22nd 25th July

No photos of whinchats available in creative commons as far as I looked so here's the illustration from wikipedia. I do recommend viewing photographs online because they're gorgeous on film

July 22nd. ~6-7 p.m. 28 degrees C and falling, 36% humidity and rising, wind WSW 1.7 kt

Some sunbird calls in the garden, more bulbul vocalisations, the usual 'wurbly bee?' variations and series of harsh chaks often heard lately, probably family business.

Nice sighting of two stone curlews on the ground immediately to east of the orchard, on a trail leading to the hill to the south. They didn't do much, just stood there, one looking slightly more fluffed up, and neck down, possibly a younger bird not yet out of all his downy feathers though it could also be a sign of illness. After some minutes they took off pretty much at the same time and flew a great loop around the western edge of the gazelle field, arcing east again to rocky slopes below Adam.

Other birds seen and heard: Feral pigeons, graceful warblers, senegal doves, eurasian jays, syrian woodpeckers, bee-eaters (30 or so), collared doves, greenfinches, great tits, jackdaws, hooded crows and also a falcon over gazelle field, most likely a hobby, very dark on top, hard to make out any more details.

1 gazelle grazing in her favourite spot north gazelle field

July 25th

~6-7 pm 32 degreec C and falling, 45% humidity and rising, wind NNW 2-6kt though hardly felt at all in the bottom of the valley

1 gazelle grazing in her usual field, north west gazelle field near the foot of the hill.

Plenty hyrax activity round 'cypress slum' today, hyraxes all ages up in the cypress trees like squirrels nibbling at those cones, plenty squeaking and chittering.

Bee-eaters, about 20 swarming about high over the orchard catching flying insects, probably more about, working the grove just north of the orchard.

I filled a disposable plate with good clean water and put it next to the cistern to see if the visiting birds would recognize it for what it was. Nope.. as is usual in life, you don't see what you don't expect... I saw collared doves and turtle doves hop right over that fresh water and fly right by it, then hop gingerly down the rebars to get the to filthy rancid water three feet below. Ah well, perhaps some smart jay or house sparrow will discover it later. Next time I plan to lace it with bread and bird seed to make it more attractive. It takes a little time to discover goodies but when they do, my little supply will become significant.

The greenfinches were working those thistles again and stone curlews started to call at about ten after 7 p.m. The greenfinch 'canary chorus' was underway. Collared doves were cooing and flight calling and an occasional turtle dove also cooed. Senegal doves heard cooing earlier. Each has its own distinct coo which makes it nice and easy for us birdwatchers and listeners to know what's around.

Syrian woodpeckers seen and heard, busy and active, Jackdaws calling and two noticed flying from our neighbourhood across the valley to the goat pastures. Interesting to see them visiting their old haunts, I was sure I heard them from the house earlier, perhaps they're trickling back.

Another interesting bird on a thistlehead near the bunker . At first I thought an immature wheatear but the stance seemed wrong, and more orange on the belly than you'd expect .. I believe it was actually a whinchat but sadly I lost sight of it soon after.