The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory

06/04/2026

It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Dr. Gidon Perlman z”l. There are people who leave a mark that doesn’t fade. Dr. Gidon Perlman was one of them.

A co-founder of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, which he built together with Amir Balaban in 1994, Gidon helped shape the space so many of us know today. If you’ve ever visited the JBO, there’s a good chance you saw him there.

A cardiologist by profession and a nature lover at heart, Gidon was so much more than a colleague. He was a living example of curiosity, dedication, and a deep love for nature ❤️

A few years ago, he was diagnosed with ALS, a devastating and incurable disease. But even in the face of that, Gidon chose to keep going. He continued to travel, to stay connected to the field, to write, to research, to work, never giving up.

Even when he became confined to a wheelchair, his spirit remained free, curious, and active. When asked what he wished for himself, he answered simply: “to keep doing.”

You can read more about his life, his work, and the way he continued birding even with ALS in a piece written by his brother, Yoav Perlman: https://www.birdability.org/blog/my-brother-the-birder

We invite you to share your memories of Gidon in the comments. May his memory be a blessing.

09/12/2025

Have you ever experienced the sound of tens of thousands of Common Cranes coming into roost for the night? Don't miss this amazing bus trip.

The Magical Hula Valley
31/12/25

End 2025 with the peace of nature and the sound of birds!!
Every year tens of thousands of Common Cranes spend the winter in the Hula Valley along with a wide variety of ducks, eagles, and other birds. We will spend the day exploring the sights and sound of the Hula Lake and then enjoy a special sunset tour in the mobile bird hide to see the cranes arriving to roost for the night in the lake with the Hermon Mountain in the background. It is truly a magical experience
No experience is necessary! Guiding in English.
Bus transportation from Jerusalem (with additional pickup points at Latrun and Paatei Modiin Train Station). Leaving Jerusalem at 08:00 and returning to Jerusalem by 20:00

Registration link in first comment >>

For more information call: send email to [email protected]

09/12/2025

Get ready for Spring Migration! Sign up NOW!!

Birdwatching for Beginners Course Winter 2026
In English!!
Interested in birds but don't know how to get started with identifying them? You have questions: How do I identify that bird? Where can I go to see birds? What equipment do I need to see birds? What makes a bird a bird? We will learn the answers to all these questions and more in this hybrid course. A great way for beginners to spread their wings in this amazing hobby.
For teens and adults.

There are 5 meetings: 3 online zoom classes and 2 field meetings

Online classes: Monday 5/1, 26/1, 9/2 at 18:30 - 20:45
Field trips:
Friday 30/1 at 07:00 - 10:00 at the Gazelle Valley Park, Jerusalem
Friday 13/2 at 7:00 - 10:00 at fields of Kibbutz Tzora

To Register: https://eventbuzz.co.il/begin0126

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Birdwatching for Beginners Course Winter 2026Interested in birds but don't know how to get started with identifying them? You have questions: How do I identify that bird? Where can I go to see birds? What equipment do I need to see birds? What makes a bird a bird? We will learn the answers to all th...

20/06/2025

Don’t Miss this Sunday - Tales of Israel’s Birds and
the People who Love Them!

Join us for a live webinar with Dr. Yoav Perlman, Director of BirdLife Israel, as he takes us on a journey through Israel’s skies. We’ll hear about birds that nest here year-round, winged visitors from far-off lands, and heartwarming initiatives to connect the public with the world of birds.

No binoculars? No problem. We are bringing the birds to you!

Jay Shofet will open the webinar with a few words about the current situation in Israel and will host a Q&A at the end.

Sunday, June 22, Israel-8:00PM | UK-6:00PM | NY-1:00PM | LA-10:00AM

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LI-63XGeTYK7BjJAbucMcQ

23/04/2025

🥳Celebrating 31 years of birdwatching and nature in Jerusalem!🥳
Today, April 23, 2025, we celebrate the 31st birthday of the Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory– thus concluding an exciting 31st year of activity, and we are entering the 32nd year with even more inspiration, a renewed commitment to nature and bird conservation.

Ever since the station's founders, Amir Balaban and Gidon Perlman, caught a ringed Lesser Whitethroat from Sweden on April 23, 1994, inspiring the establishment of the Observatory in the heart of Jerusalem's National Quarter, tens of thousands of people – children, researchers, volunteers, students, nature lovers and guests from Israel and around the world – have learned, been excited, and experienced the wonders of birds and urban nature in Israel.

In the past year, we have ringed thousands of migratory and resident birds, guided hundreds of groups, schools, classes and continuing education courses, promoted nature conservation projects in the city, and took part in new initiatives to restore habitats to protect endangered species and make the world of birding accessible to everyone.

We thank you – our dear community of staff, volunteers, donors, birdwatchers and dreamers. Thanks to you the station continues to flourish and grow.

Continue to follow, visit, ask, learn, and watch over the birds of Jerusalem with us.

Year 32 – let’s go!

BirdLife Israel Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

07/03/2025

The secret power of Champions of the Flyway is in the teams of young birders who come out to race and to raise awareness about bird conservation! They are the future and they care about what their environment will look like in years to come.

Jump in and support their fundraising efforts of the youth teams of The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory

ZEISS Birding BirdLife Israel פרויקט השחפיות - Tern Project Eilat Birding Center - IBRCE

01/03/2025

Join us on Sunday 2nd March to learn about Champions of the Flyway 2025!

🏆Champions of the Flyway 2025: Protecting Israel’s Nesting Terns🏆

*Champions of the Flyway is back!*
This international bird race and conservation initiative by BirdLife Israel & SPNI is dedicated to protecting migratory birds.

This year, our focus is on Common and Little Terns, incredible seabirds that return to Israel’s shores each spring to nest. With their habitats shrinking and threats like predation and disease increasing, urgent action is needed to ensure their survival.

Join SPNI’s top birding experts for an exclusive webinar to learn about these fascinating birds, the challenges they face, and the conservation efforts underway to secure their future.

*Sunday March 2, 8PM Israel time*

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-OXyoDShQ8Gj2-LBt0E0Qg

05/02/2025

Don’t miss our next LIVE BIRDING webinar!
Sunday 9 February, 2025
Jerusalem 4PM, NY 9AM, LA 6AM, London 2PM

As the first signs of spring appear in Israel and our wintering birds prepare for the long journey north, join local birding experts from Birdlife Israel as they broadcast live from the field. Confirm your place for this exciting event today!

To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tB66OictTu-XfdVN0i66SA

05/01/2025

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel invites you to join us for this amazing experience.

*The Magical Hula Valley*
*19/1/25 8:00 – 20:00*

Every year tens of thousands of Common Cranes spend the winter in the Hula Valley along with a wide variety of ducks, eagles, and other birds. We will spend the day exploring the sights and sound of the Hula Lake and then enjoy a special sunset tour in the mobile bird hide to see the cranes arriving to roost for the night in the lake with the Hermon Mountain in the background. It is truly a magical experienceNo experience is necessary! Guiding in English.
Bus from Jerusalem.

To register: https://eventbuzz.co.il/hula190125

For more information: [email protected] or 0523869488

The Magical Hula Valley 19/1/25Every year tens of thousands of Common Cranes spend the winter in the Hula Valley along with a wide variety of ducks, eagles, and other birds. We will spend the day exploring the sights and sound of the Hula Lake and then enjoy a special sunset tour in the mobile bird....