Vulture Feeding Station in Katzrin — Live Webcam Online

Gamla Nature Reserve — a sanctuary for birds of prey in the Golan Heights

On the eastern slopes of the Golan Heights, in the Daliyot River valley, lies one of Israel's most impressive nature reserves. Gamla Nature Reserve is not just a protected area with scenic landscapes. It is a place where Israel's largest nesting colony of griffon vultures — 40 to 57 pairs has been preserved, nesting on sheer cliffs. The famous vulture feeding station is also located here, broadcast by an online camera that allows viewers to observe these majestic birds from anywhere in the world.

The reserve was established to protect the region's unique ecosystem, where several natural zones intersect. Deep gorges, lush vegetation, and an abundance of rock outcrops create ideal conditions for birds of prey to nest. But it is the feeding station that has become the place where people can see vultures up close — without the risk of disturbing their natural habitat.

Feeding Station: How a Disappearing Colony Was Saved

The history of the feeding station is a story of fighting extinction. Since the early 2000s, the griffon vulture colony in Gamla experienced a sharp decline, and scientists raised the alarm. The natural food base was shrinking, birds were suffering from poisoning by carrion containing antibiotics and poisons used by farmers. There was a real threat of the colony's complete disappearance.

In response to the crisis, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority organized a feeding station — a special site where clean animal carcasses are regularly delivered. The station was created to provide safe food for vultures, helping to preserve the population amid the decline of the natural food base. This is not a zoo or captive keeping — the birds remain fully wild, coming and going as they please, but they receive guaranteed access to clean food without the risk of poisoning.

The station is located near a vulture rehabilitation center, housing injured birds and chicks that have been orphaned. This allows rehabilitated birds to access healthy food when returning to the wild, increasing their chances of survival.

Which Vulture Species Visit the Station

Two main species of vultures can be seen at the feeding station. The first and most numerous is the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) — a massive bird with a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters and weighing up to 11 kilograms. These giants dominate the station and are easily recognized by the distinctive white collar around their necks and light plumage with dark-edged wings.

The second species is the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) — a more graceful bird with black-and-white plumage and a distinctive yellow facial disc. It is significantly smaller than its griffon cousin but no less important to the ecosystem. Both species are endangered in the region, and the feeding station plays a key role in their conservation.

Many birds at the station carry identification tags on their wings — plastic plates with alphanumeric codes such as B07, B08, B09. These tags allow scientists to track the movements of individual birds, assess their lifespan, and monitor breeding success.

The Scientific Value of Online Observation

The webcam at the feeding station is not just entertainment for bird enthusiasts. It is a serious scientific tool. The online camera allows Israeli scientists to document the lives of wild birds in their natural habitat for research and educational purposes.

The continuous broadcast gives researchers the opportunity to record behavioral patterns: how birds interact with each other during feeding, which individuals dominate, how often the same birds return, and how the group composition changes throughout the season. The camera broadcasts the feeding of griffon and Egyptian vultures, allowing observers to watch their behavior and population status in real time.

For the general audience, the broadcast has become an educational resource. Schools and universities in Israel use the video stream in biology and ecology classes. People who may never be able to visit the Golan Heights get the chance to see these amazing birds live — and perhaps reflect on the importance of preserving biodiversity.

Attractions of Gamla Nature Reserve

The vulture feeding station is just one of many reasons to visit the reserve. This area preserves traces of several civilizations and unique natural features. Gamla Nature Reserve features a 51-meter waterfall — the tallest in Israel, the ruins of the ancient city of Gamla, an ancient synagogue, a Byzantine monastery, and dolmens.

Ancient Gamla is an archaeological site of global significance. The city was destroyed by the Romans in 67 CE during the Jewish War, and its ruins still bear traces of that catastrophe. The synagogue, built in the 1st century, is considered one of the oldest in the Middle East. The Byzantine monastery is a reminder of the region's Christian past.

Dolmens — giant stone structures from the Bronze Age — are scattered throughout the reserve. Some weigh dozens of tons and remain a mystery to archaeologists to this day. All of this makes Gamla a place where nature and history intertwine in the most unexpected ways.

Reserve Visiting Rules

For those who want to see the feeding station not on a screen but in person, the reserve is open to visitors. However, there are certain rules. Visiting Gamla Nature Reserve requires advance booking through the reservation system. Walk-in visits are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which during peak season may involve a significant wait.

Visitors receive up-to-date information about weather conditions and closed areas upon booking. Visitors with disabilities and appropriate credentials are admitted without waiting in line. Standard rules apply on the reserve grounds: feeding animals independently is prohibited, stepping off marked trails is not allowed, making noise near nesting sites is forbidden, and littering is not permitted.

Bird watching at the feeding station is conducted from a safe distance so as not to disturb their natural behavior. Reserve rangers ensure that visitors do not approach too close and do not create stressful situations for the birds.

Ecology of the Golan Heights and the Role of Vultures

Vultures are not just impressive birds. They perform a critical ecological function as nature's sanitation workers. By consuming carrion, they prevent the spread of diseases, including anthrax and botulism. A single griffon vulture can digest bones and meat infected with pathogens that would be lethal to other animals.

The decline of vulture populations in the Mediterranean became one of the major ecological problems of the late 20th century. In India, for example, the mass die-off of vultures due to the veterinary drug diclofenac led to an outbreak of rabies among stray dogs. Israeli scientists carefully monitor to ensure that the food at the Gamla station is free from medications and toxins.

The Golan Heights serve as an important migratory corridor between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hundreds of thousands of birds of prey fly through this region every year. Gamla Nature Reserve serves as a resting and feeding stop for migrants, and the permanent griffon vulture colony is one of the last large ones in the Eastern Mediterranean.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online camera is installed directly at the feeding station and broadcasts what is happening in real time. On screen — a grassy area with rocks and low-growing vegetation where the feeding site is located. In the center of the frame there is usually a carcass — the food source around which the birds gather.

Griffon vultures are large birds with powerful beaks and long necks devoid of feathers. Their plumage ranges from light sandy to dark brown. Many individuals carry plastic numbered tags on their wings — white or yellow plates with black numbers and letters. These tags help scientists identify each bird.

The birds behave differently: some feed actively, tearing into the carcass, others sit to the side watching what is happening, while others pace around waiting for their turn. Sometimes conflicts can be observed — vultures hiss at each other, spread their wings, and display dominance. Egyptian vultures, being smaller and more agile, usually wait until their larger relatives have had their fill before approaching the food.

The real-time webcam offers the chance to see what cannot be captured in photographs: the living behavior of wild birds in their natural environment. It is a unique opportunity to observe some of the largest and rarest birds of prey in the Middle East without leaving home.