Region 3: MTKVARI VALLEY
15. Lake Lisi
Coordinates: 41 o41’ N, 44o44’ E
Altitude: 400– 500 m. a.s.l.
 Warm, Mediterranean– like, reasonably dry. 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.
 This area is a small lake in the vicinity of Tbilisi. Its surroundings provide good opportunities for wildlife watchers. The landscape is rocky and arid with shrub vegetation and plots of steppe. The lake itself provides a shelter to various waterbirds. In landscapes near the lake, one can watch various reptiles, small birds, fox and hare, Mediterranean– like plant associations. A one– day excursion to this lake is possible for the tourists based in Tbilisi.
 At the lake, waterfowl such as mallard and several other duck species, grey heron, little bittern, and grebes can be watched. Raptors include marsh harrier and lesser spotted eagle, common buzzard and hobby. Around the site, birds typical for the arid landscape can be watched, such as European bee– eater, hoopoe, wheatears, shrikes, Spanish sparrow, black– headed bunting, and ortolan bunting.
  The lake is rich in reptile fauna, including Caspian terrapin and European marsh turtle, ring and dice snakes; rocky hills near the lake harbor Mediterranean tortoises, European glass lizard, Caucasian agama, striped lizard, middle lizard, Portschinski’ s rock lizard. Relatively common reptiles are calm eirenis, cat– eyed snake, blend snake, red– bellied racer, and four– striped racer. Occasionally, western boa, mottled and olive racers, and Transcaucasian racer are found. Foxes, hares, and badgers are occasionally seen in the area. A number of plants typical for dry Mediterranean– like landscapes are common, especially astragals, spiraea, wild pomegranate, berberis, celtis, wild pear, fig, and Christ thorn.
 Fishing, swimming, various sport facilities on the lake coast.
  From April through September.
 One can reach the area by car (around 30 min. from Tbilisi center) or by minibus, regularly departing from the Saburtalo district of Tbilisi.
 No accommodation is required by those based in Tbilisi. There is a restaurant in the lake area.
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