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The Knesset, or the Parliament building, is just below the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, which is located in the city’s center. In order to improve the tourist experience and the beauty of this natural area where birds and birdwatchers may congregate, a visitor center, first living structure, also opened at the site in January 2010. The location, which is a lovely spot to explore amidst the activity of contemporary Jerusalem, also has a research facility in addition to the observatory and tourist center.
HISTORY OF THE OBSERVATORY
There are two aspects about this that are quite intriguing, even if you are not a bird observer. The site is the first thing to note; it sits on a hill with simply the Israeli Supreme Court, the Knesset, and the center. Second, the brand-new tourist center is first “living building.” Not only was it mostly built from recycled materials, but it was also planned to not interfere with the local ecosystem. To allow animals and birds to dig burrows, holes have been drilled into the stone walls, which were constructed using leftover stone from a nearby construction site. Even rare porcupines live in a family underneath the vent for the air conditioner!
It’s first urban wildlife site, the Observatory, is situated close to the Knesset, the country’s parliament, in the center of the bustling metropolis. Although being only 1.5 acres, the location attracts hundreds of migratory songbirds to its pond and fruit trees like a magnet. This makes it the ideal location for both top-notch birding at the bird hide and doing research on migration via the bird ringing station.
The Beracha Bird Hide, located in the center of the property, offers guests a spectacular view of the pond and the nearby fruit trees. The hide is free to access and open around-the-clock.
Visitors may watch the bird ringing sessions every day from March through May while receiving identification advice from the professionals and volunteers.
While there is a bird ringing session, the Guttman visitor center is open from 9:00 to 15:00 on Sunday through Thursday. At the Center, visitors may peruse the library, take in the most recent show at the Gail Rubin Nature Art Gallery, and purchase books, feeders, and other bird-related products.
every season of the year. The ideal time to visit, though, is early in the morning when the birds are busy, and the ringing sessions are taking place. During the year, a range of hikes, talks, seminars, and tours are provided in both English and Hebrew.
Tens of thousands of birds fly over the sky twice a year as they migrate south for the winter and north for the summer. Keep in mind that Israel is a crucial node on the main rift-valley bird migration path. Hence, there is another green lung in Jerusalem that is waiting for your visit, whether you are a bird watcher, an environmentalist, or are just interested in the birds (or the architecture)!
Few capital cities in the world exhibit such a variety of bird life in the middle of the metropolis as Jerusalem does. Between the Israeli Supreme Court and the Knesset, the parliament’s building, the Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO) has 5,000 square meters of space. The observatory provides environmental and conservation activities, birding trips, and even houses a birdwatching club for both adults and children.
One of the primary bird migratory routes passes through holy land. Ornithologists now have the perfect instrument for tracking bird numbers and doing conservation research. Wrynecks, Palestine sunbirds, collared flycatchers, thrush nightingales, masked and red-backed shrikes, hawfinches, European robins, and bulbuls are among the birds that frequently stop by the bird observatory. The hoopoe, national bird.