James J. Packer* & James R. Diamond

*15 Camberley Walk, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. UK.

James.Packer@adas.co.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 Even with those that are out of date (most of them), you'll quickly work out good areas.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

1. Little Grebe
   Five at Ne'ot Hakakar fish ponds on March 31st

2. Sooty Shearwater
   One off North Beach on April 10th and 12th

3. Great Cormorant
   Four, North Beach on March 28th, singles at North Res throughout

4. Great White Pelican
   One on the Salt Pans in the evening of April 9th

5. Little Bittern
   One outrageously confiding female at North Res on April 12th

6. Black-crowned Night Heron
   12 at the Salt Pans on April 5th, 13 at IBRCE on 7th, 12 on 10th and one on 12th

7. Striated Heron
   Two at North Beach fish farms throughout.

8. 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

9. Cattle Egret
   Two at IBRCE on April 1st, 3rd, 12th, two Yotvata on April 2nd

10. Western Reef Egret
    Up to two at North Beach fish farms throughout. Distant views. One Salt Pans on April 5th.

11. Little Egret
    10 Salt Pans on March 28th. Up to 30 North Beach throughout.

12. Grey Heron
    Up to 40 at Salt Pans and 20 at North Res throughout

13. Purple Heron
    One at Salt Pans on April 5th and 9th

14. Black Stork
    Single at North Res on March 29th, and IBRCE on April 5th, two North Res on 10th, 39 over IBRCE on 10th

15. 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

16. Glossy Ibis
    Ten at the Salt Pans, Eilat, on March 28th

17. Eurasian Spoonbill
    One at IBRCE on April 5th

18. Greater Flamingo
    Up to 60 at North Res throughout

19. Common Shelduck
    Up to two at the Salt Pans and 100 at North Res throughout

20. 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

21. 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

22. Common Teal
    Two at North Res on April 8th

23. Mallard
    Two at North Res on April 6th

24. Northern Pintail
    Up to 30 at North Res throughout

25. Northern Shoveler
    Up to 80 at North Res (peak April 1st), 70 off North Beach on April 6th

26. Common Pochard
    30 at North Beach on April 4th

27. Tufted Duck
    One male at North Res on April 6th

28. European Honey Buzzard
    Five over Salt Pans with Steppe Buzzards on March 28th were very early

29. 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

30. 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

31. Eurasian Griffon Vulture
    Two over Ben Gurion and four, En Avdat on April 5th with 25 here on 11th

32. 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

33. Western Marsh Harrier
    Four North Res on March 28th. Elsewhere small numbers scattered throughout the whole Arava valley.

34. 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

35. Montagu's Harrier
    One male at Km 40 on April 1st and one ringtail near En Avdat on 11th

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. Long-legged Buzzard
    Singles over Eilat on March 28th, dark bird drinking at IBRCE on April 10th and En Avdat on 11th

39. Lesser Spotted Eagle
    38 over Ben Gurion Rest Stop and 15 over En Avdat on April 5th, two here on 11th

40. Greater Spotted Eagle
    One with Lesser Spotted over En Avdat on April 5th. Thankfully ID'd by Hadoram

41. 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

42. 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

43. Bonellis Eagle
    At least three at En Advat on April 11th

44. Osprey
    One over IBRCE on April 7th

45. Common Kestrel
    Singles regularly seen throughout the Arava valley

46. Hobby
    One over Mt Yoash on April 7th

47. Barbary Falcon
    One over Salt Pans on March 28th, excellent view of a 1st year at Yotvata on 30th

48. Chukar
    Five at Nizzana on April 5th, three at Shizzafon on 8th

49. Sand Partridge
    About 15, pumping station on April 2nd, 8 Shizzafon kibbutz on 8th, two En Avdat on 11th

50. Common Quail
    Outrageously obliging. Small numbers seen all over the place. They seemed to get everywhere! Five together at Km 20 on April 9th

51. Water Rail
    One in the stream at IBRCE on March 30th and April 12th

52. Spotted Crake
    One in the stream at IBRCE on April 12th

53. Little Crake
    At least four at Ne'ot Hakikar fish ponds on March 31st

54. Common Moorhen
    Less than five on most sewage ponds

55. Common Coot
    Four Yotvata on 30th singles at several other sewage ponds

56. Common Crane
    One at Yotvata on March 29th

57. Houbara Bustard
    At least two, including a briefly displaying male at Nizzana on April 5th

58. Eurasian Oystercatcher
    Two off North Beach on April 10th, and three here on 12th

59. Black-winged Stilt
    Common and present throughout on the Salt Pans and North Reservoirs (up to 50). Regular on most patches of sizeable water

60. Pied Avocet
    Three North Res on March 28th, five on 29th, four on April 1st, one on 8th, 9th, 10th

61. Cream-coloured Courser
    12 at Nizzana on April 5th

62. Collared Pratincole
    Eight at North Res on April 8th and one on 12th

63. Little-ringed Plover
    Up to 30 at North Res throughout. Smaller numbers at Salt Pans/IBRCE

64. Ringed Plover
    Regular at North Res and Salt Pans. In smaller numbers than LRP

65. Kentish Plover
    Common at Salt Pans and North Res. Maximum 150 North Res on April 9th

66. Greater Sand Plover
    One first year at North Res on March 31st, April 1st, 6th and 8th

67. Caspian Plover
    One male in ploughed field at Km 37 on March 29th, two at Shizzafon alfalfa fields on April 8th

68. Grey Plover
    One at North Res on March 31st, April 1st, 6th,11th, two on 8th, 9th, 12th, one Salt Pans on 10th

69. Spur-winged Plover
    Common, and observed at many locations. Breeding noted at many sites, mainly sewage pools

70. White-tailed Plover
    One showing down to 3 metres at North Res on March 28th

71. Little Stint
    Up to 200 at North Res (peak April 6th)

72. Temmincks Stint
    One, Salt Pans on March 28th

73. Curlew Sandpiper
    Two, North Res on April 8th, 10th, three on 11th

74. Dunlin
    Four, North Res on March 28th, about 10 on 29th, 15 on April 2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th, 7 IBRCE on 5th

75. Ruff
    Up to 50 at Salt Pans and 70 North Res throughout

76. Common Snipe
    Three, Yotvata sewage ponds on March 29th, and IBRCE on 30th

77. Black-tailed Godwit
    Single at North Res on April 1st, 60 here on 6th

78. Whimbrel
    One near Ne'ot Hakikar on March 31st

79. Eurasian Curlew
    Singles, Salt Pans on March 28th, North Res on April 6th, 9th and 10th

80. Spotted Redshank
    Five at Salt Pans on March 28th, three North Res on April 9th

81. Common Redshank
    Common at Salt Pans and up to 40 at North Res

82. Marsh Sandpiper
    Up to 35 at North Res (max April 9th), and 27 at IBRCE (April 5th)

83. 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

84. 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

85. 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

86. 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

87. 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

88. Arctic Skua
    One, North Beach on March 28th

89. 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

90. Little Gull
    One 1st year at North Beach on March 31st, April 4th. It moved to IBRCE on 9th and 11th

91. Black-headed Gull
    Single at IBRCE, 40 at North Res on March 28th, five at IBRCE on April 5th

92. 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

93. Lesser Black-backed Gull
    Less than 20 off North Beach and around Eilat throughout. (L. f. fuscus)

94. Siberian/Heuglins Gull
    One North Beach on April 10th

95. Yellow-legged Gull
    Less than 10 at Salt Pans throughout

96. 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

97. 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

98. Caspian Tern
    Singles North Beach on March 28th, April 1st, 4th, 7th, IBRCE on April 1st , 5th, 7th,12th, three at IBRCE on 3rd

99. Sandwich Tern
    Two North Beach on March 28th, three on 31st, two on April 6th, three on 10th

100. 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

101. Bridled Tern
     One North Beach on March 28th, 31st and April 7th

102. Little Tern
     Seven at IBRCE on April 12th

103. Whiskered Tern
     One at North Beach on April 1st

104. 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

105. Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
     10 drinking at the pumping station on April 2nd.

106. Crowned Sandgrouse
     Seven flew over Shizzafon sewage pond on April 8th

107. Spotted Sandgrouse
     About 70 in the Ovda valley on April 2nd, three at a drinking pond, Nizzana on 5th

108. Black-bellied Sandgrouse
     Four feeding in a ploughed field near Nizzana on April 5th

109. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
     About 10 in flight at Nizzana on April 5th

110. Feral Pigeon
     Common around Eilat and other settlements

111. Eurasian Collared Dove
     Common in small numbers around Eilat. Many checked for African Collared Dove, none were!

112. European Turtle Dove
     Two at Km 20 on April 9th, one IBRCE on 12th

113. Laughing Dove
     Very common around all human settlements

114. Namaqua Dove
     Three at Km 40 on March 29th, four (3 male, 1 female) near the sewage canal on April 10th

115. Rose-ringed Parakeet
     Eight flew over Eilat on April 1st

116. Great Spotted Cuckoo
     One near the sewage pond at Yotvata on March 29th

117. Common Cuckoo
     One heard at Km 40 on April 9th

118. Little Owl
     One near Ovda Valley on April 9th

119. Common Swift
     Probably about 50% of swifts checked were this species

120. 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.

121. Alpine Swift
     Singles at IBRCE on March 30th, Ben Gurion and En Avdat on April 5th

122. Little Swift
     One hawking over a field for ages at Km 40 on April 1st

123. White-throated Kingfisher
     One at Ne'ot Hakakar fish ponds on March 31st

124. Common Kingfisher
     Singles at North Beach on April 4th, 6th and 12th

125. Pied Kingfisher
     Singles at IBRCE on April 1st, North Beach on April 4th, 10th, 11th, with two here on 12th

126. 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

127. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
     One near the sewage canal and salt pans on April 5th

128. 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

129. Roller
     Singles at North Res on April 1st and near IBRCE on 12th

130. Hoopoe
     One in Central Park and one in Ofira Park on March 28th, three at Yotvata on March 29th and 30th

131. 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

132. Bar-tailed Lark
     Two at Km 33 on March 29th, at least four singing at Nizzana on April 5th

133. Desert Lark
     About six at Km 33 on March 29th, two Ovda valley on April 2nd

134. 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.

135. Bimaculated Lark
     One at Km 40 on March 1st, one Km 20 on 9th and 10th

136. 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.

137. Crested Lark
     Common. Regularly seen in small groups (usually less than 10) on virtually all open ground.

138. Temminck's Horned Lark
     One at IBRCE on April 3rd

139. Sand Martin
     Common in small numbers, usually around water.

140. Rock Martin
     Around Eilat, about half the Rock/Crag Martins were this species. We stopped bothering after a while.

141. Crag Martin
     Around Eilat, about half the Rock/Crag Martins were this species. We stopped bothering after a while.

142. Barn Swallow
     Common throughout in small numbers

143. Red-rumped Swallow
     Common throughout in about same numbers as Barn Swallow

144. House Martin
     10 over Central Park on March 28th Similar numbers over many areas.

145. Richards Pipit
     One or two in alfalfa field at Shizzafon kibbutz on March 30th.

146. Tawny Pipit
     Two at Km 40 on April 1st, one at Shizzafon on April 5th, two here on 8th

147. Tree Pipit
     Common. 30 in Ofira Park on April 1st, 30 Shizzafon on 8th

148. Meadow Pipit
     Singles in Ofira Park on many dates. Not common.

149. 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.

150. 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.

151. Buff-bellied Pipit
     One in Ofira Park on April 1st

152. Black-headed Wagtail
     Groups of up to 50 flava wagtails of many different subspecies in virtually all damp or agricultural habitats

153. 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

154. White Wagtail
     Groups of less than five in many suitably damp or agricultural habitats

155. White-spectacled Bulbul
     Very common. Found virtually everywhere where there's some vegetation

156. Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
     Singles at Yotvata on April 1st, Shizzafon on 8th, IBRCE on 12th

157. European Robin
     One at holiday village, Yotvata on March 30th

158. Common Nightingale
     One at IBRCE on April 1st and 12th

159. 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.

160. Black Redstart
     One at the IBRCE on April 9th

161. 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.

162. Blackstart
     Common in virtually all wadis and areas of acacia scrub

163. Whinchat
     One male at Shizafon on April 8th, one Eilat cemetery on 12th

164. Stonechat
     One at Shizzafon sewage pond and another in the kibbutz on March 30th

165. Isabelline Wheatear
     Common in groups of less than 5 in many widely scattered localities.

166. Northern Wheatear
     10 Central Park on March 28th, 10 Km 33 on 29th many other over a widely scattered area.

167. Black-eared Wheatear
     Possibly the most common Wheatear. Regular in small numbers almost everywhere. 20 at Km 40 on March 29th

168. 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

169. Hooded Wheatear
     One at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th, one on the road up to Amram's Pillars on 10th

170. 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

171. Rock Thrush
     At Shizzafon kibbutz one female was present on March 30th, one male on April 5th and two males on 8th

172. 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

173. Cetti's Warbler
     One, Ne'ot Hakikar fish pond on March 31st

174. Graceful Prinia
     Common in small numbers in most scrub, reed beds and sewage ponds

175. 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

176. 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

177. Savi's Warbler
     One in Ofira Park on March 28th

178. Sedge Warbler
     Three at IBRCE on March 30th, one at Nahal David on 31st, two IBRCE on April 5th

179. Reed Warbler
     Two, IBRCE on March 30th, one pumping station on April 2nd

180. Clamorous Reed Warbler
     At least two, Ne'ot Hakikar fish ponds on March 31st. Difficult!

181. Great Reed Warbler
     Singles at IBRCE and in Ofira Park on April 3rd

182. 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

183. Subalpine Warbler
     One male at IBRCE on April 3rd

184. Sardinian Warbler
     One male in Central Park on March 28th Other singles occasional throughout the Arava valley

185. Cyprus Warbler
     One male at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th

186. 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

187. 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

188. Orphean Warbler
     One female near Lotan on March 29th, one male in Central Park on April 1st, one IBRCE on 10th

189. 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.

190. Common Whitethroat
     One female in Central Park on March 28th, five in Ofira Park and two in Central Park on April 1st

191. Blackcap
     About 30 in Central and Ofira Park until April 1st Numbers dropped off after this date

192. Eastern Bonellis Warbler
     Single calling at Yotvata on April 8th was the only bird we heard, hence the following report relates to both species.

193. 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

194. 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.

195. Willow Warbler
     One at Shizzafon sewage pond on March 30th, one in Ofira Park on April 1st and 8th, one North Res on 9th

196. 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

197. Arabian Babbler
     Ones and twos at many sites, six at Nahal David on March 31st

198. 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

199. Southern Grey Shrike
     Singles at North Res on March 29th, Nizzana on April 5th, singing at Shizzafon on 8th

200. 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

201. 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

202. House Crow
     Up to five in various groups around Eilat

203. Hooded Crow
     Up to five in various settlements throughout the Negev. Not in the Arava valley.

204. Brown-necked Raven
     Common around Eilat and especially across the negev

205. Common Raven
     One in the air with Fan-tailed Raven at Nahal David on March 31st

206. Fan-tailed Raven
     One at Nahal David on March 31st

207. 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.

208. House Sparrow
     Common around settlements

209. Spanish Sparrow
     Common all around Eilat, with flocks of several hundred roosting in reeds near the salt pans

210. 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

211. Pale Rock Sparrow
     At least two, Km 40 on April 1st. Weird bird, superficially looks more like a lark than a sparrow!

212. Indian Silverbill
     Two near the Jordanian border at the back of the date palms on April 10th

213. Greenfinch
     About 15 at Shizzafon on April 2nd

214. Linnet
     Three Km 40 on March 29th

215. Desert Finch
     About 10, Km 37 on March 30th

216. 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.

217. 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

218. Cinereous Bunting
     One male was feeding with Ortolan flock at Km 40 on April 1st

219. 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

220. 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