Many of the best birding sites in Israel, some of which have a world-class reputation, are found minutes away from downtown Eilat. The North Beach is known for its mega rarities and potential for southern hemisphere seabirds, Mt. Yehoram is one of the best places in the world for watching raptor migration, The KKL-run Holland Park is the place to look for the smart Sylvia Warblers during early spring, and the city parks are surprisingly good for migratory passerines. When a major wave of migrants hits the area, even the city center's roundabout can provide a 20-species list.
Key species:
North Beach – Sooty & Cory's Shearwaters, White-cheeked Tern, Lesser-crested Tern, Bridled Tern (late spring and summer), Heuglin's Gull, Steppe Gull, Pallas's Gull (winter), Western reef & Striated Herons, White-eyed Gull, , Brown Booby (year round).
Holland Park – Reuppell's Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Menetries's Warbler, Cyprus Warbler, Balkan Warbler, Black Bush Robin.
Eilat Mountains - Mt. Yehoram (spring) – Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Honey Buzzard, Crested Honey Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, Black Stork.
Ophira Park, Canada Gardens, Begin Park, Shachamon Park, and the Cemetery - Corncrake, Upcher's Warbler, Wryneck, Black & White Flycatcher, Ortolan and Cretzschmar's Bunting.
Important facts and logistics:
Mt. Yehoram- a short drive up road 12 will get you to the dirt road leading towards Mt. Yehoram's camp site. Be careful of fast-moving traffic while turning off the road and going back as you leave the site.
Holland park- the best place to park is the small pullover bay at the entrance to Holland Park. Respect the birds and other birders around – often a specific bush holds many "good" birds and is visited by birders all day long - keep a safe distance and avoid flushing birds.
North beach- consider your exact location relative to the sun- the east side of the beach is better during morning hours and west side during the afternoon. There is no shade on the beach. Leave no valuable equipment in the car. Scan the buoys for roosting gulls and terns, check the river outlet for waders, and watch the skies for landbirds arriving off the Gulf of Aqaba.
City parks & cemetery- usually these sites are somewhat crowded with non-birders, but the locals are generally welcoming. Watching all the trans-Saharan migrants feeding on the lawns is an exceptional experience.
The location of the site on Google Map in the following link >>>
