Ardenis - Lake Arpi Trail
Geographically, it is situated in the very north-west of Armenia occupying the Ashotsk (Javakhq) Plateau. The trail spans elevations of 2030 – 2105 m above sea level and includes Lake Arpi - the only largest water body (2200 ha) in the Plateau, part of which has been recently designated as Lake Arpi National Park.
Ardenis
Birds
Because the landscape is diverse ranging from highland grasslands with steppe fragments to a network of natural wetlands and open water bodies (Arpi and Ardenis), the area supports an assemblage of species typical for these habitats. A highly diverse bird fauna includes 193 species of birds.
Lake Arpi provides important breeding habitat for globally threatened Dalmatian Pelican listed in the IUCN Red List and national Red Data Book. The colony of Armenian Gull breeding here boasts the largest in the Caucasus (ca. 7,000-10,000 pairs).
Spring attracts myriads of waterbirds such as Common and Red-crested Pochards, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Redshank. Velvet Scoter is a rare visitor.
White Stork is fairly common, while Black Stork comes here to forage. This area is one of major flyways for migrating Great Snipe in Armenia in spring. Abundant rodents of the mountain steppe are an excellent source of food for nesting Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, Long-legged Buzzards and Common Kestrel.
Intensive passage of migrating Steppe and Imperial Eagles, Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagles, Pallid Harrier and Red-footed Falcon can be seen here during spring and especially fall migration.
Water Pipit, Rock Thrush, White-winged Snowfinch, Black Redstart, Grey Partridge, Corncrake and Quail, Skylarks, Linnets and more can be encountered just along the length of the nature trail. A small wetland area south of Ardenis is the only refuge for a tiny breeding population of Common Crane (archibaldi) in Armenia.
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