Birding and Bird Guiding in Jordan

We’re down the end of the winter season. For birds the spring migration has begun and that means it’s peak season for bird-watching.

Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity in their natural environment either by naked eyes or with the help of a visual enhancement device –binoculars-, or even by listening to the birds’ calls and songs.

Hoopoe - Upopa epopos. Photo by: Osama Tamimi

Birding has become a truly international pastime, inspiring an increasing number of enthusiasts to travel the world in pursuit of rare and exotic species, often in fragile ecosystems.

Jordan is an exceptional place for birdwatching. Its geographical position means that it is a hub for migratory species from Europe, Africa and Asia. The birdlife of all three continents pass through Jordan twice a year on their passage between seasonal habitats and sometimes it is possible to see specimens from each at the same time.

During the period 28^th February to 7^th March Baraka have conducted the first phase of the first Jordanian Certified Bird Guiding Program that aims to train and certify specialized bird-watching guides capable of leading dedicated international birding groups accordance with international best practices. This is in a step toward developing the birding and nature tourism in the country.

11 DAYS, 11 MARATHONS TO GIVE HOPE TO CHILDREN IN JORDAN

Amman—After his run around the world, David Christof will cross the Kingdom of Jordan in eleven marathons from the 15th to the 25th of March. David hopes to raise money for Jordanian and Syrian children’s educational needs such as school improvements, supplies and equipment.

Over a third of all Syrian refugees who have found refuge in the Kingdom are children and Jordan is struggling to meet the needs for teachers, materials and space to provide them with an education. Informal schools run from garages and other ad-hoc locations attempt to provide education to the children who cannot enroll in the Kingdom’s over-crowded schools.