If you have been visiting Israel Inside Out for some time, you may have known about some of the best birdwatching spots in Israel. Israelis, as well as foreign tourists, flock to the country to witness hundreds of bird species, from the desert birds to wetland fowls to migrating flocks.
Israel is located at the junction of three continents – Asia, Africa, and Europe. Thanks to its unique geographical location, Israel boasts a soaring birdlife that attracts expert and beginner ornithologists, amateur photographers, and enthusiastic birdwatchers alike. Over 500 million birds from 550 species fly over Israel every year.
Ramat HaNegev Birding Center – a window to the birdlife in the desert
If your thing is bird watching in the dry, arid land, then the Ramat HaNegev Birding Center should be your next place to add to your birdwatching bucket list. It is located amidst the Negev Desert – bordering the majestic Zin cliffs and not too far away from one of Israel’s biggest nature reserves. The Ramat HaNegev Birding Center provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see and appreciate birdlife in the desert.
From the vast plains of Nitzana to Ramon Crater’s towering cliffs, the desert is full of unique and fascinating birds and fantastic bird tales that await your visit!
One should be thankful that Ramat HaNegev Birding Center offers a window to let you see how the birds cope and thrive in the rather inhospitable (and sometimes brutal) desert conditions.
The Ramat HaNegev Birding Center is one of the most recent members of the National Birding Center Network (established by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, or SPNI). It also provides an ecological refuge for hundreds of bird species, offering various programs focusing on education, environmental research, conservation, and eco-tourism.
Other areas in Israel experience rapid commercial growth, which often goes at odds with efforts in conserving natural resources. However, the Negev’s stunning natural beauty remains intact, even as it experiences a rapid commercial and economic boom as well as the increasing number of communities there.
Through its environmental and eco-tourism efforts, the Ramat HaNegev Birding Center strikes a perfect (and crucial) balance between attracting tourists and preserving its natural treasures.
When is the best time to visit Ramat HaNegev Birding Center?
The best time to go to the Negev desert is probably March and April, where breeding season is at its peak. It’s also the best time to witness migrating birds flying on their way back from Africa to Europe. Thus, these months will be the best times to visit the Ramat HaNegev Birding Center.
Here are the best times and seasons of the year to see some different bird species in the Negev:
- All year – Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian griffon, and lanner falcon.
- All year, but most especially during the spring and summer – cream-colored courser, MacQueen’s bustard, and sandgrouse species.
- Summer and early autumn in the Ein Akev spring – Egyptian vulture and sooty falcon.
- Winter in Kibbutz Midreshet Ben Gurion – Syrian serin.
Ramat HaNegev Birding Center – details
Address:
Sde Boker Field School, Sde Boker, Negev
Telephone number:
(972) 52-368-9608
Email:
meidadgoren@gmail.com
URL:
http://www.birds.org.il/en/bird-center-page.aspx?centerId=40
Opening hours:
24/7
Email or visit its Facebook page and ask for its entrance fee details