Last Sunday (22/05) we visited the tern colony at the Atlit salt pans again. The migrant terns have left the area and the breeding population is incubating actively. At this time, before hatching, the colony is relatively quiet. We ringed only 16 Common Terns and one Little Tern. Our regular work pond was muddy and attractive for the small wader flock; we ringed 10 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper and 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper. In the early evening we saw a noisy Whimbrel.
On Friday (20/05) I ringed at Tzoraa valley. The first Cetti's and Reed Warbler nestlings were ringed. At the end of the ringing session we saw and heard a fairly large and frightening Palestine Viper (Vipera palaestinae).
This morning (25/05) at JBO, I ringed an adult female Golden Oriole; this non-regular spring is still surprising.
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| Ringed Plover |
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| Broad-billed Sandpiper |
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| Curlew Sandpiper |
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| Golden Oriole |
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| Palestine Viper |
