Batumi Raptor Count, Georgia, August-October 2017

My fourth consecutive count at Batumi and just when you think you have seen everything it can offer it surprises you. This autumn will be remembered for the astonishing Pallid Harrier count, around 1800 with 400 on one day. Other highlights were migrating Pallas's Gulls, Eleonora's Falcons, Black Vulture and some breath-taking Honey Buzzard migration.
As usual I witnessed some harrowing raptor killing including Honey Buzzards being stoned to death, some of these digi-scoped videos I will post at some point. As in previous years the count ended with appalling weather. Check out www.batumiraptorcount.org/ for the full count total.