KFAR RUPIN

I went on a birding workshop of the bird center in Kfar Rupin. We made 4 trips in the surrounding fields and ponds and saw a wide variety of different birds some of which I captured in the images below.

SHARON WATER RESERVOIR

Every year tens of thousands of pelicans migrate south from Europe to Africa and use Israel as a rest place on their journey. They stay in the Hulah valley area as well as east of Netanyah at the Sharon water reservoir where the Jewish National Fund built the Vikar bird observatory. Most of the birds fly on to Africa once they regained their strength but some stay in Israel for the winter. The local fish farmers together with the government feed the birds to stop them from feeding in their breeding ponds in the surrounding area.

JERUSALEM BIRD OBSERVATORY

In the center of Jerusalem, right behind the Knesset building, there is the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, a small paradise for birds. It is used both by the local birds as well as by the migrating birds passing through this area. I started visiting the place and am planning to make more frequent visits to this place.

ROSH TZIPOR

Right in the middle of Tel Aviv there is a bird hide called Rosh Tzipor (Bird Head) where one can find many different types of birds. Here are some of the ones I found during my first few visits there.

NEGEV

The Negev area (the south of Israel) is used by many birds in the migration twice a year as well but also has got its own local birds.

MEDITERANEAN COAST

The coastal area along the Mediteranean Sea and the Jerusalem area have got a large variety of birds. Some can be found along the fish ponds, others in smaller lakes and parks in towns and in nature.

MA’AGAN MICHAEL & MA’AYAN ZVI

There are a lot of fish ponds in Israel. Ma’agan Michael and Ma’ayan Zvi on the coastline right next to ZIchron Ya’akov are two such places. In Ma’ayan Zvi I was lucky enough to be there while they were emptying one of their ponds. A lot of birds were waiting to catch the spoils as the water was mostly drained from the pool. It gave a lot of action shots.

ATLIT

Twice a year a group of flamingos passes by the Israeli coastal town of Atlit where they stay for some time to rest and feed, gaining strength for the continuation of their migration from and to Europe. I was lucky to spot them and watch them perform for me.