GE008
Meskheti


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2000 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius LC resident (1996) uncommon A3
Caucasian Grouse Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi NT resident (1996) frequent A2, A3
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus NT non-breeding (1996) uncommon B2
Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus LC breeding (1998) uncommon B2
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus NT passage (1998) uncommon A1
Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga VU passage (1996) frequent A1
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU passage (1996) uncommon A1
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos LC resident (1998) 4 pairs B2
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus LC resident (1998) frequent B2
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni LC passage (1998) frequent A1
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor LC breeding (1998) frequent B2
Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus LC breeding (1996) frequent A2
Radde's Accentor Prunella ocularis LC breeding (1996) frequent B2
A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes n/a passage (1996–1998) 20,000-49,999 birds A4iv, B1iv

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1929 Borjomi ნაკრძალი (Ia) 11
1995 Borjomi-Kharagauli ეროვნული პარკი (II) 32

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable land; Perennial crops, orchards and groves
Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Caves
Forest - Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Mixed woodland
Grassland - Alpine, subalpine and boreal grassland
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) - Scree & boulders; Inland cliffs
Shrubland - Scrub
Wetlands (inland) - Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation

Land use

Land use % of IBA
agriculture -
forestry -
hunting -
nature conservation and research -
water management -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Meskheti (Georgia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/meskheti-iba-georgia on 23/12/2024.