Batumi

Seaside

Because Batumi is located on a major migratory route the chances to see some rare or even vagrant species increase dramatically. High numbers of small passerines found at the seaside, the boulevar, in the city parks and in some areas around the port. The illumination attracts good numbers of birds migrating at night. Wherever you find a patch of trees or bushes along the coastline, you might encounter some splendid birds!

The most common passerine birds are Common Redstart (hundreds can be seen during a fall) and Reed Warbler. Good numbers of species such as Siberian Stonechat (especially ssp. variegata), Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Bluethroat, Sedge Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan Bunting... are observed regularly during the BRC project. Many so-called goodies are observed nearly every time and range throughout the entire spectrum of passerines including very approachable Wrynecks, Hoopoe, Isabelline Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Barred Warblers, Olivaceous Warblers, Savi's Warbler, River Warblers, Paddyfield Warbler, Booted Warbler, Corn Bunting, Scarlet Rosefinch, Greater Reed Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike ... Other records have been Stone Curlew, Short-Eared Owl, Eurasian Scops' Owl, Nightjar, lots of Quail and even one Dusky Warbler, one Yellow-browed Warbler, one Pallas Warbler and so on.

Especially after rainy nights, high amounts of passerines pauze their migration and are sheltering in the most absurd places. When rain continues throughout the day, also many migrating waders, ducks and seabirds can be seen easily from the shore. Observations have included Arctic and Pomarine Skua, Yelkouan Shearwater, migrating Black-winged Pratincoles, up to 130 Red-necked Phalaropes ... In these weather conditions rough seas often bring marine mammals close to shore as well providing good views of Common Dolphin (ssp. ponticus) and Harbour Porpoise.