Birding in the Valley of Dreams
Tuesday 05 – Wednesday 13 December 2023

Northern Israel is an incredible place for early winter birds and wildlife. People are often amazed at how small Israel really is. Less than 500 kilometres tip to toe and only 70 at its widest, this ancient land boasts an amazing combination of history, culture and of course nature. Despite its small size, Israel is blessed with breath-taking landscapes and natural habitats, pristine deserts, stunning valleys, abundant wildlife and plentiful natural beauty. Because of its unrivalled position connecting the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, Israel is not only a crucial migration corridor for hundreds of species, but also hosts many African, Asian and Mediterranean species at the limits of their range.

Expect an enviable mix of species from various continents, overlapping with each other in a unique and hugely varied environment.

The tour will be co-led by Yorkshire Coast Nature's Mark Pearson and an expert guide from BirdLife Israel (part of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel – SPNI). The SPNI is the largest environmental NGO is Israel and works tirelessly to conserve birds and their habitats in Israel and beyond. Our long-standing, close relationships with our friends at BirdLife Israel allow us to enjoy the very best options with the very best co-guides available. It's important to note that all proceeds from the trip will go directly into nature conservation, so you will not only enjoy an amazing birding holiday, you will also be taking an active role in saving the birds and wildlife you see. Our program includes all the famous winter birding sites in the North of the country, as well as some best-kept secrets, and cultural and historic sites; this is Israel, after all!

Tour Leader: Mark Pearson  Yorkshire Coast Nature

Mark Pearson 

Mark is an obsessive Yorkshire coast birder and naturalist whose roles include wildlife guide, ecologist, speaker, writer and educator.

He is well known as a passionate, exceptional communicator, whether in the field with YCN clients, in the classroom with schoolkids, in lecture theatres, on television screens, on radio airwaves or via the written word.

“We need more people like Mark – passionate, engaging, knowledgeable leaders in their field” - Chris Packham, Bioblitz Special

He grew up on Flamborough Head, where the seeds were quickly sown – the family home became a bird hospital, complete with Puffins taking over the bathtub! - and he's been studying and advocating the wildlife of the area ever since.

He is regularly asked to share his knowledge and enthusiasm on TV and radio, and this has included co-presenting features with both Simon King and Chris Packham (on the BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch), with Michaela Strachan (Springwatch at Easter), with Chris for his recent Bioblitz campaign, and as a lead presenter of an episode of the BBC's flagship Natural World series. His appearances on radio, nationally and internationally, are numerous.

“Who better could have I asked to help guide me?” - Simon King, live on BBC Autumnwatch

He is fortunate to have travelled world in his pursuit of birds and wildlife, with many memorable adventures across the globe in his notebooks; he is particularly fond of South and East Asia, Scandinavia and North America. He has managed various conservation and engagement projects in many different settings, from urban London (including the award-winning Cockney Sparrow Project) to rural Yorkshire, and his ecological fieldwork has taken him across the country from the Outer Hebrides to Kentish coast.

Mark is in demand as a communications expert, with many successful past and present projects involving Birdlife International, Birdlife Israel, Champions of the Flyway, RSPB, several British Bird Observatories and many others. He also has a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science and an HND in Ornithology.

Mark's nature writing has been a constant feature in the UK media over recent years. His regular pieces in Birdwatch magazine and Birdguides are well known, as are his many articles for the RSPB, Birdwatching magazine, British Birds and various others. Recent book commissions include writing sections for the bestselling Lost In London and Birding Frontiers – Challenge Series books.

“Nobody knows the birds and wildlife [of the area] quite like Mark” - Michaela Strachan on BBC Springwatch

Mark is often invited to give talks and lectures for a wide variety of organisations, from local RSPB & bird groups to camera clubs, NGOs and universities. He has recently been asked to give talks at the Birdfair (five years in a row and counting!), Spurn Migration Festival (several times) and the International Bird Observatories Conference among many others.