Birdwatching in Israel: Hurry to the Hula

For anyone who is  interested in birds and nature - the November through April period is a real treat. Israel is world famous as the trans-aerial highway for migrating birds! Beginning in November and later again in the spring millions of birds fly over Israel on their path south to seek warmer climates. They will frequently overnight in Israel, often staying over at the Hula Valley or further south at Neve Eitan, Maoz Hayhim, Kfar Ruppin and Tirat Zevi where there are major concentrations of fishponds.  Further to the south, the birding center at Kibbutz Lotan is also a favorite spot. One only needs to look up and see the sky full of eagles, storks or pelicans!

The fish ponds are a great attraction to the water birds, amongst them flamingos, cranes and egrets. Kingfishers and hoopoes live in Israel all year round.One of the most popular locations to watch the birds in the whole country can be found in the Hula Valley, situated in the Galilee and about 25 km north of the Sea of Galilee. This was the destination on our most recent trip to see the birds.

At this time of year when the afternoon fall sun begins its slow descent to the west, the storks, cranes, herons and other species of birds flock to their evening resting place within the Hula reserve. Situated within the Syrian-African Rift Valley atapproximately 70 m above sea level the reserve offers visitors many touring options include walking, renting bicycles, an electrical golf cart (for up to 6 people), a safari bicycle (for up to 6), two seater bikes or an open air safari bus - an excellent choice for the night tours.

On a recent outing there, our family of six opted for bicycles including a tandem and pedaled the 12 kilometre stretch in approximately two leisurely hours, stopping at numerous viewpoints along the way to observe the birds, animals, and surrounding views.

Up until the early part of the 20th century, the Hula Valley was a vast swampland that was home to much wildlife. Early Jewish settlers to Israel worked hard clearing this area for agricultural purposes and many contracted the deadly malaria virus along the way. It was only much later that they realized that the valley offered less than ideal agricultural conditions, but unfortunately, by then that land had been cleared, and along with it much of the wildlife, fauna and flora disappeared from the landscape. The result - the ecosystem of the area was severely damaged. In the mid 1990's, in an effort to bring back the native wildlife, approximately 250 acres were reflooded with the hope that the natural habitat would return and the water flowing into the Sea of Galilee would be improved.

During the migration seasons, going on now, over 500 million birds will fly over Israel and tens of thousands will stop overnight in the Hula Valley during the peak late fall season. The Hula Valley visitor center, situated approximately three kilometres south of Agman Hula, has a new bird migration/movie experience called Euphoria which is also worthwhile. The site is open Sundays through Thrusdays from 8am to 5 pm and on Saturdays until 4 pm, and Fridays until 3 pm.  For More Information visit http://www.parks.org.il.