Pilot Spring Count 2014
The BRC is conducting its first spring count in Batumi from 01. April till 31. May and invites everybody who is keen to join the migration count.
This pilot study aims to record data on all passing raptors, waders, seabirds and passerines in Batumi to create a full data set on phenology, timing and abundance. Yet, we have only counted sporadically but the day results were quite promising. This season we are starting the day from a count post in the delta. After 4 hours we will switch to the near mountains and focus on raptor migration till late afternoon. As hunting is very rare in spring, we are curious on a calm morning in the delta and on surprising news of rare observations. The drive from the delta to the counting post will be done with a 4x4 and takes about 30min.
You like to support the pilot spring count? Then make a difference with your donation and help us to bring volunteers to Batumi! Or join us during spring and watch the fantastic migration!
Join as counter
We invite everybody interested in proving an important bottleneck for spring migration to join us on the posts. There is no strict time schedule, no heavy protocol, just a daily running 4x4 starting well before sunrise and returning short before sunset. We like to have a stable team of 4 counters but this may vary during the season. We also give assistance to everybody in finding an accommodation near the posts. The costs are covered for the vehicle, everything else needs to be covered by each person or comes from donations through our website.
Join as eco-tourists
Our guesthouses in Sakhalvasho are also open, which you can book on our website. Near the guesthouses you find good observation points for raptor migration while you need to book transport to the spring posts with the drivers from the village. Of course, we will be happy to assist you and arrange your stay as comfortable as possible.
New program board
The BRC has a new program board, now functioning within Bird Conservation Georgia. We welcome Folkert De Boer and Siranush Tumanyan as new members, and a few leave us. The former long time board member and founder, Brecht Verhelst, has left and shifted to the position as Director of Bird Conservation Georgia. There he is still in a strong function to support the BRC program with necessary needs, apart from other projects he coordinates. We'll miss Wouter Vansteelant, who has been actively working as board member for several years and decided to take a step back.
The main tasks for the new program board is to set sail for sustainable waters where the BRC can remain over the long term. Our core projects autumn monitoring, student exchange, ecotourism and research have been set up from the scratch and proven important for the protection of raptors. We now bring their sustainability into the focus of our efforts while additional, smaller extensions can be supportive and necessary to maintain the program.
With kind regards,
the program board of BRC
Jasper Wehrmann (Chairman)
Johannes Jansen (Vice-chairman)
Siranush Tumanyan
Folkert de Boer
Order the BRC new year cards
Wish your friends and family merry migration and a happy new year with the new BRC postcards!
One pack contains 5 different postcards and 5 envelopes, and costs €10, delivery included. All you have to do to get them, is to mail your address to filiep.tjollyn@batumiraptorcount.org and we will get back to you with payment instructions.
Order the set of the cards today and support our raptor conservation mission!
Cards designed by Rafa Benjumea - Ecotono Birding Sevilla.