Evaluating the Importance of Tsaghkunyats Mountain for Bird and Butterfly Protection in Armenia

Abstract The Tsaghkunyats Mountain of Armenia (26,354 ha) doesn’t have a legally protected status and requires evaluation as a potential Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and Prime Butterfly Area (PBA). Recent surveys have found that 136 species of birds are recorded in, among which 113 are breeding and 23 occur during migration or stay in the area over winter. The area meets the criteria A1, B1a, B1b, and B2a of IBAs, hosting significant populations of Caucasian grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi Taczanowski (55-65 lekking males), semi-collared flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata Homeyer (41-56 pairs), green warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Blyth (108-363 pairs), and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus L. (2 pairs). Among butterflies, 141 species have been recorded in the area, including several species of global, regional, and national importance, such as Phengaris arion L. and Phengaris nausithous Bergsträsser, listed in IUCN Global Red List; ten species listed in the European Red Book of Butterflies, and eight species listed in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia. Also, the area hosts relict populations of temperate species such as Nymphalis antiopa L., Proclossiana eunomia tenera Morgun (endemic subspecies) and Melitaea diamina Lang. The site, therefore, qualifies for designation as a PBA. In addition, the area qualifies as an Emerald Site under the Bern Convention, hosting essential populations of 23 bird species listed in Resolution 6. Existence of several threats, such as overgrazing, poorly controlled water abstraction, uncontrolled haymaking, illegal logging and snag removal, illegal hunting, and human-induced fires, require designation of the area as protected.