Busy Birds after More Unseasonal Rain, 15 May

Today's featured bird: Great tit Parus major Copyright Steven Round
I
n Hebrew Yargazi from the Hebrew word rogez = anger, because of their strikingly bold features and scolding alarm calls. We heard several in song in different locations around the forest and some heard feeding young, and of course very active searching for food. Their song is a strident repetition of two notes. (pretty much any two notes.. they vary a lot)

Lightning, thunder last night and rain most of the morning, quite heavy on and off.
Took a walk late afternoon, not raining but overcast, cooler than usual but pleasant.
Stream had standing water in many places but had already ceased flowing by the time we go there. Many birds active and vocal

Husband briefly saw a falcon in flight in silhouette.. was probably a hobby since it was near their nest, though since common kestrels are found around here we don't rule that out
Hooded Crows : As usual vocal and active all around the valley
Jackdaws : Ditto
(Eurasian) Jays: Active and vocal in many localities all over the forest
Feral Pigeons: Flying over in small flocks and foraging round the edges of the fields and in some of the forest glades
House Sparrows: Active along the street as usual. these are usually the first birds I hear in the mornings, busy with their families. Large flock congregating in some of the pines along the valley road and foraging underneath throughout the past week. There was a bonfire there last week and the sparrows seem to really love the *charcoal*. They actually eat it. Other birdwatchers have also noticed this phenomenon. I mean to look into this more. Perhaps they're also checking out goods amongst the charcoal.. roasted grass seeds, barbecued grubs, who knows what other delicacies could be found?

Senegal doves: foraging in pairs in many localities
Turtle Doves: Some cooing, quieter than usual
Collared doves: Plenty cooing, some display flights and calls
Graceful warblers: song and calls in most open areas of low scrub, very active
Blackbirds: Territorial singing in many localities, active and foraging and a charming pair drinking together from a thin stream running down the hill.
Greenfinches: Many 'chee' calls in pines
Tristrams grackle: flight contact calls.. flying low over trees from east to west, at least 2
Syrian woodpeckers: A few calls, some light drumming
Stone curlews: active and vocal just beyond northern edge of forest/hill slopes
(yellow vented) bulbuls : quite active in some of the pines, in pairs as usual. One down by the creek bridge had particularly well developed musical and strident song for his kind.

some 'tack tack' calls, probably a blackcap or similar Sylvia warbler.

Hyrax colony very active today, several adults scampered across the road.. looking down onto their den, whole families out to forage and generally hang out.