Next stop Georgia . . . .

Heathrow-Istanbul-Tbilisi and after an overnight journey we arrived around 4:30 am Georgia time.

Formalities and introductions completed and we were soon on our way to the Caucasus mountain area with birding on the way.   

Excellent Migrant country

Breakfast was Georgia cakes and coffee, and the stops by the roadside gave us a gentle introduction to the birdlife, much of which we recognised from home.   

Nuthatch, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great and Blue Tit, and Blackcap, were mixed in with Middle Spotted Woodpecker, European Bee-eater, Armenian gull, Black Kite, Griffon and Black Vulture, Ortolan and Rock Bunting, an eclectic mix to start with.

Common (Steppe) Buzzard and European Honey Buzzard put in an appearance with Eurasian Sparrowhawk shooting through as well.

At the Ananuri Monastery, Nico managed to flush a Common Nightjar which we quickly rebound, but only long enough for a couple of us to get good views.    Barred Warbler, Common Whitethroat and singing Cuckoo managed to create sufficient excitement to keep us all fully alert.

Looking for Semicollared Flycatcher :-(

As an aside: Interestingly at this point my binoculars were in fine fettle - one short mini-bus journey later and the focus was knackered and I spent the rest of the trip with only a small amount of focus adjustment with the right eye only and a foggy out of focus blur with the left!   Still is not what life throws at you that matters its how you deal with it - so I stoically soldiered on with the generous offerings of both guides and fellow travellers at key moments.  Thanks to Nico, Levan, & Jon.

A White-throated Dipper was visible from our lunchtime restaurant, and as we continued our journey both Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrike were seen.   

As we neared our destination the mountain tops were snow-topped and the scenery magnificent.   So many wonderful sights we ran out of words.

View from my hotel room

Bird of the day for me had to be Güldenstädt's Redstart which showed off from the top of Blackthorn bushes as we had a late afternoon stroll, but after dinner and checklist it was an early night after a long first day (and a half!)