Hula Valley, Israel -- Each year, some 500 million birds visit Israel's Hula Valley, a migratory crossroads where Europe, Asia and Africa meet.
On November 5-11, 2006, thousands of serious ornithologists, weekend bird-watchers, and people of all ages from around the world who simply enjoy seeing Mother Nature at her best will also flock to the region - for the first annual Hula Valley Bird Festival in Israel.
Itai Shanni, General Manager of the Hula Birdwatching Centre, says the Hula Valley in northeastern Israel is one of the world's premier ornithological showplaces - attracting over 300 species: "Visitors will see a spectacular collection of year-round residents, breeding visitors, passing migrants and transients." Over 20 globally threatened species come to Hula, plus many "Eurasian rarities."
One of the most amazing phenomena here is the migration and wintering of tens of thousands of Common Crane: Up to 30,000 cranes can be seen at one time.
Adding to the excitement will be workshops with four world-renowned experts:
Klaus M. Olsen - "Gull Identification on the Mediterranean Shores" - Two of his books were named "Bird Book of the Year" by the magazine Birdwatch.
Dick Forsman -"Raptor Identification in the Field" - Led over 50 bird-watching trips in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Per Alstrom - "Larks and Pipits - Identification and Taxonomy" - Staff, Swedish Museum of Natural History; wrote 80 papers on identification; co-authored "A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe"; discovered several new species.
David Cottridge - "Bird Photography in the Field - Techniques" - His photos illustrate "The Status and Distribution of the Birds of Israel."
Additional activities include: flying with the birds in powered gliders or small aircraft; bird ringing; and half- and full-day excursions.
The Hula Valley follows the Jordan River, bounded on the east by the Golan Heights and on the south by the Sea of Galilee. A perfect climate, large nature reserves and agricultural fields attract an astounding variety of birds and wildlife - perhaps unmatched anywhere else on earth.
The Hula Birdwatching Centre, a wing of the Israel Ornithological Centre, is part of the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, providing environmental awareness and protection through research, conservation, education and ecotourism.
Cost for the Bird Festival is $1040 per person, excluding flights (5 percent discount for reservations by May 31). Optional side tours are extra. Many participants will want to combine the Festival with tours of Jerusalem, Nazareth, the Dead Sea, Masada and other religious, historic and archaeological sites.
For information, visit www.hula-birding.com. For accommodations, sites and attractions, contact Richard Davis at info@israel-ecotours.com or +1 (0)415-460 1776.
