Anthony & I recently came home from a Cruise that toured Israel & the Eastern Mediterranean. As it was our first time to several ports of call, we opted for the “touristy” tours vs. birding (as difficult as that was!). However! the “Birds of Europe” field guide and a pair of Bins were always in our knapsack and quite often I had “squirrel” moments when our guide was trying to deliver history lessons on our tours and I was off snapping a photo of a “lifer”.
Although this was not a birding trek, we did observe some fantastic birds along our travels and most of the interesting birds we encountered in Israel. One thing about loving to bird, you cannot help yourself wherever you are, whatever the circumstance! Sitting in the Theatre of Caesarea, as our guide was reading from the Book of Acts, my ears were listening, but my camera and eyes were focused on the Common Mynas and White-spectacled Bulbuls that were also present (both lifers!).
I am deeply appreciative of the wonder that I have for this incredibly diverse world of not only humankind, but that of the flora & fauna that goes with it. Visiting ancient cities and archaeological sites and paying attention to the life that goes with it (in past and present context) is a life long education that is well appreciated.
Heather
Israel Year List (2016)
| Taxonomic | Location | S/P | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chukar | Masada, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 2 | Cattle Egret | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 3 | Spur-winged Lapwing | Ein Bokek, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 4 | Common Ringed Plover | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 5 | Ruddy Turnstone | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 6 | Common Greenshank | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 7 | Laughing Dove | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 8 | White-throated Kingfisher | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 9 | Pied Kingfisher | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 10 | Eurasian Jackdaw | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 11 | Hooded Crow | Ein Bokek, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 12 | Fan-tailed Raven | Masada, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 13 | Desert Lark | Masada, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 14 | White-spectacled Bulbul | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 15 | Wood Warbler | Ein Bokek, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 16 | Blackstart | Masada, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 17 | Common Myna | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
| 18 | Tristram’s Starling | Masada, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 19 | White Wagtail | Ein Bokek, IL | IL-D | 28 Oct 2016 |
| 20 | House Sparrow | Caesarea, Israel | IL-HA | 26 Oct 2016 |
