27th of February: last full day of birding at Eilat!

Our last full day in Eilat turned out to be the best ringing day so far this season with a total of 71 birds trapped and ringed. On our way to the ringing station we see 2 Jackals running away from the road (first to be seen)
In the morning we ringed 4 Reed warblers, 9 Sedge Warblers, 5 Savi's Warblers, 1 Bluethroat, 4 Sardinian Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat, Ruppels Warbler (highlight!), 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bulbuls and a Graceful Prinia. In the evening we trap 28 Swallows, 3 Red-rumped Swallows (beautiful swallows!) and a Cetti's Warbler.

 Caspian Reed Warbler ('fuscus')

Cetti's Warbler

Rüeppels Warbler, female!

Savi's Warbler

Red-rumped Swallow

The raptor migration existed out of 8 Steppeeagles, 1 Great Spotted Eagle, 1 Long-legged Buzzard and a Booted Eagle (the local one probably) that got hold of a Collared Dove by an impressive dive! In the IBRCE park I see my first snakes: 2 Schokari sand racers. In the ringing hut we see a Gekko.

In the afternoon we did some birdwatching on the North Beach, for amongst others Greater Sand Plover, we didn't find it however.. We did see Western Reef Heron, Pied Kingfisher, Armenian Gulls and in the evening some 30 White-eyed Gulls.

We decide to visit the canal between K19 and K20 as well for Dead-sea Sparrows. We soon find a group of 30-40 birds. A bit shy but showing well!
I don't know if you may this a recordshot but I'll just show it..:

Dead-sea Sparrow

Another nice bird we came across at K20

On our way back to the North beach we see some nice Marsh Sandpipers at the saltpans near the airport.

 Ruff

 Marsh Sandpiper

Next morning we're off to Holland again...