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Home , Blackstart, Hula Valley

Ultimate Migration

12th to 25th April 2018 (14 days)

Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse by Markus Lilje

RBL Israel Itinerary 2

Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the tiny country of Israel is not only one of the best birding destinations in the Western Palearctic, it is also host to an incredibly rich history. Ruled at various times by the Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, Egyptians and the British, it is not surprising that it is also the spiritual epicentre of three of the world’s major religions. From Eilat and the Arava Valley in the south, to the Hula Valley and in the north; we explore the length and breadth of the country’s wealth of habitats such as deserts, wadis, mountains and taking in the rich biodiversity, great history and culture.

Our tour is timed to coincide with the world famous raptor migration through Eilat, With the correct wind and positioning, we hope to witness this incredible spectacle. Bursts of raptors moving through in full migration will mainly be comprised of thousands of , Black Kite, lesser numbers of Short-toed Snake Eagle, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Egyptian Vulture, Western Osprey, Pallid, Montagu’s and Western Marsh Harrier and Booted, Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted, Eastern Imperial and Steppe Eagle. Aside from the migration spectacle, we will also go in search of species that have a limited distribution or simply difficult to see elsewhere in the world.

Specialties that will form the focus of this tour include Syrian Serin, the impressive Arabian and Cyprus Warbler, Sinai Rosefinch, Thick-billed, Temminck’s and Dunn’s Lark, Asian Crimson-winged, Trumpeter and Desert Finch, Hooded, Finsch’s and Cyprus , Cream-colored Courser, Sand Partridge, Macqueen’s Bustard, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Lichtenstein’s, Pin-tailed, Black-bellied, Crowned and Spotted Sandgrouse, Sparrow, Barbary Falcon, Sombre Tit, Tristram’s Starling, Cretzschmar’s Bunting and Nubian Nightjar. A great infrastructure, relatively small size, a vast array of habitats and timed to coincide with the northward migration along this flyway will see that this tour will be an impressive one and remembered for years to come.

THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…

THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Tel Aviv and transfer to the Desert Day 2 Negev Desert Day 3 Negev Desert to Eilat Days 4 to 7 Eilat and surrounds Day 8 Eilat to the Dead Sea Day 9 Dead Sea and surrounds Day 10 Dead Sea to Bet Shean Valley Day 11 Bet Shean Valley Day 12 Bet Shean Valley to the Hula Valley Day 13 Heights and Mount Hermon Day 14 Ma’agan Michael to Tel Aviv and depart

RBL Israel Itinerary 3

TOUR MAP…

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THE TOUR IN DETAIL…

Day 1: Arrival in Tel Aviv and transfer to the Negev Desert. Located on the Mediterranean Coastline, Tel Aviv is Israel’s second largest city and will be the location for the start of our tour. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport – you will be met by your Rockjumper Tour Leader and make your way south to the start of the Negev Desert. The word ‘Negev’ originates from Hebrew, meaning ‘dry’, and that is exactly what this barren landscape represents. Covering at least half of the total land surface area of Israel, this desert will be our base to go in search of some arid species that call this place home. The months of April and May are when the first should appear, and spring should breathe some life back into this domain with wild-flowers adding some colour to this normally desolate terrain. Checking in to our accommodation will see us settling down Sinai Rosefinch by Markus Lilje to our first dinner together to discuss the exciting days ahead.

Day 2: Negev Desert. An early start is needed in order to get to an area, before sunlight, where we will target Macqueen’s Bustard. This Steppe-like habitat is the last stronghold for this increasingly rare species in the . After tracking down our first target, we go in search of other mouth-watering species such as Cream-colored Courser, Black-bellied, Spotted, Crowned and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, the near-endemic Syrian Serin, Mourning (distinctive warriae sub-species), Isabelline and Desert Wheatear, Spectacled and monotypic Streaked Scrub Warbler, Desert Finch and the sought after near- endemic Sinai Rosefinch. The latter may require a bit of effort on their breeding grounds – compared to the winter months when their distribution range increases. Larks are a feature of the Negev although tricky at times with their nomadic lifestyles. With a bit of luck, we could bump into Dunn’s and the stunning Temminck’s, alongside Lesser Short-toed and Thick-billed. We will also experience our first migration here along the coastal flyway. Species that we could see soaring overhead include good numbers of White Stork, and – all heading northward to their breeding grounds. Other fauna we will keep an eye out for include Asiatic Wild Ass, Mountain Gazelle and Thick-billed Lark by Markus Lilje even chances for the rare Striped Hyena.

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Day 3: Negev Desert to Eilat. Today will see us heading further south and onto the Negev Plateau to the Meishar Plains and the dramatic Ramon Crater, the world’s largest erosion crater or . This area will be searched intensively for the attractive Temminck’s, as well as Bar-tailed Lark. We also have further chances of finding Desert, Mourning and Isabelline Wheatear, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Crowned Sandgrouse and any other targets we might still need from this arid landscape – before making our way to the coastal city of Eilat. Streaked Scrub Warbler by Markus Lilje

Days 4 to 7: Eilat and surrounds. The next four nights will see us based just north of Eilat. This is the perfect base to explore vast array of different habitat types dotting the surrounds of this famous site. Situated at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, migrants are naturally attracted to this ‘arm’ of the Red Sea. Some places we will explore consist of freshwater and brackish wetlands, saltpans, coastal shoreline, mountains, palm groves, kibbutz fields, wadis and deserts which attract migrants with the odd vagrant amongst them, and hold some fantastic resident species too. Some residents that we will get acquainted with are Tristram’s Starling, Yellow-vented Bulbul, iridescent Palestine Sunbird, Namaqua Dove and noisy Arabian Babbler. Other resident species which will require a bit more effort are Barbary Falcon, White-crowned Wheatear, Trumpeter and Desert Finch, Bar-tailed Lark and Greater Hoopoe-Lark. Some other major targets near here are the localised Hooded Wheatear, the rare Black Scrub Robin, Caspian Plover and the star attraction – Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse. Staking out a traditional waterhole at dusk is essential if we want to find the latter, as they come to drink just before sunset; otherwise it is almost impossible

to see this species in daylight hours.

Each day’s itinerary plan will vary according to the prevalent birding conditions such as wind direction and migration. Strong southerly winds bring in seabirds which are pushed into the Gulf of Aqaba. If conditions are right, Palestine Sunbird by Forrest Rowland we could encounter rarities such as

RBL Israel Itinerary 6

Brown Booby and White- eyed Gull amongst hordes of migrating Lesser Black- backed Gull as well as numerous Common and Little Tern being harassed by marauding Parasitic Jaeger. The shoreline will be scanned for Striated and Western Reef Heron, Caspian and hopefully White-cheeked Tern. The brackish lagoons and saltpans should reveal Slender-billed Gull, and hopefully a Pallas’s amongst them, Gull-billed Tern, Greater Hoopoe-Lark by Clayton Burne Grey, Greater Sand, Common Ringed and Kentish Plover, Greater Flamingo, Pied Avocet, Dunlin, Curlew, Broad-billed, Marsh and Terek Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank and Western Yellow Wagtail.

The migration of through this area obviously fluctuates, but if luck is on our side, our visit will coincide with peak migration and we shall experience hordes of dotted all over the landscape. Colourful species include European Roller, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Masked Shrike, Common Redstart (distinctive samamisicus race) and attractive Bluethroat. Larks and are a feature here, and we could bump into Greater Short-toed, Lesser Short-toed and Bimaculated Lark as well as Oriental Skylark, amongst various migratory pipits such as Red-throated, Tawny and Tree. Wheatears could include Cyprus amongst the more regular Pied, Black- eared, Isabelline and Northern. Other mouth-watering migrants we may bump into include Semicollared and Collared Flycatcher, Woodchat and Lesser Grey Shrike, Siberian Stonechat, Ortolan and Cretzschmar’s Bunting, White-throated Robin, Menetries’s, Ruppell’s, Eastern Orphean, Eastern Olivaceous, Savi’s and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler.

Eilat is also world famous for its raptor migration, and with the correct wind and positioning we can witness the most incredible spectacle. Bursts of raptors moving through in full migration will mainly comprise of thousands of Tristram’s Starling by Markus Lilje European Honey Buzzard, rafts of Black

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Kite, a few Short-toed Snake Eagle, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Egyptian Vulture, Western Osprey, Pallid, Montagu’s and Western Marsh Harrier and Booted, Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted, Eastern Imperial and Steppe Eagle. Although rare, we hope to find a few ’s Sparrowhawk, this sought-after and otherwise difficult species has numbered over one hundred individuals in a single day!

Day 8: Eilat to the Dead Sea. Today we depart Eilat and the southern Arava Desert, making our way north towards the Dead Sea. Making our way slowly, we will try our luck at catching up on any species missed near Eilat such as Sand Partridge by Forrest Rowland Hooded Wheatear as well as searching for the localised Arabian Warbler. We will search for this range-restricted special in favoured habitat such as areas with large prominent acacia trees, whilst keeping a look out for the colourful Green Bee- eater and the monotypic Streaked Scrub Warbler. After focussing our efforts on some of these wanted specials, we will reach the famous Dead Sea area and immediately go searching for Dead Sea Sparrow and Fan-tailed Raven.

Day 9: Dead Sea and surrounds. The world famous Dead Sea is Earth’s lowest elevation on land and has resulted in a hypersaline environment, roughly ten times more salty than the sea! This feature has obviously resulted in an unsuitable environment for most organisms – hence the name ‘Dead’. The eastern edge of the Judean Mountains hold many target species within this dramatic landscape, replete with rugged cliffs and deep gorges. The deep wadis and cliffs will be searched for specials such as Dead Sea Sparrow, Blackstart, Fan-tailed and Brown-necked Raven, Cyprus Warbler, Sand Partridge, Striolated Bunting, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Pallid Swift, Pale Crag Martin, Arabian Babbler, Desert Lark and even a possibility for Sinai Rosefinch again! Raptor migration is likely to be in full swing, and if we are Black Francolin by Markus Lilje lucky we could witness

RBL Israel Itinerary 8 thousands of birds of prey moving through. The usual suspects should be evident with better chances of Lesser Spotted Eagle here as well as Long-legged Buzzard. Mammals that should keep is entertained are the iconic Nubian Ibex and the peculiar Rock Hyrax. After a full days birding, we will have an early dinner in preparation for our next activity – a night excursion to a reliable spot for Nubian Nightjar! The notable tamaricus sub-species is found here, a likely future split which would give rise to a new Common Cranes by Markus Lilje species in the form of Tamarisk Nightjar. A certain cliff-face will also hopefully give us views of a new species recently described to science, the rare Desert Owl!

Day 10: Dead Sea to Bet Shean Valley. Leaving the Dead Sea behind us, we head north through the Rift Valley towards the Bet Shean Valley where we will be based for the following two nights. This low-lying part of the Rift is dominated by agricultural land and many fishponds and thus creates an incredibly rich environment for birdlife. After a lengthy drive, we will have some time to explore this new area for some exciting species like the isolated population of Black Francolin, Pygmy Cormorant, Desert Finch and resident Clamorous Reed Warbler.

Day 11: Bet Shean Valley. We have the whole day to explore this picturesque valley to rake up new species. Our lists should include large numbers of waterbirds, raptors and passerines. We will also go on an optional night drive to target some mammals such as the impressive Blanford’s Fox.

Day 12: Bet Shean Valley to the Hula Valley. We head north yet again towards the Hula Valley, making a few strategic birding stops along the way. With an abundance of lush agricultural fields and freshwater, this landscape is an oasis for birdlife. Our first stop will be in southern Golan in search of the sought-after Finsch’s Wheatear alongside possible Long-billed Pipit, before reaching Hula Moustached Warbler by Markus Lilje around midday.

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After a quick acquaintance with our lodgings, we head to the great Lake Hula or Agmon Park. This fantastic birding spot was drained in the 1950’s in an attempt to rid the area of . After eradicating this disease, it was re-flooded in the 1990’s in an attempt to resurrect this once thriving with great success – now attracting an estimated 500 million migrating birds passing through each year! This site is a regular stopover for thousands of Glossy Ibis, White and Black Stork, Common Crane and Great White Pelican. The papyrus filled fringes should reveal Sedge Warbler and some interesting rallids that could include Spotted and Little Crake amongst the more numerous Grey- Desert Finch by David Shackelford headed Swamphen, Squacco and Purple Heron. The endangered Marbled Duck can sometimes be seen floating about with Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Garganey, Eurasian Teal and Little Grebe. The shoreline holds Pygmy Cormorant, Grey Heron and many waders such as Green, Wood, Curlew and Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and Common Snipe. Warblers will be calling, and we will be searching carefully for Cetti’s, Moustached and Clamorous Reed Warbler. Other passerines could include the good-looking Eurasian Penduline Tit, Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Common Linnet, Eurasian Blackcap, Great Tit and Corn Bunting. Greater Spotted and are more common here than further south, whilst Western Marsh, Hen and Pallid Harrier could be seen floating about. This area is also a stronghold for Jungle Cat that can sometimes be seen on the hunt, with Wild Boar also being present. As night falls, we shall keep an ear out for the tricky Eurasian Scops Owl, hopefully track down our quarry without too much searching. After a full days birding we will settle down to another

excellent meal.

Day 13: and Mount Hermon. Today we head up the Golan Heights towards the highest mountain in Israel – Mount Hermon, with peaks over 2,200 meters in altitude. A whole host of different species breed here, and nowhere else in the country. The near-endemic Syrian Serin will be our primary target alongside Western Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Rock Bunting and Asian Crimson-winged Finch. After some intense searching we can focus our efforts this afternoon on finding the sought-after Marbled Duck at known reliable areas. Marbled Duck by Ignacio Yufera

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Day 14: Ma’agan Michael to Tel Aviv and depart. The last day of the tour has unfortunately already arrived, but before the tour concludes we have one more stint of birding to enjoy. We head for the Mediterranean coast to an area known as Ma’agan Michael. We will enjoy a great spectacle of abundance in birds! This coastline attracts huge numbers of waterbirds and we should enjoy views of many gulls, waders, herons, passerines and even birds of prey. Careful searching will hopefully reveal Pallas’s Gull, Citrine Wagtail and Greater Sand Plover. We also have chances for an isolated population of the stunning White-throated Kingfisher alongside both Pied and Common. After a great mornings birding we unfortunately make our way to Tel Aviv where this great and truly magical experience shall conclude as we make our way home or to our next adventure.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.

This includes:  All meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 14;  Bottled drinking water;  All lodgings;  Ground transportation;  Reserve entrance fees;  All activities as mentioned in the itinerary;  All guiding services; and  Tips (including local guides, drivers, porters, camp staff and hotels)

The tour fee does not include:  Visa fees;  ANY flights (International and domestic, see above);  Any beverages;  Camera fees in national parks;  Telephone calls; and  Laundry and other items of a personal .

Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBL cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.

IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged.

RBL Israel Itinerary 11 c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible.

SPECIAL NOTES:  It is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg (44lb) for check-in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage.  Fitness: While this tour does not require a good level of fitness, participants should be in good general health, as much of the birding will be done on foot, and may require walking for several hours at a time. Should you have any physical limitations, please notify us in advance of departure.

TIPPING: As noted above, gratuities for local guides, drivers, porters, camp staff and hotels are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include any airfares. The tour will begin on day 1, departing from Ben Gurion International Airport (IATA: TLV) with a transfer to our hotel in the Negev Desert. It is thus suggested that all participants arrive in Tel Aviv the day before the tour starts. The tour will conclude after lunch at the same airport on day 14. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.

FLIGHTS: Ben Gurion International Airport (IATA: TLV) is the main port of entry for this tour and is serviced by most of the world’s major airlines. several airlines. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. We can, however, book the domestic flight on your behalf. IMPORTANT: please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.

Rockjumper Birding Ltd Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com