Although now only the peaks are above water level, the entire ridge was once part of the continent. In the summer, common terns nest on the islands. Ahziv National Park also contains the ruins from the ancient city of Ahziv, mentioned in the Bible as one of the cities belonging to the tribe of Asher, and a Jewish settlement discussed in the Mishna and Talmud. During early times, the purple dye produced from snails collected along the Ahziv coast was an important source of income for the residents. Ahziv National Park also contains the ruins from the ancient city of Ahziv, mentioned in the Bible as one of the cities belonging to the tribe of Asher, and a Jewish settlement discussed in the Misha and Talmud. During early times, the purple dye produced from snails collected along the Ahziv coast was an important source of income for the residents. In the Crusader period, this area was called L?Ambert Castle. It fell to the royal sultan Baybars, who captured Ahziv, apparently in 1271. Most of the ruins seen here today are from the abandoned Arab village of A-Aib, and a few from the Crusader period. Ein Afek Nature Reserve The Ein Afek Nature Reserve, on the outskirts of Kiryat Bialik, is the last vestige of the Nahal Na'aman swamps, which once extended all the way to the Acre valley. The Ein Afek Spring is in the nature reserve. A wooden path over the swamp passes near typical riverbank flora, such as tamarisk trees, blackberry hedges, reeds, and bulrushes. Plants growing in the water include duckweed and pond weeds. Apium and watercress can be spotted near the water. Today, the building houses a small museum. The arched doorway (see photo) is the entrance to the museum. As you enter the museum – the first room features some old farm implements, while the beautiful room to your right, with vaulted ceilings is the hall where the flourmill was located. Note you may have to ask for the museum to be unlocked at the entrance. When the water level rises in the winter, birds flock to the reserve: pelicans, cranes, pygmy cormorants, gray herons, moorhens, European coots, and black-winged stilts, to name just a few. In the winter and spring, the reserve is carpeted with flowers. A fine spot for admiring the blossoms is Tel Afek, situated on a low sandstone hill on the edge of the reserve. On the northern slope of Tel Afek is a two-story fortified building from the Crusader period, where a film about the flora and fauna in the reserve is now screened. A flour mill once operated on the lower floor of the building. The roof affords a magnificent view of the surrounding area. In April 1991, seven buffalo were brought to the reserve from the Hula Nature Reserve and placed in a pen with electric sensors, to prevent them from wandering into the swamp. From time to time they can be seen grazing or stretching out in the specially dug pond. The guidance center at the reserve provides information in Hebrew and Arabic to members of the general public, students, and educational institutions about the Land of Israel, ecology, wetlands, and biotopes.