Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
An area of the west and north-west slopes of the Meskheti range, with the densely-wooded gorge of the River Kintrishi and many tributaries with waterfalls and torrents, also subalpine lakes. Main tree species are
Fagus,
Castanea, also
Carpinus,
Alnus,
Abies,
Picea, etc.; evergreen shrubs such as
Laurus,
Rhododendron.
The avifauna of this site is little-studied, with a preliminary list comprising only 56 species and virtually no information on status and population. However, the site supports at least two of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Falco naumanni (occurs). Also rare at this site are
Gypaetus barbatus,
Aquila chrysaetos and
Falco peregrinus. Other breeding birds include
Hieraaetus pennatus,
Alectoris chukar,
Bubo bubo, woodpeckers,
Oriolus oriolus,
Corvus corax, etc.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There are some violations of the nature reserve (Zapovednik) regime, with temporary or permanent residence by humans who practise forest grazing, growing maize, melons, etc. The site lies within the Adjara-Imeretian Protected Area, part of the protected-area system which is now being established in Georgia.
National High
International None13,893 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Zapovednik) (Kintrishi, 13,893 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kintrishi (Georgia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kintrishi-iba-georgia on 23/11/2024.
