ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

The Caucasian leaf warbler (Phylloscopus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The Caucasian leaf warbler (Phylloscopus) is a genus of birds belonging to the leaf warbler family (Phylloscopidae). Their body length ranges from 10 to 14 cm, and they weigh 5–12.5 g. Their plumage is brownish or greenish, with the underside usually yellow. Several species have a light-colored “eyebrow” stripe above the eyes. They are distributed across Europe and Asia, and one Asian species reaches as far as Alaska.

The species’ range includes the Caucasus Mountains, Turkey, and northern Iran. In the Caucasus, they nest at elevations between 1,700 and 2,500 meters above sea level. They inhabit a wide range of latitudes, from shrub tundra to dark coniferous taiga.

They nest on the ground, in trees, or in shrubs. The nest is enclosed, with a side entrance. Clutches consist of 4–8 light-colored, speckled eggs. Incubation is carried out mainly by the female and lasts 12–13 days. Their diet consists of spiders and insects, and in autumn, they may also feed on berries.

Some species of the Caucasian leaf warbler are characterized by different wing and tail shapes, as well as faint stripes above the eyes. The Caucasian leaf warbler is found mainly in the territory of the Russian Federation. In Russia, it occurs in the following regions: Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Trans-Baikal Krai, and Sakhalin Oblast (the Krilon Peninsula and Kunashir Island).

The Caucasian leaf warbler generally avoids extremely open areas and dense, dark coniferous forests. In the Caucasus, unlike in other regions, yellow-bellied forms build nests at elevations from 900 to 3,000 meters above sea level. The nest is made of moss, grass fragments, and horsehair. In June, the average clutch size is six eggs, while later in the season, fewer eggs are laid. Incubation lasts 12–13 days.

The Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla) is a bird of the finch family (Fringillidae). The bird’s body length is about 20 cm. It is distributed in the mountain regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as in Tibet, the Himalayas, and the Altai Mountains. In Georgia, it occurs during winter; during periods of heavy snowfall, it performs vertical nomadic movements in alpine zones, above 2,000 meters above sea level. In winter, individuals descend to the mountain river valleys covered with berry-bearing shrubs. In spring, they form pairs, while at other times they live in flocks. The clutch consists of 3–4 (up to 6) bluish eggs with dark speckles.

A critically important habitat for the Great Rosefinch is the sea buckthorn shrubland in the Terek River valley. Hundreds of individuals use these areas annually as wintering grounds.

The Rosy starling (Pastor [Sturnus] roseus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The rosy starling (Pastor [Sturnus] roseus) is a bird of the order Passeriformes. Its body length reaches 23 cm. The body is pink, while the head, wings, and tail are bluish-black. It is distributed in steppe and semi-desert zones, ranging from Hungary to the western Altai and Afghanistan. It winters on the Indian subcontinent. In Georgia, it occurs as a breeding migratory bird (from April to September). It nests colonially, building nests in rock crevices, scree, and similar sites. The clutch consists of 5–6 eggs, and incubation lasts about 15 days. It destroys large numbers of locusts and often moves nomadically together with locust swarms. In autumn, it can damage orchards and vineyards.

The rosy starling is also distinguished from other birds by the fact that its main food consists of orthopterans, primarily locusts and grasshoppers, especially during the breeding period. It feeds its chicks exclusively on locusts. After the breeding season, it also consumes other insects, as well as spiders, small mollusks, and others. In autumn, its diet is supplemented with various berries, including grapes and cherries, as well as seeds of weedy plants.

The Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The Caucasian squirrel, also known as the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), is distributed in the North and South Caucasus. In Georgia, it occurs on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus and the northern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus. It mainly inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, and is also found in beech forests, chestnut forests, hazelnut groves, oak forests, as well as in orchards.

Its total body length ranges from 32 to 36 cm, with a tail length of 13 to 18 cm. Body weight ranges from 250 to 410 grams.
The coloration of the upper body varies by subspecies, ranging from grayish-brown to a light gray. The underside varies from rusty brown to yellowish, while the tail color ranges from yellow-brown to dark red. The claws are relatively shorter than those of other tree squirrels. Females have eight or ten mammary glands.

A recent survey found that the species is abundant in Turkey, while a decline has been observed in the Levant region. According to a study conducted in Israel in 1993, the species was close to extinction in the surveyed area.

Hunting of the species is prohibited by the Central Hunting Commission, and it is protected under the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The wild boar is a cosmopolitan species, meaning it is one of the most widely distributed mammals in the world. It inhabits nearly every continent and ecosystem except Antarctica. In addition to its natural range, the species has been introduced to certain habitats through human intervention.  

Due to this broad distribution, wild boars have adapted to a wide variety of environments, ranging from swamps, shrublands, and arid forests to subalpine regions and dense broadleaf woodlands.  

Wild boars have a strong affinity for water and frequently engage in mud bathing, which helps regulate their body temperature and protect their skin from parasites. As a result, they tend to favor habitats with nearby water sources.  

Typically, females are smaller than males. One of the most distinctive features of wild boars is their tusks, which are significantly larger in males. These tusks remain visible even when the animal’s mouth is closed.  

Reproduction can occur at any time of the year, with females giving birth to an average of 5–6 piglets per litter. Newborns are characterized by yellowish-white stripes and spots, which provide camouflage during their early stages of development.  

In terms of social behavior, female wild boars form structured groups, while males tend to be solitary.

The moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The moon jellyfish has a bell diameter ranging from 25 to 40 cm. Its diet consists primarily of plankton, small crustaceans, mollusks, and the eggs of various marine organisms.  

A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of four horseshoe-shaped gonads, though some individuals may have three or five. These structures, visible through the translucent bell, serve as the jellyfish’s reproductive organs.  

The coloration of the moon jellyfish varies depending on its diet. It can be transparent, white, pinkish, reddish, or even bluish. This species also possesses four long, frilled oral arms.  

Moon jellyfish are generally solitary creatures. However, some researchers suggest that they may engage in simple forms of chemical communication based on scientific observations.  

Since moon jellyfish prefer coastal waters, they are frequently encountered by humans. Although they are a venomous species, their sting is harmless to humans and poses no threat to health.

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The barrel jellyfish has a bluish, umbrella-shaped body. The edges of its bell are sometimes lined with deep blue or violet, pocket-like structures that contain sensory organs. It typically has eight oval-shaped oral arms instead of long tentacles. The diameter of its bell usually reaches around 40 cm, though individuals as large as 150 cm have been recorded.  

Although the barrel jellyfish is a venomous species, its sting poses no serious threat to human health. Contact with its tentacles may cause a mild burning sensation on the skin, similar to a minor sting or rash.  

Barrel jellyfish mass strandings are common and can be triggered by various environmental factors, such as strong currents, winds, or sudden changes in water temperature.  

These jellyfish are frequently encountered near the water’s surface, particularly during the peak tourist season. Their highest concentrations are observed from May to October when sea conditions most favor their presence.

European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The European roe deer is the only deer species found in Georgia. It is an even-toed ungulate characterized by a body length of approximately 95–135 cm (excluding the tail) and a weight ranging from 15 to 30 kg, depending on sex and habitat conditions. Only males grow antlers, which they shed annually in October–November.  

The roe deer is widely distributed across Europe, except for some small isolated islands and parts of the Mediterranean. The global population is estimated at around 15 million individuals and is generally increasing. Roe deer prefer habitats with open woodlands, particularly mixed or deciduous forests with well-developed undergrowth, though they can also be found in grasslands and agricultural areas.  

Reproduction and Embryonic Diapause 

The roe deer has a unique reproductive strategy involving embryonic diapause, which allows females to delay embryo development. Mating occurs in July or early August, but instead of immediately implanting in the uterus, the fertilized embryo remains in a suspended state (the blastocyst stage) for about five months. This diapause ensures that active fetal development begins only in late December or January, leading to birth in late May or early June when environmental conditions are most favorable.  

Although the exact trigger for ending diapause is not fully understood, researchers believe it may involve hormonal changes influenced by daylight length or metabolic signals from the embryo itself. Once reactivated, the embryo resumes normal growth, and after a total gestation period of approximately nine months, the female gives birth to one or two fawns.  

Newborn roe deer have a spotted coat that provides camouflage, and like other deer species, fawns remain hidden in vegetation for the first few weeks of life. Male roe deer use their antlers for ritualized fights during the mating season to compete for females.  

People sometimes mistake roe deer for young red deer (*Cervus elaphus*), but they are distinct species. The term “fawn” applies to the offspring of both species.  

This specialized reproductive adaptation enables roe deer to synchronize births with optimal environmental conditions, increasing the chances of survival for their young.

Common Scoter

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: NT (Near Threatened)

The common scoter is a diving duck belonging to the Anatidae family. Adult males are larger than females and have entirely black plumage, except for a white wing patch. A white spot below the eye is also characteristic. Females are brownish-gray.   

The diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates and their larvae, and occasionally small fish.
Nests are built on the ground, usually in vegetation-rich habitats. In June, females lay 7-9 eggs, which hatch after 28 days.

The population of common scoters in the Caucasus has declined significantly, likely due to the degradation or destruction of nesting habitats caused by anthropogenic or climatic factors. In Georgia, the only remaining breeding population is located on Tabatskuri Lake in Javakheti.

Despite conservation efforts, which have led to an increase in the breeding population on Tabatskuri Lake from 6 pairs to 39 in 2017 (Paposhvili et al. 2023), the species still faces numerous threats. 

Scoters often get entangled in fishing nets and drown, and they are also vulnerable to predation, poaching, and disturbance of their nesting sites.

To conserve the common scoter population, several measures are necessary, such as eliminating or minimizing threats to the breeding population on Tabatskuri Lake, creating artificial nesting islands for ducks on the lake, and collecting more data on the species' biology.