WATCH! This weekend, Elana and I witnessed something extraordinary 🦜
- Ron Cantor
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
This weekend, Elana and I witnessed something extraordinary in the Hula Valley in the Golan Heights.
As the sun sets over the Hula Valley, something extraordinary is happening. We’re standing in one of the greatest bird migration corridors in the world.
The Hula Valley sits along the Syrian-African Rift, a natural funnel that connects Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Twice a year, in spring and fall, over 500 million birds pass through this narrow strip of northern Israel. Cranes, pelicans, herons, and storks, raptors, and countless songbirds all converge here on their long journey between continents.
What makes this place so special is its geography. To the west is the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, the mountains of the Golan.
Migrating birds prefer to avoid long sea crossings, so they follow this land bridge south into Africa and back north again.
At dusk, the valley becomes especially dramatic. Tens of thousands of cranes gather to feed before settling in for the night. Farmers and conservationists work together here, using tractors like the one we’re filming from, to distribute grain so the birds have enough food and are less likely to damage nearby crops.
And it’s not just the birds that come alive at this hour. On a recent evening like this, we spotted a golden jackal moving along the edge of the fields, drawn by the activity and opportunity.
It’s a remarkable balance of agriculture and conservation.
For a few weeks each year, this quiet valley turns into a living river of wings, reminding us that this land is not only historic and sacred, but also one of the great crossroads of creation itself.
Elana and I were privileged that we just happened to be here this weekend—almost by accident—to witness this amazing migration.
And tonight, as if to underline how wild and unexpected this place can be, we even had a rare sighting of a jungle cat—first sitting and watching, and then slipping through the fading light.
On your next trip to Israel, make sure you visit the Hula Valley.
