BirdLife Israel

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...

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]

03/05/2026

All are invited to the English Bird Club walk this month!!

✔️English Bird Club walk - The Swifts of Tel Aviv
12/5/26
18:00 - 20:00
Did you know that the Common Swift is the official bird of Tel Aviv? The swifts migrate to Israel in the early spring and nests in the roofs of our cities. In the late afternoon, hundreds of swifts gather to feed before dark and their aerial acrobatics is a sight to see. Join the Bird Club to experience this first-hand before the nesting season is over and the birds head back south for the winter.
No experience is necessary! Easy walking on roads.
To register: https://eventbuzz.co.il/swifts120526

Questions? Call 0523-869488 or email [email protected]

The English Bird Club is part of BirdLife Israel, of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

28/04/2026

The CEO of SPNI is coming to New York City, and leading a rare spring migration bird walk in Central Park.

Spring migration is one of the most extraordinary moments in nature. For just a few weeks each year, the park becomes a stopover for warblers, orioles, and dozens of migrating birds.

Join us for a morning bird walk led by Dan Alon, CEO of SPNI and former Director of BirdLife Israel. With his deep knowledge and global experience, you’ll experience this season through the eyes of an Israeli birding expert, free of charge.

📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
⏰ 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM departure
📍 Central Park (Boathouse, near 72nd & 5th)
Save your spot by emailing Sondra at [email protected]

Bring your binoculars and come ready to slow down, learn new things, and connect with nature in the middle of the city. We look forward to birding with you!

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

Well done everyone!!!!

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 Nili and David 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.