Although Georgia is only 69,700 square kilometers large, its biodiversity in terms of ecosystems is immense: semi-deserts, subtropics, wetlands, coasts, numerous lakes and rivers, caves, alpine meadows, gorgeous mountain-chains and peaks eternally covered with snow.
Georgians are well aware of this remarkable richness as there is a multitude of nature-protected areas. Georgia takes pride in 14 Strict Nature Reserves, 9 National Parks, 17 Managed Nature Reserves, 14 Natural Monuments and 2 Protected Landscapes. Most of these protected areas consist of forests. Forest comprises 40 % of the country, from which 5% is classified as genuinely ‘virgin’.
Georgia’s bountiful nature is rich in plant species: Up to 5,000 angiosperms (with flowers) and gymnosperms (with naked seeds), about 8,300 crytogams (with spores). Most importantly 380-plant species are endemic to Georgia and around 1,000 are endemic to the Caucasus.
Furthermore, there are more indigenous animals in Georgia than in any other country in Europe (excluding Russia). There are around 110 species of mammals, more than 350 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians and 160 species of fish. Georgian hills and mountains are home to large carnivores like wolves, brown bears, jackals and lynx. These prey on and live with many hoofed animals: roe deer, red deer, chamois, wild boar, wild goat and the endemic Caucasian tur ‘jikhvi’ (related to the European ibex).
This diversity of its ecosystem makes Georgia a favorable bird watching spot. As all nature areas are very close to each other, it is possible to spot birds in completely different habitats in a short period of time. Special attention should be given to the birds of which many are extremely rare in Europe. Approximately half of the species breed in the country, while the rest use it for wintering, roosting or stopover sites.
Caucasian Snowcock (endemic), Caucasian Black Grouse (endemic), Great Rosefinch, Güldenstädt’s Redstart and Caucasian Chiffchaff (endemic) are the “Big Five” which are the most interesting species for birdwatchers. Here is the list of other special birds for the region: Twite, Red-fronted Serin, Wallcreeper, Citrine Wagtail, White-winged Snowfinch, Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Chukar, Horned Lark, Water Pipit, Greenish Warbler, Barred Warbler, Alpine Accentor, Common Rosefinch and dozens of other species. Common raptors include: Bearded Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, and Levant Sparrowhawk.