Introducing: Juan Ramirez...

For the last 2 weeks, we have enjoyed the very welcoming help of Juan and Manolo from Spain at the ringing station (who've managed also to catch the Paddyfield last week). 
Juan has been returning for the IBRCE ringing station for the last 4 years, but this is his first Autumn in Eilat. Manolo is a first time visitor/volunteer and so far we enjoyed his skills very much.

Today's post was written by Juan and I am sure you will enjoy the new style...

Wendsday 19th september.  After the Jewish New Year´s Day fever, the work continues as before under a North blowing wind and temperatures happily below 40’s.
Mist nets and Helgoland traps provide us a healthy number of Red-Backed and Masked Shrikes, just enough to endure our fingers. Reed and Sedge Warblers are the most common species with some Willow Warblers as well. 
Nothing different enough but a lost young Moorhen in a Helgoland trap, when Manolo yelled in the Pond Nets because an a-normal big warbler was stuck into… indeed, a very welcome female Marsh Harrier it was. The Harrier was ringed with delight by Itai, Tzadok, Manolo and myself and flew over the station few minutes later whilst we turned our attention to the last shrikes and Bee-eaters of the morning rounds. 

Guided by Itai, Manolo and I had a successful visit to the Eilat surrounding mountains where two Sooty Falcons let us admire their accurate shape and fancy colour sitting in the yellowish rocks and even flying among the cliffs. No way to dare for asking something else but lunch and siesta (we Spanish show ourselves stubborn about this...)

We later ringed a friend, a White Stork which enjoyed the IBRCE hospitality during the last 2 weeks. Gladly it recovered and it was high time to say goodbye. So after a feast of warm chicken (and siesta), we brought the stork over to K 19, where many tens of other storks were enjoying a stop-over during their migration. A nervous flapping, sounded like a sort of “thanks a lot, you buddies” and a short overlooking flight was enough  before a smooth landing on the opposite shore of the pond amongst a mixed flock of White Storks and Grey Herons - Good luck and winds... Just in time for more Bee-eaters and and a not very productive trial for Nightjars, we went back to the station when the first Golden Jackals howled. 

Manolo holding our friend before release 

Another day was done.

Juan