It’s that time of year again when I look back on the standout birding and wildlife moments of 2025. It has been a very strange year. From a birding perspective, it was remarkable—both in Israel and abroad. Yet on a national and human level, it was dreadful. I rarely write about politics here, but the situation in Israel is so severe that it touches every part of my life. As my beloved country continues to deteriorate, and life grows harder for a liberal, secular person, birding, nature, and time with like-minded people in the nature and science communities have become a growing beacon of light and hope.
2025 was a year of intensive birding in Israel, complemented by several fantastic trips overseas. In this summary, I’ll revisit the year’s highlights at home and beyond—local and national birding, twitching, fieldwork, photography, travel, and more. Enjoy.
A year of birding in Israel
The year 2025 has been exceptional for birding in Israel, marked by massive migrations during both seasons, and a productive breeding period despite ongoing drought conditions. Throughout the year, I proudly maintained my eBirding streak, recently celebrating seven consecutive years of birding. In 2025, I submitted 870 checklists and uploaded to the Macaulay Library 561 photos, 141 videos, and 72 sound recordings.
A significant portion of my birding consists of local outings. Thankfully, living in Israel offers a wealth of excellent birding opportunities within a 10 km radius of my home, and I take full advantage of local sites. Additionally, I continued my fieldwork with BirdLife Israel, participating in breeding bird surveys, various studies, and migration counts.
As of December 29th, an impressive 415 species have been reported on eBird this year, and I have observed 386 of them, which is quite satisfying. I was so busy towards the end of the year and missed several easy birds. Below are my annual totals for birding in Israel over recent years:
In 2025 I had two Israel ticks (Eastern Red-rumped Swallow in January, and Common Grasshopper-Warbler in May), bringing my eBird Life List in Israel to 493 species. At this rate, 500 isn't unimaginable, in a few years...
January
The year started well with a
trip up north that produced several great birds, including Radde's Accentors, and Red-wattled Lapwing.
Close to home, my friend Micha found a Pine Bunting, coupled with a Yellowhammer, enjoyed with Piki.
February
In February I had some fieldwork duties in the far south, which was good fun. Towards the end of the month, first spring migrants - always fun to find my first Rüppell's Warbler of the season.
Nothing special, just a photo I liked
March
In March migration picked up, and I was all over the place. Early in the month I said goodbye to the overwintering Pied Bushchat before it departed.
I travelled down to Eilat twice during March. On the
first visit I was rewarded with brilliant views of this neat Menetries's Warbler in the city.
In late March I headed down to Eilat for the Eilat Birding Festival and
Champions of the Flyway. It was a wonderful time of year to be there, so many birds, great people and atmosphere - bliss. Race day was on April 1st.
Caspian Plover
Two long-staying Lesser White-fronted Geese
Black Scrub-Robin
Champions of the Flyway 2025 group photo by Yuval Dax
April
In April, post Champions of the Flyway, despite not seeing any proper rarities, I thoroughly enjoyed massive spring migration.
Blackcaps in the Golan Heights
Semicollared Flycatcher in Yeruham
May
Mixed shorebirds
Gull-billed Terns
Terek Sandpiper
On May 11th it was
Global Big Day. We had a fantastic day up north, with so many special birds and moments.
Rosy Starlings in Agamon Hula
On May 14th I was delighted to see a Common Grasshopper-warbler at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory. An Israel tick for me, actually it was my bogey bird, laid to rest,
June - July
The summer months were slower, though I enjoyed many breeding birds. A traditional trip up to Mt. Meron to appreciate the Eleonora's Falcons that spend the summer there was enjoyable.
August
In August autumn migration picked up, and good birds pored in. This stonking male White-throated Robin, part of a nice arrival in southern Israel, was a real poser.
September
In September shorebird migration peaked. I enjoyed visiting migration sites to take it all in. The Tel Avivian Pacific Golden-Plover returned for another winter.
This Pectoral Sandpiper I found on September 11th at Ma'agan Michael was well appreciated by many birders.
A pelagic trip off Eilat on the 19th produced a single Swinhoe's Strom-Petrel:
This year we counted raptors, and conducted research at our restoration projects. Phenomenal.
Levant Sparrowhawks over home, September 23rd
Obliging Red Knot at Ma'agan Michael, 26th
October
In early October I enjoyed counting large numbers of Lesser Spotted Eagles.
And White Pelicans
This fearless young Red-footed Falcon was near home, at Tal Shachar:
November
I enjoyed several morning with excellent active migration during the month. No outstanding photos from these events, but I enjoyed this Rook at Arsuf:
December
I was away in Uganda during the first half of the month, then super busy after my return. My final year bird was Cinereous Vulture - two birds in Haifa on December 24th.
World birding
In April I went with my family to Greece. It was my
first visit to this wonderful country. I enjoyed birding the countryside, where Cirl Buntings and Eastern Subalpine Warblers were common. I had one global lifer there, Rock Partridge, that I didn't succeed to photograph.
In late May I flew to California, where I presented at a conference in Stanford University. Before the conference I spent two days of whirlwind birding with my friends Brian and Aaron - thanks guys! those two bird-packed days blew my mind.
Black-footed Albatross
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Mountain Quail
Lazuli Bunting
Wilson's Phalarope
I didn't neglect my role as director of BirdLife Israel, and supported Alen from my team when she shared her experience in a panel on the healing power of nature.
In late November I flew to amazing Uganda, to participate in an exceptionally awesome FAM tour. We saw so many incredible birds and mammals. I am slowly posting about this trip. I took so many photos that it's taking me too long to sort and edit them. Stay tuned for more updates.
Shoebill
Papyrus Gonolek - poor photo of a great bird
Mountain Gorilla
Serval
That's it for 2025, more or less. There's a storm blowing outside now, seawatching tomorrow, so maybe one last good bird tomorrow morning? In the meanwhile, I am so thankful for the opportunities I had in 2025 to be outdoors, to spend time with good people, to experience nature at its best.
My love and appreciation to my family for their support throughout the year and always.
Huge thanks to all my birding mates, who share those wonderful moments with me. Love you all.
I thank my employers at SPNI/BirdLife Israel and Cornell Lab/Birds of the World for enduring my birding.
Swarovski Optik have been providing me with the best optics, for which I am grateful.
I thank all my supporters and followers in Israel and worldwide, here on my blog and on my social media platforms. Please, keep on birding, be good to each other an to our world. I wish us all a wonderful 2026!
