News
Network Development
30.07.2019 Our organization is involved in the Panel on Sustainable management of natural pastures and grasslands of Armenia. The Working Group consists on 20 organizations including representatives of government, international development organizations, private sector, and NGOs. The Working Group has to develop a new concept on sustainable pasture management, which will take into consideration needs of the country, human, and the nature, and will consider sustainability of the biodiversity as one of the main goals of the concept. |
Important Birds Areas: Re-assessment
30.07.2019 Zangezoor IBA is located at the second high mountain ridge in Armenia, and is mainly designed for protection of alpine species of birds and other biodiversity, as well as cliff-nesting raptors. Although the IBA is pretty much overlapping with the National Protected Area, it still has some issues to be solved. Reed more ... |
Bird Rehabilitation: Cleaning White Storks
28.07.2019 Following previous session we again visited Hovtashen again, where we observed the process of feeding the affected storks, held another cleaning session for two individuals, and searched for the possible source of pollution. Reed more ... |
Bird Rehabilitation: Cleaning White Storks
21.07.2019 The White Storks in Armenia are basically doing well, and there is a slight increase of their population trend. However in July of 2019 an issue appeared and is related to the pollution of their feathers by unknown oil-like agent. With 12 volunteers we have cleaned three storks, which were unable to fly and searched the area for the possible pollution source. The investigations is continuing. The action was supported by Ministry of Environment of RA, Inspectorate for Nature Protection and Mineral Resources of RA, and the Local Administration. Reed more ... |
Important Birds Areas: Re-assessment
17.07.2019 The flat, like a football field Tashir area is a combination of grasslands and wetlands, which attract wide variety of waterbirds and steppe species. Even the arable lands are attracting birds of prey, which are searching here for the mice and voles. The area plays and important role for migratory soaring birds, like Cranes, Storks, and Raptors, as well as for migratory waterbirds, as both groups find here a nice stopover. Reed more ... |
Important Birds Areas: Re-assessment
15.07.2019 Gndasar is predominantly a high-mountain area, which supports variety of alpine species of birds. The recent inventory of the area shows that in total there are 123 species occurring in this site, and that it still remains of the conservation importance. Reed more ... |
World Environment Day: cleaning Environment for Birds
5.06.2019 and 9.06.2019 World Environment Day is held on Wednesday June 5th 2019. It is an environmental awareness day, run by the United Nations. The aim of the Day is to raise awareness of the environment and specific environmental issues. The Wold Environment Day was established in 1972. 143 countries take part in that day, which now focuses on environmental concerns ranging from pollution to global warming and sustainable food production to protection of wildlife. On 5th of June we have conducted Public Lecture on a topic: Bearded Vulture and its Environment. On the following Saturday we had a field trip to Aragats Mountain. Reed more ... |
Important Birds Areas: Re-assessment
31.05.2019 Khosrov Reserve is one of the first Important Bird Areas being assessed in Armenia as early as 2000. Since that time the boundaries of the area have been expanded, and the country became occupied by new bird species, but the reassessment process was requiring further implementation. Now, the evaluation is complete for the next decade. Reed more ... |
World Biodiversity Day
Introducing Armenia's reach species diversity 22.05.2019 and 26.05.2019. The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the WBD to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created in 1993, the day was designated as International Day for Biological Diversity. In 2019 it is a working day and it would be hard to organize any excursion. We have organized a Public Lecture about Armenian Bird Diversity and on the following Sunday - the field trip aimed at cleaning the land and watching the birds in semi-desert areas. Read more ... |
World Migratory Bird Day
Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution 11.05.2019 is announced as the World Migratory Bird Day. The main topic for 2019 is saving Birds from Plastic. The accumulation of plastic and plastic pollution have become a worldwide epidemic and a primary threat to birds all over the world. The plastic, that is being produced since 1950s is accumulating in landfills and the natural environment. In Armenia that is a challenge as well. Read more ... |
Armenian Bird Ringing Scheme
28 April 2019. Another bird migration monitoring day in Armash Wetlands and a new bunch of species. Ferruginous and Common Pochards have made the pairs already, while White-headed Ducks are just making those. Huge flocks of White-winged Terns, Collared and Black-winged Pratincoles have been flying over. The ringing session brought Beaded Reedlings, as well as Reed and Paddyfield Warblers. Reed more ... |
Armenian Bird Ringing Scheme
7 April 2019. Another bird migration monitoring day in Armash Wetlands of Ararat Plain brought lots of Ducks, Waders, Wagtails, Herons, Cormorants, Stonechats, Bluethroats, etc. Especially the following species should be mentioned: Citrine Wagtail, White-tailed Lapwing, Collared Flycatcher, Spur-winged Plover, Slender-billed Gull, and several subspecies of Yellow Wagtail. Reed more ... |
Armash Wetlands Refuge
7 April 2019. Another bird migration monitoring day in Armash Wetlands of Ararat Plain brought lots of Ducks, Waders, Wagtails, Herons, Cormorants, Stonechats, Bluethroats, etc. Especially the following species should be mentioned: Citrine Wagtail, White-tailed Lapwing, Collared Flycatcher, Spur-winged Plover, Slender-billed Gull, and several subspecies of Yellow Wagtail. |
International Bird Day
1 April 2019. April 1st is the International Bird Day since 1906, when the first international Convention for the protection of birds was signed. In Armenia we face several threats for the birds and their habitats, including poaching, pollution, littering, urbanization, intensification of agriculture, deforestation, land degradation, and so on. The first and very important step is understanding of what is happening to the birds and their habitats, which requires regular counts. TSE celebrated the IBD by counts of birds in Armash and Ourts mountains, which gave a huge variety of waterbirds including Ducks (Common Pochards, Garaganeys, Teals, and others), Waders (Ruff, White-tailed Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt and others), Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Gulls, and others, as well as good numbers of semi-desert birds, such as Wheatears, Larks, Finches, Hoopoes, Chukars, and others. |
Prime Butterfly Areas: Integral approach in species and habitat conservation
15-19 March 2019 TSE NGO participated in International Conference "The Rufford Foundation for biodiversity research and conservation in Central Asia and Caucasus". The meeting held in Aksu-Zhabagly Biosphere Nature Reserve, Kazakhstan and gathered together the biodiversity experts from 6 countries. TSE NGO presented the project related to development of network of Prime Butterfly Areas in Armenia, and made contribution in round-table discussions "Community Engagement into Biodiversity Conservation", "Issues of Protected Areas", "Obstacles and opportunities of collaboration between nature protection organizations". |
International Bird Days: Great Backyard Bird Count
17 February 2019. Great Backyard Bird Count became true at the first time for Armenia. The count was implemented in Botanical Garden of Yerevan, and participated by 14 volunteers. The following species have been recorded: Armenian Gull - 8, Common Kestrel - 1, Syrian Woodpecker - 1, Blackbird - 8, Fieldfare - 2, Redwing - 1, Great Tit - 12, Blue Tit - 6, Brambling - 1, Chaffinch - 2, Yellowhammer - 9, Jay - 9, Magpie - 34, Hooded Crow - 1, Raven - 2. |
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20 January 2019. Midwinter Waterbird Count was implemented in Armash wetlands, and participated by 13 volunteers. The following species have been recorded: Little Grebe - 1; Pygmy Cormorant - 1270; White Stork - 160; Little White Egret - 2; Great White Egret - 8; Gray Heron - 6; Great Bittern - 3; Common Shelduck - 8; Mallard - 270; Northern Pintail - 1; Teal - 405; Common Pochard - 130; Marsh Harrier - 4; Northern Lapwing - 28; Spur-winged Lapwing - 2; Green Sandpiper - 2; Armenian Gull - 50; Common Black-headed Gull - 1; Chaffinch - 1; Robin - 1; Bearded Reedling - 50; Penduline Tit - 1; Reed Bunting - 5. The most interesting finding is the couple of Spur-winged Plovers record in winter - first time in Armenia - see the further article at News.Am.
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18 January 2019.
TSE participated the stakeholders workshop: Towards development of Armenian biodiversity, ecosystems and their service information system; together with over 30 experts; which have valuated that idea of development single integrated information system, which will store and manage data on Armenian Biological Diversity, providing various opportunities for data use and sharing. The workshop was organized by Bio-resources Management Agency of Ministry of Nature Protection and German organization for International Cooperation (GIZ). |
4-6 December 2018.
TSE together with number of State and Non Governmental Conservation Organizations from six countries of Caucasus Region participated in the Ecoregional Conservation Planning workshop, where helped in further designation of Key Biodiversity Areas (plus Bridge Areas) and in setting up the next five-years conservation plan. The workshop was hosted by WWF Georgia. |
15 November 2018.
On behalf of IUCN Bird Red Least Authority: The Red List update was released today, including many changes to the bird assessments. All the comments posted on the GTB Forums during this latest round of discussions were very useful. The received input is vital to the process of conducting Red List assessments and, along with comments posted in previous rounds, has helped to reach recommended categorization for species in the 2018 update. However, there remain some forum topics for species that require further input, and these remain open for comment on the GTB Forums. |
30 October 2018.
Who ever has been in the high rocky mountains of Armenia should remember the whistle of amazing species - Caspian Snowcock. Now the species account on this bird is released to become a part of Armenian Bird Atlas. Reed more ... |
7 October 2018.
Armenian Birdwatching Association joined Eurobirdwatch and organized the excursion in Armash Wetlands, with the aim of counting the migratory waterbirds. Number of Herons, Egrets, Shorebirds, and Passerines were observed. |
31 August 2018.
Another step for European Breeding Bird Atlas 2. Populations of all the breeding species of Armenia were calculated, based on 2013-2018 observations. |
26 June 2018.
The year brought new records for the country and enriched the list of the species. New update of the Checklist to Birds of Armenia, containing 374 species is published. Reed more ... |
27 May 2018.
Another step towards Atlas "The State of Breeding Birds of Armenia" - the species account on one of the most secretive raptors, which breeds even in the cities - Levant Sparrowhawk, is published. Reed more ... |
25 May 2018.
New update of the Checklist to Birds of Armenia, containing 373 species is published. See it here. |
12 May 2018.
Egyptian Vulture is a Globally Endangered species with quite a significant population in Caucasus, which requires regular monitoring of breeding pairs. This year, ABCC in cooperation with BirdLife International and SABUKO (Society for Nature Conservation, Georgia) are implementing a regional project aimed at re-inventory of Egyptian Vulture's numbers in Armenia and Georgia. The project is supported by volunteers from Dansk Ornitologisk Forening / Birdlife Denmark. |
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6 May 2018.
The Global Big Day in Aragats was quite rainy. Despite on that the members of Armenian Birdwatching Association have observed quite a lot of different species: Honey, Steppe, and Long-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Roller, European Bee-eater, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Wood Pigeon, Crested Lark, Wood Lark, Skylark, White Wagtail, Barn Swallow, Crag Martin, Red-backed Shrike, Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush, Blackbird, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Isabeline Wheatear, Norhtern Wheatear, Black Redstart, Great Tit, Rock Bunting, Ortoline Bunting, Corn Bunting, House Sparrow, Red-billed Chough, Hooded Crow, and Magpie. Join our events on Facebook. |
14 April 2018.
Over 40 members of Armenian Birdwatching Association celebrated the International Bird Day in Armash wetlands, observing birds and implementing bird counts at six location. Over 5,000 individuals of shorebirds, gulls, terns, herons, spoonbills, ibises, ducks, raptors, and passerines were observed, with help of our great members. Among rare birds of Armenia the following species have been recorded: White-tailed Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, Red-necked Phalarope, and Spur-winged Plover (!). Join our events on Facebook. |
6 February 2018.
The Turtle Dove was recently added into international Red List and it is right time to describe its state in Armenia and assess its conservation status. The species account on Turtle Dove was just released. |
5 February 2018.
In 2017 over 130 people took active part in collecting data, making photos on birds and their habitats, reporting about injury or poaching cases on birds and so on. With a big gratitude, the list of contributors is published at the Downloads section (scroll down until 2017_List_of_Contributors)
In 2017 over 130 people took active part in collecting data, making photos on birds and their habitats, reporting about injury or poaching cases on birds and so on. With a big gratitude, the list of contributors is published at the Downloads section (scroll down until 2017_List_of_Contributors)
30 January 2018.
Another step towards Atlas "The State of Breeding Birds of Armenia" With the account on Griffons the block of Vultures was finished. |
1 January 2018.
New year with new species! The account on Sombre Tit was published. |
20 December 2017.
One step closer to the Atlas on Breeding Birds of Armenia: the species account on Northern Lapwing was published. |
24 November 2017.
The history of Bird Studies in Armenia starts in early 20th century. The section Bibliography was added to the site with the main aim to provide a comprehensive information about studies of birds in the country.
The history of Bird Studies in Armenia starts in early 20th century. The section Bibliography was added to the site with the main aim to provide a comprehensive information about studies of birds in the country.
18 November 2017.
Next step towards Atlas on Breeding Birds of Armenia: the species account on Lesser Spotted Eagle is released. |
11 November 2017.
Next step towards Atlas on Breeding Birds of Armenia: the species account on Eurasian Black Vulture is released. |
3 November 2017.
Experts of ABCC gave an interview to News.AM about illegal killing of Raptors and particularly Vultures. See the article: "Punishments for killing Raptors in Armenia do not scare potential poachers" (in Russian). |
5 October 2017. Another step towards Atlas on Breeding Birds of Armenia: the species account on White-headed Duck was released. It will contribute in development of the Species Action Plan in frames of African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement.
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24-30 September 2017. Armenian Bird Census - TSE helped in organization of Batumi Eagle Festival 2017. The Festival was organized by Batumi Raptor Count, Batumi Birding, and SABUCO, was including daily organised visits and excursions to raptor watchpoints and other region's birding sites, as well as evening workshops and presentations by top speakers.
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10 July 2017. Next step towards Atlas: the species account on Semi-collared Flycatcher was released.
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17 June 2017.
Experts of ABCC gave an interview to News.AM about Pelicans. See the article: "Pelicans - the largest birds of Armenia" (in Russian). |
2 June 2017.
Birding Armenia Club was transferred into Armenian Birdwatching Association Number of members of the Birding Armenia Club is consistently increasing, and already exceeds 1,400. Half of the members are from foreign countries. The activities of this group are moving out of the borders of Armenia. Therefore it was decided to transfer the Club into Armenian Birdwatching Association. The decision was discussed with the members of the group and found no objections. |
27 May 2017. The account on Ferruginous Pochard is released.
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16 May 2017. The account on White-tailed Lapwing is released.
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1 April 2017, for the International Bird Day.
Birdwatching destinations in Armenia: Armash Armash fish-farm was established in 1972 and became a refuge for huge number of waterbirds, including over 60 species, which disappeared from Lake Sevan due to decrease of water level and drainage of Gilli wetlands. It hosts globally endangered White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Ferruginous Pochard, as well as locally endangered White-tailed Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, and Persian Bee-eater. Armash is becoming one of the most spectacular places in Armenia for birdwatching, as it combines variety of wetland and semi-desert habitats, and therefore provides ample opportunities on bird observations and making great photos. Since 2006 our group was able to open the place for birdwatchers, increasing its popularity and increasing its conservation value. |
20 March 2017. The account on Egyptian Vulture is released.
1 March 2017. The account on Golden Eagle is released.
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10 February 2017. The account on Bearded Vulture is released.
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1 February 2017. First species account on White Storks is released. This is first step towards Atlas Book - the State of Breeding Birds of Armenia.
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September 2016. ABCC participated the Bird Numbers 2016 International Conference at Halle, Germany, where gave oral presentation: Bird Studies in Armenia: Past, Present, Future.
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July 2016. Experts of ABCC gave an interview to News.AM about Vultures. See the article: "Griffons, Lammergeiers, Egyptian Vultures, diversity of breeding vultures of Armenia may attract tourists" (in Russian).
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June 2016. Experts of ABCC gave an interview to News.AM about White Storks. See the article: "White Storks: number of wintering birds continues growing" (in Russian).
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"Birding Armenia" - the first Birdwatching Club was founded in Armenia on 7th of June. See regular updates of the Club's activities at the Facebook Page.
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July 2015. Experts of ABCC gave an interview to News.AM about the research on White Storks. See the article: "Fledglings of Whites Storks will help scientists to know more about Storks' population" (in Russian).