The Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory

05/07/2026

☀️ Looking for unforgettable outdoor adventures this summer? ☀️

Swap screens for sunsets and discover the wild side of Israel! Join SPNI for our Summer Nature Tours in English.

Get ready to:
✨ Roam magical sand dunes after dark
🦀 Discover fascinating creatures in rocky tide pools
🔥 Cook over a campfire under the open sky
🌅 Visit beautiful hidden gems, make new friends, and create lasting memories

Whether you’re a newcomer to Israel or have lived here for years, these guided adventures are the perfect way to experience the outdoors. All activities are in English, and are suitable for families and nature lovers of all ages.

Spaces are limited – reserve your spot today!

Click here for more details and to register: https://natureisrael.org/events/

Questions? Contact [email protected]

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...

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...