Barn Owl Nest in Hula, Israel — Live Webcam Online

Hula Valley — A Crossroads of Migratory Routes

In northern Israel, within the tectonic depression of the Great Syrian-African Rift, lies the Hula Valley — a place where the paths of millions of migratory birds intersect. Just 20 kilometers north of the Sea of Galilee and 5 kilometers from the Lebanese border, there is a unique ecosystem that attracts ornithologists from around the world. The Hula Valley ranks second on the planet in terms of migratory bird concentration, after the lakes of the Panama Canal, making it a key stopover on the route from Central and Eastern Europe to Africa.

Every year, millions of birds fly through Israel, and most of them choose the Hula Valley specifically to rest and refuel. Here you can observe over 200 bird species: pelicans, herons, cranes, storks, cormorants, and sea eagles. Approximately 50,000 birds stay at the reserve for the winter, turning this place into a true bird paradise during the cold season.

From Wetland Drainage to Ecosystem Revival

The history of Hula is a story of ecological disaster and its overcoming. Until the 1950s, Lake Hula covered 14 square kilometers, and with the surrounding peat bogs — up to 44 square kilometers. In 1953, the Society for the Protection of Nature was established, and under pressure from environmentalists, 4.5 square kilometers were allocated for the country's first nature reserve. However, the reclamation program was a priority for the young state, and drainage continued — on Ben-Gurion's personal orders, contractors were forbidden from breaking their contracts.

The consequences were severe: chemicals from the fields seeped into the groundwater and reached the Sea of Galilee, and water quality deteriorated sharply. But in the 1990s, restoration began — the artificial Agmon Ha-Hula reservoir was created, and the valley once again began to attract birds. Today, the Hula Nature Reserve serves as a living monument to nature and a unique open-air laboratory, reminding us of the fragility of the ecological balance.

Barn Owl — The Night Guardian of the Fields

Online cameras have been installed in the Hula Nature Reserve, allowing observers to watch the lives of birds of prey in their natural habitat. One of them is aimed at a barn owl's nest — a nocturnal predator that farmers around the world consider the best ally in the fight against rodents. The barn owl feeds almost exclusively on mice and rats, and each bird is capable of eating from four to six rodents per night. A family of barn owns destroys up to 6,000 rodents per year, making them more effective than any chemical poison.

Israeli agriculture is actively transitioning to biological crop protection methods: instead of toxic chemicals, barn owls and other owls are attracted to the fields. This is not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective — the birds work for free around the clock. Jordanian barn owls hunt rodents in Israel, and local owls keep pace, creating a natural shield for agricultural lands.

Hula Nature Reserve — The First in Israel

The Hula Nature Reserve was officially established in 1964 and became the first protected natural area in the country. Today, it is not just a reserve but a full-fledged ornithological park, Agmon Ha-Hula, equipped for visitors. At the entrance, guests are greeted with a park map, and the cost of an adult ticket is 30 shekels.

A circular route of 8.5 kilometers has been laid out for tourists, which can be covered on foot, by bicycle, or by rented electric cart. The reserve is equipped with hidden observation points from which birds can be watched without disturbing their peace. The information center shows a 3D film and hosts interactive quizzes about bird migration. In summer, the park is open Sunday through Thursday and on Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam in Hula is installed directly at the barn owl's nest and broadcasts what is happening in real time. Viewers can watch as the nocturnal predator cares for its offspring, hunts, and rests. The camera's field of view also captures other inhabitants of the reserve — Egyptian vultures, common kestrels, and waterfowl gliding across the surface of Agmon Ha-Hula. The online broadcast allows researchers and nature enthusiasts to study the behavior of birds of prey without interfering with their natural habitat, which is especially valuable for scientific observation.