Batumi is located in the southwest of Georgia and
this area acts as a bottleneck for many species migrating south through the
region in autumn. The Black Sea to the west and the Caucasus mountains to the
east funnel birds into a narrow coastal flyway that pushes them over the town
of Batumi
Peak species
day-counts: -
Honey Buzzards - 90,000
Steppe Buzzards -
80,000
Black Kites - 10,000
Pallid &
Montagu’s Harriers - 3,000
Aquila Eagles - over 500
Booted Eagles – 500
Every year for
the last four years, a team of volunteers has spent the autumn manning watch
points on top of two high peaks north of Batumi.
Their reason for being there is twofold: little was known about how many
raptors passed through this region before the Batumi Raptor Count (BRC)
started; and sadly, like many countries in the region, there is a local culture
of hunting that adds to the pressure the migrating raptors already face on
their long journey south. These two points are interlinked, since one of BRC's
aims is to look into the effects of hunting pressure on the raptor population
passing through western Georgia;
but BRC is taking a proactive approach, too.
Unlike in
countries such as Malta and Cyprus, the
hunting community co-operates with BRC and its volunteers — which is great, because it means BRC can
work directly with hunters and assess the numbers and species that they're
shooting. Some hunters undoubtedly hunt for fun, but the majority of what is
shot appears to end up on the table — be that the family's dining table or to
feed the captive Sparrowhawks that many hunters keep.
The Sparrowhawks
are used to hunt Quail and Corncrake, which then go to feed the family. Without
condoning their hunting, it's easy to appreciate that, with years of hunting
culture and no education to point out the wrongs of their ways, the residents
of Batumi can
be forgiven for not understanding the impact they were potentially having on
the raptor populations. Indeed, they were unaware that the area acted as a
bottleneck: as far as they were concerned, this spectacular (and productive)
phenomenon was happening across the region and their activities would not
change this. That is now beginning to change thanks to education programmes
being provided by BRC in Batumi's
schools and universities. Residents are also beginning to realise that there
may be more valuable ways to exploit the raptor passage, namely ecotourism.
In 2012, BRC is
celebrating its 5th year and there are several ways you can be involved: as a
counter, as an ecotourist, or by attending the first Batumi Bird Festival. If
you're interested in visiting Batumi
or taking part in the raptor counting, details can be found on the Batumi
Raptor Count Website – www.batumiraptorcount.org
The BRC works
with the local community to organize home stays where visitors are offered
accommodation on a full-board basis. The accommodation includes a comfortable
private room in a family's house with shared bathroom. The family will prepare
breakfast, lunch and dinner for you, at the time you desire. It is also
possible to ask for a packed lunch if you are planning on being out all day.
During your stay you can attend the BRC count stations (Sakhalvasho, Shuamta)
and visit other birding and/or cultural highlights in the region. Your home
stay will be located close to one of the count stations, and transport to the
other one can be arranged through BRC. They can also assist in organizing trips
to some other popular destinations in the region (including Mtirala National Park,
Chorokhi Delta, Kobuleti and Kolkheti
National Park). Guides
will be available from mid-September onwards. Upon arrival, you will receive a
Georgian cell phone, which you can use for communication with BRC. Accommodation
costs 50 Gerogian Lari (£19 at April 2012 rates) per person per night.
A fantastic
opportunity
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures
to create a custom tour for you.