Azerbaijan Birding Trip - 2011
Azerbaijan is one of the most attractive nature destinations visited by almost no other wildlife tour companies. Only one-ninth the size of Turkey, it really produces as excellent birdwatching opportunities with far less efforts required.
It is one of the best places to see displaying Caucasian Snowcocks in their natural environment. This wary gallinaceous bird, together with Caucasian Black Grouse and Caucasian Chiffchaff, is endemic to the Caucasus Mountains where it breeds at altitudes from 2000-4000 m on bare stony mountains.
The tour opens with 4-day exploration of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Azeri isolated enclave wedged between Armenia, Iran and Turkey. Known as the land of Noah, it shares no land border with Azerbaijan and the only access is by airplane. Regular internal flights from Baku easily connect Nakhchivan with the main land. Several unusual bird species listed for Azerbaijan can only be observed here, including Hubara Bustard, See-see Partridge, Red-tailed (Persian) Wheatear, Radde´s Accentor, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Upcher´s Warbler, Grey-necked Bunting, White-throated Robin, Pale Rock Sparrow, Mongolian, Crimson-winged and Trumpeter Finches...
During the trip across the country we also expect to find the following highlights, providing us with rare photographic opportunities:
Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Black Grouse, Black Francolin, Shikra, Levant, Lesser Kestrel, Lammergeier, Black & Griffon Vultures, Imperial Eagle, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, White-tailed & Greater Sand Plovers, Marbled Teal, Purple Swamphen, Laughing Dove, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Little Swift, Finsch´s, Pied & Isabeline Wheatears, Güldenstadt´s Redstart, Rufous Bush Robin, Ménétries´s & Green Warblers, Bimaculated, Shore & Lesser Short-toed Larks, Caspian Tit, Caucasian Chiffchaff, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Great Rosefinch, Red-fronted Serin, Asia Minor Twite, Rosy Starling etc., by way of a small sample (over 180 species expected).
The wildlife around is represented by several notable species of mammals that we also look for, including Goitered gazelle, East Caucasian Tur, Bearded Goat, Transcaucasian Mouflon, Caspian Seal, Marbled Polecat, Pallas´s & Jungle cats and, with good luck, we may just see Persian Leopard. Caspian tiger, which is probably extinct from the country, has been found here too.
Payment:
Payment has to be made in either Euro or British Pound and should be made by bank transfer.
Please ask for details regarding our price: info@branta-tours.com
Trip deposit of EUR 200 is required at least two months before departure.
* We will be pleased to send you a bird checklist and day-by-day programme just after receiving the required deposit.
* Promotional statement:
We offer a 10 percent discount to anyone who books a place (and sends deposit) by 30 December 2010.
Contact Pavel Simeonov at info@branta-tours.com
General Information
Azerbaijan, located on the western edge of the Caspian Sea, has a valuable geographical position sitting at the crossroad between East and West. (Asia and Europe) Surrounding it are four other countries, namely; Russian Federation, Georgia, Armenia and Iran.
Azerbaijan, formerly part of the USSR, declared its independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union began to break up and is now a democratic republic that favours closer ties with Western Europe.
Landforms:
Azerbaijan is a mountainous country. Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's center. Many snow-capped peaks exceed 12,000 ft. (3,700m), with Baza-Dyuzi the highest point, at 14,698 ft. (4,480m).
Climate:
The climate varies from subtropical and dry in central and eastern Azerbaijan to subtropical and humid in the southeast, temperate along the shores of the Caspian Sea, and cold at the higher mountain elevations. Baku, on the Caspian, enjoys mild weather, averaging 4°C in January and 25°C in July.
Air Travel:
This is entirely optional leaving you completely free to make personally your flight reservations and to pursue your travel arrangements to Baku with an airline company or your own travel agent. Turkish Airlines offer cheapest flights to Baku available at: http://www.thy.com
For more information please contact us: info@branta-tours.com
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