Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Black Francolin |
 Lesser Kestrel |
 Finsch's Wheatear |
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 Short-Toed Lark |
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I am American but live in Tbilisi, Georgia. My English friends Debby and David were in town for a few days and so we enlisted the help of EcoTours birding guide Giorgi Rajebishvili to guide us on a birding trip into the south eastern parts of Georgia. The weather was mostly sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures from 8 to around 18˚C. Giorgi organized a guest house in the small town of Dedoplistskaro. For about 36 USD a night per person we got beds, dinner and breakfast. The place was clean and well kept and the proprietress was very friendly and kind, although she spoke no English.
Dedoplistskaro is convenient as a jumping of point for Vashlovani and Chachuna.
Saturday we drove out of Tbilisi and arrived by morning to check in at the Dedoplistskaro guest house. Giorgi organized park permits and we set off on a roughly 45 minute drive to Vashlovani.
Vashlovani nature reserve (41˚10'N, 46˚25'E) is savannah-like, arid landscape set into a
48 km2 depression surrounded by mountains. We spotted Menetries's warbler, Black Stork, Black Vulture and others (see list which includes locations).
We returned to Dedoplistskaro for the night, had a pleasant dinner and went to bed early.
Sunday morning we ate breakfast and set out for Chachuna nature reserve (41˚20'N, 45˚50'E) at around 7;30 am.
Chachuna is hilly with valleys, It is steppe and savannah-like with grasslands, arid woodlands and semi-deserts. It has a real feeling of vastness and you can expect to see many raptors. There are occasional sheep herds wandering around with the ever present shepherds and sheep dogs. You must be careful when getting out of the car around or near sheep as the sheep dogs are rather protective.
We spent the entire day here. Highlights included Finsch's Wheatear, Black Francolin and Greater Short-toed Lark.
As you drive south through the reserve you approach the large Dali reservoir and dam and on the down river side of the damn, where the river continues, a section of riparian forest. At the damn and reservoir we had Lesser Kestrel and White-Tailed Eagle, down from the dam in the forest along the river we spotted female Black Francolin.
As you continue south from the Dali reservoir you approach the Azerbaijan border. Here we had a look at Takhti-Tepa Mud Volcanoes, which are really just small pools of bubbling gray mud at the top of a small hill, the volcanoes are interesting and the view from the hill out over the steppe is superb.
We turned back here and made our way back over the same route. We had great views of Monk, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures a well as Imperial Eagle, Buzzard (common and long-legged), Kestrel, Saker Falcon in a known nesting site which our guide showed us, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier.
The day brought us 5 Larks (we had 6 total) and 5 Wheatears.
We returned by 6 pm to our guest house, washed up for dinner and slept our last night in Dedoplistskaro. Monday morning we rose at 7 am, had breakfast and headed back home by way of Davit-Gareji. The area is described as badlands with multi-colored clay hills and steppe-like vegetation.
It is fascinating historically as well for the ancient cave complex set into the hill side which houses one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. You can drive up to the base of the monastery and park, then walk up to the top of the ridge, past a still functioning section of monastery. The caves near the top house ancient paintings some of which are still colorful and beautiful.
We spotted Black Redstart, Whitethroats, Blue Rock Thrush, soaring Egyptian Vultures, etc.
After a few hours here, we continued back toward Tbilisi and had a quick stop at Jandari Lake. Jandari is a medium sized lake surrounded by steppe landscape. There is a large population of Pygmy Cormorant there. We ticked Gray Heron, Coot, Gulls, and unidentified Tern and then called it a day and drove the last 50 minutes back to Tbilisi.
A really great trip with a number of nice spring migrants.
Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)
50 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 3 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Little Egret [sp] (Egretta garzetta)
50 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
2 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 50 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
10 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Black Kite [sp] (Milvus migrans)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Egyptian Vulture [sp] (Neophron percnopterus)
6 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Monk Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 4 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier [sp] (Circus aeruginosus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Long-legged Buzzard [sp] (Buteo rufinus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at Rustavi (Kvemo Kartli) on 14/04/2014. on nest
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 6 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Kestrel [sp] (Falco tinnunculus)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Merlin [sp] (Falco columbarius)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Saker Falcon [sp] (Falco cherrug)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Chukar [sp] (Alectoris chukar)
4 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Black Francolin [sp] (Francolinus francolinus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Water Rail [sp] (Rallus aquaticus)
2 heard at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014. Status: Heard.
Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)
5 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
4 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
2 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 3 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
5 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus)
50 at Chandari Lake (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Whiskered Tern [sp] (Chlidonias hybrida)
6 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Rock Dove [sp] (Columba livia)
6 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Stock Dove [sp] (Columba oenas)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Laughing Dove [sp] (Streptopelia senegalensis)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Little Owl [sp] (Athene noctua)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Alpine Swift [sp] (Tachymarptis melba)
50 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Swift [sp] (Apus apus)
50 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
European Bee-Eater (Merops apiaster)
1 heard at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. Status: Heard.
Hoopoe [sp] (Upupa epops)
2 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Wryneck [sp] (Jynx torquilla)
1 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Calandra Lark [sp] (Melanocorypha calandra)
20 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 20 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 10 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Greater Short-toed Lark [sp] (Calandrella brachydactyla)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Lesser Short-toed Lark [sp] (Calandrella rufescens)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Crested Lark [sp] (Galerida cristata)
5 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 50 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Skylark [sp] (Alauda arvensis)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Wood Lark [sp] (Lullula arborea)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Collared Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)
5 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)
10 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Northern House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)
10 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 20 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Tawny Pipit [sp] (Anthus campestris)
2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 6 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
White Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla alba)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Yellow Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla flava)
20 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 5 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 2 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Common Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
1 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Black Redstart [sp] (Phoenicurus ochruros)
2 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Common Stonechat [sp] (Saxicola torquatus)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Northern Wheatear [sp] (Oenanthe oenanthe)
2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Finsch's Wheatear [sp] (Oenanthe finschii)
4 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)
6 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Black-eared Wheatear [sp] (Oenanthe hispanica)
2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)
10 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Semicollared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata)
1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Lesser Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia curruca)
2 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 4 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 4 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Common Whitethroat [sp] (Sylvia communis)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Menetries's Warbler [sp] (Sylvia mystacea)
6 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 2 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Great Tit [sp] (Parus major)
1 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Blue Tit [sp] (Cyanistes caeruleus)
1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014. 1 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Eurasian Jay [sp] (Garrulus glandarius)
1 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Common Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)
2 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 5 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)
50 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Hooded Crow [sp] (Corvus cornix)
10 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)
10 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)
20 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)
10 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014.
Spanish Sparrow [sp] (Passer hispaniolensis)
20 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow [sp] (Passer montanus)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Common Rock Sparrow [sp] (Petronia petronia)
2 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014. 5 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Chaffinch [sp] (Fringilla coelebs)
1 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)
1 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)
5 at Vashlovani NP (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 10 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014.
Eurasian Linnet [sp] (Carduelis cannabina)
2 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Rock Bunting [sp] (Emberiza cia)
2 at David Garijit (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)
3 at Dedopliskaro (Kakheti) on 12/04/2014. 30 at Chachuna (Kakheti) on 13/04/2014. 20 at Salty Lakes (Kakheti) on 14/04/2014.