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 | |
 | |
| Type | Nature reserve |
| Coordinates | 39°40′N 45°14′E / 39.66°N 45.23°E |
| Area | 14,002 hectares (34,600 acres) |
| Created | 2002 |
| Designation | Important 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 edit
- ^ a b c d "Noravank". Armenian Bird Census Council. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ a b c "Noravank". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "A 'Vulture Restaurant' in Armenia solves conservation and sanitation problems". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Noravank IBA". Black Sea Silk Road Corridor. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Important Bird Areas in Armenia". BirdLife International. Retrieved 29 October 2017.