Escaped cockatiel, sparrowhawk, M Shrike

August 25th

Graceful warblers and great tits quite vocal today and chukar patridges heard chuckling down in the north valley but highlight was a nice appearance of 'Cap'n Jack' (Eurasian sparrowhawk) rising up over the eucalyptus grove, magnificent and barred.. then heading east over Hizmeh. Finally it turned to the south and went into a long almost falcon like glide towards a flock of crows on the hillside. Talk about not looking for trouble! From the brownness of its back I'd say it was an immature bird. The crows didn't much like his arrival but I noticed they were very hesitant to take him on, they must know by now he can duel with them very adequately.

August 26th 29 degrees C, (~84 degrees F), humidity: ~38% and rising, wind: W/NW ~6kt

First bit of 'exotic wildlife' we saw was somewhat sad. We first heard him, then spotted him but in silhouette. The calls and long tail said 'parrot' and my experience guessed cockatiel. (we have had three birds, still have a lovely lutino called "Prince". ) I had hoped for a ring neck parakeet- which occasionally hang out in east valley and visit the gardens but no, smaller and single calls rather than the raucous repeated calls of ringnecks. Finally I saw the escape, clinging to the ornamental bars of an upstairs window like Peter Pan wanting to be let in, poor thing. Normal grey colouring but with white outer primaries, nice male. Cockatiels can survive in the wild here a while but don't do as well as the ring necks. I've seen an escaped cockatiel at the *zoo*, in the waterbird section. There it was perched on a fence by the flamingoes and looking miserable. They are strong fliers and extremely hard to catch when escaped. Best bet is for the owner to just keep open window and cage and wait... unless it was intentionally released because it was causing headaches. Happens a lot all around the world, people get one of the parrots and don't give it enough attention, it gets noisy and disturbs household and neighbours and there are complaints. The poor bird gets dumped as a rescue or released into unsuitable habitat. Climate and vegetation is not too bad for a cockatiel here but in captivity many get a limited diet and get so used to that they are reluctant to try anything new. Freedom usually means starvation. Perhaps this one will make its way to us because of the calls of our bird. I couldn't quarter him with Prince since they're both male and may not get along but I have other accommodation.

Gazelles 3 .. one full grown individual in the eucalyptus grove , 2 young in the young pine grove, just north of the central trail, an area that is part of north valley. Perhaps two of the 'teenagers' we saw the other day.

Masked shrike -Lanius nubicus. I heard its grating call in the orchard and figured it was some kind of shrike- out of sight but we were able to follow its calls. It moved through the eucalyptus grove and finally I managed to get a decent view of it hunting in the pine grove just north of there. Characteristically they sit on a low branch and swoop down to the ground to catch large bugs, small lizards and the like. This is what I look for, that downward flash of the white feathers stands out clearly in the lower storey of the woods.. Then I try to follow it back on its upward swing to its perch for a good view. Delighted to see one of these gorgeous birds again.. this means the southward passage migration of these birds is well underway and we'll probably see and hear more.

Kestrel- heard south of the pumping station and up the hill to the west. We've heard this bird a few times in the last few days but out of sight.

Another falcon over hill to north east, just north of Hizmeh, probably a kestrel but just seen in silhouette, gliding along, not hovering.

Hoopoes. on the trail past the cistern .. husband got nice classic shots of 'hoopoe on a boulder'.. very handsome specimen.

House sparrows, Senegal doves: around houses, streets as usual

Hooded crows: Jackdaws: Small flocks to the east, windsurfer hill, north east gazelle field.

Eurasian Jays: all around forest and fields, foraging singly as usual

Greenfinches: Flock of 18 or so flying between pine groves and look out corner area. Now as the juvenile finches grow up I notice these flock flights cover longer

Collared doves: Flight calls and cooing, and plenty about from gazelle field to east field. Small group on the lines. they're starting to flock a little too now.

Stone curlews: yesterday, not today

Sunbirds: Our young male in the bauhinia still practising and another young male on a bush by the valley road before the turn south.. a territory I had hardly noticed before but plenty cover for a nest in those bushes at the head of a storm drain.

Graceful warblers: Yesterday quite vocal, today almost silent.

Syrian woodpeckers: Vocal as usual

Yellow vented Bulbuls: Vocal in the gardens

Great tits: Calls in various parts of the pine woods.

Turtle doves, Bee-eaters,Wheatears, Great spotted cuckoos none seen or heard. I believe the cuckoos have moved on now and the bee-eaters either for the season or temporarily, we shall see yet. Blackbirds, low profile, chukars silent .