Jerusalem Bird Observatory Offers an Oasis for Both Humans and Birds

by Daniel E. Levenson

February 9, 2009

A sign points the way to an urban oasis.

JERUSALEM -While it often seems that Jerusalem is in danger of being rapidly engulfed by rampant development, there is one spot right in the heart of the city that has remained an oasis of green for a wide variety of animal life. The Jerusalem Bird Observatory was founded 14 years ago as a refuge for wildlife in Jerusalem’s urban environment and as a place for people to come and enjoy a little bit of nature right in the middle of the city. Given the importance of Israel as a stopping point for migrating birds coming to and from Africa and Europe, it is clear that the staff and volunteers of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory are doing important work.

JBO manager Alen Kacal displays a map showing migratory routes of birds which pass through Israel. She explained that for birds traveling between Africa and Europe, Israel is an important stopping point for food, water and shelter.

Located on slightly more than an acre of land beside the Knesset, the observatory is a center for both research and education, with an ongoing bird banding operation and educational programs for adults, children and families. There is also a bird blind with benches so that bird-watchers can come and observe the various avian visitors that come to feed, including gorgeous metallic blue-green Palestine sunbirds and the gregarious Yellow-vented bulbul.

The bird blind is open 24 hours-a-day for use by birdwatchers who come to the observatory to see both native and migratory birds.

A House Sparrow perches on a tree limb outside the bird blind.

The Yellow-vented Bulbul is a fairly common site in gardens and parks around Jerusalem. Here we see one perched near a feeder at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory.

There is also a man-made pond on the property, which, according to Alen Kacal, manager and environmental director of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, has dramatically increased the number of birds visiting the site. The pond is also home to several turtles which were rescued from a nearby construction site, as well as three different species if frogs. Besides the aquatic and avian creatures who call the JBO home, there are lizards and snakes, as well as Jackals which frequent the area, hedgehogs and a resident family of porcupines.

A man-made pond provides water and shelter for a variety of local creatures.

These turtles were rescued from a nearby construction site, and now enjoy first-class accommodations in the JBO pond.

On a recent Friday morning the JBO was abuzz with activity as families arrived to attend a tree planting program, Kacal worked on putting together bird boxes for an outreach program and some local high school students sat in the bird blind taking notes for a high school biology project. Community outreach seems to be a big part of what the JBO does, and Kacal explained that the organization has plans to build a new visitor center in the near future.

With spring on its way in Israel, the Almond trees are in bloom.

On-going programs at the JBO include bird walks every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30, as well as weekly ringing sessions. A more detailed list of upcoming programs may be found on the JBO website at: www.jbo.org.il