Participants on the tour were Dave and Valerie Lander and Steve Mann. Flights and car hire were booked with Wildwings. We flew with British Airways from Manchester to Tel Aviv via Heathrow arriving at Tel Aviv in the early morning. The hire car was provided by Thrifty Car Rentals who had an office at the airport, as well as at Kiryat Shmona which was quite close to our accommodation at Kfar Blum. We booked a Volkswagen Golf with manual transmission but were given a Opel Corsa automatic, which proved to be a bit too small as the suitcases would not fit in the boot, though otherwise it was ok.
Accommodation was booked through the Kibbutz Hotel Chain Reservation Center. We stayed all week at Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the Hula Valley. This was of a good standard and ideally situated for easy access to the main birding sites.
We used "A Guide to the Birding Hot-spots of Northern Israel" which gave excellent directions for most sites, though we could not get to Tishlovet Reservoir along the track due south of Kibbutz Ginnegar recommended in this guide. We later reached the reservoir along a much better stone track further west alongside a garage. This track is shown on the map in the guide but not mentioned in the text. To access this track turn south on a stone track between a garage and a factory.

Saturday 1st December
We arrived at Tel Aviv in the early morning just as it became light. A freak storm forced the pilot to abandon his first attempt at landing the plane. When we did finally land and leave the airport the weather was still not particularly good with numerous heavy showers with a few brief sunny spells. From the airport we set off north along route 4, along the way seeing our first Laughing Doves, Bulbuls, White-breasted Kingfishers and large numbers of Hooded Crows and Collared Doves. On arrival at Ma’agan Mikhael we were told the Kibbutz was closed as it was Saturday and were directed around the outside of the Kibbutz towards the office. In the gardens around the office area were a good selection of birds including Graceful Prinia, Palestine Sunbird, Spur-winged Plover, Wryneck, Syrian Woodpecker, Laughing Dove , Spanish Sparrow and several Hoopoe etc. From here we could look through the fence onto some fishponds where birds included large numbers of Armenian Gulls, Night Heron, all three species of Kingfisher etc. After a while we decided to move on and try and find our way to Tishlovet Reservoir. We tried the track due south of Kibbutz Ginnegar recommended in "Guide to the Birding Hotspots of Northern Israel" but due to the weather the track was not really passable and so we decided to carry on towards the Hula Valley. First we called for a very brief look at Gume Junction fishponds and then went to check in at Kibbutz Kfar Blum. A while later we went out and called again at Gume Junction Fishponds. Here in quite heavy rain we saw Clamorous Reed Warbler, Spotted Eagle and White Pelican as well as numerous Armenian Gulls and many ducks and herons. Later we decided to move on towards the Re-flooded area to view the roosting Cranes. Here we saw 1000’s of Cranes and Pelicans, vast numbers of wildfowl and numerous larks and Red-throated Pipit etc.

Sunday 2nd December
In the morning the weather appeared much better so we drove down to Wadi Ammud seeing a Southern Grey Shrike among other things on the way. On arrival at Wadi Ammud large numbers of birds were feeding on the grassy/stony slopes by the car park, consisting of mainly Chaffinch, Corn Buntings and a few Spanish Sparrows. As we walked into the well vegetated area at the mouth of the wadi we saw several Sardinian Warblers, a few Serins and saw a Long-billed Pipit on the rocky slopes above. On entering the gorge birds included Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, etc but we did not find any Wallcreeper, which we were hoping for. Further along the wadi on the more grassy slopes was a large flock of 100+ Rock Sparrows, numerous Little Swifts and we had further views of Long-billed Pipit. Later we drove back to the Hula Nature Reserve. This is an excellent reserve, with a very good information centre and a boardwalk that led out through the papyrus swamp to a long covered section of walkway giving excellent views of an area of open water. A little further along was a tower hide which also gave good but quite distant views of the area. Birds seen on the reserve included numerous herons several large flocks of Glossy Ibis, Sardinian Warbler and many Penduline Tits were heard calling but proved quite elusive and difficult to see. Coypu’s were fairly common and fairly tame and we also saw several Mongoose, several Wild Boar and a herd of re-introduced Water Buffalo. We failed to find any Pygmy Cormorants or Marbled Duck though. After leaving the reserve we visited Hula Reservoir and several small surrounding fishponds to try again unsuccessfully for Marbled Duck though the banks of the reservoir gave good views over the surrounding area. In the late afternoon/early evening we returned to the Re-flooded area, which was excellent with several Hen and Pallid Harriers, numerous Long-legged Buzzard, two Eastern Stonechats, Bluethroat, numerous waders, wildfowl and herons as well as huge numbers of Cranes and White Pelicans.

Monday 3rd December
In the morning the weather had worsened again and was mainly cloudy with occasional spells of mainly light rain. We visited Gume Junction first, where we saw Spotted Eagle, Clamorous Reed Warbler, several Penduline Tit, two female Black Francolins, a Black-necked Grebe and numerous Cranes and herons etc. Later we visited the Hula Fishponds alongside the Hula Reserve and saw a juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle, three Spotted Eagle, several Spoonbill, good numbers of waders including at least 32 Little Stint, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Citrine Wagtail, Bluethroat, and large numbers of wildfowl and herons including a very large roost of several hundred Night Herons in the hedgerow bordering the Hula Reserve. In the late afternoon we went to the Re-flooded area, which was excellent again with at least five Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, several Pallid and Hen Harriers and huge numbers of Cranes and Pelicans.

Tuesday 4th December
In the morning it was raining again so we decided to drive down to Kfar Ruppin. On the way we stopped briefly in a lay-by alongside the Sea of Galilee. On the sea were a couple of Great Crested Grebes, numerous Cormorants, and several Whiskered Terns. We then carried on to Kfar Ruppin, where we managed to get a couple of hours dry weather before the rain finally caught up with us. This Kibbutz was excellent and birds seen here included several Pygmy Cormorants, Great Black-headed Gull, several Indian Silverbills, Black Francolins, Chukar, Osprey, Marsh Sandpiper etc. During the afternoon we drove back up north and visited the Hula Fishponds area again. This was very good again with excellent numbers of herons and waders including six Marsh Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe feeding out in the open on a drained fishpond.

Wednesday 5th December
In the morning we drove to Tishlovet Reservoir in light rain, and this time tried a different track to approach the reservoir. As we arrived it stopped raining and brightened up a bit. It was well worth the effort of finding our way here as the reservoir held excellent numbers of both White-headed Ducks and Black-necked Grebes (up to 500 or more of each), several Ferruginous Ducks, a party of 12 Ruddy Shelduck, a Garganey and large numbers of commoner ducks though we did not find any Marbled Ducks. A while later we set off for the coast around the Ma’agan Mikhael area, though here the weather was not quite so good with intermittent light rain. First we went into Kibbutz Ma’agan Mikhael and walked around the fishponds there. Here we saw several Slender-billed Gulls along the beach and several Little Swifts gave good views, but the fishponds were comparatively disappointing. After a short while we decided to drive to the fishponds at Mayan Zevi. The fields either side of the approach road to Ma’agan Mikhael were flooded so we stopped briefly and saw several waders including a Spotted Redshank and our second Osprey of the trip passed overhead. Alongside the approach road to the fishponds at Mayan Zevi the fields were also flooded and held good numbers of waders including Temminck’s Stint, Kentish Plover and over 100 Little Stint, while several Black Storks passed overhead. Over 70 Night Herons were roosting in a group of small bushes between the fishponds and a railway line.

Thursday 6th December
In the morning we drove up towards Mount Hermon stopping first at Newe Ativ, where mist/low cloud had closed in. Here we walked around the perimeter fence and found several Rock Buntings a Sombre Tit, several Woodlark and an immature Goshawk. Later we walked through an open gate along a track between several fields and orchards and here we found several more Sombre Tits and several Western Rock Nuthatch. After a while we moved on and stopped near the junction of routes 98 and 989. Here we walked out onto the rocky grassland and immediately found our first Finsch’s Wheatear, a female. Shortly afterwards we found two male Finsch’s Wheatear and several Western Rock Nuthatch. An immature Goshawk was cruising over the nearby hills, and a large flock of Corn Bunting were a surprise this high up. We then intended to visit the Golan Heights but as the mist appeared to be getting worse we decided to drive back down into the Hula Valley. Unfortunately when we arrived in the valley light rain was falling. First we visited the Hula Reserve again and this time we were treated to a safari ride on a 4X4 Kawasaki buggy/pickup in an attempt to find Marbled Duck in an area of the reserve normally closed to the public. Again we had no luck with the Marbled Duck though we did see Garganey and several Ferruginous Duck, several Little Swifts and a Jack Snipe. Later we tried the Hula Fishponds again, briefly before driving back to the Re-flooded area in the evening.

Friday 7th December
At last the weather was much better and in the morning we drove down to Mount Arbel cliffs. We took the more strenuous route, walking up the fairly steep slope to the base of the cliffs. On the way up we saw a flock of at least seven Chukar, several Blue Rock Thrushes, and Black Redstarts. Shortly after reaching the cliffs we saw a Wallcreeper fly above us onto the cliff face, but we lost it almost immediately. Other birds seen by the cliffs included Alpine and Little Swifts, Rock Sparrows and Long-billed Pipit. On the way back we saw both Common and Long-legged Buzzard and the only Yellowhammers and Blackcap of the trip. After this we drove back to the Re-flooded area and spent the rest of the day there. This was excellent again with an adult White-tailed Eagle at least nine Spotted Eagle, at least two (probably four) Imperial Eagles, at least three Pallid Harriers, Merlin, six White-fronted Geese, several Black Francolins and 20+ Long-legged Buzzard etc.

Saturday 8th December
In the morning the weather was fine and dry again and we drove down to Wadi Ammud. On the way a large flock of 100+ Little Swifts were feeding over the road near to the Sea of Galilee. At Wadi Ammud we saw similar birds to our previous visit though this time we had excellent views of an adult Bonelli’s Eagle sat on top of a nearby cliff. Later we drove to Tishlovet Reservoir for one last attempt to see Marbled Duck, though on arrival there the wind had increased in strength making the reservoir rather choppy. Large numbers of Black-necked Grebe and White-headed Duck were still on the reservoir but still no Marbled Duck. After this we set off back towards Tel Aviv for our flight home.

Systematic List

Little Grebe Quite common on most wetlands.
Great Crested Grebe Two on the Sea of Galilee on 4th.
Black-necked Grebe One on a fishpond at Gume Junction on 3rd. At Tishlovet Reservoir about 4-500 were present on both 5th and 8th.
Cormorant Extremely common around all the fishponds and on the Sea of Galilee.
Pygmy Cormorant At least six+ at Kfar Ruppin on 4th.
White Pelican Quite common around many of the fishponds and especially around the Re-flooded area where several thousand were present at times.
Night Heron Very common around the fishponds and throughout the Hula Valley.
Cattle Egret Very common almost everywhere.
Little Egret Very common around the wetlands and fishponds.
Great White Egret Common around the wetlands and fishponds.
Grey Heron Common around the wetlands and fishponds.
Black Stork Quite common around the wetlands and fishponds.
White Stork Quite common around the wetlands in the Hula Valley, though slightly less common than Black Stork.
Glossy Ibis Common around the Hula Valley with flocks of up to 155 birds seen at times.
Spoonbill Fairly common, seen at several sites in the Hula Valley with up to eight at the Hula Fishponds on 4th.
Greater Flamingo One on the Re-flooded area on 2nd.
White-fronted Goose Six at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Ruddy Shelduck 12 on Tishlovet Reservoir on 5th.
Shelduck A few seen at various sites in the Hula Valley, Tishlovet Reservoir, Kfar Ruppin etc.
Wigeon Quite common on most wetland areas.
Gadwall A few seen at various sites in the Hula Valley and at Kfar Ruppin.
Teal Very common on most wetlands.
Mallard Very common on most wetlands.
Pintail Fairly common on some wetlands in the Hula Valley and at Tishlovet Reservoir.
Garganey One on Tishlovet Reservoir on 5th and one at the Hula Reserve on 6th.
Shoveler Very common on most wetlands.
Pochard Fairly common on most wetlands.
Ferruginous Duck Three+ at Tishlovet Reservoir on 5th, four at the Hula Reserve on 6th.
Tufted Duck Quite common on most wetlands.
White-headed Duck 4-500+ on Tishlovet Reservoir on both 5th and 8th.
Black Kite Very common in most areas and especially in the Hula Valley, where several thousand flew over each evening presumably to roost.
White-tailed Eagle One adult at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Griffon Vulture One flying over route 90 near Rosh Pinna on 2nd. Five+ over the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Marsh Harrier Very common in the Hula Valley and also seen at many other places including Ma’agan Mikhael, Tishlovet Reservoir etc.
Hen Harrier Quite common at the Re-flooded area, with up to five or more seen on occasion.
Pallid Harrier Seen regularly at the Re-flooded area, at least three individual birds (possibly four).
Goshawk One juvenile at Newe Ativ, and one near Majdal Shams (possibly the same bird) on 6th.
Sparrowhawk One at Wadi Ammud on 2nd, one Gume Junction on 3rd and one Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th.
Common Buzzard Fairly common, a few seen in many areas.
Long-legged Buzzard Fairly common at the Re-flooded area where up to 20 were present on some days. A few others were seen elsewhere.
Spotted Eagle One adult at Gume Junction on1st, two seen from the Hula Reserve on 2nd, one adult Gume Junction, three seen at the fishponds alongside the Hula Reserve and five seen at the Re-flooded area on 3rd, one Gume Junction and at least nine at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Eastern Imperial Eagle One juvenile seen from the Hula Reserve on 2nd, one at the Re-flooded area on 3rd, at least two (probably four) juveniles at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Golden Eagle One alongside route 90 near Rosh Pinna on 2nd.
Bonelli’s Eagle One immature at the fishponds alongside the Hula Reserve and probably the same bird at the Re-flooded area on 3rd, one adult at Wadi Ammud on 8th.
Osprey One at Kfar Ruppin on 4th and one at Ma’agan Mikhael on 5th.
Kestrel Quite common in most areas.
Merlin One at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Peregrine One over the Hula reserve on 3rd and 6th.
Chukar Two at Kfar Ruppin on 4th and at least seven at Mount Arbel on 7th.
Black Francolin Two females Gume Junction on 3rd, two males and one female at Kfar Ruppin on 4th, four+ at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Water Rail Heard in most wetland areas and a few seen.
Moorhen Quite common around most wetlands.
Coot Quite common around most wetlands.
Common Crane Very common throughout the Hula Valley, with up to 15-20,000 present at the Re-flooded area roost. Also seen in other areas i.e. Tishlovet Reservoir and flying over Wadi Ammud etc.
Black-winged Stilt Quite common around most wetlands.
Avocet Fairly common in certain areas such as the Re-flooded area, Hula Fishponds, Kfar Ruppin, Mayan Zevi etc.
Ringed Plover Fairly common, seen at Hula Fishponds, Kfar Ruppin, Mayan Zevi etc.
Kentish Plover One in a flooded field at Mayan Zevi on 5th.
Spur-winged Plover Very common around all the wetlands and any grassy areas.
Lapwing Fairly common seen at Re-flooded area, Hula Fishponds, Kfar Ruppin, Mayan Zevi etc.
Sanderling Several on the beach at Ma’agan Mikhael on 5th.
Little Stint Fairly common in certain areas such as the Hula Fishponds where there were 32+ on 3rd, 100+ at Mayan Zevi on 5th. Smaller numbers were present at many other sites such as the Re-flooded area, Kfar Ruppin, etc.
Temminck’s Stint One in a flooded field at Mayan Zevi.
Dunlin Several at Hula Fishponds on 3rd, several Kfar Ruppin on 4th and several at Mayan Zevi on 5th.
Ruff About 50 regularly present at the Re-flooded area, and several others elsewhere.
Jack Snipe One showing well on the Hula fishponds on 4th and one on the Hula Reserve on 7th.
Snipe Fairly common around most wetland areas.
Black-tailed Godwit Several at the Re-flooded area on 2nd.
Curlew Several at the Re-flooded area on 7th.
Spotted Redshank One at the Re-flooded area on 2nd, and one - two at Ma’agan Mikhael on 5th.
Redshank Fairly common around most wetland sites.
Marsh Sandpiper Fairly common at several sites in the Hula Valley and a few also seen at Kfar Ruppin on 4th.
Green Sandpiper Fairly common around most wetlands.
Common Sandpiper One - two at most wetland areas.
Great Black-headed Gull One adult at Kfar Ruppin on 4th.
Black-headed Gull Quite common around most wetland areas and along the Mediterranean coast at Ma’agan Mikhael.
Slender-billed Gull Several flying along the beach at Ma’agan Mikhael on 5th.
Lesser Black-backed Gull One at Gume Junction on 1st and one at Mayan Zevi on 5th.
Caspian Gull Fairly common though much less so than Armenian Gull.
Armenian Gull Very common around all the wetlands.
Whiskered Tern Several on the Sea of Galilee on 4th.
Rock Dove Feral birds were present on the cliffs at Wadi Ammud and at Mount Arbel Cliffs, many of which resembled pure wild Rock Doves.
Collared Dove Very common almost everywhere.
Laughing Dove Quite common in most areas.
Ring-necked Parakeet Two at Kfar Blum on 8th.
Owl sp One (almost certainly a Short-eared Owl) was seen over the reedbeds at the Re-flooded area in failing light on 2nd.
Alpine Swift One at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th and one at Wadi Ammud on 8th.
Little Swift About 30 at Wadi Ammud on 2nd. At least four at Ma’agan Mikhael and one-two at Mayan Zevi on 5th. At least five at the Hula Reserve on 6th. Several at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th. At least 100 over route 90 by the Sea of Galilee and 20+ at Wadi Ammud on 8th.
White-breasted Kingfisher Very common in most areas, even away from water.
Common Kingfisher Quite common at many of the wetlands, though less common than the other two species.
Pied Kingfisher Very common around all the wetlands.
Hoopoe Three+ at Ma’agan Mikhael on 1st, one - two at Wadi Ammud on 2nd, one+ at the re-flooded area on 7th and one+ at Wadi Ammud on 8th.
Wryneck One at Ma’agan Mikhael on 1st.
Syrian Woodpecker Fairly common wherever trees were present.
Crested Lark Fairly common in all lowland faming areas especially in the Hula Valley at the Re-flooded area where there were several flocks of 50 or more.
Woodlark Fairly common at Newe Ativ on the slopes of Hermon and also at Wadi Ammud.
Skylark Fairly common in most lowland farming areas and very common at the Re-flooded area.
Crag Martin Fairly common at Wadi Ammud and also seen at Mount Arbel Cliffs.
Swallow Fairly common in most areas.
Richard’s Pipit One at the Re-flooded area on 3rd.
Meadow Pipit Fairly common in many areas.
Long-billed Pipit At least two seen at Wadi Ammud on 2nd, one at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th and one at Wadi Ammud on 8th.
Red-throated Pipit Fairly common at many wetland sites often feeding in nearby crops.
Water Pipit Fairly common around most wetland sites.
Yellow Wagtail One female of an eastern race at the Hula Fishponds on 4th, and one - two at Mayan Zevi on 5th.
Citrine Wagtail One female at Hula Fishponds on 3rd and 4th, and one - two at Mayan Zevi on 5th.
Grey Wagtail Seen at Gume Junction Fishponds, Hula Fishponds and at Mount Arbel.
White Wagtail Fairly common around most wetlands.
Yellow-vented Bulbul Very common almost everywhere.
Wren Quite scarce only seen at Wadi Ammud and at Newe Ativ.
Robin Fairly common seen in many areas.
Bluethroat Quite common near to wetland areas.
Black Redstart Quite common, seen in many areas but especially common at Wadi Ammud and Mount Arbel Cliffs.
Stonechat Quite common in most areas.
Eastern Stonechat One male regularly present at the Re-flooded area and a second bird was there on 2nd. A few other birds noted at other locations.
Finsch’s Wheatear Three near Majdal Shams on 6th. Two males and one female.
Blue Rock Thrush Quite common in Wadi Ammud and at Mount Arbel Cliffs.
Blackbird Fairly common in most areas.
Song Thrush Fairly common at Wadi Ammud and a few at other sites.
Redwing Several heard at Newe Ativ on 6th.
Cetti’s Warbler Very common around most wetland sites.
Fan-tailed Warbler One seen at Ma’agan Mikhael on 1st.
Graceful Prinia Common in most areas.
Clamorous Reed Warbler Fairly common in most reedbeds, though elusive at times. We had good views at Gume Junction Fishponds, Hula Fishponds, Hula Reserve and Kfar Ruppin.
Sardinian Warbler Fairly common in certain areas including, Wadi Ammud, Mount Arbel Cliffs and at Newe Ativ. All of the eastern race momus.
Blackcap One at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th.
Chiffchaff Fairly common in many areas, presumably mainly albietinus though all were using the call usually associated with tristis.
Goldcrest One - two at Newe Ativ on 6th and one at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th.
Sombre Tit Fairly common at Newe Ativ on 6th.
Great Tit Fairly common in many areas. All appeared to be of the paler and duller eastern race terraesanctae.
Western Rock Nuthatch Quite common at Newe Ativ and near Majdal Shams on 6th.
Wallcreeper One at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th.
Penduline Tit Fairly common around most wetland areas, though elusive and most often heard calling.
Palestine Sunbird Quite common in most areas, especially where flowering shrubs were present.
Southern Grey Shrike One by route 90 near the Sea of Galilee on 2nd. One by route 90 near to Kfar Ruppin on 4th. One by route 90 near to Sea of Galilee on 7th.
Jay Fairly common in most areas. All were of the very distinctive white-headed race atricapillus.
Jackdaw Fairly common seen regularly at Kfar Blum.
Rook Seen at Kfar Blum on 4th and 8th.
Hooded Crow Very common in most areas.
Starling Quite common in many areas.
House Sparrow Common around most villages.
Spanish Sparrow Fairly common, seen in many areas.
Rock Sparrow Quite common at Wadi Ammud and at Mount Arbel Cliffs. A large flock of over 100 was present at Wadi Ammud on 2nd.
Indian Silverbill Up to six at Kfar Ruppin on 4th.
Chaffinch Quite common in some areas, such as Kfar Ruppin, Mount Arbel Cliffs etc.
Brambling One male at Kfar Ruppin on 4th.
Serin Fairly common, seen at Wadi Ammud, Mount Arbel Cliffs, Kfar Ruppin, etc.
Greenfinch Fairly common, seen at Wadi Ammud, Mount Arbel Cliffs, etc.
Goldfinch Quite common, seen in many areas.
Siskin Several at Wadi Ammud on 2nd.
Linnet Quite common in many areas.
Yellowhammer Two - three at Mount Arbel Cliffs on 7th.
Rock Bunting Fairly common at Newe Ativ on 6th, where about ten were present.
Reed Bunting Quite scarce, seen at the Re-flooded area and at Ma’agan Mikhael.
Corn Bunting Fairly common at the Re-flooded area, Wadi Ammud and a flock also seen quite high up near Majdal Shams.

MAMMALS
Rock Hyrax Common in Wadi Ammud and at Mount Arbel Cliffs.
Water Buffalo A re-introduced herd is present at the Hula Reserve.
Coypu Fairly common in the Hula Valley.
Egyptian Mongoose Fairly common, seen in many areas.
Wild Boar Fairly common seen in many areas in the Hula Valley and also near Nimrod’s Fortress.

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