Images © Copyright Irith Bithan, Amir Ezer, Albert Keshet, Thomas Krumenacker, Hadoram Shirihai

Images © Copyright Irith Bithan, Amir Ezer, Albert Keshet, Thomas Krumenacker, Hadoram Shirihai

Birding

Israel – a sanctuary for birds, a paradise for twitchers.

Small Bird, large impact: Barn Owls foster peace

Birding Centres

The International Birdwatching and Research Center-Eilat (IBRCE)
Manager: Noam Weiss
Contact: noamw@spni.org.il

The IBRCE is situated in the Eilat Saltmarsh, the most important stop over site for birds in the west paleo arctic.

The park aims to restore the natural habitat, including native plants and vegetation in order to give migrating birds both shelter, peace and quiet and resources for refuelling on their biannual journey. The Eilat Bird Watching centre operates an educational program, produces scientific research and studies, hosts birdwatching tours in what is known as the Mecca of birdwatching, and hosts the annual Eilat Bird Festival.

Hula Valley Bird Watching Centre
Manager: Nadav Yisraeli
Contact: nadavyisra@gmail.com

Nestled in the heart of the Hula Valley, between the Golan Heights and the Naftali Ridge, lays the Hula Valley Bird Watching Centre. The centre operates a unique bird ringing station on one of the islands right in the middle of the re-flooded area of the Valley. The centre specializes in ringing demonstrations, birding tours for all levels and ages, works with local schools and communities, and holds the International Hula Valley Bird Festival once per year.

Image © Copyright 2021 Albert Keshet

Ramat HaNegev Birding Centre

Manager: Meidad Goren
Contact: meidadgoren@gmail.com

Located in Sde Boker in the Negev Desert, the Ramat HaNegev Birding centre specializes in desert birds and wildlife. The centre operates several monitoring protects for key desert species and offers year-round birding tours. The proceeds of the birding tours directly benefit bird conservation.

The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO)
Manager: Alen Kacal
Contact: jbo@inter.net.il

The JBO houses the Israel national bird-ringing centre. Together with the active ringing station, it serves as an ideal tool for conservation studies and research that monitor bird populations. Birds Migration patterns in Israel are studied throughout the various seasons. Data is collected and analysed in a comprehensive database.
The JBO is located in the centre of Jerusalem near the Knesset. Visitors can stop by for an eco-experience. Bird watching and presentation about bird migration in Israel is available for tourists visiting as groups or individuals.
The JBO provides Israeli students, particularly children living in Jerusalem and other urban areas, with a unique opportunity to experience the environment first-hand. Student activities include “close encounters” with ringed birds, birdwatching tours, a birdwatching club, lectures about birdlife, nature conservation, and presentations of current research being conducted at the JBO.

A murmuration of starlings photographed by Albert Keshet in the skies of the Jordan Valley. © Copyright 2021 Albert Keshet
Click to see more of Albert’s photography

Birdwatching Tour 23–30 March 2023

It is always an exciting time to visit Israel with Imperial Eagle, Sociable Lapwing, Macqueen’s Bustard, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Striated Scops-owl, Saker Falcon, Oriental Skylark, Asian Desert and Cyprus Warblers, Hooded and Finsch’s Wheatears, American (Buff-bellied) Pipit, Sinai Rosefinch and Syrian Serin prominent (especially in Autumn) on a long list of target species. Also, rarities have been seen on most previous tours.

These tours are operated by BIRDFINDERS and NOT SPNI which accepts no responsibility in the event of cancellation or any other perils.