1. Bird Migration by Ahmad Abu Ramadan

Executive Summary

Migration is the regular passage of birds through different places at certain times of the year. Commonly, birds migrate to winter. Every day scientists discover new methods to keep track of the migration of birds. Traditionally, it was done by ringing the birds, as has been done with eleven millions birds in America and Canada. Today, satellites linked to transmitters, video cameras and radars are used in order to explain migration paths.

Location of Palestine:

The geographical location of Palestine is unique as it lies at the junction of three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe and lies at the Mediterranean Sea, the region’s desert and the Jordan River. Also Palestine's soil, topography and climate are important for bird migration. With over 500 migratory species, Palestine is a good place to research bird migration, as it is located along the major migration routes between Africa, Europe and Asia, with a million birds making the trip twice a year. All this variety is available in a small area; the drive from north to south takes less than a day and the trip from west to east is under two hours. Migratory birds can be watched at different times of the year in Palestine. They migrate from their permanent residence area in Europe to Africa and vice versa. Some migratory birds of prey and the White Stork have a distinct migration method. They use the ascending hot air current, which is suitable for flying. Those birds are, thus, forced to travel over Palestine as they ward off flying over water, especially the Red Sea, because hot currents rarely occur there. The number of these birds is estimated at a hundred to hundred and twenty species, such as the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and White Stork.

Classification of migration:

Migration is divided into two main types:

Autumn migration

Migratory birds that use the ascending hot air current to fly, in most cases avoid water surfaces and are therefore compelled to migrate over land. As such the birds that come from Northern Europe are obliged to spend the winter in Africa to avoid the Eastern Mediterranean Sea or the Black Sea when migrating to the South. But the short track for birds from Eastern Europe is through the Eastern Coast of the Mediterranean through Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Spring migration

The shortest return flyway for the birds from Northern Europe is through the North or North East. These birds follow this track in order to reach the Red Sea, a clear water barrier of about 2000 km.

Periods of bird watching in Palestine:

This section contains a basic introduction regarding the periods of bird migration around the country in order to inform the community and encourage them to play a significant role in supporting environmental efforts to save resources for the next generation. Commonly, the migration of older birds takes place diurnal but young bird migration occurs at night. There is a remarkable phenomenon, where the big Quail (Coturnix Cotuurnix) bird that arrives at the Mediterranean coast (Gaza beach) from Europe during early winter, falls down after traveling by night and is caught by people from the Gaza Strip.

From September to December, "Autumn migration"

Some birds that migrate from Europe to Africa pass through Palestine. Some migratory birds and some wintering European birds stay for a period of time before returning home. At the same time, summer birds begin to leave Palestine to return to Africa or India.

From December to March

At this time of the year, wintering European birds, such as the Starling Birds (Sturnus Vulgaris), of which a massive number was recorded in the Nablus region in December 1996, can be seen.

From March to May

During this time, there is the highest activity in terms of summer migration and local birds because it is the time of nesting. We can also watch birds migrating from Africa to Europe.

From June to August

Some birds, such as the Hooby, start nesting during this time, while migratory birds return from Africa to Europe.

The flyways of migratory birds in Palestine:

Birds migrate in search for food and according to air currents and weather circumstances. Generally, Palestine is considered as the perfect route for bird migration. We can classify the flyway of migratory birds in Palestine as follows:

"El Aghwar" in the Jordan Valley

Is a well-known area for migration in Palestine. It is the perfect area for bird watching as it is a low area. Therefore, the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology hopes to erect a bird watching tower at its environmental field center in Jericho.

"Jerusalem Mountains"

At this site, the majority of the migratory birds can be seen at the beginning of spring. Especially over the Western Jerusalem Mountains, Stork and injurious birds returning from Africa can be watched.

The coastal area

In this area, water birds, such as the Pelican and Claucouc Cull, as well as some little birds, such as the quail (Coturnix Coturnix) can be seen during autumn.