Jerusalem Bird Observatory, Bird observatory near Israeli Parliament, Israel.

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is a 5,000 m² urban nature site between the Knesset, the Supreme Court and the Wohl Rose Park. It has a low, wide window in the Beracha hide facing an artificial pond, low grass, dense shrubs and taller trees, plus small wooden observation posts open day and night.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel founded this research station in 1994 as the nation's first wildlife site in an urban center. Naturalist Amir Balaban played a key role in establishing this facility between two major government buildings.

The station is called "HaTziporiya" by locals and is named after Nili and David, a Jerusalem couple who funded its founding and asked to remain anonymous. School groups tour the site, and the Gutman Center's Gail Rubin Gallery shows nature-themed art exhibitions.

The outdoor observation areas are accessible at any time without fees or advance booking. The Gutman Center provides more detailed information and amenities if you want to spend more time exploring the site.

The Gutman Center, opened in 2011, is described as Israel's first living building: about 70 nesting boxes are set into its walls, which are clad in uneven stone to leave crevices for small wildlife. More than 700 bulbs of Israeli wildflowers were planted on its green roof, drawing bees, lizards and butterflies.