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end of navigationWelcome to Birdquest
THE CAUCASUS & ARMENIA
Friday 7th May -
Thursday 20th May 2010
(14 days)
Leader:
Nigel Redman
Group Size Limit: 12
(Paul Ellis)
The Caucasus in Georgia and the neighbouring state of Armenia are an exciting destination for anyone with an interest in Palearctic birds, providing a great opportunity to see many specialities amidst some truly superb scenery.
Georgia and Armenia were for centuries Christian bulwarks that resisted the Muslim tide that swept across Asia Minor, the Caucasus and deep into Russia. After a long and turbulent history, both are now independent republics following the collapse of the Soviet Union and fiercely keen to maintain their hard-won independence.
During the first part of this journey through these two states we will explore the high Caucasus range in Georgia. A mixture of necessity and cultural ties led Georgia first to forge alliances with Czarist Russia and ultimately to seek union with her much larger neighbour. The Georgian Military Highway, which we shall explore as it winds its way across the highest mountain range in Europe (yes, Europe ends here!), was first built to facilitate troop movements, but it now provides visiting birders with access to some of the most spectacular mountain country on earth. The splendid Caucasian Snowcock and Caucasian Great Rosefinch are endemic to this one range, which also holds the most northerly populations of Caucasian Grouse and Caucasian Chiffchaff and the most westerly population of Güldenstädt’s Redstart, while other specialities include Wallcreeper, White-winged Snowfinch, Red-fronted Serin and the interior Asian form of the Twite (a potential split).
Armenia, where we will spend the remainder of our time, is centred on the Armenian Highlands, part of the Transcaucasus (or ‘Lesser Caucasus’) mountains. It is primarily a mountainous country, with an average altitude of 1800m and with extreme elevations ranging from only 380m above sea-level in the canyon of the river Debed to no less than 4095m at the summit of Mount Aragats! The territory of Armenia is relatively small, but its complex terrain and geographical situation at the junction of Europe and the Middle East result in a rich diversity of habitats. The country is also generously endowed with rich colours and picturesque landscapes. Here one can find majestic snow-covered peaks, deep wooded gorges cut by swift mountain streams, wildflower-filled valleys and plains with orchards and vineyards, arid semideserts and the fantastical landscapes of a high volcanic plateau. This sheer variety of habitats results in a rich flora and fauna. Until recently Armenia was little known to western birders, but now the word is out that this is one of the most rewarding destinations in the entire Western Palearctic.
From Georgia we travel south to Dilijan in northern Armenia where deciduous forest near our hotel should produce Green Warbler and Semi-collared Flycatcher, as well as many other woodland species. At Lake Sevan, one of the largest highland lakes in the world, we will see the biggest colony of Armenian Gulls in existence and probably the first of many Rosy Starlings. Our next destination is Yeghegnadzor in the fertile Arpa Valley. Not far beyond this small town is a good area for Bimaculated Lark and Crimson-winged Finch. Afterwards we will travel to the extreme south of the country, to Meghri near the Iranian border, where orchards in arid gorges hold Levant Sparrowhawk, Syrian Woodpecker, Eastern Orphean Warbler and Sombre Tit, and here among rocky outcrops we should be able to see Rufous-tailed Wheatear as well as Upcher’s Warbler and Eastern Rock Nuthatch. This is also our base for exploring a high mountain area where we have good chances of seeing Caspian Snowcock.
In the vicinity of Yerevan we will explore arid and scrub-covered hillsides in search of such specialities as the beautiful White-throated Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear, Grey-necked Bunting and, with luck, Pale Rockfinch and Mongolian Finch, and also the extensive Armash fish ponds in the Araks valley where the inhabitants include Pygmy Cormorant, Marbled and White-headed Ducks, Ménétries’s Warbler and the recently established White-tailed Lapwing and Paddyfield Warbler. We will also explore the spectacular volcanic slopes of Mount Aragats, where among the dwarf junipers we will search for Radde’s Accentor and the magna form of the Bluethroat. By the end of our travels we will have encountered a large number of sought-after birds and enjoyed some spectacular scenery and some superb wildflowers, never mind the hospitality of the friendly people of Georgia and Armenia.
Birdquest pioneered bird tours to the Caucasus region as far back as 1982.
Tour Price: £2780, €3280, $4587 London/London (or £2230, €2631, $3680 Tbilisi/Yerevan). Price includes all transportation (including all flights), all accommodations, all meals, bottled water, some drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, all tips for local drivers/guides and for accommodations/restaurants, leader services.
Single Room Supplement: £273, €322, $450.
Deposit: £300, €354, $495. If booking more than 12 months before departure, the initial deposit is only £150, €177, $248.
Linking Birdquests: This tour can be linked with Mongolia or with Amurland & Ussuriland. Please contact us for further information.
(Paul Ellis)
Wonderful scenery is a common sight - here Mount Ararat can be seen from Yeghegnadzor (Nik Borrow)
(Paul Ellis)
Armenian Gull is a speciality of this part of the world (Nik Borrow)
Grey-necked Bunting is another localized species (Paul Ellis)
Paddyfield Warblers are common inhabitants of some of the reedbeds (Nik Borrow)
Syrian Woodpecker takes over from Great Spotted Woodpecker in most habitats (Nik Borrow)
Careful scrutiny of this female kestrel reveals the pale claws and elongated shape which are characteristic of Lesser Kestrel (Nik Borrow)
(Paul Ellis)
(Paul Ellis)
If we are very fortunate, we will even come across a magnificent Brown Bear (Nik Borrow)
The high mountains around Stepantsminda, Georgia, are truly spectacular (Nik Borrow)
The air holidays shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2937.
ATOL protection covers those booking a tour with us that includes a flight from London or elsewhere in the United Kingdom, regardless of where in the world you live.
Birdquest Ltd is Registered in England, Company No. 01568270. The address of our registered office is Two Jays, Kemple End, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe BB7 9QY
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