Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) announced on Sunday that it has begun a birdwatching project for the benefit of nature lovers and birdwatchers of all experience levels.
The project uses a network of eight HD cameras and complex electric infrastructure including fiber optics and wireless communications systems at Lake Hula in northern Israel's Hula Valley.
The valley, where fresh water is abundant, is a major stopover for birds migrating between Africa, Europe and Asia through the Syrian-African Rift Valley.
Every autumn and spring, some half a billion birds pass through the Hula Valley.
Migrating birds often stop to rest at Lake Hula, which is also a source of food.
“Agmon Hula is one of the most respected places in the world, and now we can allow birdwatchers from all over the world to watch what is happening in the field, via live broadcast.”
Avishay Mizrachi, Director, Communications and Technology Department, KKL-JNF
“We have been working on this sophisticated and international project for over three years now,” said Avishay Mizrachi, Director of the Communications and Technology Department at KKL-JNF. “We are installing 10 super zoom night vision 4K... cameras with around 7 km. of fiber optic infrastructure. It is a dream come true for Effi Naim, the Hula valley area manager.
“Effi, who has been familiar with the Hula landscape for decades now, has especially pointed the locations for the cameras according to the best spots of interest,” Mizrachi said.
“For professional birdwatchers, Agmon Hula is one of the most respected places in the world, and now we can allow birdwatchers from all over the world to watch what is happening in the field via live broadcast. We are at the beginning of the migration season and in about two or three weeks, birds will start arriving. We expect tens of thousands of visitors per day on the cameras' link site.”
Live feeds
There are eight different live cameras at Lake Hula:
Cranes birdwatching spot: A view of a landing site for tens of thousands of cranes stopping by during migration. They can be seen eating and performing mating dances.
Lagoon: A view of a vegetation-rich lagoon where various bird species can be observed, including cormorants, kingfishers (Alcedinidae) and pied kingfishers (Ceryle rudis).
Western Shore - South: A birdwatching spot on the western side of the lake.
Buffalo - A view of the great buffalo herd at Hula Lake where dozens of buffalo and numerous bird species can be seen.
The tower: A panoramic view of the lake from an old watchtower.
Western Shore - North: A water-level viewing spot where birds can be observed conducting their regular activities.
Pelican birdwatching spot: A view overlooking the habitat of pelicans, who visit during the migration season.
