December 2005 - first half

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.

2008

May

April

March

February

January

White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons): 2 at Hital reservoir, Golan heights (D. Porat, A. Ohad); 1 at Nizzana pools on the 10th (O. Horine, T. Horine), present since November.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser): 2 adults wintering at Bik'at Kinnorot, Jorden valley (D. Porat).

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina): 1 female at Hulda reservoir, 14/DEC (E. Banker).

Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii): 1 adult above vadi Sha'harut on the 02/DEC (G. Sigali).

Goshawk (Accipiter gentillis): 1 at Neot Semadar, Shizzafon, 02/DEC (N. Weiss, T. Landsberger); 1 at Hai Bar Carmel, 04/DEC (D. Rotem); 1, vadi Dishon, upper Gallilee, 08/DEC (N. Israeli).

Lanner (Falco biarmicus): 1 near Bet Yoav reservoir, Kiriat Gat, 03/DEC (E. Hadad, R. Shaish).

Curlew (Numenius arquata): up to 3 at Nahsholim area, Carmel coast, 02/DEC onwards (L. Kislev).

Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis): 1 male at En Hahoresh fishponds on the 13th (J. Meyrav), probably the same one which was last seen there on October 1st.

Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus): good numbers still showing at the western Negev area; 1 at Yotvata's circular field on the 3rd (R. Mizrachi, N. Weiss, T. Landsberger).

(Red) Knot (Calidris canutus): 1 still present at Acre shore on the 9th (S. Haham).

Kittiwake (Rissa trydactila): 1 1st winter off Eilat's north beach on the 2nd and 3rd (R. Mizrachi, N. Weiss, T. Landsberger).

Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus): at upper Gallilee, 400 at vadi Dishon on the 8th (N. Israeli) and 200 at Vadi Rosh Pina on the 13th (A. Geffen, A. Shapira).

Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula): 2 at Yotvata's circular field, on the 1st and 3rd (R. Mizrachi, N. Weiss); 4 at Kfar Ruppin area, Bet Shean valley (B. Granit).

'Ochruros' Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros ochruros): 1 male at the IBRC Eilat on the 1st (N. Weiss, T. Landsberger).

'Phoenicuroides' Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides): 1 male at Ye'elim holiday village, Yotvata, present since the 3rd (R. Mizrachi, T. Landsberger).

	'Phoenicuroides' Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides)

	Ye'elim park, 13-DEC

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus): 1 at 'Bahad 1' sewage, seen on the 1st and 3rd (R. Mizrachi et al); 1 at Ye'elim holiday village near Yotvata, Arava, present since the 1st (N. Weiss, T. Landsberger, R. Mizrachi).

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus): 1 at the Hula reflooded area on the 3rd (A. Geffen, Y. Perlman) and two on the 9th (E. Banker); 1 at Tirat Tzvi, Bet Shean valley, 09/DEC (Y. Dax).

Steppe Shrike (Lanius pallidirostris): 1 north to Ze'elim jnc, Western Negev, seen on the 1st (E. Vanunu, E. Dvir) and again on the 3rd (A. Cohen); 1 at Nahsholim shore reserve, Carmel coast, 04/DEC onwards (L. Kislev).

	Steppe Shrike (Lanius pallidirostris)

	Nahsholim shore reserve, 05-DEC

Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria): 1, Mt. Arbel, 06/DEC (A. Cohen, T. Landsberger).

Red-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus): 3 at vadi Rosh Pina on the 13th (A. Geffen, A. Shapira).

Pine Bunting (Emberiza leucocephalos): 1 in a flock of Yellowhammers, Bashanit ridge, 06/DEC (A. Cohen, T. Landsberger).