Batumi Raptor Count

Although the variety of raptors can keep one busy for quite some time, Batumi and  surroundings, and Georgia in general a whole have a lot more to offer! Ranging from subtropical forest in Adjara to the badlands and riparian forests in the east and from the alpine landscapes of the Caucasus  to the sandstone cliffs and steppes of the south. The variety of natural landscapes and diversity of plants and wildlife in this small country is simply astonishing. Because of this, a lot of species can be observed in a relatively short amount of time. While participating in the BRC project, many volunteers have experienced some splendid birding and enjoyed wonderful nature all around Georgia during their days off. 

Especially the Chorokhi delta south of Batumi and the harbour area prove to be particular favourites of many birders. The forests around counting station Chakvistavi reveal some wonderful floral highnotes and several volunteers found themselves adoring Georgian wildlife on Kazbegi's mountains, Vardzia's cliffs and Ninotsminda's steppes and lake... 

On this page you can find information about several areas that are known at this date to the organisers of the project. This overview will undoubtably grow during the years to come, and some useful links about nature in Georgia will be added on our "links" section as well. We hope that this information may convince many readers of Georgia's unique potential for an extraordinary wildlife experience!

 

Situated along the Black Sea, Batumi enjoys a warm though humid subtropical climate. Temperatures are relatively high in winter, and in summer 35°C is no exception. Especially in early autumn, thunderstorms occur regularly and a staggering amount of rain can fall in a short period of time. This provides the basis for the occurence of a subtropical forest vegetation on the steep mountain slopes characterised by a lot of evergreens and dense undergrowth (see below). On the hills near the sea, many people grow fruits and vegetables, and in the gardens peach, citrus, fig and nut trees can be found.

 Heavy rains are often the result of rising and thus cooling air, which contains high amounts of moisture after passing over the Black Sea. The climate in Batumi is considered to be the most humid in all of Georgia. After travelling only some dozens of kilometers inland through the mountains, one will see an abrupt change to less humid conditions when the lush coastboand forests make room for alpine meadows and conifer trees.

September is most likely to be the wettest month of the year. However, during the past BRC projects the weather has proven to be both very variable as often quite extreme. Though swimming gear is indispensible for anyone visiting the area in summer and early autumn, a good rain outfit is of the essence nonetheless!

 

 

Rainbow over the seaside valleys near Makhinjauri. 
Photo by Soner Oruc 

 

 

Being situated in a Biodiversity Hotspot, the even more region specific climate of Batumi further increases the potential to see some unique species in the area. Though most resident birds are widely distributed, a lot of regional subspecies are known. When it comes to endemics, especially plants provide botanists from all over the world a splendid time. Surrounding the third counting station of the project in Chakvistavi is the Mtirala National Park.

 Mtirala National Park at sunset, September 2008. (Photo: Wouter Vansteelant)

This area is of the highest value for conservation as it is mainly determined by a relict Colchic flora and plays an important rolein ecosystem services such as natural water resources and the prevention of erosion. The park provides nature enthusiasts with the best representation of what the natural condition of forests in the area looks like. The flora contains 16 species of endemic plants including 3 only occuring in the Adjara region. The Rhododendron vegetation is a particular highlight, whilst the canopee is mainly characterised as either mixed broad-leaved Colchic, Chestnut or Beech forest, depending on soil type and altitude. When it comes to wildlife, many species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals occur in the park and the surrounding forests including Caucasian Viper and Toad, Lynx, Brown Bear ... Combined with a splendid traditional local background of the people, the park provides visitors with an example of world class standard of nature conservation. 

For birds such as the stunning Krueper's Nuthatch these forests but also those situated at the coast provide a reliable chance of observation. Especially the Botanical Garden proved to be a reliable spot for many species. Green Warbler and Caucasian Chiffchaff are seen or heard many times in the more anthropogenically altered woodlands around the counting posts. Lesser and Greater Spotted Woodpecker are heard quite often whilst Middle Spotted and Black Woodpecker prove harder to see. Migratory passerines easily seen foraging from tree to tree include the common Spotted Flycatcher and Red-throated Flycatcher. Widespread residents displaying local varieties of the nominate plumage include Chaffinch, Jay and Long-tailed Tit. To a lesser extent Tawny Owl can be heard and several records of Sombre Tit have occured in the duration of the project. White-throated Dippers (ssp. cinclus) are easily spotted on the large boulders lying in the mountain rivers. Whilst exploring the mountains one would definitely see huge numbers of migrating or hunting Bee-eaters (their distinctive calls can be heard constantly in September) accompagnied by some decent numbers of Roller, Crossbills, Siskin, Tawny Pipit and Ortolan Bunting.

More information regarding the Mtirala National Park.

Because Batumi is located on a major migratory route the chances to see some rare or even vagrant species increase dramatically. High numbers of small passerines can be searched for in some small areas around the port. The illumination attracts good numbers of birds migrating at night. Wherever you find a patch of trees or bushes around the port, you might encounter some splendid birds!

The most common passerine birds are Common Redstart (hundreds can be seen during a fall) and Reed Warbler. Very good numbers of species such as Siberian Stonechat (especially ssp. variegata), Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Bluethroat, Sedge Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan Bunting... are observed regularly during the BRC project. Many so-called goodies are observed nearly every time and range throughout the entire spectrum of passerines including very approachable Wrynecks, Hoopoe, Isabelline Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Barred Warblers, Olivaceous Warblers, Savi's Warbler, River Warblers, Paddyfield Warbler, Booted Warbler, Corn Bunting, Scarlet Rosefinch, Greater Reed Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike ... Other records have been Stone Curlew, Short-Eared Owl, Eurasian Scops' Owl, Nightjar, lots of Quail and even one Dusky Warbler, one Yellow-browed Warbler and so on.

Especially after clear nights followed by heavy rains in the early morning, high amounts of passerines drop to the ground and are sheltering in the most absurd places. When rain continues throughout the day, also many migrating waders, ducks and seabirds can be seen easily from the shore. Observations have included Arctic and Pomarine Skua, Yelkouan Shearwater, migrating Black-winged Pratincoles, up to 130 Red-necked Phalaropes ... In these weather conditions rough seas often bring marine mammals close to shore as well providing good views of Common Dolphin (ssp. ponticus) and Harbour Porpoise.

The Chorokhi delta south of Batumi has proven to be an excellent spot for birdwatching due to it's high variety in biotopes: bushes, dry & wet grassy plains, marshes, a boulder plain, the seashore... During periods of the project waders, terns and passerine birds proved to be the most interesting groups represented in the delta. In winter very high numbers of waterfowl can be excepted in the area.

The marshes provide good views of Great Reed Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Squacco and Purple Heron (actually all the heronry you may expect), Purple Swamphen, Little Crake, White-eyed Duck, White-winged Black Tern and Whiskered Tern. Short-toed Lark, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit, Citrine Wagtail and small groups of Rose-coloured Starling have been but some of the interesting species regularly spotted on the delta's plains. Other fine observations included Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Siberian Stonechat, Caspian Stonechat
(ssp. variegata), Richard's and Red-throated Pipit, Black-Winged Pratincole...

 

At the seaside, Heuglin's, Slender-billed and Armenian Gull have been spotted (the rare Pallas's Gull should be possible as well) joined by a good variety in terns including Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern and Caspian Tern. Above all this Arctic Skua was observed regularly and Yelkouan Shearwater amazed some lucky observers with splendid views from ridiculously close ranges even on days of calm weather.

Obviously waders have been numerous as well, both in numbers as in diversity. Dunlin, Sanderling, Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and (Little-) Ringed Plover are seen often. The mudflats at the seaside are a reliable spot for Terek Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper with up to 10
individuals of either species observed in a single visit. Black-winged Pratincole visits the delta regularly, and in 2009 one day provided some lucky BRC participants with over 500 individuals of the species! One of the most extraordinary records however comes from Sociable Lapwing. In september 2009 a group of 20 birds was discovered flying by in the delta and later that week, another group of 11 birds was seen lingering on the rocky bids of the Chorokhi river!

All these numbers stress the importance of the area as a stopover-site for migratory birds. The delta has received the status of an IBA (importan bird area) though still a lot of hunting activity is observed regularly with casualties of birds as Black-winged Pratincole, Purple Heron, Great Bittern, Baillon's Crake ... Clearly, in the perspective of observations such as the Sociable Lapwings, an effective protection of waders and other birds is of the essence. The legal hunt on ducks and quail however is currently obscuring the actual activities going on in the delta.

  

Purple Heron, September 2008.
(Photo: Lieven De Temmerman) 

 

  

 

Vardzia is a well known tourist atrraction in Georgia due to it's "cave monastery" which was dug into the side of the Erusheli mountain during the 12th century. Not only does this place embody the mysticism of any such historic site, it's also an excellent spot for some splendid birding. The village is in quit easy reach from the village of Akhaltsikhe and there's a free camping site next to the monastery. The monastery itself can be visited by paying a small entrance fee. An ideal place to combine culture and quality birding!

The species to see here are most definitely Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Martin, Rock Sparrow, Egyptian Vulture and Golden Eagle. The site also provides a good chance to observe other beauties such as Lammergeier, Ménétries's Warbler, Red-fronted Serin and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. Rock Martins provide company continuously as rock trush and nuthatch shout about their presence.

 

   Vardzia Cave Monastery, September 2008.

(Photo: Wouter Vansteelant) 

 

 The valley under the monastery also holds some interesting bushes with lots of passerines. Local Rock Buntings are very common and during migration many enchanting birds such as Red-breasted Fly-catcher, Olivaceous Warbler, Caucasian Chiff-chaff and Red-Backed Shrike are perched in the shrubbery. 

In this heathed maze of rocks and boulders one can expect a high abundance of reptiles. Not surprisingly many lizards are seen enjoying a sunbath. Tortoises are present as well and at the river banks many toads and frogs are hopping around.

Don´t miss out on the splendid  Trout you can try for yourself in a living room-sized restaurant in the village. 

 

Habitat near the Armenian border is again completely different. It consists of high steppe grasslands and extensive agriculture. Several lakes can be found in the region, but one of the better lakes birdwise is situated near the small village of Ninotsminda. This lake is of great attraction to passing migrants and a great variety of birds can thus be found here. Especially in dry seasons with lowered water levels, these lakes hold great numbers of migrants having a break. It is for example an important stop for thousands of waders with concentrations of over 1000 Little Stints, 1000's of Ruffs and 10's of Black-winged Pratincoles.

You may expect to see a high amount of  wader species including: Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sanspiper... Around late August these lakes should prove to be reliable sites for Terek and Broad-billed Sandpiper. Demoiselle Crane might be possible as well.  In previous years,  BRC project volunteers were lucky enough to find several Sociable Lapwings (1 in 2008, 2 in 2009) among thousands of waders feeding on the muddy plains. In a lake in the midst of the arid steppes sustained high water levels are particularly dependent high rainfall. In the wet autumn of 2009 for example most mud flats were flooded, allthough high numbers of waders still resided on the remaining available mud. 

Apart from waders, and particularly in wetter seasons one can also enjoy a wide variety of tantalizing waterbirds including Dalmatian Pelican, Great White Pelican and Ruddy Shelduck. Common Crane, Little Crake,  ...  are regular migratns. Many flocking passerines such as larks, pipits and wagtails are heard constantly. The Citrine Wagtail (above) was photographed by Pieter Vantieghem in 2008. Many often shy species are quite approachable around the lake. Given the abundance of both species and numbers this produces very good observation possibilities for any serious ornithologist. 

Raptors like Pallid Harier, Osprey Long-legged Buzzard, Steppe Eagle and many more can also be seen hunting around the area. The steppes surrounding the lake hold good promise for overwintering Bustards. Truely a great place to study European birds at their finest.

Steppes aside of Nitnotsminda lake, 2008. The boulderfield is a good place to look for Stonechats, Wheatears, ... (photo Wouter Vansteelant)

With birdwatchers, Georgia has somewhat only been knwon as the country where one could easily see some range-restricted birds of the high Caucasus. Around mount Kazbegi near Stepantsminda in norhtern Georgia, these and other target birds can, with some luck, be seen in a 3-day stay. Obviously we are talking about Caucasian Black Grouse found -with some effort- around the Dwarf-Rodhodendron pastures, Caucasian Snowcock mostly heard though often seen scouring around bolderfields and Guldenstadt's Redstart, the ornithological jewel of the Greater Caucasus range. Great Rosefinch often proves a lot harder to find as these birds also breed higher. Naturally, chances to see all species improve during late autumn till early spring when snowfall forces birds and other wildlife down. However, also more adventurous birders who like to combine splendid birding with a beautiful and exciting hike have good chances of finding these species on their way to the glacier (ca. 3400 m asl).

Even at such an altitude, Black Redstart (ssp. semirufus) and Twite (ssp. flavirostris) are abundant.  Red-Fronted Serin and Wallcreeper have been seen at the base of the glacier. Lammergeier and Griffon Vulture are keeping an eye out over the pastures on the lower mountain slopes filled with Water Pipits, the occasional Ring Ouzel (ssp. amicorum)  and White-Throated Dipper (ssp. caucasicus) near the little streams. Especially in spring, the track to the top most provide some wonderfull oppurtunities for botanists and entemologists alike.

In early autumn, when a lot of observations are made by BRC volunteers, most target species are seen with some effort. During this time, also many migrants undertake arduous journeys through several valleys of the Caucasus range. At Kazbegi, many harriers. (esp. Pallid Harrier) and eagles (including Imperial Eagle) have been observed on migration. Many harriers also forage over the meadows in search of vole, as are many Kestrels. Wonderfull species observed here by BRC volunteers include Black Vulture, Demoisselle Crane, Paddyfield Warbler (in low willow shrub at the mountains base) ...

Caucasion Black Grouse - Tetrao mlokosiewiczi
Mount Kazbegi - Sep '08 -Lieven De Temmerman