Aussie boost for birdwatching
JERUSALEM – Human tourists love to visit Tel Aviv, but less known is the fact that avian tourists do as well. And thanks to the generosity of Australian donors, migrating birds are to have their own accommodation of sorts in the city’s largest park.
JERUSALEM – Human tourists love to visit Tel Aviv, but less known is the fact that avian tourists do as well. And thanks to the generosity of Australian donors, migrating birds are to have their own accommodation of sorts in the city’s largest park.
A gift of some $2.3 million from JNF Australia is being used to build a bird observatory in the Ganei Yehoshua park. Mark and Eva San have been identified as “major” contributors to the project.
“Israel is located on one of the most important migratory routes for birds from Europe to Africa and it is very important to have a stopover site for them.” Omri Bonneh, chief scientist of the JNF-KKL told The AJN.
The Rosh Zippor – literally “bird’s head” complex will be located at the geographical point where the Ayalon and Yarkon Rivers meet. It will include a lake and lots of shrubs and trees to give the birds shelter.
As well as accommodating migrating birds, the observatory, which is due for completion within two years, will become home to birds that live in Israel all year long, including many who are expected to head there from across the Tel Aviv region.
“The uniqueness of the complex will be that it’s within an urban setting, where it will give hundreds and thousands of locals and tourists a beautiful place to visit and a place to get acquainted with birds,” said Bonneh.
The Yarkon River, which stands next to the site of the observatory, has recently been regenerated, and Tel Aviv’s mayor Ron Huldai said the two developments will complement each other. “The stream is now clean, fish are swimming in it, in its banks beautiful blossom can be found, and the promenade alongside is one of the most popular sites in Israel,” he said. “Today we are pleased to add another element to the landscape.”
NATHAN JEFFAY
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