The final full day

Our last day was spent in the Davit Gareji area, with its mediterranean landscape and steppe-like vegetation it was yet another revelation of the huge diversity of this wonderful country.

Levan's Lunch

It is a long journey from Tbilisi so we stopped at some lakes along the way, adding water birds to our trip list, Great Reed Warbler sang from the reed bed as we drew to a halt.   There were also a wide collection of birds to see including Garganey, Black-crowned Night-heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Ferruginous Duck, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Plover, Curlew Sandpiper,  and we heard Greenshank in the distance.

A pair of Black-headed Yellow Wagtail were spotted in the reeds, the male showed off a beautiful black head which contrasted wonderfully with the yellow body.   A Savi's Warbler was seen; but it was a while before we could track it down as it shot between the the base of stands of reeds.

As we moved towards the Davit Gareji Monastery Egyptian Vulture circled over the valley and White Stork were also seen.   We picnicked under a tree in the garden of a small building which looked like it could be a hostel for weary travellers.   Levan had provided an excellent lunch for us which he had sourced overnight from his local shops.   It was certainly the best lunch we had in the whole trip.

Wonderful Landscape

The building of the Monastery site was started in the 6th Century, the buildings are hewn from the rock.   The monks that remain (around 12) live in caves carved from the hillside.    An amazing place to visit, and with some great wildlife too, including Blue Rock Thrush and Common Rock Sparrow.   It also had a great mobile tea and coffee bar in a vehicle in the car park.

After enjoying the area for a few hours we were off back to Tbilisi, but this time on a route which took us along the inside of the Georgian/Azerbaijan/Armenia borders, via some more wetland areas and here added even more birds to the trip list: Pygmy Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, Wigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Whiskered and White-winged Tern, Common Skylark and Rook.

Entering the complex

Eventually we had to give in and return to the hotel for our last evening.   After making a rather half-hearted attempt at packing, we were off for a meal in a more traditional Georgian restaurant, this time in what appeared to be a cellar.

The food Levan chose for us on the final night was once again, excellent.   With a different style of food which was more from the Tbilisi area.

After dinner, some went back to the hotel, whilst Nico, Alan and I decided to venture up the cable car to view the city from the nearby hilltop.   This was a great experience, especially as I found out I had saddled myself with two gentlemen who were less keen than me on heights.   However, we had a smooth journey to the top of the ridge, and great view from the top, and eventually (with only fie minutes to go before the cable car closed) a smooth journey back down.

Caves in the Monastery

An excellent end to a fantastic trip.   176 bird species seen, 15 butterflies positively identified, 15 non-avian species identified, but more to come as we wade through the photographs.

Thanks to Nicola Scatassi from Skua Nature, Levan Ninua from Ecotours Georgia, Ornitholidays and by no means least my fellow travellers.

Farewell Georgia . . .  until the next time