Birds in a Rishon Lezion (Israel)

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Birds in a Rishon Lezion (Israel)

Israel is an amazing place for birds watching. Its unique location between Europe, Asia and Africa makes it the perfect place to the professional Ornithologist and amateur birdwatcher. The Rishon-Lezion Agamon (Israel) is an artificial lake at the southwest of the city in the edge of a very large urban area.

The entire area is being develop currently and some of the areas around the lake are closed to visitor. I've visited the lake for a short time and got a very nice photos of many species of birds. The place deserves additional and longer visits

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

And another type of Kingfisher - Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis). It is a pleasure to watch hem hoovering in one spot, waving their wings very fast and then dive rapidly to the water.

Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

Little egret (Egretta garzetta) are very common birds and this one manage to catch a fish but for some reason was unable to swallow it. The fish doesn't seems to be too big so I've no idea what was the reason. You can watch her attempt in the video (It is recommended to view on YouTube site in HD resolution)

Little egret (Egretta garzetta)

A very cute family of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca). A mother with three ducklings. The mother is missing her paw and jumps on one foot a very strange and a bit sad to watch, but still she takes care for the ducklings. (Watch the jumps from 0:40 in the video)

Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

The Spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) is also very common in Israel. Its name in Hebrew is SIKSAK which is of course resembles the voices it makes. Behind it you will notice a Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)