Yesterday turned out to be interesting. Not because of either the volume and variety but..........because of the lack of it compared to Sakhalvasko and Shuamta:C
The rain, although light compared to the previous day, did not stop until middday. We too the cable-car up to the Argo Cafe at 11:15 - a short 10 minute ride for 15GEL just under 4 quid return.
From 12 until 2 small streams of primarily Black Kites came low over Batumi City via the Sea and others flew up and over us - i estimate about 750+ with 2/3 over the City. From 2-3:30 birds were mixed but less than 500 in total. This comprised more Black Kites, half a dozen each of Marsh Harriers Steppe Buzzards and Booted Eagles (2 pale adults). A single Monty/Pallid and a dozen or so Honey Buzzards were noted. 3 Hobbies, a Peregrine and a Kestrel represented the smaller Falcons and about 25 Sparrowhawks moved thru. 9 Black Storks and a few Hirundines were the little and large of the day. The last 2 hours from 3:30 until our departure was dead apart from the odd already mentioned Sprawk.
No large Eagles or equivalent e.g. Osprey were clocked at all. I thought it quiet considering the previous days rain... The layout of the Cafe means that directly facing the migration route there is the cable-car infrastructure and the Cafe building itself blocks views to the mountains to the adjacent East. Views to the West over the Black Sea and Batumi are unobstructed as are to the South over Chorokhi. This means, for me, if nothing is heading towards me i have to run over to see if anything is passing. With the Bride left in-situ c/w B
it was achievable and i do not believe we missed close streams.
When i saw the day count of 8k+ at Sak and nearly 20k at Shuamta i was very surprised also the variety including many identified and unidentfied large Eagles:C Quite where these birds went i do not know but they could have gone much higher as there was clear Blue skies - ideal for these birds to reach 15 thousand feet.
Consequently my viewing plans have been changed.
I will go to Sakhalvasho today as planned and the remaining 2 days. Another jaunt to the Argo Cafe and possibly half a day at Chorokhi have been binned. Batumi at this time of year is about Raptors and if you make the journey you need to be at the best locale which for me is Sak. I have arranged for the taxi-driver to pick me up at 10:30 today and pick me back up at a time yet to be decided but probably around 6pm. We have agreed 50GEL return about 15 quid.
It is worth explaining the discrepancy between the 2 Stations which are no more that 20kms away and indeed Shuamta is actually viewable from Sakhalvasho. Most of the birds start ‘kettling’ around Shuamta rising higher before breaking into ‘streams’ to start moving. Depending on the direction of the stream each Station records the appropriate one in order not to duplicate numbers. These watchpoints have been selected for their position and 360 degree views.
Laurie -
Attached are yesterdays counts.