The International Birdwatching Center at kibbutz Kfar Ruppin

The International Birdwatching Center at kibbutz Kfar Ruppin

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The International Birdwatching Center at kibbutz
Kfar Ruppin
David Glasner
International Bird-Watching Center of the Jordan Valley
Kfar Ruppin, Beit Shean Valley, 10850 Israel
Abstract
Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin was established 60 years ago by Jewish immigrants from
Europe. The primarily agricultural kibbutz is located in the Beit Shean Valley,
adjacent to the Jordan River. As agriculture becomes less profitable, the kibbutz is
continuously seeking alternative means of livelihood, such as tourism. A large variety
of habitats, both natural and artificial, attracts many species of wildlife including
globally threatened as well as endemic species. In addition, the kibbutz is located
on the main bird migration route between Europe, Asia and Africa, where literally
millions of birds pass in autumn and spring.
The Kfar Ruppin International Bird-watching Center was established in 1997 by
Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Nature
in Israel (SPNI). Current projects include a ringing station and a study of the use of
barn owls as biological control agents, as well as particiapation in annual autumn
bird migration survey conducted by the SPNI for the Israeli air force. A joint project
with our Jordanian and Palestinian neighbors involves nature conservation through
research, land management, education, eco-tourism, and a farmer cooperation
program.
Résumé
Le Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin a été établi il y a 60 ans par des immigrants juifs venus
d’Europe. Ce kibbutz à vocation principalement agricole se situe dans la vallée du
Rift Syrio-Africain, contre le Jourdain; comme l’agriculture devient moins rentable,
nous sommes à la recherche continuelle d’alternatives de revenus, telles que le
tourisme. Le kibbutz est situé de manière idéale pour les éco-touristes et en particulier
les ornithologues du monde entier. Une grande variété d’habitats, à la fois naturels
et artificiels, attire de nombreuses espèces sauvages dont des espèces menacées et
des espèces endémiques. De plus, le kibbutz est situé sur la voie principale de
migration des oiseaux entre l’Europe, l’Asie et l’Afrique, utilisée par des millions
d’oiseaux en automne et au printemps.
Le Centre Ornithologique International de Kfar Ruppin a été†établi en 1997 par
le kibbutz Kfar Ruppin en collaboration avec la Société pour la Protection de la
Nature en Israël. Le centre est impliqué dans les projects suivants: un centre de
baguage et l’utilisation de la Chouette effraie en tant que de contrôle biologique.
Les chercheurs utilisent nos infrastructures pour différents projets dont le suivi de
la migration automnale assuré par la Société de Protection de la Nature. Nous
avons récemment reçu un financement pour un projet en collaboration avec nos
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Above: A classroom of children celebrating in an original way the Bar Mizvah ceremony in which the
children were enlisted to build nesting boxes for barn owls at Kibbutz Kfar-Ruppin. The children
learned about the project during a field trip. The children, together with David Glasner the Director
of the International Bird Watching Center at Kfar Ruppin (raising his hand), are listening to Mr.
Yitzhak Goren, General Director of the Ministry of the Environment (wearing a cap, on the left).
Below: Dror Alexander the “Bar Mitzvah Boy” of the event happily climbs the tree with a stuffed
barn owl, after all the children signed and decorated the nest box. A pair of barn owls started to nest
in this box in that same year. (Photos: Yossi Leshem)
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Above: John Morgan, one of the skilled ringers in Israel (Eilat, Kfar-Ruppin) demonstrates the ringing
procedure to“seniors”, at the “Tel Saharon” site of the International Bird Watching Center in KfarRuppin.
Below: Left: A barn owl perched on a nest box
holding a rodent recently caught in the fields of
Kibbutz Sde-Eliyahu, Bet-Shean Valley, Israel.
Kibbutz Sde-Eliyahu is a leader in organic
agriculture and in the use of barn owls and
kestrels as biological pest controls. (Photo: Uria
Shachak). Right: A barn owl from Kibbutz SdeEliyahu using a commercial sign promoting
organic farming as a hunting post of rodents
(Photo: Uria Shachak).
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voisins jordaniens et palestiniens, impliquant la conservation de la nature à travers
la recherche, la gestion des terres, l’éducation, l’écotourisme et un programme de
coopération des fermiers.
Introduction
The Beit Shean Valley is a part of the Syro-African Rift and lies to the south of the Sea
of Galilee, 150-250 meters below sea level. The region is semi-arid, with long hot summers.
A large variety of habitats, both natural and artificial, attracts many species of wildlife
including globally threatened as well as endemic species. In addition, the kibbutz is
located on the main bird migration route between Europe, Asia and Africa, where literally
millions of birds pass in autumn and spring. This creates a unique opportunity for tourists
to observe a great variety of birds throughout the year.
The Kfar Ruppin International Bird-watching Center was established in 1997 by Kibbutz
Kfar Ruppin in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI).
The general purpose of the center is to provide tourists and local residents with an opportunity
to learn more about the natural history of the area and to assist in the protection of
these natural resources.
Objectives
• To preserve the ecological conditions necessary to support a large diversity of wildlife
in the region, with an emphasis on birds
• To seek solutions to conflicts between human activities and the environment
• To provide education about the natural world and problems facing local wildlife
Projects
The International Bird-Watching Center runs a variety of projects in relation to tourism,
education, research, and nature preservation. The following projects constitute the main
activities of the center:
Ringing Station: A ringing station operates daily for eight months of the year, in the
spring, winter and autumn. The Israel addressed rings (bands) are placed mainly on the
passerine birds trapped each year. About a thousand birds per month are ringed at the
peak of the season. The ringing is carried out by volunteers from abroad, under the supervision
of a qualified professional ringer.
The station is open to the public. Groups of tourists, students of all ages and naturelovers come to the station to hear descriptions of migration and learn about the birds
being ringed. The information provided is aimed at generating curiosity, and appreciation
of the beauty of birds, while instilling the importance of research and conservation.
Ringing data: In autumn 2000 (29/8/00 – 30/11/00) 3,295 birds of 91 species were
ringed, 130 of which were retraps from previous seasons and spring 2001 (2/3/01 –
15/5/01) 2,445 birds of 76 species ringed.
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The dominant species were the reed warbler (574), blackcap (477), dead-sea sparrow
(159), and lesser whitethroat (118). Other species that appeared in good numbers were
the sedge warbler (77), and great reed warbler (36). Two species that were observed in
very small numbers were the masked shrike (3) and ortolan bunting (3). Some of the
seasons’ highlights were Kfar Ruppin’s first ringed great spotted cuckoo and black-headed
bunting, and two citrine wagtails.
This season was also successful for foreign recoveries: a moustached warbler ringed in
the Goeksu Delta, Turkey in September 1991, was recovered at Tirat Zvi fishponds on
March 8th, and a blackcap with a Hungarian ring was trapped at Tel Saharon on May
11th. In addition, a spoonbill with Greek color rings was observed at Kfar Ruppin and
Neve Eitan fishponds at the beginning of April. It had been ringed as a chick in Lake
Kerkini in May 2000. Another interesting phenomenon was the high number of retraps
of true migrant species (mainly blackcaps, lesser whitethroats).
These data, added to those of previous years, show a very interesting variety of species,
high numbers of retraps and new species in every season. They give us a picture of a
very important area for birds , birdwatching and migration research.
Barn Owl Study: The use of barn owls (Tyto alba) for biological control of rodents is
being studied. Nest boxes have been placed in freshly sown alfalfa fields in order to attract
barn owls that prey on pest rodents. Local farmers, who are desperately seeking to minimize
the damage done by rodents and reduce dependency on pesticides, are assisting with
the project. High school students carry out much of the field work including the documentation
of nesting activities and collection of pellets The analyzed data help us to understand
the owls’ nutrition in relation to location, season and habitat. Last summer, 2001, 15
of the 60 nest boxes were occupied, hatching 40 young barn owls to join our “staff ”.
Bird-watching: Observation posts and hides have been installed to increase the enjoyment
of visiting bird-watchers and preserve conditions essential for birds. On some sites, such
as near the heron nesting colony, a hidden shaded observation post has been built to
enable people to watch in comfort from close-by, while not disturbing the birds.
Education: Seminars are given regularly on the subject of bird migration, local breeding,
and nature protection. Guided tours are provided for tourists and local school groups
from the area, including a visit to the Bird Ringing Station. We are currently developing
new programs, using audio-visual techniques and nature trails, to engender in schoolchildren, teachers and visitors of all ages a love of birds and a lasting interest in them.
Accommodation: Full accommodation in country-style lodges within easy reach to all
the birding sites to is available to visitors and groups of all sizes. The income from these
services helps support the center and its activities.
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Plans for the Future
A Joint Jordanian & Palestinian Project
We have recently received funding for a project in collaboration with our Jordanian,
and Palestinian neighbors, involving nature conservation through research, land management,
education, eco-tourism, and a farmer cooperation program. This will allow the opening
of channels of information, sharing knowledge and methods, with the aim of enhancing
the preservation of nature and initiating research on both sides of the Jordan River border,
in such areas as biological pest-control, ringing and migration surveys.
Environmental Education Project
This project will involve farmers and local high schools. An educational-research framework
is planned for schools in the area for hands-on study of ornithology, dealing with migration,
ringing, placing nesting boxes and assisting farmers in coping with environmental problems.
Use of advanced research techniques
V.T.R. videocameras will be used for observation and to collect data at special observation
sites, particularly for rare nesting species.
Radio-telemetry tracking studies will monitor the white-tailed eagle, barn owls, and some
migrating species such as the white stork, common crane and white pelican .
For more data see: www.kfar-ruppin.org.il/birdwatching.html