This Sukkot: Get Ready for Israel’s Largest Birding Event

This year too, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), through its national birding network KKL-JNF Wings (Kanfei KaKaL), is holding its annual Birdathon at the height of the autumn migratory season. The Birdathon is an annual birdwatching marathon that aims to connect the general public to one of Israel’s natural treasures - birds.


The focus of this year’s Birdathon is the magic of bird migration and it connection to the Earth's magnetic field.
Birdathon events will take place this year in different locales around Israel and, in addition, there will be a live online broadcast.

• Wed, 22 Sep, 10:00-16:00: Yeruham Lake Park - For more info and to register>>
  
• Thu, 23 Sep, 10:00-16:00: Hula Lake Park (Agamon HaHula) - For more info and to register>>
  
• Sun, 26 Sep, 10:00-16:00: Hefer Lake (Agamon Hefer) - For more info and to register>>
  

What's planned for the family fun days?

Plenty of family-friendly activities will be happening at each site:
Birdwatching tours, bird ringing displays, story hour, ‘young scientist’ sessions on magnetism and migration, compass making workshops, silent disco, bird-themed activities, games and puzzles, and so much more…

Details:

Mini-Birdathon for Families - Between 10:00-12:00, families will work as a team to to identify as many bird species of birds as possible and win great prizes!
Award of prizes will take place at 12:30.
Mini-birdathon registration will be available at the information stand at each of the three sites.

Birdwatching Tours - Small group tours led by a professional birdwatcher. On the tour you will get to know the birds at the site with the help of a special guidebook that will be provided free of charge. Free binocular rental available. Pre-registration is a must.

Observation through Binoculars - At this station we will learn about the world of birds and migration, and learn how to use binoculars. Free binocular rental available at the event entrance, deposit required.
This event will be held every half hour starting from 10:00.

Bird Ringing Tutorials – At the ringing station, birds get a special band attached to their foot before being released back into nature so that researchers can track them. A great opportunity to meet normally-shy songbirds up-close.
Bird ringing at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00.

Storytelling - Birds have intrigued humans since time immemorial and have been the subject of many legends. Storyteller Harel Chen will recount some of these stories, accompanied by musical instruments.
This event will be held every half hour starting from at 10:00

Young Scientists - We will learn how birds can migrate thousands of miles without getting lost and learn about their special connection to the Earth's magnetic field. Includes magnetism demonstrations. This is a fun and enjoyable way to explore our planet’s magnetic forces.
Young Scientist hours: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30.

Build Your Own Compass Workshop - Each family will create a migration compass! Experiment with magnetic forces. Make a compass to understand how birds migrate in the autumn and spring.

Silent Disco - Wearing sound-neutralizing headphones, we will embark on a journey with a young crane looking for its family. With the help of its various winged friends along the migratory route, we help it return to the correct migratory path. An experience full of bright and chirpy fun!
Silent Disco times: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30.

All sites are accessible to people with disabilities

Admission to all activities is FREE, subject to advance registration

In the event of new COVID-19 restrictions, onsite events will be canceled and we hold the Sep 26th online Birdathon only (in Hebrew).

Don’t forget to check out our other Birdathon events:

• Festive Happening at the Rosh Tzipor Birdwatching Center:
  Tours of the Rosh Tzipor complex; birdwatching through binoculars and from hides; learning about the local and visiting birds at the lake; compass making workshops; kite building; baking pitas on an authentic saj using local herbs and spices.
  Wed, Thu, Sun | 22,23,26 September | 15:00-19:00 | For more details>>
  
• Early Birds: Soaring with the Ancients at Bible Lands Museum Fun activities for the entire family! Click for further details>>
  
• Online Birdathon, broadcast live
  On Sunday, Sukkot, 26 Tishrei 5722, 26-Sept-21 between 9: 00-17: 00, an exciting bird and birdwatching broadcast will be streamed live here (Hebrew only).
  
• Beyond Lake Hefer Birdathon
  The Emek Hefer Regional Council, in cooperation with local businesses, is expanding this year’s birdathon into a regional event that extends beyond Lake Hefer. Visitors who register for KKL-JNF activities can expect a range of discounts at local shops and venues! For a full list of birdathon offers, click here>>
  
• Birds of Prey at Horshim Forest
  The last week of September each year is the peak migration for birds of prey making flying over Horshim Forest, as they make their way from Europe to Africa. Join us on September 26 between 09:00 – 12:00 by the Forester’s House (at the northern entrance to Kibbutz Horshim) in order to watch the great migration!