Hello
Today was mostly a day of travel as we moved from the east side of Georgia to the extreme south west. The weather from lunch-time deteriorated and when we were at 2000 metres it turned cold and violent. Thankfully we were in our vehicle but the migrating birds had nowhere to hide and everywhere we looked there were raptors. As usual Steppe Buzzards were in the majority, but also good numbers of Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, a couple of Honey Buzzards and new raptors for the trip included Lesser Spotted Eagle and Booted Eagle. This now puts our raptor list on 25 for the trip as a whole and still a couple of other possibles to go yet!
Eurasian Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and hirundines also came tumbling out of the sky and downed passerines in the rain showers included Red-backed Shrike and Whinchat. Some reed-fringed ponds held Garganey, Little Grebe, Water Rail and Sedge Warbler. A crake or two didn't show too well but on the calls and brief views were thought to be Little Crake - a return visit is planned for tomorrow!
Other new birds for the trip included Cattle Egret and White Stork from the roadside as we headed for the Javakheti Plain area and our accommodation at the heritage site of Vardzia (famous cave complex).
Regards
Neil M
Today was mostly a day of travel as we moved from the east side of Georgia to the extreme south west. The weather from lunch-time deteriorated and when we were at 2000 metres it turned cold and violent. Thankfully we were in our vehicle but the migrating birds had nowhere to hide and everywhere we looked there were raptors. As usual Steppe Buzzards were in the majority, but also good numbers of Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, a couple of Honey Buzzards and new raptors for the trip included Lesser Spotted Eagle and Booted Eagle. This now puts our raptor list on 25 for the trip as a whole and still a couple of other possibles to go yet!
Eurasian Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and hirundines also came tumbling out of the sky and downed passerines in the rain showers included Red-backed Shrike and Whinchat. Some reed-fringed ponds held Garganey, Little Grebe, Water Rail and Sedge Warbler. A crake or two didn't show too well but on the calls and brief views were thought to be Little Crake - a return visit is planned for tomorrow!
Other new birds for the trip included Cattle Egret and White Stork from the roadside as we headed for the Javakheti Plain area and our accommodation at the heritage site of Vardzia (famous cave complex).
Regards
Neil M
 |
| Green Warbler |
 |
| Armenian Gull |
No comments:
Post a Comment