Just below the Knesset in the heart of Jerusalem, there’s a small spot of nature where birds and birdwatchers can gather. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) has operated a bird research center there for the past 16 years. In January 2010, a new ‘living ‘ visitors center opened, joining the research center and birdwatching hide that were already there.

Even if you are not a bird-watcher, there are two very interesting things about this. Firstly is the location, on a hill with just three things, the Israeli Parliament Building (the Knesset), the Israeli Supreme Court, and the center. Secondly, the new visitor center is the first “living building” in Israel. Not only was it constructed with recycled materials for the most part, it is actually designed not to disrupt the natural flow of life at the site. There are holes in the stone walls, which are made from extra stone from a nearby building site, so animals and birds can make burrows. There’s even a family of rare porcupines living behind the air conditioning vent!

Remember, Israel is a central node in the main rift-valley bird migration route, meaning that tens of thousands of birds pass over the skies twice a year as they move south for winter and north for summer.

So whether you are a bird watcher, an environmentalist, or are just interested in the birds (or the building) there is another green lung in Jerusalem awaiting your visit!

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory Website

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