Herons don't need fish

The trend of high numbers keeps continueing, eventhough today wasn't as spectacular as the last two days. Still about 400 birds in the morning. A really nice variety of birds today with Ortolan Bunting, Hoopoe, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Wryneck, some Rüppel's and next to that the first Great Reed Warbler of the season. Only the second one ever for me in the hand, what a monster!

We closed early, around 11:00 and did some things. We put our crake traps in place again since a beautiful Baillon's Crake is wandering around near the nets. Roni and I saw it without binoculars at 2 meters distance, great! Too bad I didnt't take my camera with me, that would've been amazing photos!

While I was having a good and needed afternoon nap I suddenly woke up and looked up: Christian was standing in the doorway with a nice Squacco Heron! The Squacco Heron was trapped in our heron trap. The funny thing is, is that we still need to put fish in the heron trap in order to attract the herons, but apparently that isn't needed!

Furthermore, the first real Bee-eaters have arrived, with a flock of more than 20 birds migrating by over the IBRCE park this morning. Also, a Caspian Tern has been lingering above the IBRCE pond for a while and every morning we see flocks of Night Herons. 


No birding this afternoon, just some relaxing. In the evening we will ring some swallows and afterwards, we will go to the lecture of Martin Garner at the Eilat Birds Festival!

 Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana), male

 Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), adult