Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Migrating Northwards?!?!

The first wave of autumn migration is still visible all around but new winds are blowing, cooler than we can even remember (it's less than 40C with cool winds!! Unbelievable). These winds are now bringing the first birds of second wave- such as the first two Common Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus חכלילית עצים, first Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca חטפית שחורת עורף and one beautiful Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix עלווית ירוקה.

Common Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus חכלילית עצים
Male זכר

Clearly we are also catching good numbers of the early migrants- first wave of autumn but some species are almost gone- like the Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida שיחנית קטנה.

Surprising good numbers of Namaqua Doves Oena capensis תורית זנבתנית were ringed so far (4 at the IBRCE Park, 2 more at the fields of Qetura) and we are expecting more of them due to very good numbers of the seen around. These tinny pigeons have almost nothing in common with pigeons; maybe that's why I love them so badly.

Namaqua Doves Oena capensis תורית זנבתנית
Juv. Male זכר צעיר
 Other nice birds: 
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus סופית
Juvenile צעיר
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus סופית
Juvenile צעיר
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis פיפיון עצים
By Juan Ramirez צולם ע"י חואן רמירז
In addition to "normal ringing" program, we are also activating Bee-eaters Merops apiaster שרקרק מצוי ringing program. The agriculturists of the Arava are using bees for pollinating their fields and it is now the pick of Bee-eaters Merops apiaster שרקרק מצוי migration. The Bee eaters apparently believe the Bee hives at the fields are placed there especially for them but if to be honest, it is there for producing food for humans…

To prevent violent fight we trap the bee-eaters and release them a bit further south where they can eat natural food and keep safely south to Africa.
Bee-eaters Merops apiaster שרקרק מצוי
By Juan Ramirez צולם ע"י חואן רמירז
Bee-eaters Merops apiaster שרקרק מצוי
By Juan Ramirez צולם ע"י חואן רמירז

Sometimes we also get their local relatives- The Little Green Bee-eaters Merops orientalis שרקרק גמדי.

Little Green Bee-eaters Merops orientalis שרקרק גמדי
By Juan Ramirez צולם ע"י חואן רמירז

A Greater Flamingo with a ring from Turkey at K20
פלמינגו עם טבעת טורקית שנמצא השבוע ב-K20

By Juan Ramirez צולם ע"י חואן רמירז
In contrary to the birds, migration northwards was also recorded at the station this week- I'm leaving and moving north to start with my university studies- after an incredibly good, fascinating, fun… year at Eilat I have to leave but I'm leaving the station in the hands of my great friend and colleague – Noam Wiess. Noam worked at the Park in the past and just came back to the area as a (renewed) worker of both the SPNI and the IBRCE (who are working in partnership). Of course, the rest of the staff is here as well, keeping this place home for birds and humans all together.



Yael Lehnardt



Head Ringer & Guide, IBRCE

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