Hula Valley wetlands

In the heart of the Golan heights, cradled between hills on 3 sides, is the beautiful Hula Valley.

Once an important stopping-off place for migrating birds on their annual trip from Europe to Africa and back again, the swamps were home to tens of thousands of aquatic birds, along with many species of rare plants and fish, creating a wondrous world of flora and fauna.

After the establishment of the state of Israel, most of the Hula swamp was drained to create farming land, but this was not successful. Scientists and nature-lovers worked hard to preserve at least part of the Hula wetlands and succeeded in creating Israel’s first nature reserve in 1964.

We started our outing early in the day as it was hot, but not early enough for sighting the birds, because although the time was peak season for bird migration, you really have to be there at dawn to see the masses of birds take off. Friends joining us included James and Annette, Caroline, Parvin, Mark and Carolina. The now famous obligatory Aussie morning tea of fresh Anzac biscuits with an Arabic coffee twist started the morning's expedition.
A group photo before we started our trek through the wetlands. The visitor centre is truly amazing, with films in both English and Hebrew. There are plenty of multimedia effects. You literally fly with the birds, which is visually stunning, and with moving seats and water spraying on top of you from above (simulating the spray as the birds take off) you get a glimpse of the life of some of these migrating birds.
Tens of thousands of birds of over 200 species, including cranes, storks, pelicans, cormorants and egrets, stop over in the reserve, knowing they can find an abundance of food here and in the Hula Valley in general. A tributary of the water that flows from the Banias springs combined with the melting snow off Mt. Hermon (well it is snow-covered for a few weeks in the year) continues to flow through this valley.
Cat fish and turtles are abundant.


Lillie pads host a lot of animal life
and the swamps provide some glorious colours.
water buffalo have been reintroduced and love the lush environment
and several beavers also call the Hula wetlands their home.
Great shot Mark!
The re-flooding of the still expanding reserve also improves the quality of water in the Sea of Galilee by allowing time for the organic materials to sink, otherwise it would flow straightaway southward and pollute the Sea of Galilee.
Two "blinds" (lookouts) enable you to watch the birds and other animal life.

even if some of them are not so exotic!
The reserve has several paths, and a ‘floating bridge’ over the swampy areas which allows you to see so much and really feel a part of the wetlands.

Smile everyone.

All too soon we had to leave and find a place to eat lunch. General Muna found the spot and in no uncertain terms ordered us there!
And it turned out to be a lovely place on the side of the mountain with picnic tables and chairs.
Fresh home-made bread and a hearty meal was enjoyed by all - this table cloth has been in so many photos!
There is always some wild flowers in rural Israel,
even if they are only thistles.
After lunch we visited the Naot Shoe Factory - famous for their super comfy shoes, and for supplying the Israeli defense forces. James and Annette thought hard about the colour shoes they wanted (or were they contemplating their return to the USA after serving 3 years in the Holy Land?).
Carolina seems happy with her purchase, or is it that she is just always happy?
A costly but worthwhile factory visit as we all ended up with comfortable shoes, though soe where too bashful to show their purchaces.
Ahhhhh..... another great outing in this amazing countryside we love so much.