Ayoun

Ayoun ( נחלעיון ) is the name of a river of Israel and natural reserve which shelters it, located at the East of Metoula. Ayoun is also usually called ha" Tanour" (התנור).

It is famous for the four levels of natural swimming pools which it forms, from where this other name of " beater of Darbouka ". Ayoun for the first time is mentioned in the Talmud, in its form Araméen of " Nékouvta Déiyoun".

Only part of the river in fact is included/understood in the enclosure of natural reserve. Its source is still inserted with 7km in North, on the territory of the Lebanon.

Ayoun follows the course of the syro-African Faille.

The falls of the higher swimming pool bears the name of " Iyoun" and is high of 9,20m.

The second is the fall of the " Tahana" high of 21m.

The third, the fall of " Eshed" measure 9,5m height.

Of the four natural swimming pools, the fall of the " Tanour" (" cheminée" or " four" in Hebrew) is most known, and many among the indigenous population went until being unaware of the existence of the three other higher swimming pools. It draws its name from the conduit, by which the water of the higher swimming pool flows and whose form points out that of a conduit of chimney. This fall is high of 18m. In winter, its flow is of 1,5m a second, and during the snow melt or at the time of the strong rains it rises with 26m a second.

With the accesses of Ayoun, one finds the trees following:

the Eucalyptus, planted by the pioneers of Metoula and the common Reed.
In winter, the Pistachio tree, the Rhamnus, the maple, the Broom of Spain and the Chèvrefeuille estruca.
In spring, the Sternbergia.

Flowers: The Acanthus of Syria, the Squill of Spain, the Echium, the Muflier and the Michauxia.

Plants: The Grass of Saint Roch, the épilobe, the Salicaire, the Hemp, the major Plantain, the Fonio, the common Vervain, the maritime Sorrel, the cératophylle, the Potamot with crisp sheets, the Spirodèle with several roots, the peltate Buttercup.

In summer, the Panic grass crawling, the Jussiée, the maritime Scirpe, the Butome and the cypéracée .
In spring, the Inula, the Shoveler duck, the Glinus, the Crypsis, the Liquorice, the épiaire of the marshes, the Lippia and the Clover fragiferum.

Watery plants: The white Water lily, the papyrus, the Snap ring, the Iris of the marshes, the Tamaris, the brède, and the lycopodium.

Concerning the fauna of Ayoun, one counts 16 kinds of fish in of which the Barbus, the Tanche, the Garra, the Botia originating in the Southeast Asia, the Tristramelle and the Silure originating in Africa.

Birds: The crested Grèbe, the Estorlet, the purple Héron, the ashy Héron, the dwarf Blongios, the Gallinule hen-with water, the Bouscarle, the Luscignole with moustache, the Harrier of the reeds, the spring Wagtail, the Wagtail with long tail, the Marmaronette marbled, the wild duck, the Osprey, the Partridge, the Pelican, the rustic Swallow, the spatula, the Foulque, the Large cormorant, the starling, the Hooded crow, the Large corbel, the Rousserolle reed warbler, the rousserolle stantor, the African Rousserolle, the Locustelle, the Plover with spurs, the Glaréole, the stilt, the Kingfisher and the Wood kingfisher.

Mammals: The Wild boar, the Otter, the Cat and the Mongoose. Watery fauna: The tortoise and the Crab.

Sources

"File Nahal Ayoun". ED. Museum of Metoula.
Ménahem Zaharoni "Guide of Israël" Volume 2. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1978.
David Itam " Guide of Israël" Volume 6. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1979."

David Alon " Guide of Israël" Volume 6. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1979."
Néhamia Tzouri "Guide of Israël" Volume 8. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1980."

Avraham Negev " Guide of Israël" Volume 8. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1980."
Ménahem Zaharoni "Guide of Israël" Volume 8. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1980."

Aryé Yitzhaki "Guide of Israël" Volume 8. ED. ministry for defense. Jerusalem 1980."

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