Gallery: Autumn migration is here!

The first groups of migratory birds, including thousands of pelicans, passed through Israeli skies on their way to warmer temperatures.

Pelicans 311 (photo credit: Yehonatan Meirav)
Pelicans 311
(photo credit: Yehonatan Meirav)
Observers at the Israeli Ornithological Center, in conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel reported that the autumn migration has begun.

The first groups of migratory birds, including thousands of pelicans, passed through Israeli skies in the last two days on their way southward to warmer temperatures, according to the report.
Approximately 600,000 storks fly through Israel during the autumn migration, especially over the eastern regions of the country. For the next few months huge flocks of European honey buzzards, various birds of prey, and then storks, pelicans, and songbirds. Cranes will fly over in mid-December, signifying the end of the season. Most birds that migrate over Israel fly over the eastern corridor because of the freshwater sources, which are needed for resting, drinking, and re-energizing.