The 10 Best Places for Bird Watching in Israel this Migration Season

The Fellowship  |  October 28, 2016

Every year some 5,000 birders visit Israel, as its location at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa – brings feathered friends from all over the world.

While you’re likely to see between 80 and 110 species of birds in the skies over Israel even during the off-season, during the two major annual migrations – in the spring and fall – you can expect to see up to 200 species of birds.

Israel21c recently compiled a list of the 10 best places to see the migrating birds this fall, including:

Hula Valley Bird Watching Center

One of the country’s prime birdwatching spots, the Hula Valley – located between the Golan Heights and the Naftali Ridge – is a must stopover on any bird tour of Israel. The center specializes in ringing demonstrations, birding tours and educational activities.

Twitchers can check off black storks, egrets, cranes, spoonbills, Pallas’s gulls, pied kingfishers, black francolin, Dead Sea sparrow and clamorous reed warblers at this birding center. Try to visit during the International Hula Valley Bird Festival in November, though it’s beautiful all year round. There’s a handicapped accessible boardwalk available.