Touring Israel with a tour guide

Tristram's Starling (Onychognathus tristramii) In Israel you can find 500 bird species due to our position as a major migration corridor between Europe, Asia & Africa. Meet Tristram's Starling (Onychognathus tristramii), one of our most striking birds which we see everywhere from the Negev to the Judean Desert & increasingly in towns. Monogamous pairs stay together year-round, even within large flocks Breeding season is March to June, nesting in rock crevices, cliff faces, & even urban buildings. Females lay 2-4 bluish eggs with brown spots; she will sit on her nest while her mate brings her food. They eat wild fruits, beetles, flies, bees & small snails &  can often be seen grooming ibex & domestic livestock, eating ticks & parasites right off them! Farmers in Ein Gedi and Mitzpe Shalom find them to be a pest, as they cause damage to date & grape crops. The bird is named after Reverend Henry Baker Tristram, an English clergyman & naturalist ...

The Asian Tiger Mosquito Israel is home to approximately 22,500 insect species; prevalent at this time of year, in hot, humid regions & near stagnant water, we find the Asian Tiger mosquito, which is monitored for carrying the West Nile virus. This invasive mosquito has invaded at least 45 countries worldwide; Originally from Southeast Asia, it's now spreading across Europe & beyond. Females lay 40-90 eggs/cycle on container walls JUST above water level - they need just ONE OUNCE of water to breed! When rain raises the water, larvae hatch Eggs can survive dry conditions for up to 8 months & withstand winter Males form "leks" (mating swarms) a few feet off the ground, using feathery antennae to hear females' whine. Mating lasts just 5-15 seconds in flight Females can mate up to 4 times in their lifetime & produce several egg batches. They need blood meals to develop eggs & bite aggressively during DAYLIGHT hours, especially dawn (6-8am) & late a...

Orchis punctulata Did you know that Israel is home to over 30 native species of wild terrestrial orchids - and a thriving commercial orchid industry. 🌿 While local wild varieties grow naturally in forests & nature reserves, some are incredibly rare. A few, such as the Lady's Slipper orchid pictured below (Cypripedium calceolus), are legally protected & can only be admired in situ. What's less known? Israel is also a significant exporter of hybrid Phalaenopsis orchids, grown in state-of-the-art greenhouses using recycled water & climate control technology - a far cry from the fragile blooms you might expect from such a dry climate. So whether you're spotting a wild Ophrys in a Galilee woodland or buying a potted orchid from a local nursery, you're witnessing a surprising floral success story. #OrchidsOfIsrael #WildOrchids #NativeFlora #CommercialOrchids #IsraelNature #BotanyLovers #Phalaenopsis #ConservationThroughCultivation #FloraOfTheMiddleEast #...

Wild boar in Israel 🐗 (Sus scrofa) Often spotted in the oak woodlands around the Golan & Galilee, the Carmel Mountains & the city of Haifa. In recent years, they've become a major urban fixture - & problem - wandering into residential areas to forage for food. 🌿 Eating habits Wild boar are omnivores who forage by rooting in soil with their strong snouts, eating: Roots, bulbs & tubers Fruits, acorns & agricultural crops Insects, worms & small invertebrates Occasionally small animals or carrion They play an important ecological role in turning soil over - but can also cause damage in agricultural areas. 🌙 Behaviour Mostly active at night (nocturnal) Live in groups called “sounders” (usually females & young) Adult males are often solitary Excellent swimmers & surprisingly agile in dense terrain 🐾 Breeding Can breed year-round in favourable conditions Peak births often follow rainy seasons when food is abundant Gestation is about 115 days Litters usu...