Dozens of flamingos have returned to the salt ponds along Israel’s northern coast near the town of Atlit, situated between Mount Carmel and the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Haifa. The birds, which began arriving in late September, are expected to remain in the area through the winter months.

Observers reported seeing around 30 flamingos, distinguished by their long legs and curved necks, congregating in the salt ponds. The site is known for its unique ecosystem, where yellow-hued ponds result from a mixture of salt concentrations, organic matter, and micro-algae, including species adapted to high salinity such as Dunaliella. These algae, along with brine shrimp found in the ponds, provide a key food source for the water birds.

The flamingos currently present in Atlit are believed to have migrated from regions including Izmir in Turkey and Lake Urmia in Iran. Many of the birds inhabit the salt ponds along the Carmel Coast, while some continue further southward toward Eilat.

The salt ponds form part of a broader historical and natural landscape. Adjacent to the ponds stands the Atlit fortress, known historically as Castrum Peregrinorum, a Crusader fortress built in 1218 and now permanently closed by Israel’s Navy. The salt ponds themselves have operated commercially since the early 20th century, with a salt factory founded in the 1920s by Mordechai Sordin and Israel Kessel. The operation was later purchased by the Dankner and Ginio families in 1957 and expanded to include facilities in Eilat during the 1970s. Today, the enterprise is managed by the Sod Group.

Birdwatchers can view the flamingos from several vantage points along the roads adjacent to the ponds or the dirt embankments between the ponds; however, there is currently no formal observation platform at the site. The nearest designated lookout, the Karta Ruins Nature Reserve, offers views primarily of local flora such as sea squill but does not provide regular flamingo sightings. The reserve is located on HaYam Road and includes a water reservoir built in memory of Avraham Dankner, one of the early figures involved with the salt factory.

Visitors are advised to use binoculars to observe the birds from a distance, as access to the ponds and the fortress is restricted. The salt ponds and their wildlife offer an opportunity to experience a blend of natural beauty and historical significance along Israel’s Mediterranean coast.