Typically arriving from regions with saline lakes and algae-rich ponds, such as Turkey and Iran, flamingos are not usually drawn to freshwater habitats. The Upper Galilee brought an unexpected surprise: Flocks of pink flamingos have chosen to remain at Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund’s Hula Lake, even through the hottest days of summer. For the first time, they have skipped their usual migration north.
Over the past decade, flamingos have gone from rare visitors to regular migratory birds in Israel. They are typically spotted at the Hula Lake during the transitional seasons of spring and fall, and in recent years, some have even begun staying through the winter.
Typically arriving from regions with saline lakes and algae-rich ponds, such as Turkey and Iran, flamingos are not usually drawn to freshwater habitats like Hula Lake. That’s what makes it all the more remarkable: Dozens of flamingos, including some juveniles, have remained in the park throughout the summer. This prolonged and unexpected stay defies both their migration pattern and habitat preference. (Ed note: pink flamingos are considered omnivores as they will eat both plant and animal matter. Why is this important? See Ezekiel 39:17.) (Read More)
