GEORGIA

This exciting tour to the furthest outreaches of the Western Palearctic offers a unique chance to see a number of species at the very edge of their ranges, such as Güldenstädt's Redstart and Great Rosefinch. In addition, there are a number of regional endemics such as Caucasian Black Grouse, Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Chiffchaff and Green Warbler. All this in the spectacular Caucasian Mountains, rising to 5642m above the plains in Georgia.

Day 1 Flight from London to Tbilisi via Kiev and overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 2 This morning, we head straight to our main destination in Georgia: Kazbegi village in the Terek River valley, where we stay for four nights. Driving along the Georgian Military Highway, the road snakes through a gorge before finally crossing Krestovyy pass at 2379m, dropping down into Kazbegi and eventually into Russia. Birds we will look for en route include Egyptian Vulture, Eurasian Griffon-vulture, Peregrine, the majestic Lammergeier, Horned (Shore) Lark (penicillata), Common Redstart (samamisicus), Twite (brevirostris) and White-winged Snowfinch.

Days 3–5 These three days will be spent exploring the valleys, gorges and slopes close to Kazbegi, where Caucasian Black Grouse and Caucasian Snowcock can be found against a backdrop of the mighty Caucasian Mountains. Although we won't be far from the highest peak of the central Caucasus, Mount Kazbek at 5033m, we won't have to climb that high to see our birds! Wallcreepers live on the sheer rock faces, whilst Red-billed and Yellow-billed Choughs, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit and Black Redstart can be found on the edges of the snowfields as the snowline retreats upslope with the onset of spring. Flocks of Red-fronted Serins can also be found where the forests meet the meadows. Two other highly sought-after species breed on the high mountain slopes, but at the time of our visit they can be found much lower down waiting for the snow to retreat: Güldenstädt's Redstart and Great Rosefinch. This is the only Western Palearctic location for these species. Great Rosefinch in particular is well worth searching out as the isolated population in these mountains may well represent a separate species. In the riverine scrub lining the valley bottoms we should also find Caucasian Chiffchaff (a possible split from Mountain Chiffchaff) and Green Warbler. Depending on the weather conditions, there may be a variety of migrants including European Bee-eater, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and Ortolan Bunting. There are likely to be raptor movements at any time but, with the right weather, the numbers could increase to hundreds or even thousands of birds each day. European Honey-buzzards are likely to be the commonest, closely followed by Montagu's and Pallid Harriers, Western Marsh-harriers, Steppe Buzzards and Black Kites, along with the occasional Steppe Eagle, Red-footed Falcon and Northern Goshawk. Also possible in the area is East Caucasian Tur. This form of mountain ibex can be seen deftly walking along the most precipitous of ledges.

Day 6 After lunch we leave Kazbegi and drive back over the pass to Tbilisi birding en-route of course. We may have some time for sightseeing in this famous old city before dinner and an early night sleep in the city.

Day 7 Early morning departure back to the airport for our return flight home via Kiev.

General Information The weather can be highly variable from below freezing with snow to pleasantly warm. The amount of physical effort required is moderate, although it may be necessary to walk up some mountain paths for high altitude species. Visas are required and information will be supplied. The area we are visiting is entirely safe.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6 with 2 leaders; maximum group size: 12 with 3 leaders.