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Noravank Important Bird Area

Coordinates: 39°40′N 45°14′E / 39.66°N 45.23°E / 39.66; 45.23
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Noravank Important Bird Area
View of Noravank canyon
Map
TypeNature reserve
Coordinates39°40′N 45°14′E / 39.66°N 45.23°E / 39.66; 45.23
Area14,002 hectares (34,600 acres)
Created2002 (2002)
DesignationImportant Bird Area

Noravank Important Bird Area is a 14,002-hectare (34,600-acre) region of Armenia designated as worthy of conservation for its avifauna, by BirdLife International, as an "Important Bird Area" (IBA), with the main aim of protecting bird species and habitats.[1][2] Within Armenia, it is also known as the "Gnishik Protected Landscape".[1]

The IBA sits at the slopes of the Vayots Dzor mountains, and includes riparian shrubland, semi-desert, juniper woodland, arid mountain steppe and mesophilic meadow habitats.[1]

100 breeding species and 46 migratory or wintering species of birds have been recorded.[1]

A caretaker employed at the IBA has worked with the eponymous monastery, Noravank, to set up a feeding station for cinereous vultures.[3]

Other species recorded at the IBA include short-toed eagle, golden eagle, bearded vulture, Egyptian vulture, Eurasian eagle owl, lanner falcon, semi-collared flycatcher, European roller, chukar, white stork, Levant sparrowhawk, and, on passage, pallid harrier, lesser kestrel and greater spotted eagle.[2][4]

The area was designated as an IBA in 2002.[2] It is one of eighteen Important Bird Areas in Armenia.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Noravank". Armenian Bird Census Council. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Noravank". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  3. ^ "A 'Vulture Restaurant' in Armenia solves conservation and sanitation problems". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Noravank IBA". Black Sea Silk Road Corridor. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Important Bird Areas in Armenia". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 October 2017.