Today I worked with NPA marine rangers on seabird identification near Ashkelon. There were no proper seabirds around, so we made do with gull identification. Can’t get any better than that. We spent a bit of time inside Ashkelon NP, then checked for some gull rafts inside the coal depot.<\/p>\n
At one secluded spot a nice mixed group contained, among the striking Pallas’s Gulls, a few other taxa, especiallyfuscusandheuglini. A metal-ringed cachinnans, metal ringed Pallas’s and two darvic ringed fuscus were out there, but frustratingly too distant to read.<\/p>\n
Large numbers of Loggerhead Sea Turtles were washed up dead or dying on the coast over the last few weeks. This one was washed up on the beach this morning.<\/p>\n
Armenian Gull is less frequent down the southern coast compared to the northern coast and northern valleys. This individual shows reduced black on P3, but overall solid black wingtip (very limited grey tongues on P7\/8):<\/p>\n Some of the few remaining Mountain Gazelles still roam on the vegetated coastal dunes.<\/p>\n Thanks to Guy (NPA) and his team for a great day out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xf0A4pReHFY\/XGCZPQ9SxuI\/AAAAAAAAU0E\/aCNfXamKC5kzex1KzAn3TCwepeFRQE3iACLcBGAs\/s1600\/loggerhead%2Bsea%2Bturtle.jpg\" "\\"\\"")