Field updates
One last watch over the bottleneck: the end of the count
After 71 days scanning Batumi's skies, our 2026 count ends with steady migration, a Rough-legged Buzzard and thanks to everyone who made the season possible.
Education
The first BRC bird camp: a camp ends, a bird club begins
Our first bird camps brought 25 teenagers from Adjara closer to migration monitoring and conservation. Two students have already started school bird clubs.
Field updates
Crazy, chaotic and unforgettable: Batumi’s second biggest day ever!
A total of 239,735 birds makes this BRC's second biggest count day ever, with new records for Black Kites and several eagle species after a week of rain.
Field updates
One million raptors counted!
A day of 54,406 birds carries the Batumi count past one million raptors, with memorable encounters on station and 39 volunteers joining us so far this season.
Field updates
Crested Honey Buzzards!
Among this season's vast Honey Buzzard migration, 54 Crested Honey Buzzards have stood out, almost twice the average recorded at Batumi.
Field updates
Kite, Kite, Kite! Optics and unusual birds at the halfway mark
At the halfway mark of our 18th autumn count, unusual kites keep us looking closely. Thanks to Kite Optics, our team has the equipment to follow the flight.
Field updates
500,000 birds counted!
Three days with over 90,000 birds each have carried the Batumi count past half a million, as Honey Buzzards fill the skies and more species are still to come.
Field updates
250,000 birds counted!
A quarter of a million birds counted this season, with Honey Buzzards making up 98% of the total while Black Kites and Marsh Harriers remain unusually scarce.
Field updates
Our first 10,000+ day of the season!
Honey Buzzards have arrived in force: nearly 19,300 birds crossed the Batumi bottleneck during the first 10,000+ day of the 2026 season.
Field updates
The first proper Honey Buzzard day
After several drizzly days, the clouds parted and streams of Honey Buzzards carried the season to its first substantial migration day.
Field updates
The first day of the 2026 autumn count
BRC's 18th autumn raptor count is under way, with the first Honey Buzzards, eagles and storks already moving through the Batumi bottleneck.
Field updates
The 2026 season is about to start and the annual T-shirt is available!
The 2026 BRC coordinators have arrived in Batumi. Meet this year's team and find the new T-shirt.
Get Involved
Flyway Monitoring Trainees of 2026
Meet the three 2026 Flyway Monitoring Trainees joining Batumi Raptor Count through the OSME Youth Development Fund.
Get Involved
Applications open for the 2026 Flyway Monitoring Traineeship
With the preparations for the 2026 Autumn count well underway, we are happy to announce opening applications for the BRC Flyway Monitoring Traineeship.
Get Involved
Call for Counters: We’re looking for volunteers for Autumn 2026
After successfully completing another crowdfunding campaign, we’re happy to announce the call for counters. The application form is now open for Autumn 2026.
Reports & Research
New publication in Ardea: The eastern Black Sea coast as a principal raptor flyway in spring
For seventeen years, Batumi Raptor Count has tracked the legendary autumn raptor migration through the Batumi Bottleneck. Now, our first full study of spring migration along this flyway has been published open access in Ardea.
Fundraising
Something remarkable saved the Autumn Count of 2026
Many of you will be familiar with our winter crowdfunding ritual. This year our small team fell quiet at the worst possible time, but a remarkable act of generosity ensured the Autumn 2026 count can go ahead.