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Lake Sevan - Hayravank Gulf

Գեղարքունիքի մարզ, Gegharkinuk  >  Armenia

Closed gulf with drowned farm, several reed islands, flat coast and an ancient monastery on a high cliff. Winter refuge for water birds.

Added* by Alexey Voloboy
Most recent update 3 березня 2025

Description

Hayravank Gulf is a good combination of artificial forest, grassland, reed islands and a rocky cliff on the northern side. You can find dry steppe species as Кам’янка звичайна and Одуд. Forest birds like tits, Зяблик звичайний, Припутень, and a lot of water birds (grebes and ducks) on the lake. Reed islands and the drowned farm are home for herons, Водяна курочка and other species. On the long flat shore you can encounter waders like Набережник палеарктичний, Коловодник болотяний and Коловодник лісовий. At this spot you can also observe birds of prey such as Лунь очеретяний, Канюк звичайний and Яструб великий.

In winter the area is a refuge for enormous flocks of Чернь чубата, Чернь червонодзьоба and Лиска звичайна. About 50 Лебідь чорнодзьобий are also wintering here.

Details

Access

To get to Hayravank Gulf from Yerevan by car, you should first take M4 road "Sevan highway", then turn right to the M10 road, follow Martuni sign. After 25 km, pass the Hayravank sign and turn left at one of many unpaved roads. All of them are quite good for all types of cars. You are also recommended to go straight to the Hayravank monastery (marked with 1 on the map) for a view of the entire area and this part of Sevan lake. It is possible to explore the area by foot, by car or by bike. It takes 2-3 hours to explore the whole site.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Plain , Canyon/cliff , Steppe , Reedbeds , Beach , Lake , Grassland , Agriculture

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape , Dusty , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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