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Page 2 Site 1 Within the 'D'-shaped road shown on my map (West of the marina) is an area of greenery called either Ofira Park or Shulamit Garden. This provides a welcome refuge amidst the sprawl of hotels and so is very popular with migrants such as Bluethroat, Wryneck, Rufous Bush Robin and, in 1997, two Black Bush Robins (this species has apparently turned up here in 3 different springs). In winter (up to late March), there's every chance of Great Black-headed Gull from North Beach. Site 2 As predicted, this channel is now usually dry and rather poor for birds. The surrounding scrubland has also been ruined as a bird habitat. Page 4 Site 3 The area labelled on my map as 'more saltpans' is now a new nature reserve, the centrepiece of which is an excellent freshwater pool. In spring this attracts swarms of pipits and wagtails, worth checking for Citrine Wagtail and Buff-bellied Pipit plus dozens of hirundines including Red-rumped Swallows. This is the new location of the Ringing Station and good birds often turn up in their nets; Isabelline Shrike in spring 1999. In 1999 it wasn't an easy place to find but it may now be better signposted. The best route is to turn off the Arava highway near Kibbutz Elot, drive towards the Jordanian border post but take the last available track to the right (the one shown on my map which leads all the way to the beach). Almost as soon as you turn on to this track, look for an even smaller track, forking away to the right, by the obvious 'Dom' palm tree. Follow this track along the east side of the drainage channel (shown on my map) until you reach the car park. In the spring of 1999, a Semi-collared Flycatcher spent several days in this car park! Site 5 Around the back of the date palms are some piles of razor wire next to the Jordanian border. These are particularly favoured by Indian Silverbills. Site 6 This area is probably not as good or birds as it once was but can still be very good for Namaqua Doves. Site 7 This whole area has been completely planted up with vineyards and surrounded by massive polygauze windbreaks. This makes the area quite useless for birding – a terrible waste of an area that used to be superb. Page 5 Site 8 Although there is, in theory, no access here, birdwatchers can sneak in via a hole in the fence at the North-west corner. As long as you behave sensibly, the locals don't seem to mind. In spring it is often good for pipits and wagtails (including Citrine). A few waders often stay here – it is one of the most likely spots for White-tailed Plover. Site 9 The North Reservoirs have become an excellent place for birds. They are best approached from the Arava Highway by turning East opposite the turn-off to Amram's Pillars. Follow this track to the end of the greenhouses and check for Namaqua Doves roosting in the last tree on the left. Beyond there you will see signs saying 'Military area – no access' but these are ignored by everyone (it's only the Middle East after all). It is then possible to drive all around the reservoirs, getting superb views of some of the waders such as Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers and Greater Sand Plover. If you are lucky you may also see flocks of duck here such as Garganey, Pintail and Shoveler but these get flushed by every birdwatcher who is selfish enough to drive along the embankments between the reservoirs (please keep to the outer embankments). At the South end of the main reservoirs are some smaller pools which can be excellent for crakes, especially Little Crake. The area of scattered acacias to the west of the northernmost reservoirs has been favoured by a Grey Hypocolius in the spring of 1998 and 1999. This is also a good spot for migrant Quails. Page 6 Site 12 For the last year or so, the House Buntings have not been showing here. They are now rather difficult birds to find around Eilat but possible in any of the wadi areas. In late March, Syrian Serins are sometimes seen here and at the nearby Hume's Park, halfway between the cemetery and the pumping station. Page 8 Site 2 Between sites 2 and 3 is a dip in the road where it is crossed by a large wadi, Wadi Shlomo. This is one of the best wadis around Eilat and well worth checking for difficult birds such as Cyprus Warbler, House Bunting and Sinai Rosefinch. Ian Hillery also had Red-tailed Wheatear here in March 1998. Site 3 In recent springs there have been several sightings of Verraux's Eagle from here. Page 10 Site 1 Numbers of Sinai Rosefinch seem to vary from year to year. In some years they are easy, in others they're virtually impossible. Another site worth trying is Wadi Shlomo, the main wadi which crosses the Ovda road between Eilat and Mount Yoash. Site 2 Red-tailed Wheatear is another species to look for here in winter or early spring. Ian Hillery had 5 Desert Warblers here by turning left at the T-junction and searching the scrub on the left after two more pumping stations. Site 3 There is now an artificial lake here which will surely pull in desert birds as well as migrants such as Squacco Heron (Ian Hillery). Site 4 The pools here have since dried out making this much less productive for birds. The sewage pond is still there though. Page 12 Site 2 The gardens in the enclosure behind the visitor centre are superb for migrants in spring, with birds such as Bluethroats, Wrynecks, flycatchers and warblers. In the springs of 1998 and 1999 this was a reliable place to catch up with a Hume's (Yellow-browed) Warbler that had over-wintered. The acacia bushes here also continue further east and it is here that Arabian Warbler nests were found in 1998 (Roland Brown) and 1999 (DG). A Black Bush Robin was also found here in 1999 and there were several sightings of Syrian Serin. Site 3 This spot is becoming overgrown so is less productive for wildfowl and supports only a few waders. However, both White-tailed Plover and Little Crake are sometimes seen here and the Dead Sea Sparrows are often present. Site 4 These fields are now mostly used for growing alfalfa which is great for birds such as pipits, wagtails and wheatears. In the spring of 1999 this was the best site for Oriental Skylark and a White-tailed Plover was present for several days. Site 7 Thanks mainly to the eagle-eyed, semi-resident birdwatcher James Smith, lots of rarities continue to be found here. Recent rarities have included Crested Honey Buzzard, Dusky Warbler, Hume's Warbler and Ménétries's Warbler. Syrian Serins are regularly seen up to the end of March. The food and accommodation here is relatively basic by Israeli standards but this is an infinitely nicer place to stay than Eilat, with loads of migrants literally on your doorstep. For details of accommodation and/or guided tours phone 00-972-7-6356-935 or fax 00-972-7-6356-827. Page 14 Site 3 The track I describe isn't easy to see, but it should still be possible to see Houbaras and Coursers either from the paved road or from another track on the opposite side of the road. I had superb views from 'my track' in spring 1999. Many Lesser Spotted Eagles migrate across this area in spring. Page 18 Chris Seaton reports that in March 08, there were serious roadworks at Site 5 which prevented access along the track to Site 4. New sites Ein Avdat This is a gorge about 27 km North of Mizpe Ramon on the road (route 40) between Eilat and Nizzana. It is best approached from the North by turning right from the main road towards Ben Gurion college. From there you will see signs to Ein Avdat. The special birds here are breeding Bonelli's Eagles and Desert Eagle Owls and Wallcreepers sometimes winter here. Other birds to look for include Scrub Warbler, Sand Partridge and Griffon and Egyptian Vultures. The fields to the north of Ben Gurion College are worth checking for feeding sandgrouse (Black-bellied and Spotted). Neot Hakkikar and Ein Tamar At the South end of the Dead Sea is a road to the South-east which leads to the kibbutz of Neot Hakkikar, right on the Jordanian border. About 5.5 km along this road, near the kibbutz of Ein Tamar, look for a track to the left which leads down to a small fish farm. The first ponds you see are netted over but behind these is an excellent reed-fringed pool. Here, at least in spring, you can expect several Little Crakes and Clamorous Reed Warblers plus the usual White-breasted Kingfisher, Moustached Warbler, etc. In the late afternoon this is usually the meeting place for those taking part in Hadoram Shirihai's night-time adventures. In the spring of 1999, Hadoram would lead a convoy from here to Neot Hakkikar, where, by driving around sandy tracks at dusk with tapes and lamps, he would show everyone Nubian Nightjar. This would then be followed by a trip to a Hume's Tawny Owl site on the way back to Eilat, making a long but usually highly successful excursion. |
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