Golan Heights and mt. Hermon

The height (500-2200 m above see level) and location of this area at Israel's north-easternmost corner create unique birding opportunities with some excellent Western Palearctic specialties


Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) and Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia)

What to expect?
The Golan Heights are regular wintering grounds for good numbers of Little Bustards. Great Bustards have also been recorded here (last one at 2004), and we will not be surprised if this species will prove to be a regular winter visitor to the area. The Golan is also home to a big colony of Griffon Vultures, and its members can be seen here year-round. Other raptors such as Cinereous Vulture, and Lammergeiers are also regularly seen here during winter time, as well as the resident Bonelli's Eagle. The Golan and Hermon are also the place to look for some of Israel's interesting passerine species, such as Crag Martin, Little Swift, Long-billed Pipit, Blue Rock Thrush, Finsch's Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, and perhaps a Wallcreeper. The area is the only reliable winter site for Pine Buntings (up to 20 birds per site, handful sites are known), which may sometimes be seen in their beautiful summer dress (usually during early February). Many Rock Buntings are wintering in the Golan and on the slopes of the Hermon and it is thought that tens of Red Fronted Serins also spend the winter in these areas, though finding them here has always been a challenge. Hawfinches are quite common in some places and even the stunning Radde's Accentor is probably a regular, though rare, winter visitor to the Golan. Rock Nuthatch and Sombre Tit are easily seen at mt Hermon and Crimson-winged Finch has just been discovered to be wintering at its highest picks.