Where to Watch Birds in Armenia

Potential Dangers

Shepherd Dogs. Most birders visit the country during spring-summer months, and to see some of the priority bird species it is necessary to visit their habitats in the subalpine meadows. During the same period, normally from early June through September/October, these meadows are inhabited by shepherd summer camps, who bring large herds of cattle and sheep to highland pastures. These camps are spread all over the country's highlands and virtually all of them host two or more dogs, most of which are always unleashed. As a rule, larger herds, particularly those of sheep, have more dogs around. Through many generations the dogs are tuned to instinctively attack any object (including car) approaching 'their' herds, except for their owner or domestic ungulates. Attacks may happen far from the shepherd(s), who may be dozing a mile away unaware of his dogs attacking a tourist. If you see a relatively close herd in the mountains, try to unobtrusively walk off or back to car (if you have one) and drive to the camp to speak to shepherds about the possibility of you walking safely in the area.

Snakes. There are 22 species of snakes found in Armenia with 4 species belonging to true vipers. Some other snakes, such as Montpellier's Snake Malpolon monspessulanus, Cat Snake Telescopus fallax do have venom too, but the appropriate teeth are deep in their mouth and these species are not dangerous unless they snap your finger. Of the vipers the two larger species are very dangerous, and lethal accidents among people are probably annual in the country. The largest of them, Blunt-nosed Viper Macrovipera lebetina, is the most dangerous and involved in almost all lethal 'snake accidents'. The other species, Armenian (or Radde's) Viper Montivipera raddei, is smaller but could be equally hazardous. Both species are widely distributed in western and southern provinces, the Blunt-nosed is additionally found in north-east of the country. In the warm weather, wherever you are birding in Armenia be very careful in arid scrubby and rocky lowlands and hillsides. Avoid camping in such habitats and never try to catch an unfamiliar snake!

Arachnids. Compared with the above creatures these may seem to be of minor concern, but some small Armenian spiders and the Fat-tailed Scorpion Androctonus crassicauda could cause serious threat to your health. When camping in semideserts in the warmer seasons check your tent before getting in, avoid leaving your footwear, clothing, backpacks on the ground for a night, better place them in the car or in the tent. If left outside for a night, shake your clothes and footwear before putting them on!