Armenia in Spring

Caucasian Black Grouse and Caspian Snowcock are found in the high mountains as well as a very good selection of more widespread alpine species such as White-winged Snowfinch, Eurasian Crimson-winged Finch, Alpine Accentor and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. Juniper scrub below the snowline holds Radde’s Accentor, Ring Ouzel and Bluethroat, (the latter like many other species in the Caucasus, a very distinctive local subspecies). Broadleaf woodland further north resounds to the song of Mountain Chiffchaff, Green Warbler and both Semi-collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers while the gorges and mountain steppe landscape nearer the Turkish border provide habitats for White-throated Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear, Menetries’ and Upchers Warblers plus many other predominantly Middle Eastern species which reach their northern limit here. The fishpond complex at Armash is renowned for its breeding populations of White-headed, Marbled and Ferruginous Ducks plus Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Lapwing and many others species; this area is also a magnet for migrants and is also home to a small colony of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters.

Throughout this largely unspoilt and sparsely populated country, bird of prey populations remain healthy with several species of eagle to be expected and we have a good chance of encountering Lammergeier and Levant Sparrowhawk. Our 11-day tour covers each of the country’s main habitat types but being such a small country, with generally good infrastructure, travelling times between areas are short allowing us to maximise the amount of time spent in the field. While our primary focus is on the regional specialities of the Armenian Caucasus we are sure to see a very good cross section of more widespread European species too.

Armenia sits within the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains and is overlooked by Mount Ararat just over the border in Turkey. Despite its small size and lack of coastline, this former Soviet Republic is home to over two thirds of Europe's regularly occurring species of birds, including many that are rare or very difficult to find elsewhere. Unusually in a region where the Muslim faith predominates, Armenia is a mostly Christian country and its capital, Yerevan, bustles with a lively juxtaposition of old churches and modern buildings and a thriving jazz scene next to reminders of its Soviet past, such as Republic Square. Elsewhere, 13th century bridges and well preserved 'caravanserais' (roadside inns for traders plying the ancient silk route) serve as fascinating reminders of Armenia's long history and strategic location.

Our holiday begins with a flight to Yerevan and a night in the city. The following morning, we head towards Dilijan National Park for a 3-night stay, stopping along the way at Lake Sevan, one of the world's largest freshwater subalpine lakes. Here at a height of 1,900 metres, we will look for Armenian Gull, plus a wide range of other species including Moustached Warbler, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck and all three marsh terns (White-winged, Whiskered and Black Terns). The sea-buckthorn thickets may hold Caucasian Chiffchaff, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes. 

 After visiting Lake Sevan, we will complete our drive to Dilijan National Park, home to a wonderful variety of European and Caucasian forest birds, many of which are represented by local Caucasian subspecies. Our primary targets here include Middle Spotted Woodpecker, the samamisicus race of Common Redstart, Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers and Green Warbler. On one of our days we will explore the Pambak Mountain Range, where we hope to watch Caucasian Grouse at their favourite display areas, plus Red-fronted Serin, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and perhaps a soaring Lammergeier. 

Moving on, we will spend three nights in the Arpa River Valley, from where we will visit the Selim Pass which lies at 2,410 metres and is an excellent spot to scan for raptors. In the nearby open juniper forest and scrub we will search for Chukar, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, whilst orchards around the villages are home to Levant Sparrowhawk and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. Higher up in the Karkatar Mountains we will look for Caspian Snowcock and, if fortunate, may even find a European Brown Bear foraging on a distant slope. The spectacular Norovank Monastery sits in a scenic rocky valley and its surroundings are home to such avian delights as White-throated Robin, Red-tailed Wheatear and Upcher's Warbler, whilst on the nearby Syunik Plateau we will look for Lesser Kestrel, Asian Crimson-winged Finch and Ortolan Bunting.

Next, we change the mountains for wetlands as we explore the Armash Fishponds, Armenia's premier site for waterbirds. We will be based in the town of Chiva for one night as we explore this wonderful patchwork of lakes and marshland which teems with birds including Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed and Ferruginous Ducks, White-tailed Lapwing, White-winged Tern and such passerines as Moustached, Great Reed and Paddyfield Warblers. Meanwhile, the surrounding dry countryside holds Menetries' and Upcher's Warblers, as well as a small colony of exotic-looking Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters.

Our tour of Armenia concludes with two further nights based in the capital, Yerevan, from where we will explore the nearby Vedi Hills and areas close to the Khosrov Reserve. Here, within a landscape of steppe and semi-desert, we will hope to encounter an exciting range of open-country birds such as Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Pale Rockfinch, Trumpeter Finch, Rock and Grey-necked Buntings and the occasional Desert Finch. On our final day we will visit the volcanic slopes of Mount Aragats, an isolated four-peaked volcanic massif, one of which at 4,090 metres is the highest peak in the country. We will wander Mount Aragats' foothills, woodlands, orchards and open habitats in search of European Bee-eater, Roller, Bimaculated, Crested and Greater Short-toed Larks, Isabelline and Finsch's Wheatears, Rock Sparrow, Snowfinch, Twite and Crimson-winged Finch. A wonderful variety of raptors can be seen here too, including all four breeding European vultures (Griffon, Egyptian, Cinereous and Lammergeier), plus Golden, Lesser Spotted, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kite, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Hobby and Goshawk! Such a 'raptor spectacular' will be a fitting finale to our time in this fascinating, and bird-rich, country before we return to Yerevan's international airport for our flight home.