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

Jerusalem Post/Environment & Climate ChangeThe first flamingos of the autumn migration have arrived at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake, marking the start of a season that will bring millions of birds through Israel’s Upper Galilee in the coming weeks.Follow us on GoogleFirst flamingos of the season at the KKL-JNF Hula Lake.(photo credit: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, KKL-JNF)ByHADAR KATSMANAUGUST 4, 2026 10:26The first eight flamingos of the autumn migration season landed at Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund’s (KKL-JNF) Hula Lake last weekend, joining newly arrived shorebirds, songbirds, shanks, ruffs, godwits, grey herons, and spoonbills, KKL-JNF announced.Larger flocks of migratory bird species are expected to pass through the area in the coming weeks. As the days begin to consistently shorten, migratory birds receive an environmental signal prompting them to begin their journey.Hula Lake is a major stopover site along the global bird migration route. It provides migratory birds flying between Europe and Africa with a critical place to rest, refuel on the lake’s rich food resources, and remain in a safe environment.Plain Tiger butterflies, which also migrate seasonally, have joined the many newly arrived bird species.Hula Lake Park houses an internationally acclaimed bird-watching siteMore than 500 million birds representing at least 390 species pass through the Hula Valley in the Upper Galilee every year. Hundreds of thousands of people gather annually to witness the migration.Migratory birds arriving at the Hula Lake ahead of the autumn migration. (credit: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, KKL-JNF)“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,” said Inbar Shlomit Rubin, field manager at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake Park.“We are now in a fascinating season,” Rubin added. “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.”The Environment and Climate Change portal is produced in cooperation with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Jerusalem Post maintains all editorial decisions related to the content.Follow us on Google