Jerusalem Bird Observatory Explained

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

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 the ornithologist 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]

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

• Eyebrowed thrush (Turdus obscurus), sighted at the observatory in 2007^[7]
• Taiga flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), banded at the observatory on 29 April 2007^[8]
• Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), banded at the observatory in June 2011^[9]

See also

• Wildlife in Israel
• Tourism in Israel

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gems in Israel: The Jerusalem Bird Observatory . 2008-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080827184012/http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000079511.htm . 2008-08-27 . dead .
2. Web site: Jerusalem holds a haven for birds. Jpost.com. 24 September 2017. Judy Siegel-Itzkovich. 13 May 2018.
3. Web site: Jerusalem's Green-Roofed Gutman Center is a Home for the Birds and the Bees. Greenprophet.com. 7 November 2011. Tafline Laylin. 13 May 2018.
4. Web site: Top 5 nature spots in Jerusalem. Jpost.com. 7 February 2012. Loren minsky. 13 May 2018.
5. The Capital's feathered friends., Esteban Alterman, Jerusalem Post, Nov. 24, 2008
6. Web site: Top 18 things to do in Jerusalem for FREE. Israel21c.org. 6 June 2013. 13 May 2018.
7. Rare bird is sighted in Jerusalem, By MEGAN JACOBS, Nov. 5, 2007, Jerusalem Post https://archive.today/20120529022231/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380734441&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
8. Around the Region 2007, Israel, Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton, Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia http://www.osme.org/sand301/israel.html
9. Web site: Jerusalem Bird Observatory. Birdobservatories.com. 14 May 2018.