Week-end round up

Moshe captured this rather dramatic late afternoon shot of eucalyptus bark which had apparently been peeling a lot lately, many strips of bark were found around the base of the tree.

Gazelle: No sightings lately. It does seem that the gazelle are grazing in gazelle field less this year than last. Could this have anything to do with the quality of the almond crop? Effect of the fires even though area was green this year?

Fox: One seen by Shadiker hyrax colony, another in the owl grove, both dark patchy individuals at about dawn this (Saturday) morning, by Akiva

Bee-eaters: Heard the last few mornings, flock of 50 or so late afternoon over east valley.

Hobbies: calls heard sunrise and sunset.

Turtle doves: calls heard late afternoon, first I've heard in days, good to know they're still vocal and active.

Collared doves: seen about the woods, less cooing lately.

Eurasian Jays: Heard raucous calls and glimpsed

Graceful warblers: some calls in various places

Great tits: calls in woods just west of valley road.

Jackdaws: Heard this morning. Greenfinches, blackbirds noticeably quiet lately

Hooded crows: loose flock flying home southward slowly about sunset.

House sparrows: about houses as usual, vocal early morning after 5.30 a.m. Flocks active around Shadiker hyrax colony, foraging on the ground or grouped in cypress trees nearby, flying between there and nearest buildings.

Laughing doves: cooing from early morning.

Stone curlews: Heard early morning today by Akiva

Sunbirds: Squeaking and other calls in the garden last few days.

Syrian woodpeckers: many calls heard in the woods, squabble around eucalyptus grove. I get the impression more than one family group in that area might be having some dispersal and resource problems, temporary overcrowding.

White spectacled Bulbuls: Heard from early morning, melodious calls now starting time about 5.26 , moves gradually later. Other shrill wickering calls heard in afternoon suggest family group, very vocal.

Weather: Today's range: 20-31 degrees, ( 68 -87.8 degrees F)
minimum higher saturday night, 22 and rising ( 71.6 degrees F)
Time of walk: ~6.45 p.m. 28 degrees (82.4 degrees F)
humidity: ~67%, wind westerly 7-11 knots