Crane Migration through Israel is somewhat of a hidden secret. A few tourists for business travelers pay attention to this annual bird ritual. But Israelis flock to see the migration in spring and fall. To some this is an annual family event. This is as close as you are going to come to seeing animal migration in nature here. If you ever wanted to see a massive migration, from rain deer in the north to elephants and buffalo, this is an easy way to get a taste of nature's fierce power. Seeing thousands of birds at one place taking off all at once is amazing.
In the migration seasons the Hula bird sanctuary is a packed to the gills. But all the people noise does not affect the birds. Their migration behavior goes back centuries or millennia and our bit of noise from intrusive gawkers is not going to stop the trek. Israel is located in an opportune location. Some migratory birds can cross the Mediterranean, but the long flight from Europe to Africa without a stop is long. The biannual migration also keeps local birds of pray fed and happy. Seeing a hawk for the first time diving with folded wings aiming at a tiny gray crane is amazing. Some people, especially kids don't like to see true nature in it's raw cruelty. But in Hula bird preserve you can see amazing natural bird behavior.