Jerusalem Bird Observatory

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is an urban bird observatory in Israel, sited on a 5000 m2 plot in central Jerusalem between the Knesset and the Supreme Court.[1]

Entrance sign, Jerusalem Bird Observatory

History

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory was established in 1994 by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. It was founded by the naturalist Amir Balaban and theornithologist Gidon Perleman.[1] In 2016, 50,000 tourists visited the park.[2]

The Gutman Center addition was opened in 2011 for birds and bees.[3]

Description

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory has a strategic location on the bird migration route between Africa and Eurasia along the Great Rift Valley. Every spring and fall, more than 500 million birds migrate through Israel. Two-thirds of the species seen in Jerusalem are migratory. 30% of the birds are permanent residents, they do not migrate.[2] Gazelles also populate the park.[4]

The observatory serves as the national bird banding center.[5] It is directed by naturalist Amir Balaban and ornithologist Gidon Perleman.[1] Two hundred birds are banded every day by trained volunteers during the spring and fall migrations.

It is located between the Parliament, the Wohl Rose Park and the Supreme Court building. Small wooden observation posts are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[2] The park is free.[6]

Rare birds
The Taiga flycatcher has been recorded at the observatory

See also

References
  1. "Gems in Israel: The Jerusalem Bird Observatory". Archived from the original on 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  2. Judy Siegel-Itzkovich (24 September 2017). "Jerusalem holds a haven for birds". Jpost.com. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  3. Tafline Laylin (7 November 2011). "Jerusalem's Green-Roofed Gutman Center is a Home for the Birds and the Bees". Greenprophet.com. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  4. Loren minsky (7 February 2012). "Top 5 nature spots in Jerusalem". Jpost.com. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  5. The Capital's feathered friends., Esteban Alterman, Jerusalem Post, Nov. 24, 2008
  6. "Top 18 things to do in Jerusalem for FREE". Israel21c.org. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  7. Rare bird is sighted in Jerusalem, By MEGAN JACOBS, Nov. 5, 2007, Jerusalem Post
  8. Around the Region 2007, Israel, Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton, Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia
  9. "Jerusalem Bird Observatory". Birdobservatories.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
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