Birding Hot-Spots of Israel, continued..

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest sea on earth and at 412 metres below sea level, is located in the heart of the Rift Valley depression. It marks the beginning of a region influenced by evolutionary incursions of flora and fauna from regions in the south of Israel. Although the Dead Sea itself is indeed dead as far as supporting bird life is concerned, the surrounding areas have much to offer. Fan-tailed Raven breed in the canyons, while Sand Partridge, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Blackstart, Scrub Warbler and Arabian Babbler are all readily seen. Also of interest, certain points on the mountainsides are the "cleaning stations" of Tristram's Grackle which clean ectoparasites from the hides of the Nubian Ibex roaming the area.
One of the most popular sites on the shores of the Dead Sea is the natural spring at En Gedi. The En Gedi and Nahal Arugot canyons are a nature reserve supervised by the INRPA and separate entrance fees are charged for each of them. There is also a field school, which is a convenient place to stay and a good spot in which to see all the local birds. There is a concentration of wintering and early spring migrant Cyprus Warblers in the neighbouring wadis, especially those to the south, (e.g. Nahal Hever). During spring, it is possible to look down and up from the cliff tops to observe a myriad of soaring raptors and storks that pour through in such concentrations that they may be difficult to count accurately.

The cliff top holiday village of Metzoqe Dragot is located to the north of En Gedi. Beyond tile entrance there is a dirt path which leads into the desert. After several hundred metres you will see a memorial comprised of disks to the south of the path. Breeding species on the cliffs of this extremely steep sided wadi under the memorial are Bonelli's Eagle, Lanner and Barbary Falcon. If lucky, you can also see Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, three species of Raven, Trumpeter Finch, Hooded Wheatear and House Bunting. The display of desert flowers in tile spring is breathtaking in this area.

Between En Gedi and the legendary fort of Massada to the south there are many large canyons that are colour marked with hiking trails. Many desert and migrant species can be seen when on a hike on anyone of these trails.

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Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)