Yes, early - even before breakfast. Some of us are saying, "why are we here", but after a few words from our passionate guide, Noam Weiss, whose love for the birds and environment have given us new meaning to being a bird watcher. We arrived early to see the ringing that the staff does and some of us got GENTLY handle the birds after the ringing.
According the Israeli Bird Ringing Center, Israel lies at the heart of one of the world's largest migration routes and twice a year, hundreds of millions of birds pass through the region on their way to and from their Eurasian breeding grounds.
CAARI visited the Center at the beginning of the Spring Migration - birds flying from Africa to Europe and Scandinavia. Most of these birds only stop for a brief refueling session and continue the journey, others remain to winter.
The importance of Israel's few remaining natural habitats is crucial to the survival of millions of birds. The Center has a special meaning to the CAARI group. About 15 years ago CAARI dug and planted over 200 trees. The trees are now quite large and provide a wonderful environment to all types of birds. We viewed the birds in the pond and Noam identified each of them! Lots of pictures!
Back to the hotel for breakfast - hmmmm - where does one begin in the buffet? Rested and feed, we are back on the road to the Red Mountain Riding Center located at Kibbutz Grofit.
The Riding Center provides weekly horseback riding therapy for nearly 200 children and adults with physical and mental disabilities as well as emotional and behavioral issues. Over the years, CAARI has visited this impressive Center and seen it expand to meet the needs of the neighboring communities. . It is associated with JNF and provides a great service to the area. 
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