Encounter the Birds of The Caucasus in Georgia

Georgia sits at a crossroads of the world, and the Caucasus is a region of great diversity in culture, landscape and wildlife. Tailormade tours to Georgia take bird watchers to the mountains of the Caucasus and the steppe grasslands of central Georgia, near the capital Tbilisi, and offer the opportunity to see Caucasian Snowcock, Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Paddyfield Warblers and numerous other bird species. The northbound spring migration of birds to Russia makes the land awash with ever-changing life, and it's a true delight for enthusiasts. To maximise the sightings, an expert naturalist should accompany groups.

Caucasus Mountains

May is spring in the Caucasus Mountains, and the perfect time of the year for bird watchers to enjoy this spectacular and diverse part of the world. The migration of birds to Russia is a window of opportunity to see a range and quantity of species greater than at most other times of the year. To enjoy this display of wildlife, tailormade tours to the village of Kazbegi are ideal. At an altitude of 1,800 metres, Kazbegi is ideally located in the heart of the mountains. In May, snow continues to fall but spring is on the way — and with it, the birds.

Four Palearctic rarities are the brightest stars for visitors to this region. In the scrub on the outskirts of Kazbegi, bird watchers can expect to see the stunning Güldenstadt’s Redstart and plump, pretty Great Rosefinches. The rocky crags above Kazbegi are home to Caucasian Snowcock, whose curlew-like cries can be heard coming from the rocks. Venturing further afield, avid bird watchers can search for the Caucasian Black Grouse, with attractive black males and the more sedately-hued females. There are other stars, however. Bird watchers can expect to see an array of species, whether passing through or making their homes in the Caucasus. These include Lammergeier, Red-throated Pipit, White-throated Robin, Red-billed Chough, Alpine Accentor, Red-fronted Serin, Mountain Chiffchaff, Golden Oriole and more.

Steppe

From the capital of Tbilisi, a different side of Georgia is visible in the semi-desert steppe and its wildlife. Tailormade tours take bird watchers to the expansive grasslands, where resident species and the spring migration provide a glorious array to sight, including Western Rock Nuthatch, Barred Warblers in brilliant summer plumage, Calandra Larks, Isabelline Wheatears and Pied Wheatear. In wetlands around the region’s lakes, sightings of Pygmy Cormorant, Paddyfield Warblers, White-tailed Eagle and more are possible.

There is, of course, more to Georgia than its wildlife. Tailormade tours also take visitors to important cultural sites, including the monastery of David Gareja on a half-desert slope to the south-east of Tbilisi. This Christian complex is hollowed out of rock, with hundreds of churches, chapels, cells, living and dining quarters, as well as surviving examples of centuries-old frescoes. It is a definite highlight alongside the beautiful bird life.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re passionate about wildlife, tailormade tours with Naturetrek include expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

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