Batumi

Batumi has become a must see for birdwatchers. The spectacular autumn migration in the Batumi Bottleneck is very special to experience. On one day you can see tens of thousands of birds of prey flying past you up close on their way from Europe and Asia to Africa. Together with the lush mountain forests, the coastal wetlands and the city of Batumi with its beautiful location on the Black Sea coast, this makes Batumi a great birding destination.

Spectacular raptor migration

Watchpoint Sakhalvasho, a 15-minute drive from Batumi, has become world famous among bird watchers over the last 10 years. This watchpoint attracts a large number of birdwatchers, professional ornithologists, wildlife photographers and nature lovers. Monitoring of the population of birds of prey, is carried out here every autumn by the ‘Batumi Raptor Count’ (BRC), whose work made this place known in many countries around the world. Sakhalvasho watchpoint is located 800 meters above sea level, directly on the top of the mountain, with a beautiful view of the Black Sea to the west, and the hills to the north. Here you can enjoy the awsome migration of raptors from a very spacious two-storey viewing platform right in the background of the city of Batumi. 

The migration of birds of prey starts from the middle of August with the migration of Buzzards and continues until the middle of October, which ends with the migration of eagles. During the second half of September, the huge flocks of Honey-buzzards and Common/Steppe-buzzards reach their peak. The number of Buzzards can exceed 70,000 per day. Together with the second watchpoint and counting station Shuamta thousands of Montagu's Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Sparrowhawk, Pallid Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Egyptian Vulture and Griffon Vulture are counted. On some days the sky is literally black with birds. Wherever you look, birds of prey are soaring. A true birdwatching spectacle and an amazing experience.

Wetlands and lush forests

Its not only birds of prey. Through its location on the Black Sea coast Batumi has an abundance of other species of birds. For example in the Chorokhi Delta, directly south of Batumi, where the Chorokhi River flows into the Black Sea. This estuary is an important area for migratory birds and up to 280 species of birds have been recorded. On a good day birds are virtually everywhere and chances are fair to see rarities like Black-winged Pratincole, Sociable Lapwing, Grey-headed Swamphen, Little Crake or Baillon's Crake. 

If you go north of Batumi you will find even more wetlands such as the Maltakva River Mouth and Lake Paliastomi. And don't forget to visit Mtirala National Park in the forested hills behind Batumi. This pristine Caucasian forest has a nice walking trail and is especially good for woodpeckers. You can find White-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker and Grey-headed Woodpecker. And along the river, Grey Wagtail and White-throated Dipper are numerous.

Green city on the Black Sea

The city of Batumi is a pleasant surprise and perfect as a base to explore the surroundings. Batumi has a lovely old town, fantastic restaurants, many green parks and a long boulevard along the Black Sea lined with palms. From Batumi it is easy to reach the raptor watchpoints, the surrounding wetlands, the botanical garden and Mtirala National Park. But also the city parks are worth while for birding. During the migration season the parks along the boulevard often teem with passerines, which are easy to find and observe. Red-breasted Flycatcher can be abundant, and Thrush Nightingale give very good views. Eurasian Wryneck, Common Redstart, Mountain Chiffchaff (Caucasian), Green Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Greater Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher are often numerous, and occasionally something rare turns up.

Batumi Birdwatching Festival

To promote bird conservation and the uniqueness of the Batumi Bottleneck every year in autumn the Batumi Birdwatching Festival is organized, with bird watching tours, educational activities and scientific conferences. The festival takes place in September. See for more info: Batumi Birdwatching Festival. 

For general information on Batumi (accommodation, transport, culture, food) check out the website of Visit Batumi.

Below we have listed the best birding areas around Batumi for you. Zoom in on the map and click on the red star of a birdingplace on the map below to go to the detailed description of an area.