Illegal killing of birds in Batumi bottleneck Aslan Bolkvadze Batumi, Georgia Autumn migration
Every autumn, over 1,000,000 birds of prey pass through this region during migration.
At least 35 different species of raptors have been observed migrating through the region. Honney- Buzzard flock in Batumi. Autumn migration. Photo by Johannes Jansen
MAIN SPECIES MIGRATING IN BATUMI FLYWAY
Buzzards Eagles Falcons Accipiters 1. Lesser Spotted Eagle 1. European Honey- 1. Lesser Kestrel 1. Levant Sparrowhawk Buzzard 2. Greater Spotted Eagle 2. Common Kestrel 2. Eurasian Sparrowhawk 2. Steppe Buzzard' 3. Steppe Eagle 4. Eastern Imperial Eagle 3. Red-footed Falcon 3. Northern Goshawk 3. Common Buzzard 5. Golden Eagle 4. Eleonora's Falcon Vultures 4. Crested Honey- 6. Booted Eagle Buzzard 5. Merlin 1. Egyptian Vulture 7. Short-toed Snake-eagle 5. Rough-legged Buzzard 6. Eurasian Hobby 2. Griffon Vulture 8. Osprey 7. Lanner Falcon 3. Eurasian Black Vulture 6. Long-legged Buzzard Harriers
Kites 1. Western Marsh-harrier 8. Saker Falcon 35 species in total 1. Black Kite 2. Montagu's Harrier 9. Peregrine Falcon Via BRC data 3. Pallid Harrier 2. Red Kite 4. Hen Harrier
Hunting/Illegal shooting of birds
Shooting migratory raptors is not tradition
It is more recent activity and it seems to be caused by multiple socio- economical and governance issues Falconry
Falconry in Georgia is old tradition
Even 3d yang people are motivated to follow falconry
Hunting never was tradition Shooting is just hobby
Many times injured birds are felling down in to the bush and day by dehydration or predator.
Injured Pallid harrier in Village Dagva Monitoring areas
1. Village AVGIA 2. Village ACHKVA 3. Village DAGVA 4. Village SAMEBA 5. Village ZENITI 6. Village KVIRIKE 7. Village SAKHALVASHO - MAKHINJAURI Pass 8. Village CHAISUBANI/SHUAMTA Technical overview
Monitoring start-end time: 07:00 - 19:00
Monitoring start-end dates: 20/08/2016 - 17/10/2016
Number of days in total: 59
N/days/good weather suitable for hunting: 47
Number of monitored areas in total: 9
Number of poachers seen in total: 246
Number of shots recorded: 3661 >
Average (birds killed) per 9 locations: 1313
Total (birds killed) identified: 794
Approximate Total (birds killed) unidentified: 40%
Average (birds killed) all 9 locations/ TOTAL: 6650
Sub-total (birds killed) all 9 locations: 7963
29 species of birds
Injured and killed 16species of raptors in %
Injured and killed birds in% Black Kite Steppe Buzzard Common Kestrel Red-Footed Falcon Booted Eagle 1%1%1% 2% 8% Great Spooted Eagle 11% 23% Europian Hnney Buzzard 41% 1%1% Western Marsh Harrier 1% Eurasian Sparrow hawk 1%1% Nothern Gossawk 4% Steppe Eagle 2% Common Buzzard 23% 41% Montagu's Harrier Eurasian Hobby Short Toer Eagle Lesser Spooted Eagle The most dangerous point is village Kvirike Environmental education as a conservation
Several organizations were/are working in Batumi flyway for bird conservation
One of the best way for conservation is the environmental education
Birdwatching with BSU students on the Sakhalvasho watchpoint with BRC in 2014 Kintrishi Protected Areas Friends Association
Training for pupils is one of the best options for environmental education effectiveness
We are managing birdwatching camps in different protected areas
Kolkheti National Park Friends Assosiation
Birdwatching camp in Kolkheti national park in Anaklia lowland areas FFI – Fauna and Flora International
Children are learning how far birds can fly and which kind of challenges they may have during the migration Guesthouse Sakhalvasho
Guesthouses in Village Sakhalvasho for international birdwatchers is one of the most important reason to reduce shooting number
Local community taring to collaborate with BRC and make comfortable atmosphere for the visitors in the village
Guesthouse owners know they can earn money instead of shooting birds
In the village there exist 21 guesthouses.
Photos by Johannes Jansen
Thank you for attention