Armash Bird Count
Region
Europe
Country
Armenia
Flyway
Black sea-Mediterranean flyway
Initiative
WLI Europe
About
Name of organisation
TSE – Towards Sustainable Ecosyctems NGO
Funding support
Through grants and birdwatching
Number of staff
3
Number of visitors per year
300
Overall aims of the centre
Conservation of unique diversity of Birds in Armash ponds.
Description of the centre
– 4,250 ha;
– Brakish water wetlands, carp-farming ponds, extensive reedbeds,
canals, fragments of semi-desert;
– White-headed Duck, Ferruginous and Common Pochards, Marbled
Teal, Northern and White-tailed Lapwings, Turtle Dove, Persian
Bee-eater, Roller, Menetrie’s and Savii’s Warblers, and many others;
– Birdwatching, student practice, schoolchildren education;
– 300-400 visitors per year;
– Ararat Plain, vicinity of Surenavan village.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
Attracting foreign and local birdwatchers through Armenian Birdwatching Association.
Organizing excursions for schoolchildren and practice for students.
Preparation and publication of information materials about bird fauna of Armash.
Top three successes
– Development of birdwatching in the area, due to number of target species, which are interesting for Euroepan Tourists.
– Development of Volunteer Based Annual Bird Monitoring Scheme, due to interesting place from one side and our experience on working with volunteers – from another.
– Evaluation of the area as Emerald Site, due to our extensive database on the site and our close collaboration with the Ministry of Nature Protection (and accordingly to the focal point of Bern
Convention).
Top three challenges
– Development of permanent ringing center at the site – requires some initial funding, so the funding has to be well thought in advance.
– Development of education center in the site – requires less hot climate in the summer or appropriate facilities, which are again related to the funding availability.
– Development of the local guiding staff – requires better motivated people, so the people have to be selected carefully, and the motivation should be very clear understood from the beginning.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Managing / creating habitat
Participation
Working with disabled people; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Project planning.
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