Description
Lake Arpi has a big nesting colony of кадроглав пеликан and чапја лажичарка. It is also a perfect stop for spring migrants like обичен пеликан, лисеста гусковидна патка, дива гуска and various waders. In summer the surrounding fields and meadows become home for passerines such as Mountain Chiffchaff, Common Rosefinch, обично камењарче, градинарска стрнарка, нордиско конопјарче and predators like мал орел, глувчар, блатна еја, јастреб врапчар and мал орел кликач.
During spring migration and summer you can find waterfowl, waders, field and even forest species like кукавица and имелов дрозд in the area. There are several villages at the coast of Lake Arpi with cattle farms, where обичен сколовранец, селска ластовичка and other synanthropic species live.
Details
Access
From Gyumri go to Berdashen (last 20 km are unpaved but smooth). Then after the bridge over Ahuryan river, turn left, and after 100 m turn left again on a small road to the hydropower plant and park your car there. If the road is dry, you can go closely along the lakeshore.
It is the best place to observe кадроглав пеликан. There is a colony on a nearby island. If you go further around the lake you can make a stop between Dzorakert and Tsakhut villages. It is also good place on a lake shore.
It takes 3-4 hours of thorough birding in this part of the lake. If you want to make full circle around Lake Arpi it can take 6-7 hours (including 3-4 stops).