Spring Birding in Georgia

Upon arriving in Tbilisi, we will drive to the Greater Caucasus, taking about six hours with birding breaks and lunch. Our first stop will be the Ananuri Forest by Jzinvali Water Reservoir to see various bird species and visit the historic Ananuri Fortress. Next, we’ll stop at the Gudauri Viewpoint for stunning views and birding before reaching our hotel in Stepanstsminda. In the evening, we’ll explore the Terek Valley to spot target bird species such as the Great Rosefinch and White-winged Redstart. Over the next two days, we will enjoy birding in the alpine landscapes around Kazbegi, renowned for its diverse habitats and excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Leaving before sunrise, we will journey to the scenic Kuro gorge, which offers stunning views of the Kazbegi peak and valleys, and where we might hear Caucasian Snowcock calls and see East Caucasian Turs. Exploring the neighbouring gorge, we will look for the Caucasian Grouse and various raptors, including Eurasian Griffon and Bearded Vulture. The area is also home to diverse bird species such as Red-fronted Serin, Great Rosefinch, and White-winged Redstart. In the afternoon, we will visit the Terek Valley to observe birds like Rock Bunting, Eurasian Bullfinch, and Caucasian Chiffchaff. Lastly, we will explore the Truso Valley, known for its alpine birds and the mysterious abandoned shepherds’ village, before heading back to our hotel.

On our last day in Kazbegi, we will visit the Kuro gorge to bid farewell to the Snowcock and Grouse before driving to the Gergeti Trinity Church to enjoy panoramic views and observe the spring raptor migration. Afterward, we will embark on a five-hour journey to Dedoplistskaro, aiming to arrive before sunset. If time permits, we will visit the “Eagle Gorge” to observe various breeding birds of prey, including Black Storks and Egyptian Vultures.

Today’s journey takes us to the Chachuna Managed Reserve and the Taribana plains, featuring diverse Neogene and Quaternary bedrocks and a variety of landscapes including steppes, savannah-like areas, woodlands, and semideserts. The area boasts a rich birdlife with various passerines, raptors such as Eastern Imperial Eagles, Steppe and Long-legged Buzzard, and Saker Falcons. After exploring Chachuna, we will visit the Dali Reservoir, an artificial lake created during Soviet times, surrounded by Tugai forests and sandy canyons, ideal for birdwatching for Lesser Kestrel and Armenian Gull. The reservoir attracts numerous waterfowl, and we might hear the distinctive calls of the Black Francolin. The area also offers sightings of warblers, wheatears, kestrels, and possibly the resident White-tailed Eagle, along with Nightjars roosting nearby.

In the morning, we’ll drive for 20 minutes to Eagle Gorge/Canyon, followed by a 10-minute uphill walk to a ridge with views of the Alazani River valley, where we can spot various birds of prey, including Peregrine Falcons, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, and Black Storks. After spending over an hour at the canyon, we will head to David Gareji, a two-hour drive southeast of Tbilisi. This area features an arid Badlands landscape and a 5th-century monastery complex, rich in both historical and wildlife attractions, including Egyptian and Eastern Imperial Eagles. We will also observe a variety of birds such as Rosy Starling, Blue Rock Thrush, and Chukar among others. The day will conclude with a stay at a cottage in Udabno, where we’ll have dinner and prepare for the next day’s activities.

In the morning, we will drive to Jandari Lake, a birding spot shared between Georgia and Azerbaijan, where we can expect to see a variety of birds including eagles, gulls, pelicans, and cormorants and much more. After an hour or so of birding at the lake, we may visit the Ponichala Reserve near Tbilisi, known for its diverse woodpecker species, where we could find Black, Green, Lesser, Middle and Great Spotted, as well as Syrian Woodpecker in the forest, as well as many other forest birds, before returning to the hotel to rest.

On our last birding day of this trip, we will start driving in the morning and visit the Teleti Hills (about 30 minutes from Tbilisi) to try and find the Krüper’s nuthatch, one of the highlights of our trip, with a restricted distribution range. We will also be able to see Wood Larks, ravens, and probably Short-toed Snake-eagles around the location before we head to Kumisi Lake, which is not far away from the location, perfect for observing waterfowl, Rosy Starlings, shrikes, and many more.