Noravank Important 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]

Noravank Important Bird Area
View of Noravank canyon
TypeNature reserve
Coordinates39.66°N 45.23°E / 39.66; 45.23
Area14,002 hectares (34,600 acres)
Created2002 (2002)
DesignationImportant Bird Area

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
  1. "Noravank". Armenian Bird Census Council. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  2. "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.
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