And… it’s a wrap. What a season!
Steppe Buzzard. Photo by Eduardo Campos Wals.
It all came to a beautiful end. We began the count with a Marsh Harrier and wrapped it up with a Steppe Buzzard — both iconic species for the bottleneck. But so much happened in between...
We witnessed many breathtaking sightings. From massive kettles of Honey Buzzards streaming overhead to moments of intense eye contact with close-by Short-toed Eagles and watching Black Kites rest after long flights. The weather tested us this year too, ranging from the classic scorching days to thunderstorms and relentless rain. Yet the team never stopped. We kept counting, no matter what. And it was all worth it.
We broke so many records and achieved the highest season total in BRC’s history this season. A testament to the dedication, passion, and teamwork that defines this project. You’ll find all details in our upcoming autumn report, so stay tuned!
A huge thanks goes to everyone who made this season possible: our incredible volunteers, trainees and coordinators, the BRC team working tirelessly behind the scenes, our generous supporters and donors Kite Optics and OSME, and the Georgian families who welcomed us with warmth and delicious food. It’s been a season that will be remembered for many years to come.
The team and some members of our host families celebrating the end of the count with a well-deserved group dinner.