Georgia, an amazing country in the west Caucasus, rich in culture and biodiversity, never disappoints! We spent 10 days in May in Georgia, with 7 days spent on a birding trip. We posted a lot about it during our trip on our Facebook and Instagram pages, but now we want to give you more info about the trip! So, here is the summary of the trip!
Trip summary
Day 0
Before the official start of the birding trip, some guests were taken on a predeparture birding excursion by Nika and Josip. They visited Kumisi Lake and Zemo Teleti Hill to scout target species and confirm the nest of a Krüper’s Nuthatch for the final day of the tour. They successfully found the Nuthatch and a few additional species, which added to their overall tally. After picking up more guests from the airport and enjoying an introduction dinner, they returned to the hotel, eager for the start of the trip the next morning.
Day 1
The birding trip officially began early, with the first sighting of a Barred Warbler, followed by a low-flying Black Kite. Departing for Kazbegi, they made several stops along the way, including the Zhinvali Reservoir near Ananuri Fortress, where they spotted a Caucasian subspecies of the male Common Redstart, Eurasian Blackcap, Hawfinch, and several tit species. Continuing towards Kazbegi, they observed a Peregrine Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, and other species along the Gudauri Panoramic View. In Stepantsminda, they explored the Sea-buckthorn plains and Terek River Valley, finding species like Caucasian Snowcock (heard), Mountain Chiffchaff, Common Rosefinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, White-throated Dipper, and Great Rosefinch. They ended the day with a count of 46 species and looked forward to the next day’s adventures.
Black-headed Bunting
Day 2
The day began early with sightings of various swallows and martins, as well as White Wagtails. At the Sea-buckthorn plain, they saw male Common Rosefinches and then targeted the mountain slopes for Caucasian Grouse, successfully spotting eight. Moving to Mt. Kuro, they observed Caucasian Snowcock and Fire-fronted Serin, witnessing impressive courtship displays. A major highlight was spotting an elusive Eurasian Lynx and a White-winged Redstart. After breakfast, they headed to Dariali Gorge, seeing Eurasian Griffons, Bearded Vultures, and other species. The day ended with sightings of East Caucasian Turs, a flock of Alpine Swifts, and a Caucasian Twite at Pansheti Flats, bringing the total to 67 species for the trip.
Day 3
The day started early at Pansheti Flats, where they saw a European Roller, Corn Crake, Lesser Gray Shrike, and a mixed flock of Linnet and Twite. After breakfast, they explored Stepantsminda for White-winged Redstart and successfully spotted a Wallcreeper in Kobi village, along with another Bearded Vulture. On the descent to Dedoplistskaro, they stopped at Gudauri Panoramic View and Zhinvali Reservoir, observing a flock of Choughs and several flycatchers, including the Semi-collared Flycatcher. Window birding during the drive helped them spot interesting species, and a quick evening stop at Eagle Gorge added Eurasian Griffons and Black Stork to their list. The day ended with a tally of 75 species, bringing the trip total to 91.
Day 4
Chachuna Managed Reserve offered an incredible birding experience, starting with numerous Black-headed Buntings and Crested Larks. Early sightings included a Siberian Stonechat, Rock Sparrows, and Isabelline Wheatears, along with harriers and Little Owls as they moved south. They encountered diverse species such as Greater and Turkestan Short-toed Larks, Black Francolins, and Rosy Starlings near the Dali Mountain water reserve. Highlights were spotting Lesser Kestrels and a rare Saker Falcon at their breeding site. The day ended with sightings of Menetries’s Warbler, Levant Sparrowhawk, a Blunt-nosed Viper hunting, and a Lesser Spotted Eagle, totaling 69 species for the day and 131 for the trip.
Day 5
The day began with a hearty breakfast and a return visit to Eagle Gorge, yielding sightings of raptors like Booted Eagle, Black Stork, Eurasian Griffon, Lesser Spotted Eagle, and others. Despite the threat of rain, they saw new species including Long-tailed Tit, Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, and a Eurasian Scops Owl. A stop at Udabno featured a spectacle of about a hundred Rosy Starlings feasting on mulberries and a Common Quail. At David Gareji monastery complex, they observed Western Rock Nuthatch, Green Warbler, and Finsch’s Wheatear despite the drizzle. The day ended at Jandari Lake with impressive raptor sightings, terns, Collared Pratincoles, Penduline Tits, Great Reed Warbler, and a quick view of a Common Kingfisher, totaling 80 species for the day and 148 for the trip.
Day 6
The day began with Rosy Starlings feeding near the hotel, and after breakfast, the group headed to Jandari Lake, spotting Squacco Herons, Gull-billed Terns, and Armenian Gulls. At Rustavi industrial area, they saw Black-winged Stilts and a Wood Sandpiper, then moved to Ponichala Reserve, where they observed several Syrian Woodpeckers and a Levant Sparrowhawk‘s courtship display. Despite rain turning roads muddy, the trip to Kumisi Lake was fruitful with sightings of Ruddy Shelduck, various grebes, waders, and a Long-eared Owl family. The day concluded with 85 species observed, bringing the trip’s total to 174 species.
Day 7
On the last day of the trip, the group took a more relaxed approach, visiting a few locations before allowing guests an afternoon off. They started at Zemo Teleti Hill to see Krüper’s Nuthatch, successfully observing the birds feeding their chicks. A Wood Lark and a Chukar were also spotted en route. Due to muddy conditions, they skipped Kumisi Lake and instead found Marsh Warblers in the fields northwest of the lake. The final birding stop in a small town near Tbilisi yielded 16 Egyptian Vultures, 4 Eurasian Griffons, an adult White-tailed Eagle, and a Cinereous Vulture, wrapping up the trip with a total of 181 species.
Detailed trip report
You enjoyed this summary but you’re interested in more? Download our detailed trip report, with more information about the day to day activities, locations and detailed summary of seen birds!
A great trip ended with great bunch of birds, mammals, reptiles and great food! We can definitely tell you right now that this is not our last post about Georgia, as we still have a few things that are not ready for the public, so follow us and we will keep you updated!
We are excited to announce that there will be another birding tour like this in 2025. Sign-ups are starting now, so if you’re interested, please contact us for more details!
