Israel enters ‘fascinating season’ as migratory birds arrive at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake

The Hula Lake in Israel's Upper Galilee is buzzing with life as the autumn migration season commences, welcoming the first flamingos and numerous other bird species. This marks the beginning of a period when millions of birds will traverse the region, utilizing the lake as a crucial resting and refueling stopover along their journey between Europe and Africa.

Hundreds of thousands of people annually flock to witness this natural spectacle. The Hula Valley serves as a vital corridor for over 500 million birds from at least 390 species each year. The arrival of shorebirds, songbirds, shanks, ruffs, godwits, grey herons, and spoonbills, alongside the initial flamingos, signals a "fascinating season," according to Inbar Shlomit Rubin, field manager at KKL-JNF's Hula Lake Park.

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It is always exciting to watch the lake fill with life, especially as, during August, the first storks will begin passing through Hula Lake on their migration.

Rubin described the unique timing where "the last of the nesting birds are still caring for their young," while "every morning brings a new surprise as we discover which species arrived at the lake overnight." This dynamic period also sees the arrival of Plain Tiger butterflies, adding another layer of seasonal activity to the internationally acclaimed bird-watching site.

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We are now in a fascinating season. On the one hand, the last of the nesting birds are still caring for their young. On the other, every morning brings a new surprise as we discover which species arrived at the lake overnight.