Champions of the Flyway 2025: Protecting Common and Little Terns

Join Us in Safeguarding Israel's Coastal Nesting Birds

The Champions of the Flyway project is back, and this year our focus is on protecting the threatened Common Tern and Little Tern, amazing species that migrate to Israel’s shores to nest each spring.

Why These Birds Need Our Help:

• A Fragile Population: Approximately 1,300 pairs of Common Terns nest in Israel, almost exclusively in the salt ponds of Atlit, alongside the only nesting colony of Little Terns in the country.
• Critical Threats: These terns face habitat loss, predation by canids, mongooses, and Hooded Crows, and outbreaks of deadly diseases such as avian influenza.
• Endangered Status: Both species are classified as threatened in Israel due to the scarcity of suitable nesting sites and their reliance on a single, vulnerable location in Atlit.

The Common Tern is more than just a bird—it’s a flagship species. Its survival reflects the health of Israel’s wetland habitats and the broader ecosystem.

What We’re Doing:
With your support, we’re working to:

• Create New Nesting Islands: Build additional safe nesting areas to reduce overcrowding and disease risks.
• Preserve Existing Habitats: Enhance the protection of the salt ponds in Atlit and ensure these critical nesting sites remain undisturbed.
• Support Long-Term Research and Conservation: Partner with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Salt of the Earth Company, and Tel Aviv University to secure the future of these vital species.

How You Can Help:
Your donation directly supports efforts to protect and sustain these extraordinary birds. Every contribution helps us:

• Build safer nesting habitats.
• Mitigate the impact of predators and disease.
• Preserve a vital part of Israel’s natural heritage.

Together, we can ensure that Common Terns and Little Terns continue to grace our skies and shores for generations to come.

Donate Today
Help us make a difference. Click below to contribute to this critical conservation project:

Be a Champion for the Flyway!