9th March 2020
One of the 130 Black stork that came in off the sea over El Tor
I said goodbye to the 20 Tristram’s starling on top of the mosque in St Kathrine’s and hit the road only to be stopped down road at the first checkpoint. These things are a pain in the butt and on this occasion I wasn’t moving on until the army convoy arrive at 10.00 if I wanted to complete the circuit to Sharm El Shaikh. That’s 40 minutes away and on the hour the policeman gave me to go ithout the convoy!! What was thar about?? I went through three more checkpoints before I finally arrived at El Tor on the west side of the Sinai Peninsular. As I drove from the north end I noted a raptor and got out the car. 3 Steppe Buzzard but as I turned looking west towards the sea, were a large number of Black Stork coming in off the sea with Steppe Buzzard streaming in . In twenty minutes I had observed 40+Steppe Buzzard, 130 Black Stork and 6 Steppe Eagle. It was obvious that hirindines were on the moving through with good numbers of both Red-rumped Swallow and Swallow. Unfortunately I had to move on as my belly was rumbling for somethin to eat.
Over 40 Steppe Eagle moved in off the sea in twenty minutes
There were only 6 Steppe Eagle
And over 130 Black Stork
I arrived at Maritim Jolie Golf Couse in Sharm El Shiekh two hours before dark and through emails while I was away, I was in the clear to use my camera on te golf course. There were still golfers on the fairways but I noticed that there was an increase in migrants including from 2 last week to now 22 Tawny Pipit. Also present were 12 Short-toed Lark, 8 Red-throated Pipit, 10 Red-rumped Swallow, 2 Isabeline Wheatear and a single Wheatear. Waders had gone down but a flock of 15 Green Sandpiper flew out NW. At the NW end corner is where the wagtails were hanging out and with some 60 White Wagtail were and cracking sight of 15 Black-headed Wagtail.
There were 22 Tawny Pipit on the greens
Also up to 15 Black-headed Wagtail
SCILLYSPIDER 2 