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.
