Region 1: SOUTHEAST
2. Jandari Lake
Coordinates: 41 o25’ N, 45o15’ E
Altitude: 291 m. a.s.l.
 Dry throughout the geographic area, but locally humid. Soft winter, warm to hot summer. Annual precipitation ca. 400 mm (< 20 mm in January, < 40 mm in April, < 40 mm in July, < 30 mm in October), 20-30 days with heavy rains per year. 10-20 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/0, April/12, July/23, October/13. Mean maximum temperature (July) 37 o C.
 The site is a medium-size lake (water surface ca. 10 km2), situated in the steppe landscape southeast of Tbilisi, near the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is an important site for both migratory and nesting waterfowl birds. Warm, dry area around the lake. One-day visits are possible. A little village located at the northern shore of the lake. The area is a favorite site for fishermen.
 Especially high density of birds observed in winter and in early spring (late March), during migration. The lake harbors large aggregations of cormorants including pigmy cormorant, large groups of coots, great crested and little grebes, little and cattle egrets, grey herons, several species of ducks, including mallard, northern shoveler, common teal, garganey, and some others, diving ducks and shelducks, four species of terns and four species of gulls, including great black-headed gull. In the reedbed around the lake, common species are squacco heron, little bittern, night heron, occasionally – black stork, several species of crakes, and various songbirds. In surroundings of the lake, one can watch large groups of rose-coloured starlings and bee-eaters, Eurasian hobby, imperial eagle, roller, hoopoe, several species of shrikes, buntings, and larks.
  Large mammals are difficult to see in the daytime, although the northwestern coast is commonly visited by wolf, golden jackal, wild and jungle cats, badger and fox. En route to the site, in irrigation channels, there are many amphibians and aquatic reptiles; the most attractive of these are Syrian spadefoot toad, Caspian terrapin, and European marsh turtle. Also found are ring and dice snakes, yellow-lemon treefrogs, and occasionally red-bellied and four-striped racers. Best time to watch amphibians and reptiles – April through May.
 March through April (migratory and wintering waterbirds, aquatic turtles).
 Visit to this site may be combined with a visit to the Davit-Gareji Monastery complex. There is a minibus route between Tbilisi and Jandari village; the minibus leaves from the area of Samgori market (bazaar) in Tbilisi. However, we recommend visiting the site by car. One-way travel by car to Jandari Lake from Tbilisi takes less than 1.5 hours.
 The site is reachable from the town Gardabani. Bus and minibus departs for Gardabani from Samgori bus station in Tbilisi several times a day, prices range from 3 to 5 lari. Travel by car to Gardabani takes 40-45 minutes from Tbilisi one-way. The area is reachable from Gardabani by car. All wildlife-watching areas reachable by foot.
 No appropriate accommodation available in the area, but it is easy to return in the evening to Tbilisi. Several restaurants and café lie en route from Tbilisi to Gardabani.
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