The "Wall Creeper"

 

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority reported Tuesday a particularly rare and exciting sighting at Arbel National Park.

For the first time in three years, a wallcreeper - one of the most striking and rare birds to appear in Israel - was observed at the site. The wallcreeper belongs to the wallcreeper family and is seen in Israel only during the winter months.

The sighting was documented by Sarit Dahan, a longtime park employee. “I went out for a morning survey at the site and looked toward the cliff when I identified the bird standing there. It was very exciting to see it," she said. “I’ve been working here for 15 years, and this is the first time I personally managed to see and document it. The last time it was spotted here was three years ago."

Dr. Dotan Rotem, an ecologist with the Authority, explained that the wallcreeper spends winters in Israel mainly during January and February, arriving from the cliffs of southern Europe and Turkey. “The wallcreeper lives on vertical walls and cliffs, where it finds its prey - small insects flying along the rock faces," he said.

According to Rotem, the birds have also been observed in recent years at the Zin Cliffs in Ein Avdat, but Arbel is considered one of their regular wintering sites.

Describing the bird’s movement, Rotem said: “It progresses along the cliff either in flight or by rapid walking. The color of its wings is breathtaking, and at times it looks like a giant butterfly surprising observers in flight. When the wings open, shades of gray, blue, and burgundy are revealed, disappearing again when the wings close and the bird becomes well camouflaged against the cliff."

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority encouraged the public to visit the park and observe the rare phenomenon.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420879