Jerusalem Bird Observatory opens visitors center

by Dan Slobodkin

Mayor Nir Barkat, Deputy Mayor Naomi Tzur – and a blue-tailed kingfisher – joined Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel officials Tuesday at the inauguration of the Guttman Visitors Center at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO).

Located on the Knesset grounds between the Knesset building and the High Court, the observatory, with its “living” roof, is the world’s only birdwatching spot situated at a parliament, noted JBO director Amir Balaban. Many municipalities operate ornithology stations on the outskirts of the city, but Jerusalem may be the world’s only city with a bird observatory in the city center, he said.

For years the site, one of the few traditional birdwatching areas in Jerusalem unharmed by development, lay in a state of neglect, with the two buildings on the surrounding grounds used as a repository for organic materials from the neighboring parks. But JBO launched a clean-up operation, planted 250 new trees and shrubs and built walking paths. A gardening plan was implemented to attract a wide variety of birds without damaging the existing vegetation and the two buildings on the site were renovated, creating space for a ringing (banding) station and the visitors center.

The rooftop features more than 700 bulbs and plants native to Israel, making it an attractive spot for a variety of species. Balaban says at this time of year birds that migrate from Europe to Africa have long since passed by, but many species winter in Israel and some, like the haw finch, even choose to nest in Jerusalem.

In October Israel become a member of Local Action for Biodiversity, and Balaban says the move is already having an effect on the city. Members of the international organization are obligated to map their city’s biological habitats, act to reduce environmental harm and develop nature sites open to the public within the city.

Tags: birdwatching, Jerusalem, ornithology