Descrizione
The town of Stepantsminda is located along the Terek river (the one the bird is named after) at an altitude of 1700m. This means that it only takes little effort to reach higher altitudes for specialities like Caucasian Snowcock and Fagiano di monte del Caucaso. The people are amazingly friendly and helpful and the food is great (though don't forget to ask 'without coriander' if you're not into that).
Mount Kazbek (5033m asl) towers above the small town and is a sight for sore eyes in the morning when it's still freezingly cold down in the village. Birds like Picchio muraiolo (newly created electric dam) and Verzellino fronterossa (flying by) can be easily seen close to the village. Fagiano di monte del Caucaso and Caucasian Snowcock require a little more effort and being an early bird pays off here. For both these species you have to watch, at dawn, from the road leading up to Ioane Natlismcemeli (small monastery on the east side of the town). Mountain Chiffchaff (Caucasian), Merlo dal collare and Verzellino fronterossa can be seen here too. White-winged Redstart and Ciuffolotto scarlatto del Caucaso (two of the star birds) can be seen wintering in the Hippophae (Sea buckthorn) bushes to the southeast and northwest of the village. The Gergeti Trinity Church is a good place to start a hike up towards the glacier, all the specialties can be seen along the route there.
Dettagli
Accesso
Gergeti Trinity Church (gps: 42.662, 44.619) is a good place to start exploring the high altitude species. In spring, the dam (gps: 42.665, 44.644) and the Sea buckthorn to the north of there is interesting for wintering species. Click on a P in the map to get directions to that place.
Terreno e habitat
Montagna , Valle , FiumeCaratteristiche dell’area
Montagnoso , RocciosoPercorso ad anello
SiÈ utile un cannocchiale?
SiBuona stagione per il BW
Primavera , EstateMiglior periodo per visitare
PrimaveraPercorso
Strada sterrataGrado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi
FaticosoModalità di accesso
A piedi , MacchinaCapanno/torretta di osservazione
NoInformazioni aggiuntive
A car is handy to drive up to the Trinity Church, but a walking trail is also accessible.


