BirdLife Israel

02/09/2026

So many new blog posts and articles on the Birdlife Israel website. In English and Hebrew!
Check it out https://www.birds.org.il/en

And let us know what you think, liked or would like to see more of.

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory Eilat Birding Center - IBRCE מרכז צפרות רמת הנגב Ramat HaNegev Birding Center

30/08/2026

🐧𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞??🐧

1. It’s an excuse to slow down and stare into the distance.
Finally, a hobby where looking distracted is considered impressive. Waiting quietly for one to appear can be a surprisingly effective antidote to rushing from one thing to the next.

2. Nature provides the drama for free.
Territorial disputes, elaborate courtship dances, surprise attacks—it’s basically reality TV with feathers.

3. Birdwatching gets you outside and active.
No need to become a marathon runner. Birdwatching naturally gets you walking, exploring parks and spending more time in fresh air—without requiring you to call it “cardio.”

4. It’s genuinely good for your mental health.
Paying attention to birds, sounds and your surroundings can encourage mindfulness and give your brain a break from screens, notifications and the endless news cycle.

5. There’s always something new to see.
Even after years of watching, migration, seasons, weather and sheer bird weirdness keep things interesting.

6. It’s surprisingly social.
Birdwatching connects people across ages and backgrounds. Local groups, walks and online communities make it easy to turn “What bird is that?” into an actual conversation. And birding can connect you with people all over the world.

7. Birds are everywhere.
You don’t need a safari, expensive gear or a remote wilderness. Your backyard, balcony or local sidewalk may already be full of tiny flying celebrities.

8. It encourages curiosity and learning at any age.
There’s always another species, behavior or migration pattern to learn about to keep you busy learning for years to come. It never gets boring.

10. It gives your brain something fun to solve and helps re-wire your brain.
Identifying species involves observation, memory and pattern recognition. Keeps our brains active and strong.

11. You’ll notice nature differently and deepen your connection to the environment.
Once you start looking for birds, you start noticing trees, insects, seasons and habitats too. Suddenly, that ordinary neighborhood park has a whole ecosystem going on.

12. There’s always a reason to go outside tomorrow.
Different seasons bring different species, behaviors and surprises. And unlike scrolling social media, the algorithm can't predict what you'll see next.

oh - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟑- 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐧𝐨𝐰!!

Birdwatching for Beginners –October 2026 5/10/26 - 13/11/26 Discover the fascinating world of birds with the Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Have you ever wondered: How do I identify the birds I see? Where are the best places to go ...

18/08/2026

Every fall, over 500 million birds pass through the narrow skies of Israel — and November in the Hula Valley is the absolute crown jewel of this global phenomenon.

Join SPNI and BirdLife Israel for the 2026 Hula Valley Bird Festival. Experience vast flocks of Common Cranes, pelicans, and raptors descending on the valley against the backdrop of crisp weather and stunning northern landscapes.

Festival Highlights:
🦅 5 Days of Premium Birding: Guided field trips spanning the Hula Valley, Mt. Hermon, the Golan Heights, Beit Shean, and the Mediterranean Coast.

🧭 Expert Field Guidance: Explore alongside top ornithologists and naturalists from SPNI.

🏨 Relaxed Accommodations: Enjoy a half-board stay (breakfast & dinner included) at the Pastoral Hotel in Kfar Blum.

🚌 Direct Transportation: Hassle-free bus transfers from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Ben-Gurion Airport.

🌙 Nightly Discussions: Connect with fellow nature lovers and international travelers over engaging evening lectures.

📅 November 15–19, 2026

📍 Hula Valley, Israel

View the full itinerary and register here: https://eventbuzz.co.il/hulafestival2026

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 052-3869488.

13/08/2026

Sunrise at the Hula Valley is one of the highlights of the Hula Valley Bird Festival in November. The sights and sounds are hard to describe. You have to experience it for yourself. Join us!
November 15 - 19, 2026

For more info:
https://eventbuzz.co.il/hulafestival2026

12/08/2026

Fall migration has begun and it's time to start heading out to enjoy the birds this fall. Come and join a great community of english speaking birders for fun and interesting monthly trips.

🐦🔭 LOVE BIRDS? COME BIRDING WITH US! 🔭🐦

English Speakers Bird Club 2026–2027

Imagine having a new birding adventure every month…
🌿 Exploring hidden green spaces around Jerusalem
🦅 Searching for resident and migrating birds
🌍 Travelling to some of Israel’s best birding spots
👀 Improving your birding by sight and sound
🐦 Meeting other English-speaking bird lovers

Join BirdLife Israel’s English Speakers Bird Club for a year of birding, exploration and great company!
For adults and teens!

For details and to register: https://eventbuzz.co.il/birdclub2026

Questions: Contact [email protected]

This is a program of BirdLife Israel, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

12/08/2026

If you have ever wanted to learn more about birds and birdwatching - this is the course for you! Come Join US!!

🦅Birdwatching for Beginners – October 2026🦅
5/10/26 - 13/11/26
Discover the fascinating world of birds with the Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

Have you ever wondered:
🦆How do I identify the birds I see?
🦉Where are the best places to go birdwatching?
🦩What binoculars or equipment do I really need?
🦜What makes birds so unique and fascinating?

This friendly beginner course is the perfect introduction to birdwatching and bird identification. Through a combination of online learning and guided field experiences, participants will gain the skills and confidence to start exploring the world of birds on their own.

Course sessions:
3 live online zoom classes
Monday 5/10, Monday 19/10 and Monday 26/10
18:30 - 20:30

2 guided outdoor sessions
Friday 23/10 at the Gazelle Valley Park
Friday 13/11 at the fields and ponds of Kibbutz Tzora
07:00 - 10:30
For teens and adults No previous experience necessary. In English!

To register: https://eventbuzz.co.il/bwb1026

For more information, please contact: 0523-869488 or [email protected]

11/08/2026

An interesting and thought-provoking article on the Little Heron by one of Israel's young birders, Uri Stoffman.

אתר הצפרות הישראלי הינו פורטל צפרות העוסק בשימור מגוון העופות בישראל. באתר מפות עולמיות המאפשרות לעקוב אחר מסלולי ציפורים נודדות ולהתעדכן בכל מידע אודות ציפורים.

28/07/2026

Congratulations to Professor Yossi Leshem for being awarded a Presidential Award of Excellence for his work in ornithology and conservation and for teaching us all that migrating birds know no boundaries.

לפרופ' יוסי לשם היקר,
​ברכות חמות ולבביות, על זכייתך המרגשת באות עיטור הנשיא לשנת 2026, על תרומה ייחודית למדינה!

לשם, איש החברה להגנת הטבע במשך שנים רבות, בין תפקידיו שימש כמנכ"ל הארגון, וכיום משמש כיו"ר מועצת החברה להגנת הטבע, ומבכירי צפרי ישראל.

​זכייה זו, היא רגע של גאווה עצומה לכולנו.
​במשך עשרות שנות עשייה ענפה, הצלחת לא רק לחקור ולהגן על בעלי הכנף, אלא גם לחבר אנשים, קהילות ומדינות, דרך השמיים. הוכחת לכולנו, שאין גבול למרחקים שאפשר להגיע אליהם, כשפועלים מתוך תשוקה ואמונה.
​אתה מורה דרך, השראה לדורות של צפרים, חוקרים ואוהבי טבע, ועמוד תווך של השמירה על הסביבה בישראל.

​אנו גאים בך, מודים לך על שנים רבות של עשייה משותפת, ומאחלים לך עוד הרבה שנים של בריאות, פעילות, גילויים חדשים והרבה נחת, מכל מה שבנית.

​באהבה גדולה ובהערכה עמוקה,
משפחת החברה להגנת הטבע.

07/07/2026

Experience the Spectacular Hula Valley!

🦅𝗛𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
🦅𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱 ₋ 𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Hula Valley Bird Festival will take place in November 2026, offering an amazing program of tours and events. Hosted by Birdlife Israel, the Hula Valley Bird Festival brings together birders from the world over for an unforgettable week of birds and nature in the world-famous Hula Valley, Israel.

✅5 days of quality birding in the Hula Valley, Mt Hermon, Golan Heights, Beit Shean and the Mediterranean Coast
✅Expert guiding by expert Israel birders from SPNI/Birdlife Israel
✅Bus departing from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
✅World class accommodation at Pastoral Hotel, Kfar Blum. Half board.
✅Evening lectures and activities.
✅Birds, birds and more birds!

🔥Sign up now!
For more information and registration details: https://eventbuzz.co.il/hulafestival2026
Questions? Contact [email protected]

November is a special month in Israel as huge numbers of birds are on the move - Common Cranes, pelicans, birds of prey and passerines arrive en masse in the Northern Valleys. The combination of huge numbers and diversity of birds and other wildlife, happy people, great weather and stunning scenery is unbeatable. Don’t miss it

05/07/2026

🌿The Art of Noticing: A Nature Journaling & Creative Writing Course

This summer, disconnect from the screen, slow down, and experience the natural world in a completely new way.

Nature journaling is a powerful tool to deepen our connection with the outdoors. By taking the time to sketch, write, and reflect on the environment, we begin to discover the hidden details and beautiful stories unfolding around us every single day.

Join SPNI for this special, English-guided two-part summer series.

✏️ Part 1: Intro to Nature Journaling & Sketching

With: Amir Balaban (Naturalist, Artist, & Photographer)
When: Friday, July 17, 2026 | 08:00 – 12:00
Where: Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory

🖋️ Part 2: Creative Writing in Nature

With: Gwen Ackerman (Author, Journalist, & Writing Teacher)
When: Friday, August 7, 2026 | 08:00 – 11:00
Where: Gazelle Valley Park, Jerusalem

No previous drawing or writing experience is needed – only curiosity, creativity, and a love for the outdoors. Whether you are a bird lover, writer, artist, or simply looking for a meaningful Friday morning reset, this course is for you.

Spaces are limited – sign up here: https://eventbuzz.co.il/journal170726

For questions or more information, please reach out to [email protected].

The Art of Noticing: Connect with nature through words and sketches17/7/26 + 7/8/26 Slow down, observe closely, and rediscover the natural world through creativity. Nature journaling is a powerful way to deepen our connection with the outdoors. By taking time to sketch, write, and reflect on the wor...