Birding Factoids

278 species
in 45 families

None of the 5 European
endemics are
represented here.
No national endemics
5 speciality species
5 endangered species

Georgia
Hotspots

Georgia Specialities Pallid Harrier - Photo copyright Erwin van Maanen

Photo copyright Erwin van Maanen

....Wetlands of Kolkheti Lowland - The region

and its coastal part is an important range for 21 species of migratory birds, their recreation and wintery. The central Kolkheti wetlands (Churia, Nabada, Pichora) and Ispani II have been designated as a Georgian RAMSAR site and the relevant act is now at the final stage of parliamentary approval.

....Trip Report: Georgia (Caucasus), February 18 - March 4, 2000 - by

Anssi Kristian Kullberg. The Caucasus is a mountainous isthmus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, in a triangle of three massive peaks: the Elbrus (in Kabardino-Balkaria), the Kazbek (in Georgia, in Georgian Kazbegi), and the Ararat (in historical Armenia, present-day Turkey, but close to the Armenian border, in Turkish Agri Dag). From the glaciers and alpine meadows of the high mountains to the hot deserts and steppes of Azerbaijan and the Mediterranean climate of the Black Sea coast, the Caucasus contains an incredible variety of habitats.

....Georgia is an excellent place to observe many resident species of

raptor, some of them endangered throughout Europe. Special raptors which can be readily observed are Golden Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Pallid Harrier, Lanner Falcon, and Saker Falcon. The landscape is diverse and much of it can be easily traversed in a short time because Georgia is a small country. Typical landscapes include the humid subtropical wetland complex of Kolkheti Lowland, high alps of the Greater Caucasus, wild rivers, highland plateaus, steppes and semi-deserts - by Erwin van Maanen. For more information, you can download Erwin's draft report (Word 6 - 177 kb) on Raptor Mortality and Falconry in Georgia.

....Trip Report: Republic of Georgia, July 31 - August 11, 1998 by Phil

Benstead. Now that things have calmed down politically in the Caucasus region there's never been a better time to visit the mountains of the Republic of Georgia for those sought-after peripheral Western Palearctic specialities.

....

Tours and Guides

See DISCLAIMER
>>>

birdingpal.com...>>

A Birding Pal is not a paid guide, but someone who likes to help out of town visitors. You can become a Birding Pal today! Help someone to enjoy your local birding spots and find a pal to help you when you travel. Click here for Georgia Birding Pals, or join to be a Birding Pal!

**..Contact Erwin van Maanen to arrange tours and birding trips in Georgia.

More information on trips and Georgia birding.

Rare Bird Alert

Not available

European Endemics and Specialities

in Georgia

Information on endemics and specialities is derived from Sibley & Monroe checklists and bird distribution lists in Thayer's Birder's Diary - Version 2.05. Speciality birds, while not endemic, are those that can only be found in three or less countries of Europe. Species printed in bold italic have only been sighted in Georgia. Information on endangered birds is derived from the IUCN Red List, Birdlife International, and supporting data bases developed by Ian Patton, of Merlin Species Watcher. The endemic, endangered and speciality birds may be uncommon, extremely rare vagrants, may be extirpated in the country now or may only be present in migration. However, documented sightings of each species noted below have been made in Georgia.

No European Endemics in Georgia - No National Endemics
Endangered Birds in Georgia
Breeding Birds		Non-Breeding Birds
___ Corn Crake ___ Ferruginous Pochard ___ Imperial Eagle	___ Lesser Kestrel ___ Marbled Teal
Other Speciality Birds in Georgia
___ Caucasian Chiffchaff ___ Caucasian Grouse	___ Caucasian Snowcock ___ Great Rosefinch	___ Guldenstadt Redstart