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The article examines the migration and staging patterns of the Red-throated and Tree Pipits ringed during 25 years at Eilat, Israel. It reports that the number of migrants was four times greater in spring than in autumn for the Tree Pipit but was similar for the Red-throated Pipit. It mentions that both young and old Red-throated Pipits used Eilat as a stop-over site at similar intensity during both seasons. It notes that body-condition index in both species was higher in autumn than in spring and was not related to the age of the birds. Data suggests that the different habitats of the Eilat Bird Sanctuary provide a suitable stop-over site for both species in spring, but food scarcity and competition may increase in autumn.

The article provides an overview of the condition of Eilat region in Israel, a marshland where food is abundant for migratory birds. It mentions the rapid development of the wetlands, putting emphasis on its conversion into agricultural monocultures and hotels for a booming tourism industry. The move of the nonprofit group International Birding and Research Center in Eilat (IBRCE) to transform an abandoned garbage dump site into a bird sanctuary is also highlighted.

Haemoproteus osea sp. nov. is described from the blood of Nectarinia osea, sunbird species, endemic to Israel and the Red Sea zone of Arabia. Infection was found only in one out of 44 birds, in Eilat, at the north end of Gulf of Aqaba; level of parasitaemia was 0.07%. Young gametocytes adhere alongside the nucleus. The gametocytes extend alongside the erythrocyte nucleus, filling the entire space to the erythrocyte envelope and only slightly impose over the tip of the erythrocyte nucleus. Mean nuclear displacement ratio is 0.75. H. osea differs from H. sequeirae Tendeiro, 1947 in having the microgametocyte cytoplasm blue staining, similarly to the macrogametocyte, rather than reddish white, and also in causing less evident displacement of the erythrocyte nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents details of several rare birds at the ringing station of the International Birding and Research Centre in Eilat, Israel in 2008. In September, the centre reported catching and ringing an adult African Collared Dove that has a white belly, undertail coverts, and short tail. In the same month, they also caught a Sykes's Warbler Iduna rama. It has a yellow-brown color, round head, and short legs. The following month, they caught a Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola that has a prominent and long eyebrow with darkish eye stripe and cap, warm brownish tones to the upper parts, and a short primary protection.

Provides information on the spring migration ecology of Cretzschmar's bunting through Elat, Israel. Description of the Cretzschmar's bunting species; Way in which the species migrates; Manner in which the species circumnavigates the Mediterranean Sea.

The article presents the first record of the breeding of the Caspian Tern in Israel in 2008. It recalls that a juvenile and an adult Caspian Tern, also called Hydroprogne caspia, were seen on an island in Eilat on April 15, raising suspicions that the species had bred in the area. It adds that the juvenile was observed to have been asking for food from an adult tern, leading to the assumption that both terns have a parent-offspring relationship. The open-sea aquaculture projects in the region are cited as a factor behind such breeding.