“Make sure you’re there for sunset.”
That’s what we were told as we made our way to the Agamon Nature Reserve in the Hula Valley.
Fall and spring are prime time for viewing the incredible
bird migration that passes through Israel.
Some 500 million birds pass through Israel from Europe and Asia to Africa and
back again in the spring.
bird migration that passes through Israel.
Some 500 million birds pass through Israel from Europe and Asia to Africa and
back again in the spring.
Of these plentiful visitors, 100,000 are Eurasian cranes. There are
so many coming for R&R in the Hula Valley, this is one of the world’s largest concentration of cranes. It’s
one thing to read the statistics and quite another to actually be there.
so many coming for R&R in the Hula Valley, this is one of the world’s largest concentration of cranes. It’s
one thing to read the statistics and quite another to actually be there.
We eagerly stood in line to get our binoculars and soonheaded off in our golf cart, following the trail signs. It was 4pm. The trail
wound through lush treed areas and past marshy pools.
Our first sighting! We
pulled over to observe a white pelican
hanging out, taking in the last rays of sun.
pulled over to observe a white pelican
hanging out, taking in the last rays of sun.
We saw fat yet famished furry creatures
called nutria (or coypu), the Israeli form of a beaver.
called nutria (or coypu), the Israeli form of a beaver.
Spur-winged plovers, with their striking black and white
tuxedo like markings, busied themselves on the shore. The Mallard Ducks seems headless,
obsessively nibbling on underwater dinner, displaying only their fluffy rears. We saw turtles playing Yertle, claiming
a mini fiefdom of mud poking from the middle of the lake. Just being, well, turtles.
tuxedo like markings, busied themselves on the shore. The Mallard Ducks seems headless,
obsessively nibbling on underwater dinner, displaying only their fluffy rears. We saw turtles playing Yertle, claiming
a mini fiefdom of mud poking from the middle of the lake. Just being, well, turtles.
Catching a burst of blue, we focused our binoculars on a
tree and saw two kingfishers with flashy turquoise wings staring back at us.
tree and saw two kingfishers with flashy turquoise wings staring back at us.
We heard some rustling and saw two wild boar in the bushes across the water. (Close enough to see but enough distance to feel secure!)
It was quickly becoming dark and we heard honking sounds from above.
The cranes.
They were flying in formation and coming in quickly from all
directions. They filled the skies with their calls, circling the lake and
pulling out their long legs to make a perfect landing in the very crowded water.
directions. They filled the skies with their calls, circling the lake and
pulling out their long legs to make a perfect landing in the very crowded water.
Like ballet slippers brushing the stage, they barely made a ripple on the lake. (If only I could park
my car so effortlessly.) The cranes sailed to a sweet sleeping spot by the
rushes and tucked in their wings for the night.
my car so effortlessly.) The cranes sailed to a sweet sleeping spot by the
rushes and tucked in their wings for the night.
We had heard a guide
explain that the cranes prefer to roost in water as the temperature at night is
warmer than the air.
explain that the cranes prefer to roost in water as the temperature at night is
warmer than the air.
As we looked up a second time, we saw the sky almost blackened against the orange-streaked clouds as the sun set behind the mountains.
The birds continued
to come. We pointed up and shouted. “Here.” “And here.” Our necks
strained as we tried to spot one flock. And then another. We snapped photos and
video, yet this did not capture the power and concentration of these majestic
birds.
to come. We pointed up and shouted. “Here.” “And here.” Our necks
strained as we tried to spot one flock. And then another. We snapped photos and
video, yet this did not capture the power and concentration of these majestic
birds.
They are on a huge trip from Europe heading all the way to
Africa and are enjoying a well-deserved break to rest and feed. The Hula has become one popular bed and breakfast for
birds. I quickly concluded that if I were a crane, I would just stay put
paddling around these warm tropical marshes. Nice digs!
Africa and are enjoying a well-deserved break to rest and feed. The Hula has become one popular bed and breakfast for
birds. I quickly concluded that if I were a crane, I would just stay put
paddling around these warm tropical marshes. Nice digs!
We were in awe; at a juncture when nature is so overwhelmingly
majestic, words are not sufficient. Get a piece of the beauty and the intensity of sound on this Hula Valley video of our visit.
majestic, words are not sufficient. Get a piece of the beauty and the intensity of sound on this Hula Valley video of our visit.
This powerful moment may have lasted just 10 minutes.
And then it was dark. And quiet. And our golf cart was overdue!
And then it was dark. And quiet. And our golf cart was overdue!
We zipped back in darkness, not knowing where our cart’s
headlights were. The park was so tranquil and serene after the incredible
bed-time ritual of these birds.
headlights were. The park was so tranquil and serene after the incredible
bed-time ritual of these birds.
I wish them all a safe trip to Africa, but know that dangers
await these migrating birds. There are collisions with aircraft and poisonings
caused by agriculture.
await these migrating birds. There are collisions with aircraft and poisonings
caused by agriculture.
Yet is comes as not surprise that Israel is taking this to
heart and finding solutions. One ornithologist, Dr. Yossi Leshem, has devised
ways to reduce the deaths of these birds. He has studied the migratory patterns
up close and has helped reduce air collisions with birds by 90 per cent. He has set up radar systems that are in constant contact with the IDF air force.
heart and finding solutions. One ornithologist, Dr. Yossi Leshem, has devised
ways to reduce the deaths of these birds. He has studied the migratory patterns
up close and has helped reduce air collisions with birds by 90 per cent. He has set up radar systems that are in constant contact with the IDF air force.
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He is also developing cooperation with our neighbours so that they too can protect this incredible natural phenomenon. You
will be inspired as you watch the two videos about his progress.
will be inspired as you watch the two videos about his progress.
His work is of
utmost importance because, unlike the political world, birds know no borders. If only we could all learn this, we too could soar!
utmost importance because, unlike the political world, birds know no borders. If only we could all learn this, we too could soar!
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