ARMENIA an invitation to enjoy the rich birdlife in an ancient landscape

Lying amidst the Lesser Caucasus, this small but diverse country is squeezed

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Khor Virap Monastery and Mount Ararat

between Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Its rich diversity of both flora and fauna is mirrored by an impressive bird list. Our tour is timed to find regional specialities including Caspian Snowcock, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Bimaculated Lark, Armenian Stonechat, Radde’s Accentor, White-throated Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear, Paddyfield Warbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Green Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Asian Crimson-winged Finch and Grey-necked Bunting. Late arrivals such as Upcher’s Warbler and Pale Rock Sparrow will also be back on breeding territories. During our inaugural tour we also found Desert Finch and breeding Persian Wheatear. The country remains a somewhat neglected destination for both birdwatchers and naturalists alike. Despite being relatively unknown, those that have travelled to Armenia all say it exceeds expectations, with memorable birdwatching experiences to be had throughout. ITINERARY

MOUNT ARAGATS Standing at 13,420 feet, Mount Aragats is Armenia’s highest mountain, part of an isolated ancient volcanic massif that towers to the north of Yerevan. On our first full day we will be concentrating on the montane specialists which breed here. On the lower slopes we can expect to find Isabelline Wheatear, White-throated Robin, Barred Warbler and Black-headed Bunting. Higher up amongst the juniper scrub, there are Ring Ouzels, Bluethroats (lacking either red or white spots), and Radde’s Accentors. Water Pipit is abundant, whilst Shore Larks can also be found in decent numbers. Further on there is a chance of finding higher elevation species such as Crimson-winged Finch, Red-fronted Serin, Twite, White-winged Snow Finch and Alpine Accentor. We will also visit the impressive Amberd Fortress, one of the few well preserved medieval castles to be found in Armenia. The magnificent Lammergeier breeds at this site. LAKE SEVAN AND THE FORESTS OF DILIJAN On day three we will transfer to Lake Sevan, taking a detour to the forests of Dilijan on the way. The ancient beech woods around the canyon of the Haghartsin River hold a mix of Caucasian species such as Levant Sparrowhawk, Green

Warbler, Mountain Chiffchaff and Semi-collared Flycatcher. This is also the site of the Haghartsin monastery built in the 13th century and now the beneficiary of careful renovation. Our next night will be spent in a lakeside hotel on the shores of Lake Sevan, the largest water body in the Caucasus region. The lake is the most important breeding site for Armenian Gulls. Late passage waders such as Broad-billed Sandpiper and Terek Sandpiper can sometimes be found. Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, Black headed Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler and Marsh Warbler also breed around the lakeside. SELIM PASS Our journey then continues south to the town of Yehegnadzor which will be our base for the next four nights. Leaving the shores of Lake Sevan, the road passes through Alpine meadows and marshes. Around small homesteads along the way we can find breeding White-winged Snow Finch, Radde’s Accentor, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch and Red-backed Shrike. Selim Pass is the site of the best preserved caravanserai in Armenia. Built in 1332, the Orbelyan Caravanserai provided shelter for travellers and their animals along the ancient Silk Road. YEHEGNADZOR TO GORIS

With the aid of 4x4 vehicles we will head into the Yeranos Mountains to search for Caspian Snowcock on their breeding crags. In the afternoon we will explore the famous Noravank Gorge where Eastern Rock Nuthatches build their nests on the canyon wall. At the head of the valley is the 13th century monastery. The surrounding brick red cliffs are home to wild Bezoar Ibex which show off their climbing skills on the sheer cliff faces. Red-fronted Serins are a regular sight here whilst Chukars call from prominent perches. In the valley at Zedea a mix of rocky outcrops and scrub is home to a great variety of birdlife. All around you can hear the songs of Woodlark, White-throated Robin, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Barred Warbler and Black-eared Wheatear. Both Western and Eastern Rock Nuthatches also breed here along with Rufous Bushchat, Crag Martin, Rock Bunting, Black-headed Bunting and Woodchat Shrike. On day six we will make an excursion towards the town of Goris in eastern Armenia. Here the landscape changes, becoming more mountainous. We will stop at the megalithic site of Karahunge. This stone “observatory” dates back to 7500 BC making it 2000 years older than Stonehenge. On the way we shall look out for Long-legged Buzzards and Rose-coloured Starlings and also visit a breeding colony of Lesser Kestrels. Closer to Yehegnadzor we shall explore the Jermuk and Arpa gorges. Both are picturesque spots with yet more raptor-watching opportunities. Both Lammergeier and Golden Eagle nest here along with the brookei subspecies of Peregrine. YEREVAN, KHOR VIRAP AND ARMASH FISH PONDS On day eight we will depart Yehegnadzor and head back towards the capital Yerevan, taking in a visit to the Khor Virap Monastery en route. This monastery sits overlooking the fertile Ararat valley and we shall stop here for a while to enjoy the spectacular views of Mt Ararat. You can enter the dungeon which held St Gregory the Illuminator, incarcerated for 13 years by the pagan King Trdat. Ultimately the king released Gregory and then adopted Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. The scrub covered hillside here is also a good place to see the charming Menetries’s Warbler. Many of the country’s best birdwatching locations are situated within easy reach of the nation’s capital, Yerevan, our base for the last three nights. This is a handy location from which to visit the final habitats of the trip. We will be in easy reach of the dry valleys and badlands of Vedi Gorge and the Oorts Mountains. Our targets here include some very special and tricky-to-see species such as Pale Rock Sparrow, Grey-necked Bunting and Upcher’s Warbler, which all breed in the dry gulleys. Any running watercourses will be attractive to many thirsty birds which may include Trumpeter Finch or even the much rarer Desert Finch. Isabelline and Finsch’s Wheatear both nest here whilst rarer still is the Persian Wheatear which has been found nesting in the valleys on the edge of the Oorts Mountains. Commoner species include Blue Rock Thrush, White-throated Robin, Greater Short-toed Lark, Rufous Bushchat and Eastern Orphean Warbler. The nomadic Mongolian Trumpeter Finch has also been recorded here in the past. South of Yerevan, the Armash Fish Ponds are undoubtedly the best birdwatching site in the whole country. Designated an Important Bird Area, it has a list of over 220 bird species. Originally an area of semi-desert, there is now a network of man-made ponds lying in the shadow of the snow covered Mount Ararat, which sits just 20 miles away across the border in Turkey. Collared Pratincole and White-tailed Plover nest on the drier margins whilst the ponds hold breeding White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal and Ferruginous Duck. The

reedbeds are full of Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers, Bearded Tits and a few Paddyfield Warblers, whilst Purple Herons, Little Bitterns, Squacco Herons and Glossy Ibis fly to and fro. Recently drained fishponds can attract a huge variety of wildfowl, passage waders and terns whilst roosting flocks of Armenian Gulls usually contain a few Caspian and Great Black-headed Gulls. The Common Cuckoo is extraordinarily numerous here, whilst the star bird is undoubtedly the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. After three nights in Yerevan, we will drive to the airport, arriving in good time for our morning flight home. CLIMATE AND PACE In the mountains it is often clear but chilly, although rain is a possibility. In contrast, the lowlands are hot and dry. Breakfast will be taken around 7am on most mornings. There will be an earlier start on one morning in order to be out early to see the snowcock. Full days will be spent in the field and basic fitness is all that is required. At Mt Aragats and in the Yeranos mountains there will be some uphill walking which we will manage according to the abilities of the group. Transport will be provided to take the group to the higher valleys and vantage points to reduce the need for any strenuous walking. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full board accommodation is provided with two nights in the Royal Plaza Hotel, Yerevan, one night at the Best Western Bohemian Resort in Sevan, four nights at the Hotel Arpa in Yehegnadzor and the final three nights in the 14th Floor Hotel in Yerevan. All the hotels are comfortable and modern with good restaurants. All rooms have en suite facilities. PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with Bird Holidays leader and expert local guide, full board accommodation (starting with breakfast on the 3rd and ending with breakfast on the 12th), soft drinks at meal times, bottled water throughout, local transport by mini coach and 4x4 jeeps, reserve entrance fees and international flights. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from both London Heathrow to Yerevan (via Paris) using the scheduled services of Air France. Outbound flights depart early morning, return flight arrives back late afternoon. It may be possible to join this tour from Manchester and other UK airports, please contact us for details.

10 nights: Principal leader: Local guide: Maximum group size: Cost with discount (if you book before 17th February 2020): Full Cost: Deposit:

2nd to 12th June 2020 John McLoughlin Siranush Tumanyan 10 clients with one leader and a local guide £2890 per person sharing (£210 single supplement) £2990 per person sharing £800 per person