Photos from two trips to the area in may 2005 and april 2006.
A small swedish birdwatching group visited Caucasus in the Kazbek region in order to find the difficult species Great Rosefinch, Guldenstädt`s Redstart and Caucasian Snowcock. Two of us (Bosse Carlsson and myself) visited the area with Birdquest in late May 2005, but only managed to see the Snowcock. The breeding grounds for the Rosefinch and Redstart are located at 3000 – 3500 m, but both species descend to valleys in winter and periods with bad weather. We found all target species with help of a brilliant guide and with help of bad weather! Optimal months to find these species are probably February-March, but then there is a great risk of snowstorms blocking the single road to Kazbek. Helicopter transportation is an alternative during these months.
Raptor migration was quite impressive in the High Caucasus during our visit, in spite of bad weather and only short period of observation.
The last two days of our journey was spent close to Tbilisi. The billowing grassy steppes of Davit Gareji southeast of the capital, produced large numbers of larks, pipits, wheatears, and buntings. Also the lake Jandari with waterfowls was visited, as well as some smaller, unnamed lakes north of Ubdano. These lakes held good numbers of ducks and waders.
We strongly recommend to contact Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife www.gccw.org for skilled guides and help with 4WD transportation!