Hula Valley in the Galilee: Spring Migration Reaches Its Peak
Thousands of birds are making their way north daily from Africa to their nesting grounds in Europe and Asia, flying across Israel from south to north. These breathtaking scenes from Agamon Hula capture the wonder of one of nature’s great journeys.
Sinai Staff
A flock of birds heading north | Photo: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, Agamon Hula – JNS
Spring migration is now at its height. Every day, thousands of birds travel from distant Africa to their breeding grounds across Europe and Asia, soaring over Israel as they move northward. “Spring migration is full of surprises—we never know who will arrive or when, and every flock brings joy and excitement,” says Inbar Shlomit Rubin, field manager at Agamon Hula, a key rest stop for many bird species during their long journey.
Preparing the Grounds for a Successful Nesting Season
In recent weeks, the team at Agamon Hula has been hard at work preparing the site for migrating and nesting birds. They’ve built special nesting walls for European bee-eaters, placed dry trees to make birdwatching easier, created summer pools to support shorebirds and songbirds, and expanded water areas to encourage nesting by ducks and other species.
While most birds migrate at night, larger species fly by day. Flocks at Agamon Hula | Photo: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, Agamon Hula – JNS
Most birds migrate under the cover of night, but larger species prefer daytime travel, using thermal air currents to help them along. Depending on wind and weather conditions, they can cover anywhere from 300 to 500 kilometers in a single day.
“Spring migration is full of surprises.” A flock flying over Agamon Hula | Photo: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, Agamon Hula – JNS
“Spring migration is truly a season of surprises,” Rubin says with excitement. “We never know exactly who will show up or when. Each flock is a thrill to see. We look forward to welcoming the birds arriving to raise their next generation, and we’re doing everything we can to help them nest successfully.”
