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About the region
The Hula Valley stretches over an area of 232 square km, made up mainly of agricultural fields and plantations, small settlements, several springs and waterways, and the Jordan River.
The valley is the main basin and contributory to the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by both basaltic and sedimentary ridges. Varying amounts of annual precipitation in the surrounding area, combined with the different soil types, function as a unique habitat enabling visitors to enjoy numerous species of flora and fauna within a relatively small geographical area.
Archeological findings date human settlement in the Hula Valley to approx. 780,000 years ago. Due to its strategic location in northern Israel, connecting ancient kingdoms and ports, humans have inhabited the valley continuously ever since.
Today, aside from hosting millions of birds annually, the Hula Valley is also home to 30,500 human residents. The region is sparsely populated by small towns, villages and Kibbutzim – a communal form of living unique to Israel. Besides the standard “western” towns, the area is home to impressive Druze, Arab and Tscherkessen villages. The Hula Valley and Galilee region boast beautiful landscape and wildlife and the area offers visitors a multitude of religious sites (Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Kapernaum, The Mt. of Beatitudes and more)as well as archeological sites, nature reserves and parks, horseback riding and extreme sports.
The region is famous for its unique ethnic cuisine.
Story of the Lake
Up until the 1950's the Hula Lake and Marshes, at the heart of the Hula Valley, were the largest wetlands in the Middle East.
The valley has undergone three major transformations since Israel’s early days.
1952-1958 - the lake and surrounding marshes were drained for the purpose of fitting new land for agriculture, causing many of the occupant species to become extinct from the area, while endemic fauna and flora were extinct globally. As a result the first nature reserve in Israel was established – the Hula Reserve
Over the years the newly claimed peat soil suffered from intensive erosion, spontaneous fires, extensive land erosion, pollutants washing into the Sea of Galilee and poor agricultural yield. This brought about the second major transformation. In 1992-1996 a huge scale project was launched under the name” The restoration of the peat lands”
In the heart of the new
project was a touristic entrepreneur – a shallow lake called Agamon
Hula – serving as a loadstone for birds and people alike. The
increasing number of (human) visitors caused the third transformation:
infrastructures; visitor center, parking lot, facilities, paved road
surrounding the lake and various attractions.
Northern Israel - Biodiversity
A wide range of habitats means a variety of birds and Wildlife.
The diversity of habitats represented in Northern Israel is overwhelming, from the rich and diverse Hula Valley wetlands to the rugged, steppe like terrain of the Golan Heights. The Sea of Galilee and the numerous ravines dropping to the low lying eastern Valleys and the beautiful Carmel coast, all showcase interesting local specialties and hold huge concentrations of migrant and wintering bird species.
Northern Israel owes its richness to both a unique geography and topography. Here northern European habitats meet southern African type habitats, with many plant and animal species found here at their southern or northern limits of global distribution.
The Hula Valley for example is a meeting point for flora of southern origin, such as the Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), and for flora of northern origin, such as European White Water lily (Nymphaea alba).
Among birds it is also possible to see this overlap, exemplified by the European Great Reed Warbler and the African Clamorous Reed Warbler. This is one of the few places on earth where these two birds breed as neighbors. Other species of Saharo-Nubian origin like the Palestine Sunbird and Yellow Vented Bulbul nest alongside Blackbirds and Great Tit.
Israel is well known as one of the largest Flyways in the world, this is due of course to its unique Geographical position, forming a land bridge between the Eurasian landmass and the African continent.
Over 300 species numbering millions of birds pass through Israel during the migration seasons. Some species pass through the Great Rift Valley, others follow the Mediterranean coastline.
The Hula wetlands are particularly diverse with permanent and seasonal streams, marshes, peat lands, and freshwater lakes. Three tributaries drop from the Hermon and Golan to the valley (El-a’Hatzbani, Dan, and Banias rivers), forming the famous Jordan River, the main water source of the Sea of Galilee.
These streams have flowing water year-round and lush riparian forest surrounds their banks, attracting an interesting mixture of species of birds and wildlife.
The following is a list of some key birding sites in Northern Israel.
All of these sites will be visited by the festival tours.
The Hula Valley – Agamon Hula-KKL Park and the Hula Nature Reserve
The world famous Hula Valley is a real paradise for birds and wildlife, and as such is a must for all nature lovers.
The rich fertile valley supports a huge variety of habitats from foothill Savannah, fishpond complexes, vast fields and impressive wetlands.
The Hula Valley is the natural center of events for our festival, and holds some of the best Birdwatching in Northern Israel. Therefore the weekly birding program takes in all of the Hula Valley sites in a unique and thorough way.
Agamon Hula-KKL Park: Founded and managed by the JNF. The Agamon is an impressive park that offers ample Birdwatching opportunities in a comfortable atmosphere with fully equipped infrastructure.
The IOC operates an important Ringing Station on site and visiting birders can choose to bird the area using bicycles, electric golf carts or join the world famous Mobile-hide tour that is a truly a unique experience. Several observation lookouts are also open to the public.
During the winter months around 30,000 Common Cranes roam the valley and congregate at designated and carefully managed feeding areas in order to reduce crop damage. The sights and sounds of these impressive birds and the surroundings is what make the Hula Valley so magical. The Agamon supports over 250 species of birds including large waterfowl concentrations and excellent opportunities for viewing raptors such as Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial eagles.
Festival visitors can choose to join a daily guided birding tour to explore the various sites or independently explore the area through one of the options listed above.
The Hula Nature Reserve: Israel's first official nature reserve and one of the most scenic and unique.
The Hula Nature Reserve is maintained by the NNPA and offers visitors a taste of the past. The reserve hosts impressive Papyrus (Paper Reed) beds and other important natural habitats for birds and wildlife. The reserve includes a series of trails, a board walk over the marsh and several observation lookout points. The Reserve is home to over 200 species of birds including local specialties like Marbled Teal and Clamorous Reed Warbler and holds large numbers of Pelicans, Cranes and Raptors during the winter.
The festival tours will visit the Reserve daily.
Mount Hermon and surroundings
With peaks of over 2200 meters above sea level, Mount Hermon is the highest point in Israel. The Hermon is part of the massive Irano- Turanian mountain range and as such boasts impressive scenery, flora, fauna and unique habitats.
Seventeen species breed nowhere else in the country and many of these can still be seen in Nov. such as Sombre Tit, Rock Bunting, Crimson-winged Finch, Syrian Serin, Syrian, Black Redstart, Rock Nuthatch, Shore Lark and Rock Thrush to name a few.
A bit lower down, the slopes surrounding the picturesque Druze village of Majdal Shams hold large numbers of seed-eaters and other Passerines in early winter and birding the orchards and plantations is a rewarding experience.
Golan Heights and the Gamla Nature Reserve
The Golan is actually a broad plateau characterized by rugged volcanic terrain and is green and lush in the fall and winter.
The Gamla Nature Reserve that is maintained by the NNPA consists of an impressive canyon and waterfall and a large area of pristine natural Garrigue and Savannah habitat. The area holds large numbers of birds of prey such as Griffon Vulture, Long-legged and Common buzzards and more.
Impressive flocks of Finches and Buntings can be found everywhere in the Golan. Some of the local specialties that can be found here in the winter include small numbers of Fire-fronted Serins and Pine Buntings.
Of the residents, Rock Bunting, Long-billed Pipits, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Sparrows are all possible.
The Sea of Galilee and Mount Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve
The Sea of Galilee needs no introduction. The lake is world famous from a religious point of view and is quickly being discovered as a world class Birdwatching site of crucial importance. The lake’s many bays and beaches are important feeding areas for large numbers of Gulls, Terns and Waders in the winter and large numbers of Diving Ducks and Grebes can be found on the open water. A few hundred Pygmy Cormorants are regularly seen here and species like Black Francolin, Indian Silverbill, Chukar and Dead-Sea Sparrow are common.
The Ravines surrounding the lake hold many interesting species and some of these can be seen at the beautiful and impressive Mount Arbel.
The Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve, run by the NNPA, is considered by many as the most scenic spot in Northern Israel. The massive cliffs of the Arbel overlook the Sea of Galilee and the lush meadow like habitat harbors interesting species in the winter. This is the most reliable spot in Israel for the rare Wallcreeper but it is far from guaranteed. More reliable species include Blue Rock Thrush, Long-billed Pipit, Eurasian Crag Martin, Rock Sparrow and Little Swift.
Beit Shean Valley, Yizre'el Valley and Mount Gilboa
The low lying Beit Shean and Yizre'el Valleys are characterized by huge fish pond complexes and reservoirs and large expanses of agricultural fields. In late fall and winter the area holds large concentrations of birds of an impressive variety. In addition to the hundreds of Black Storks, Egrets, Spoonbills and waders the valley holds impressive numbers of Pallas's Gulls. Local species include White breasted and Pied Kingfishers, which are abundant, and Black Francolin, Dead Sea Sparrow and Clamorous Reed Warblers.
Over looking the Valleys is Mount Gilboa.
This dramatic ridge is largely undisturbed and is home to good numbers of Mountain Gazelles, Rock Hyrax and other mammals. Long-billed Pipits and Fincsh's Wheatear are found here in winter as well as Southern Grey Shrike, Long-legged Buzzard and more.
The Carmel Coast – Ma'agan Michael and En Afek Nature Reserve
The Northern Mediterranean coast holds some excellent birding sites like Ma'agan Michael and Ma'ayan Zvi Fishponds as well as some of the most beautiful and wild segments of beach in Israel. The IOC runs the new and successful Birds and Wetlands Center and Ringing Station at Ma'agan Michael. This new Birdwatching Center deals with coastal bird conservation, research and education.
The fishponds and canals around Ma'agan Michael hold large concentrations of wintering White Pelicans, Black Storks, Great White Egrets, Armenian Gulls, Terns, Ducks and waders. Good numbers of Citrine Wagtails winter here every year and are easy to see.
Further north up the coast, in the Acre Valley lays the En Afek Nature Reserve. Operated and managed by the NNPA, the reserve is the last remaining segment of the Na'aman Wetlands. The reserve has a scenic boardwalk right over the water offering excellent Birdwatching and photographic opportunities. Large numbers of Cormorants, Pelicans, Ibis, Ducks and Waders are present in the winter months and the extensive reed beds hold Penduline Tits, Moustached and Cetti's Warblers and more.
Join us for a memorable week of birds, wildlife and scenery in magical Northern Israel. Come together with other likeminded birders from the world over, and let us point you in the right direction for a bird watching vacation of a lifetime.
The Festival Staff