SPA 10 — Kvernaki

Protection status: SPA 10 is same as IBA (GEO20).

Species of concern

Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus). 2-3 pairs of Egyptian Vulture and 1 pair of Eastern Imperial Eagle breed on Kvernaki SPA. Black and Griffon Vultures are year-round visitors on this area. Eastern Imperial Eagle, Griffon Vulture and Egyptian Vulture are included on the red list of Georgia as Vulnerable (VU) and black vulture – as Endangered (EN). Three of these species are also included on the IUCN red list – Egyptian Vulture as endangered (EN); Eastern Imperial Eagle – Vulnerable (VU) and Black Vulture – Near threatened (NT).

Description of the site

Kvernaki SPA is located in the central part of Georgia at an altitude of 500 – 1000 meters. Kvernaki ridge stretches east to west along northern bank of riv. Mtkvari. Northern slope of Kvernaki ridge is covered with fragments of deciduous forests and scrublands as well as with agricultural fields. Deep gorges and ravines with semi-desert and steppe vegetation are cutting through the southern slopes of the ridge. Main plant species of Kvernaki ridge are Garland Thorn (Paliurus spina-christi), Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), Perennial grass (Botriochlora ischaemum), Sweetbrier (Rosa canina), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus kyrtostyla). (Kvachakidze 2010). See the bird list below for Avifauna.

Monitoring

Large Raptors

Method: Nest count & assessment of breeding success

Period: April- July

Needed Equipment: 20X60 magnification spotting scope; 8X or 10X magnification binoculars; GPS.

Description: At least two field expeditions are required to count nesting pairs and to assess breeding success. During the first expedition, nests should be discovered and nestlings should be counted. Date of the field expedition, GPS location of the nest and number of nestlings should be recorded. During the second expedition, the breeding success should be assessed, by counting number of chicks in the same nests, which were discovered during the first expedition. Species, expedition dates and nesting habitat description see in table 1. During the expedition visitor Black Vultures and Griffon Vultures can be also counted.

Table1

Birds recorded in the area 134