Region 5: BLACK SEA COAST
25. Batumi bottleneck
Coordinates: 41 o45’ N, 41o45’ E
Altitude: 0– 200 m. a.s.l.
 Warm and humid climate. Winters are rainy, summers warm. Annual precipitation 2,800 mm (260 mm in January, 140 mm in April, 180 mm in July, 260 mm in October). Over 40 days with heavy rains per year. Five to ten days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/3, April/11, July/25, October/16. Mean maximum temperature (July) /36 o C.
 This area is one of the most important birdwatching sites in Eastern Europe, where migratory birds concentrate en route to Africa and southern Asia. The site, near the third largest city of Georgia, has a developed infrastructure for birdwatching. The bottleneck occurs at the location where the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus, covered with humid relic forest, descend to the Black Sea coast. The density of migrating birds that can be watched from the site is higher than in any other place in the Caucasus region. Tourists who would like to combine birdwatching with swimming in the Black Sea or with short trips to a mountain forest have a perfect chance to do this in Batumi. A visit to the site may be combined with a visit to other sites in southwestern Georgia (such as Mtirala or Kolkheti), as well as with a vacation at the Black Sea coast.
 Each fall thousands of birds of prey soaring in thermals migrate through the site. Common buzzards are the dominant species, but many black kites, European honey– buzzards, northern harriers, Montagu’ s harriers, pallid harriers, western marsh harriers, Eurasian sparrowhawks, Levant sparrowhawks, Eurasian hobbies, common kestrels, red– footed falcons, merlins, ospreys, short– toed snake eagles, lesser spotted eagles, greater spotted eagles, imperial eagles, steppe eagles, booted eagles, and white– tailed eagles could be seen as well. Smaller numbers of northern goshawks, peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and rough– legged buzzards are regularly spotted. Other species to watch for include other soaring birds like storks and pelicans as well as a good variety of waterfowl and shorebirds.
 The forests along the Black Sea coast are subtropical. In the sea, diving is possible. Dolphins can sometimes be seen swimming offshore.
 Swimming, diving and fishing.
 September – October.
 Batumi can be reached from Tbilisi both by train (departure every evening from Tbilisi railway station, arrival in morning, price around 10 lari), by bus and minibus. Travel by car takes 6– 7 hours. Details concerning birdwatching can be obtained from the GCCW office.
  In Batumi, single rooms in a comfortable hotel can be rented at prices ranging from $20– 200 per night. Cheap accommodation in private homes is also possible. The birdwatching station provides lodging as well. Restaurants and cafés are found in Batumi or on the road along the Black Sea coast.
|
