First Cranes Arrive at Agamon Hula Nature Reserve, Days Late

The first families of cranes have arrived at the Agamon Hula nature reserve in northern Israel, marking the start of the autumn migration. Einbar Shlomit Rubin, the field manager at Agamon Hula-KKL, confirmed their arrival after closely monitoring surveillance cameras. She noted that the cranes are arriving a few days later than usual, typically appearing between September 23rd and the end of the month. Rubin speculated that warmer weather in Europe might have caused the delay, allowing young cranes more time to mature before the long journey.

The Agamon Hula reserve is a critical stopover point for these cranes, which migrate primarily from northern Russia, Finland, and Estonia. It provides them with a safe space to rest and gather energy, thanks to abundant food sources. They join other bird species already present, including flamingos, pelicans, sandpipers, ibises, and herons.

The arrival of the cranes is not only a significant natural event but also a vital economic driver for the Hula Valley region. Eyal Ostrovsky, Chairman of KKL, highlighted the reserve's importance as a tourist and economic anchor for the Galilee and northern Israel. He emphasized KKL's commitment to investing in the area to foster tourism and community development.

In the coming weeks and months, tens of thousands more cranes and hundreds of thousands of other migratory birds are expected to arrive at Agamon Hula. While the initial group has landed, Rubin expressed hope for larger numbers, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the migration.