International Center for the Study of Bird Migrati

Center Manager: Dr. Yossi Leshem

Office (Adi Bashan):

Telefax: +972-(0)3-6406010
Phone: +972-(0)3-6407963

Address: Dr. Yossi Leshem, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.

Email: yleshem@post.tau.ac.il

Cell Phone: +972-(0)52-3257722

The International Center for the Study of Bird Migration in Latrun was founded as part of a joint initiative of Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). Latrun is located in the heart of Israel, a stone throw away from the biblical battlefield in the Ayalon Valley. Historical chapters from the time of Joshua up to the first armored battle during the Israeli War of Independence led to the creation of the Armored Corps Memorial at Latrun, which attracts some 400,000 visitors annually.

The theater in "Yad Lashiryon" conducts every year about 40 events, and contains up to 17,000 seats. In the background, the Russian Radar

The center was founded by Dr. Yossi Leshem who was the Executive Director of SPNI until 1995, and is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Zoology in the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University.

The site is located in the Western bird migration route that crosses Israel, as the Armored Corps Association apportioned to the center 8 acres (25 dunams) of land, to allow the public that visits the site to learn about two different issues: the heritage of the past and the memory of the fallen soldiers whose blood marked the borders of Israel, altogether with more recent issues- research, high-tech, environment protection, nature and bird migration “that knows no boundaries”, as an educational tool that contributes to the peace process in our region. The unique location of the State of Israel at the junction of three continents contributes to the fact that, despite its small area, it is a “bottleneck” through which 500 million birds pass during the Spring and the Fall, a unique natural phenomenon, which has no match in the entire world.

The study of bird migration in a country as unique as Israel developed in the last decade as a multi-disciplinary subject which can expand in a very significant manner several research areas which are very important to Israel’s economy and image in the 21st century.

1. Utilize Israel’s experience in developing multi-disciplinary research on the subjects connected to migration, while developing research contacts with countries in the European community and Eastern Europe (the nesting place of the birds), the countries of the Middle East (through which the birds pass) and African countries (wintering areas).

 

2. Develop applied research subjects related to migration with an emphasis on finding solutions to conflicts with farmers, advancing civilian and military flight safety, by creating a network of bird tracking and weather radar stations.

 

3. Use of the scientific foundation which will be created for the purpose of academic education in Israel, and as a base from which to develop international courses on the subject, furthering education in the formal educational framework, developing ecotourism as a unique subject in Israel and in the neighboring countries, protecting the birds and their habitats, and as an important subject in supporting the peace process.

 

4. Development of tourism centered on nature (ecotourism), mainly in the field birdwatching. Advancement of national network of birdwatching centers, together with the Israeli Birdwatching Center.

 

5. Finding friendly solutions for the environment in the field of the agriculture, such as the use of Barn Owls and Kestrels as biological pest controllers of rodents.
   

1. Research - We are leading a series of research projects, for example tracking storks, pelicans, vultures and cranes, by attaching satellite transmitters to them; using barn owls and kestrels as biological pest controllers of rodents at agriculture fields; research of bird migration using bird radars for military purposes (Navy and Air Force).

 

2. Flight safety - Through joint research with the Israeli Air Force, we reduced the number of collisions due to bird strike by 76% and since 1984 saved the Israeli Government 700 million U.S. dollars (not to mention the lives of pilots). A team of new immigrant Russian scientists manage the bird radar set at Latrun, and transfer the data online to the Israel Air Force headquarters, 7 months a year. This information can be seen on our web sight.    

 

3. Education - We developed a multi-disciplinary program under the title “Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries”, which can be seen on our website. (www.birds.org.il). More than 300 schools in Israel, 30 schools in the Palestine Authority and 30 schools in Jordan study this program. We are currently striving to develop the site for usage in Europe and the U.S.A. The website has won 8 national and international prizes.

 

4. Nature tourism (Eco-tourism) - Latrun Center is in Development of a National network Center of 10 birds Tourism stations ,based on "branches" of research and education in the field, which will "put Israel on the map" as an international birding focus point, much like historical and archaeological issues, and combined with the Palestinians and Jordanians.

 

5. Bird Conservation- The Center bears special importance in the area of protecting migrating birds and their habitats. It also represents a national focus in developing a network of bird watching centers in cooperation with the Israel Ornithology Center, that will be based on research stations and field education, exposing the subject of Ornithology to tourists and to the Israeli public.
   

 

6. Climate and weather - migrating birds can be used as an innovative sensor to predict climatic changes. There is a close connection between the phenomenon of migration and climate. We initiated various studies on this matter.

 

7. International Cooperation - We are currently collaborating with organizations from the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. We are also collaborating with research institutions and NGO's in Europe and North America, and with international organizations such as UNESCO for the purpose of declaring The Great Rift Valley as "A World Heritage Site".

The resources to build the center in "Yad Hashiryon" site, a three-story structure, have already been achieved (see site-plan). Detailed planning for the center have neeb concluded. Construction have begun in 2009. At the center will be built, these facilities (as well as others):

1. Auditorium- seating 200 visitors with viewing of an audio visual show using high tech aids exhibiting the uniqueness of the phenomenon of bird migration. 

 

2. Interactive museum- will display broad aspects of migration by engaging the visitors with an emphasis on co-existence between the Israeli Air Force and migrating birds, and by exhibiting the latest studies with computers 

 

3. Scientific research center- will contain the offices of the University Center, all of the bird centers of SPNI, laboratories and research facilities and a number of living units for researchers from the Middle East and the world who will spend a sabbatical year at Latrun.