Just outside the city of Batumi - situated in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus, on the eastern shoreline of the Black Sea - is one of the best places in the whole western Palearctic to watch migrating raptors. Here, it is possible to witness a migration spectacle that is rarely paralleled anywhere in the world: over 1.000.000 raptors belonging to 35 species are recorded here each autumn, as they make their annual journey south from Scandinavia, the forests of Russia and the steppes of Central Asia to their wintering grounds in Africa. Strong movements of storks, cranes, bee-eaters, swifts, swallows, and a diverse assemblage of other “songbirds” are also seen here. The unique topography and climate in the region set the stage for bringing together so many birds at one time, at one place, guaranteeing a totally unique natural history experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime!

35 RAPTORS THAT CAN BE POSSIBLY SEEN IN BATUMI, SEVERAL REALLY STAND OUT:

• The Honey Buzzard migration begins in earnest during late August, with peak movements of birds continuing into the first week of September. Some of the highest counts of Honey Buzzard anywhere in the world have been recorded right here in Batumi, with nearly 650.000 Honey Buzzards recorded in Autumn 2012. And every now and then, the rare Oriental Honey-buzzard can be spotted among these flocks.
• No fewer than four species of Harrier can be seen in Batumi: (Western) Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, and Hen Harrier. Of these four, peak movements for Marsh, Montagu's, and Pallid Harrier-beginning typically late August and tapering noticeably by the second or third week of September-also have racked up some of the highest counts anywhere in the western Palearctic.
• Eagle migration is as interesting in Batumi as it is diverse, with good possibilities for seeing Booted Eagle, Short-toed (Snake) Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, and even (Eastern) Imperial Eagle from the third week of September through the first weeks of October.

Falcons are also well-represented in the Batumi bottleneck. By mid to late September, it is possible to see Common Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Hobby, Merlin, and Peregrine on the same day! Saker Falcon is also recorded on occasion.

The village of Chaisubani and Sakhalvasho is the best place for those wishing to share their interests about ecology and migration of birds of prey. Apart from birdwatching, you can enjoy picturesque landscape and surrounding forests. Several paths from here lead to the watching places in the Mtirala National Park. In 2012 first Bird Festival was held in Ajara organized by the International Organization "Batumi Raptor Count" and Ajara Tourism and Resort Department. The aim of the festival was to popularize birdwatching in Ajara. Participants were experts and interested people from Georgia and foreign countries as well. The potentiality of birdwatching in Ajara was once again confirmed on 3 September, 2012 when according to the data from "Batumi Raptor Count" 179.342 migrating honey buzzards were registered during a day. The figure considerably exceeds the latest figure confirmed in Israel in 1982 about 124.000 migrating honey buzzards a day.

Useful links: www.rubythroatbirding.com, www.ineziatours.nl, www.birdingbreaks.nl.