The Israeli Bird Center in the Nature Protection Society reported today the first flock of hundreds of white storks migrating over the Negev, estimated to be about 500.
Over the next few months, over half-million white storks are expected to traverse almost the entire world population. Storks migrate from their incubation areas in Europe and Asia, towards their hibernation areas in Africa.
According to Society for the Protection of Nature senior ornithologist Dr. Yoav Perlman: "Some pass over Israel in uninterrupted flight, while some stop at resting sites, such as the Valley of the Springs and the Hula Valley. Unfortunately, along the dense migration route, many threats await them, including destruction of habitats, hunts, and damage to infrastructure such as wind turbines, electric shock, and collision with power lines."
