Monday 10 February 2014

Wheatears and shrikes

Last Thursday-Friday (6-7/2) we went south to the Negev Desert for a Wheatear and Shrike ringing session. My aim, as always, is to study their moult strategies. We started with mist-netting at Hameishar Plains. This winter is particularly dry and no germination took place in this habitat; this resulted in very low bird densities. Nevertheless we ringed 3 birds, Desert Lark, Sardinian Warbler and beautiful Asian Desert Warbler. After this poor start we worked with spring-traps for wheatears and shrikes. During two days' work we ringed 1 Isabelline Wheatear, 13 Mourning Wheatear, 1 Finsch's Weatear, 1 White-crowned Wheatear and 5 Southern Grey Shrike - at least one elegans type.

Asian Desert Warbler


Mourning Wheatear

White-crowned Wheatear

Finsch's Wheatear



Thanks to my partners to this trip, Ron and Arad, and also thanks to the ringers who helped during those two days: Yoav, Meidad and Yoram.