Israel

Migration Spectacle

9 March to 16 March 2011

Leaders: Jonathan Meyrav and Nigel Jones

Maximum of 12 clients (two leaders with more than six clients).

Cost £1,899 single room supplement £200

For such a small country, Israel possesses some of the most exciting birdwatching in the world. Forty years ago students of migration gathered at the Bosphorus in Turkey to watch tens, and occasionally hundreds, of storks and birds of prey passing overhead. Now Israel is the focus for migration watching, and it is possible to witness literally thousands of Steppe Buzzards and storks thermalling overhead as they head north to their breeding grounds. Also migrant waders and passerines abound near the salt-pans, date palms and alfalfa fields. Any time during the spring is worth visiting, but March is probably the most impressive in terms of both the quality of species present and the sheer number of birds. Resident species are also a great attraction, with healthy populations of Arabian Warbler, Sinai Rosefinch, Little Green Bee-eater, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse and Tristram's Starling. Israel's attitude to conservation is the most enlightened in the Middle East, and consequently many birds are very tame, allowing good opportunities for photography.

Our tour is centred mainly around the head of the Red Sea, at Eilat, where the main migration is most evident. Our hotel is only a few minutes- walk from prime birding sites like the north beach, the southern salt pans and the Shulamit Gardens. We shall also have two nights at a hotel in the desert which gives us the chance to see some of the specialities such as Houbara (Macqueen's) Bustard and Cream-coloured Courser.

Throughout the tour we have the guidance of one of Israel's premier birders, Jonathan Meyrav, who will not only show us the birds of his country but also endeavour to explain the history and culture of this fascinating land. He is also one of the few guides permitted to take night-time forays to look for Hume's Tawny Owl and both Nubian and Egyptian Nightjars. Journey with us on our 14th tour, and see why this is a country that you will want to visit more than once.