The Goldfinches
As in the first two years that we participated in the COTF, the Goldfinch Team is composed entirely of women and this year for the first time – of Israeli Jews and Druze woman birders. Like our namesakes, we love the open territories. We are prepared to join up with any and every goldfinch, wherever they may appear. We are actively protecting the open spaces and biodiversity through education. Besides all of that – we just love to watch birds!
We are happy that #COTF19 gives all of us the opportunity to do what we love the most – to protect the birds in their natural habitats.
Meet the Team:
Khulood Azzam
39 years old with a master’s degree in Geography and Environmental studies.
From a very young age she was already looking for birds and insects in the field. The hobby turned into a profession – guiding field trips for students. Over the years, her only son also joined the hobby and he is trying to identify the birds and tell all the people about them. Director of the SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel) of the Druze and the Cherkesian population and her hand is outstretched to do more for nature and birds with fun and love.
Doris Shaheen-Asakly
33 years old, married and has a fabulous five-year-old son.
A year ago discovered bird watching, and it was love from the first bird. Currently very active in the field of Ornithology. Have a Master’s degree in science education and communication science from the Technion. In the last five years working in education at the SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel), implementing sustainability programs to teachers in elementary and high schools in the Druze and Arab populations.
Orna Gemmer
After 30+ years, a White-tailed Eagle and a Crane in flight made her realise that she is also a birder. Since then birding is her main language, which she communicates with the public and the community at different ages, in different places and in different scales. In the past eight years, she is saying most of the time “Yes to Bird” with 100 schools in the North.
Shlomit Lipschitz
Undetermined age, mother of three and grandmother of four. Immigrated from the village to the big city. Only after she heard a Great Tit singing (while hanging laundry on the fourth-floor) she realised that there are birds in the city and never looked back. The birds and nature in the city became the center of her existence and what she loves most is to count them.
Nirit Lavie Alon
Discovered the world of bird watching as a teacher 30 years ago at the Ma’agan Michael Field School, and has worked for the SPNI ever since. Has a PhD from fieldtrips in nature and promotes environmental awareness in academia. Believes in environmental education and public and community activity. Works for the preservation of nature and advances citizen science in every possible way. Prefers waterfowl but counts Back-yard birds.
