Toby Carter

Fantastic views of Curlew Sandpipers y'day at @RSPBFrampton with the majority of the flock being on Middle Scrape, reserve management at it's finest🤌 @RareBirdAlertUK

That's a wrap on our whistle-stop tour of the Caucasus region, but not without our final target secured - Crimson-winged Finch (Asian sub). Fewer then 25 records for Georgia on eBird too. 11 days, 230 species including 8 Lark species, 20 Warbler species & 4 Nuthatches.

@NeillsOutBirdin Congratulations Neil

I’ve finished at the Docks after 9 interesting years. My next venture begins tomorrow, secured a Field Ornithologist role with Avian Ecology, birding, surveying and other general ecology projects around the country. Very much looking forward to the next chapter in my book of life

Final stop in Armenia was Mt Aragats before heading back into Georgia. The road was littered with White-throated Robins, Shore Larks (Cauc race) & Rock Thrushes. Getting Radde's Accentor was another huge target this trip. Leave Tbilisi tomorrow evening but a few targets left.

@stuttonsparrows Had at least 6 at Armash Fishponds this morning

@_TCartz Any Paddyfield Warblers?

Elsewhere today we explored around Vedi. Nearby reedbed was stacked with Great Reed Warblers whilst the gorges were active with Finsch's Wheatear & Grey-necked Bunting

Cracking day, with the morning spent at Armash Fishponds where rain & wind meant Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters were grounded, whilst White-headed Duck was a lifer. Back at Vedi we were able to locate at least 4 Desert Finches before the next storm arrived.

@ellisethanfox @BirdGuides 🤌

Nice to find this White-billed Diver on Loch Ness this aft @BirdGuides

@bernieatpwll That's really interesting, we couldn't hear them. Took around 3hrs to find one, initially picked out by a ranger

@_TCartz He who dares wins,could you actually hear the Caspians calling ? we couldn't

Double Snowcock trip 🙌 After having our tour for Caspian Snowcock postponed due to the weather, heck of a result to manage one this morning. Along with 3 Brown Bears (2 cubs), 16 Bezoar Goats & Fox. Real aim for this trip was getting Caucasian & Caspian secured... done!

Plans changed due to poor weather at the Casp Snowcock site but we still managed a great day. Grey-necked Bunt & White-throated Robin were lifers but the highlight was this Blue-cheeked Bee-eater at Oorst Gorge along with Bimac Larks nearby

Great day in Armenia despite the weather this morning. Eventful drive produced White-winged Snowfinch & Bluethroat (local race) before onto Novarank Monastery for Eastern Rock Nuthatch & Persian Wheatear.

Yesterday was mostly spent travelling from Stepantsminda to Dilijan in Armenia, with a small detour to David Gareja monastery. Great views of Western Rock Nuthatch, Roller, Calandra Lark. Unexpectedly found two Great White Pelicans & always wanted to see a Penduline Tit nest.

@GriffinWildlife It was the rubbish dump behind the Gold Hotel

@_TCartz Great stuff! The colour-ringing has been done by my friend Nika..... Over 500 birds this winter.... Whereabouts did you have it? I'm sure he'd love to know! 👍

Final day in Stepantsminda before heading south, with one final target... male Güldenstädt's/White-winged Redstart. Fantastic views of these two males, one of which was colour ringed.

@GriffinWildlife Just need the Redstart, apparently snow due tonight so 🤞

@_TCartz Hell yes mate!!!!!! Stoked you got the Rosefinch!!! 👌👍

Serious hard work pays off, 3hrs of scanning Mt Kruo slopes for Caucasian Snowcock finally delivered (birds calling constantly). Before leaving Gergeti Trinity Church and hiking the mountains for Great Rosefinch... OH BOY! WHAT A BIRD!!! ebird.org/tripreport/436…

The full trip report from our time in Estonia is now available on Cloud Birders. If you're planning a visit, hopefully this will be useful. cloudbirders.com/tripreport?loc…

@WhitleyBirder @BMcCloskey_98 Footage from that photo, has been excellent so far. We're later than the peak, more for Armenia later. I'll write a full trip report afterwards

@_TCartz @BMcCloskey_98 The Grouse and Snowcock together is quite something!! We had this trip booked in spring 2020 but never got there thanks to COVID… maybe some inspiration here to look at next spring.

Caucasian Grouse behind the Snowcock in the photo

Great first full day in Georgia, arriving in Stepantsminda by early afternoon. Mopped up on the "easy lifers" (Red-fronted Serin, Alpine Chough & Mountain Chiff) along with several subspecies... Now to find the big 4...