BIRDWATCHING TOUR IN ARMENIA

Seasonality: half of May and June

Armenia is a part of Caucasus Mountains and is situated between Black and Caspian seas providing Biogeography Bridge between Europe and Asia. The geographic area of modern Armenia is about 30,000 sq km, which is approximately the size of Belgium.

The elevation of Armenia varies from 370 to 4090 m above see level. Such variation creates diversity of the landscapes on different altitudes. In Armenia it is possible to start driving from the semidesert, then pass the thin juniper forest, deciduous forest, and reach the subalpine meadows during one hour. During the 8 day trip it is possible to see over 190 bird species. Different landscapes have own diversity of birds. While the semidesert is occupied by Wheatears, Rock-nuthatches, and Buntings, etc., the forests inhabits by Woodpeckers and Flycatchers and the subalpine zone is occupied by Acceptors, Wall creepers and Snowcocks. In all types of landscapes we can find rocky gorges with huge cliffs, where it is possible to observe Vultures, Falcons, Rock-thrushes etc. In arid regions, the area near rivers occupied by riparian forests, where Levant Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker breed.

The Sevan Lake, which is situated on the 2000m above see level is the second biggest high-mountain lake in the world. That lake is occupied by the biggest colony of Armenian Gull. Another fabulous area for the waterbirds is Armash which lies at the foot of the Biblical Ararat Mountain, where Noah run his arc to ground.

If you choose Armenia for the birdwatching, it will be unforgettable for you, but also it will support conservation of rich and fragile Armenian nature.

DAY 1

Yerevan arrival. Meeting in “Zvartnots” International Airport.

Driving to Dilijan, where you will spend the rest of the day. After check-in in Dilijan hotel for a two-night stay, you will spend the late afternoon birding in the forests around the town. Here you can see Middle Spotted Woodpecker (caucasicus), Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers and Green Warbler. Overnight in the hotel. 

DAY2

Breakfast in the hotel. This morning you will have the opportunity to bird on the slopes of Tsaghkunyats Mountains, where Caucasian Black Grouse can be found. Other possible species include Lammergeier, Water Pipit, Alpine and Radde’s Accentors, Siberian Stonechat (armenica race), Bluethroat (magna race), White-throated Dipper, Twite and Mountain Chiffchaff.

Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 3

Breakfast in the hotel. Then you will drive along the western shore of Lake Sevan and see the largest breeding colony of Armenian Gulls in the world and also see Black-necked Grebe and Ruddy Shelduck.

Transfer across the 2410m Selima Pass in the Vardenis Mountains to Yeghegnadzor for a two-night stay. En route you will look for Black-headed Wagtail and Barred Warbler.

Support in check-in. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. This morning you will make an early start for Mount Gndasar. You first climb through steep, arid rocky slopes before reaching the Alpine meadows with impressive cliffs towering above them. This is the haunt of our primary target, Caspian Snowcock. You will spend most of the day in the area looking for this impressive bird, together with other specialties of the mountains: Wallcreeper, White-winged Snowfinch and Crimson-winged Finch.

Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 5

Breakfast in the hotel. After that you will visit the superb Armash Fishponds en route to Yerevan. Armash is simply outstanding for wetland species, attracting Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Purple and Squacco Herons and Black-crowned Night-heron. The reedbeds resound with calls of Caspian and Great Reed Warblers and the colonizing Paddyfield Warbler, whilst open waters have Marbled and Ferruginous Ducks and Red-crested Pochards. Whiskered, White-winged, Black and Little Terns hawk over the pools for insects, whilst water meadows and muddy areas have nesting Glossy Ibis and White-tailed Lapwing. The pools also regularly attract migrant Terek and Curlew Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalaropes. Armash is surrounded by semi-desert with Tamarisk, Camel’s Thorn and Sagebrush bushes. This unique habitat attracts Eastern Olivaceous, Ménétries’s and Upcher’s Warblers, together with European Rollers, and European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters.

Overnight in the hotel in Yerevan.

 Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will visit two arid gorges in the Ourts Mountains and in outskirts of Vedi town. It will be necessary to travel by four-wheel drive but we should be well rewarded with an array of superb species. These include Lammergeier, Chukar, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, White-throated Robin, Isabelline, (Eastern) Black-eared and Red-tailed (chrysopygia race) Wheatears, Eastern Orphean and Upcher’s Warblers, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches, Pale Rock Sparrow and Rock Bunting. Also we will be looking for Mongolian Finch and Grey-necked Bunting, although we may see many of the birds from yesterday again, like Bimaculated Lark, Finsch’s Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch.

Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 7.

Breakfast in the hotel. Your final full day will be spent on the slopes of Mount Aragats, where you will have further chances to see many of the species seen earlier on the tour. In the afternoon you will return to Yerevan, where you still have some birding to do in one of the city parks. Amongst the hustle-bustle of city life, two more highly sought-after species can be found breeding: Levant Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker.
DAY 8

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

·        Yerevan 3*-4* hotel residence

·        Dilijan and Yeghegnadzor guest house residence

·        3-times meal

·        High-qualified guide-interpreter service

·        Professional friendly driver

·        24-hours tourist support

Tour package does not include:

·        Air ticket fair

·        Visa fee

·        Alcohol beverages