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(1 rating)

Armash Fishponds

Ararat  >  Armenia

Ancient fishponds in an otherwise arid area attract a wide range of bird species, aided by its location in a major flyway. An Important Bird Area.

Added* by Axel Kirby
Most recent update 27 June 2020

Description

The ponds are on the Armenian side of the Araks River with mountains on either side. There is open water, reed beds and grassed areas with some derelict buildings.

Details

Access

Vehicular approach from the M-2 road south of Yerevan. Rail tracks impede vehicles with low clearance. On the site, there are footpaths between the ponds, sometimes muddy.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , River , Reedbeds

Conditions

Wet , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

This is not a nature reserve and local peermission may be needed. Local guide advantageous.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

birdingplace
bird
hide/platform
lookout tower
parking
point of interest
restaurant/café
viewpoint
visitor centre
Route
2 km

Top 5 birds

White-headed Duck
1. White-headed Duck
(Oxyura leucocephala)
White-winged Tern
2. White-winged Tern
(Chlidonias leucopterus)
White-tailed Lapwing
3. White-tailed Lapwing
(Vanellus leucurus)
Common Cuckoo
4. Common Cuckoo
(Cuculus canorus)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
5. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
(Merops persicus)

Other birds you can see here

Marbled Teal
Marbled Teal
(Marmaronetta angustirostris)
Red-crested Pochard
Red-crested Pochard
(Netta rufina)
Common Pochard
Common Pochard
(Aythya ferina)
Ferruginous Duck
Ferruginous Duck
(Aythya nyroca)
Great Crested Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
(Podiceps cristatus)
European Turtle Dove
European Turtle Dove
(Streptopelia turtur)
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Coot
(Fulica atra)
Northern Lapwing
Northern Lapwing
(Vanellus vanellus)
Kentish Plover
Kentish Plover
(Charadrius alexandrinus)
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
(Limosa limosa)
Common Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
(Actitis hypoleucos)
Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull
(Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
White Stork
White Stork
(Ciconia ciconia)
Purple Heron
Purple Heron
(Ardea purpurea)
Little Egret
Little Egret
(Egretta garzetta)
Squacco Heron
Squacco Heron
(Ardeola ralloides)
Black-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)
Western Marsh Harrier
Western Marsh Harrier
(Circus aeruginosus)
Pallid Harrier
Pallid Harrier
(Circus macrourus)
Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Hoopoe
(Upupa epops)
Common Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher
(Alcedo atthis)
European Bee-eater
European Bee-eater
(Merops apiaster)
European Roller
European Roller
(Coracias garrulus)
Jackdaw
Jackdaw
(Coloeus monedula)
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Lesser Short-toed Lark
(Alaudala rufescens)
Bearded Tit
Bearded Tit
(Panurus biarmicus)
Savi's Warbler
Savi's Warbler
(Locustella luscinioides)
Sand Martin
Sand Martin
(Riparia riparia)
House Sparrow
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
Black-headed wagtail
Black-headed wagtail
(Motacilla flava feldegg)
White Wagtail
White Wagtail
(Motacilla alba)

Comments & Tips

W Meinken (2020-11-01)

This is definitely one of the best spots for birdwatching in the region. Additional species that can be seen here quite easily are Paddyfield Warbler and Menetries' Warbler.

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