The birds of Kartsakhi Lake

More than 140 species

Kartsakhi Lake is a paradise for bird lovers. The region around the lake, which is a protected area and part of Javakheti National Park, is home to an important bird habitat with more than 140 species of nesting and migratory birds, with 59 species of birds registered at Kartsakhi Lake alone. Among them are storks, parrots, pelicans and owls.

The great white storks that build their nests on top of electricity poles or chimneys have become a familiar sight in the villages around the lake and in Javakheti National Park.

And there are many other birds that you can see from the numerous birdwatching towers along the Georgian shores of Kartsakhi Lake. For example, the Eurasian eagle-owl, one of the largest species of owls, where females can grow to a total length of 75 cm with a wingspan of almost 2 meters. Or the Dalmatian pelican, the largest member of the pelican family, and one of the world's largest freshwater birds.

Picture credits: Javakheti Protected Areas Agency

Project “Increased regional added value in the tourism sectors of Georgia by Digital Heritage Tourism Guides” was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation.