Georgia
Georgia lies between the Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus, with landscapes ranging from Black Sea lowlands and humid forests to high alpine valleys and semi-arid steppe. The Greater Caucasus forms a dramatic northern barrier with peaks above 5,000 metres, glaciers and extensive alpine habitats. Western Georgia is particularly wet and forested, while the east has a drier continental climate with grasslands, rocky valleys and wine-growing regions. Despite its relatively small area, the steep elevation and climatic gradients give Georgia exceptional habitat diversity.
Overview
Georgia is particularly renowned for Caucasus mountain birds and spectacular raptor migration. Around Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), birders can seek regional specialties including Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Grouse, Great Rosefinch and Güldenstädt's Redstart amid accessible high-mountain scenery. On the Black Sea coast, Batumi hosts one of the world's great raptor migrations: enormous numbers of European Honey Buzzards, eagles, harriers and other soaring birds pass through the Batumi bottleneck each autumn. Eastern steppes and wetlands add vultures, larks and waterbirds. Georgia has become a well-established international birding destination, with specialist guides and accommodation around the principal sites. Mountain access is strongly seasonal, with snow restricting higher elevations outside the warmer months.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooded Crow Corvus cornix | 46.2% | 56.0% | 50.3% | 54.1% | 48.2% | 38.7% | 37.1% | 32.9% | 30.7% | 43.6% | 48.2% | 56.8% | 57.8% |
| Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs | 44.4% | 68.7% | 61.9% | 57.8% | 32.0% | 19.4% | 25.5% | 27.2% | 20.8% | 22.2% | 51.0% | 74.3% | 71.9% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 44.0% | 52.6% | 54.6% | 58.5% | 49.7% | 41.8% | 44.8% | 36.8% | 27.5% | 15.3% | 31.2% | 60.4% | 55.3% |
| Great Tit Parus major | 38.4% | 45.3% | 44.8% | 49.0% | 41.1% | 31.0% | 27.9% | 22.2% | 25.9% | 28.8% | 41.1% | 55.2% | 48.2% |
| White Wagtail Motacilla alba | 35.1% | 25.3% | 21.6% | 38.6% | 44.0% | 34.1% | 34.9% | 42.6% | 36.7% | 41.7% | 49.9% | 27.6% | 24.4% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 34.6% | 37.2% | 35.9% | 36.1% | 30.9% | 27.2% | 38.4% | 40.2% | 33.9% | 22.7% | 28.0% | 47.4% | 37.3% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 32.6% | 35.7% | 36.7% | 34.6% | 32.6% | 25.7% | 30.1% | 32.3% | 29.8% | 24.9% | 28.6% | 43.6% | 36.3% |
| Eurasian Magpie Pica pica | 29.8% | 40.5% | 35.9% | 35.8% | 29.8% | 29.1% | 24.5% | 20.3% | 17.4% | 14.2% | 22.9% | 45.1% | 42.2% |
| Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius | 27.3% | 30.7% | 26.1% | 30.9% | 24.9% | 19.7% | 18.9% | 18.6% | 21.6% | 20.3% | 33.8% | 46.3% | 35.9% |
| European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis | 26.4% | 25.2% | 22.0% | 32.4% | 31.5% | 26.0% | 24.4% | 25.2% | 23.6% | 14.3% | 22.6% | 38.7% | 31.3% |