Yotvata on March 29th and Ofira Park on April 12th - Subalpine Warbler
One male at IBRCE on April 3rd - Sardinian Warbler
One male in Central Park on March 28th Other singles occasional throughout the Arava valley - Cyprus Warbler
One male at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th - Ruppells Warbler
One female on road to North Res on March 28th, a male at Km 40 on April 1st, male at Pumping Station on April 2nd - Arabian Warbler
They look very like Orphean Warbler, which we suspect many people mistake as such. One male at Yotvata on April 8th, one male at Km 40 on 9th, two Eilat cemetery on 12th - Orphean Warbler
One female near Lotan on March 29th, one male in Central Park on April 1st, one IBRCE on 10th - Lesser Whitethroat
Approximately 100 in Central Park on March 28th, perhaps 50 in Ofira Park and 30 in Central Park on April 1st, 30 Ofira Park on April 7th Most trees and bushes had at least a few Lesser Whitethroats in them. - Common Whitethroat
One female in Central Park on March 28th, five in Ofira Park and two in Central Park on April 1st - Blackcap
About 30 in Central and Ofira Park until April 1st Numbers dropped off after this date - Eastern Bonellis Warbler
Single calling at Yotvata on April 8th was the only bird we heard, hence the following report relates to both species. - Western Bonellis Warbler
Scattered singles, but four in Central Park on March 28th, eight Yotvata on 29th (one calling), two Central Park on April 1st, two pumping station on 2nd, five Ofira Park on 12th - Chiffchaff
Two, Central Park and about 20, Ofira Park on March 28th, about 30 in Ofira Park on April 1st Numbers declining after this date. Many others in smaller numbers. - Willow Warbler
One at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th, one in Ofira Park on April 1st and 8th, one North Res on 9th - Semi-collared Flycatcher
Single males at Yotvata on April 1st and a different bird on 8th, female in Ofira Park on 7th and 8th and male in Central Park on 13th - Arabian Babbler
Ones and twos at many sites, six at Nahal David on March 31st - Palestine Sunbird
Common around Eilat in most habitats such as parks, gardens, and even acacia scrub. Has a weird call that takes a while believing is a sunbird - Southern Grey Shrike
Singles at North Res on March 29th, Nizzana on April 5th, singing at Shizzafon on 8th - Woodchat Shrike
Singles IBRCE on March 28th, two at Km 40 and one at North Res on 29th, Shizzafon on 30th, Ofira Park on April 1st, Shizzafon on April 8th, one at North Res on 9th killed Ghekko - Masked Shrike
Singles at many locations. Four in Central Park on March 28th and two, Ofira Park on March 28th and April 1st, one killed Black-eared Wheatear at North Res on 29th, two Yotvata on 30th, two Central Park on April 1st - House Crow
Up to five in various groups around Eilat - Hooded Crow
Up to five in various settlements throughout the Negev. Not in the Arava valley. - Brown-necked Raven
Common around Eilat and especially across the negev - Common Raven
One in the air with Fan-tailed Raven at Nahal David on March 31st - Fan-tailed Raven
One at Nahal David on March 31st - Tristram’s Starling
Common around Eilat, with groups of up to 10 regularly observed flying over. Common and tame around the red sea, with at least 30 at Nahal David on March 31st. - House Sparrow
Common around settlements - Spanish Sparrow
Common all around Eilat, with flocks of several hundred roosting in reeds near the salt pans - Dead Sea Sparrow
One female seen briefly in acacia at Km 37, at least 10 at nest colony in tamarisk’s next to Ne’ot Hakikar fish ponds on March 31st, about 10 at Km 40 on April 1st - Pale Rock Sparrow
At least two, Km 40 on April 1st. Weird bird, superficially looks more like a lark than a sparrow! - Indian Silverbill
Two near the Jordanian border at the back of the date palms on April 10th - Greenfinch
About 15 at Shizzafon on April 2nd - Linnet
Three Km 40 on March 29th - Desert Finch
About 10, Km 37 on March 30th - Trumpeter Finch
Small numbers at many desert localities. Ten Shizzafon on March 29th, 30 at Km 40 on April 1st, 15 Ovda Valley on April 2nd. - House Bunting
One male at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th and April 8th, one pumping station on April 2nd, two Eilat cemetery on 12th - Cinereous Bunting
One male was feeding with Ortolan flock at Km 40 on April 1st - Ortolan Bunting
Three at Shizzafon Kibbutz on March 30th two here on April 2nd, about 25 at Km 40 on April 1st and 10 here on 9th and six on 10th - Cretzschmar’s Bunting
Four, Ofira Park on March 28th, two at Shizzafon and at Yotvata on 30th, four Ofira Park and two Km 40 on April 1st, three Km 20 on 9th and five on 10th