The ultimate migration event
Batumi Birdwatching Festival September 2024, Batumi, Georgia
Located in western Georgia, Batumi is the country’s second-largest city. Situated on the Black Sea coast, looking west from Batumi reveals open sea, while looking east reveals the high mountains of the Lesser Caucasus.
The area is rich in flora and fauna, and the name ‘Batumi’ has become synonymous with birders across Europe for its outstanding migration. Indeed, it is here that the famous ‘Batumi bottleneck’ migratory corridor is found, where more than one million individual birds of prey of an impressive 35 species are recorded every year during autumn migration.
In addition to raptors, Batumi is distinguished by the abundance of other species of birds. One of the most famous birding sites in the area is the Chorokhi Delta. This wetland, where the Chorokhi River meets the Black Sea, is a vitally important area where countless migratory birds stop off each year to refuel – no fewer than 280 species have been recorded here, including some very special rare vagrants, of which several were new species for Georgia. These records have included Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Egyptian Nightjar and, most impressively, the most northerly record ever of Three-banded Plover – an African species – in autumn 2023.
Huge numbers of passing songbirds may be found during migration season, with numerous species including Paddyfield, Blyth’s Reed, Moustached and Booted Warblers, as well as flocks of larks, pipits, wheatears and Rosy Starlings in the drier areas.
When you’re not out in the field watching birds of prey, the Batumi Boulevard offers a great place to take a casual walk or simply relax. The boulevard follows the coast north from the mouth of the Chorokhi Delta and through the city. The cover here provides plenty of opportunities for migratory species such as Bluethroats and redstarts to hide, while Krüper’s Nuthatches are occasionally seen.
The most popular place for raptor watching is in Sakhalvasho village, which is a 15-minute drive from Batumi. The place attracts a large number of birders, professional ornithologists, wildlife photographers, nature lovers and curious tourists every year. This place is vital for monitoring the population of birds of prey, which is carried out every autumn by the Batumi Raptor Count (BRC), whose selfless work has already made this place known in many countries around the world. Sakhalvasho watchpoint – or station 1 as it is called by BRC – is located 800 m above sea level, at the top of the mountain, from which a beautiful view of the Black Sea can be enjoyed to the west, while Mtirala mountain can be seen to the east – this is the rainiest place in Europe, where the average annual precipitation reaches 4,520 mm. The area to the south is covered by alder trees, behind which a beautiful view of Batumi can be seen. It is here that you can enjoy the spectacular migration of
If you want to see thousands of migrating birds of prey this September, why not consider visiting the Batumi Birdwatching Festival? With migration in full swing, the festival promises an incredible birding experience on the shores of the Black Sea.
raptors with the city in the background. Raptor movement starts from the middle of August with the buzzard migration and continues until the middle of October, ending with the peak of eagle migration. During the second half of September, huge flocks of European Honey Buzzards and Steppe Buzzards reach their peak.
Bad weather can cause extraordinary build-ups of birds waiting to move south, with flocks of raptors gathered on the plain of Kolkheti at such times. Once the weather clears and the birds start moving again, the number of buzzards on the move can exceed 70,000 in a single day! Towards the end of September, the make-up of species on the move diversifies, with plenty of harriers migrating at this time. A 30-minute drive from Sakhalvasho is the village of Shuamta. This place is part of the Mtirala National Park and is known as the second outstanding place from which to watch raptors. A breathtaking 360-degree view takes in the sea, urban settlement, mountains and the vivid greenery of nature all at once. Shuamta is rich in rare plant species, while it is a great spot to see the impressive Caucasian Viper. It is best to visit here in sunny conditions when the birds of prey move from west to east and sometimes follow the skyline of Mtirala mountain.
The Batumi Birdwatching Festival is held every year. This special event helps to promote the uniqueness of the Batumi bottleneck as well as highlight bird conservation, the local ecology and ecotourism. Held by the NNLE Tourism Product Development Agency, the festival offers birding tours, eco-educational activities for children, scientific conferences and other events. The Batumi Birdwatching Festival 2024 will take place in second half of September and all nature lovers are welcome – why not make Batumi your number one birding destination this year? ■