Region 2: GREATER CAUCASUS
14. Mountain Lake Ritsa
Coordinates: 43 o27’ N, 40o32’ E
Altitude: 884 m. a.s.l.
 Alpine– like, humid. Winters are snowy, summers warm. Annual precipitation ca. 2,200 mm (220 mm in January, 180 mm in April, 140 mm in July, 200 mm in October). Over 50 days with heavy rains per year. About. 180 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/0, April/4, July/18, October/10. Mean maximum temperature (July)/34 o C.
This site has a spectacular location on the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. A large mountain lake (water surface 0.67 km2, maximal depth 116 m), rich in trout, it is surrounded by mixed mountain forests and subalpine meadows. In previous times it was used as a nature reserve / tourist resort.
 A common set of forest bird species can be watched – owls, including short– eared and long– eared owls, eagle owl, tawny owl, scops– owl, nightjar, six species of woodpeckers, goshawk, peregrine falcon, kingfisher, common crossbill, various tits and warblers, wood pigeon, stock dove, white– throated dipper, wren, and other passerine birds. In subalpine areas, golden eagle, griffon vulture and lammergeier can be watched, along with the endemic Caucasian black grouse.
 Chamois, brown bear, roe deer, lynx, wildcat, rock marten. Endemic species – Caucasian toad, Caucasian mud– diver, rock lizards, Artwin wood lizard, Aesculapian snake, Caucasian adder, Caucasian mole, Pontic wood mouse, Shelkownikow’ s water shrew. The area is covered by mixed mountain forest (Nordmann’ s fir, eastern beach, eastern spruce, chestnut, and Sosnowsky’ s pine– tree. In the understory, typical plants are Pontic rhododendron, cherry laurel, butcher’ s broom, and holly. Special attractions include bell flowers (Campanula mirabilis), locally known as the strawberry tree.
 The lake is an important tourist attraction and vacation place itself.
 From May through September.
 This site is in the area of conflict in Abkhazia. The presence of Russian troops along with uncontrolled paramilitary groups make the area extremely unsafe. It is closed to tourism for the near future.
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