Image: Bird display in the museum.

This museum in Batumi dates back to 1908, originally founded as a children’s museum by a group of school teachers. In 2005 it was renamed after Khariton Akhvlediani, a scientist and former director of the museum. Some 180,000 exhibits are preserved – unique items, collections, photographs, works of art, manuscripts, and documentary materials, exhibits depicting the flora and fauna of Adjara, this coastal area of south-western Georgia.

A large air route for bird migration runs along the Black Sea coast, and the museum has an exhibition of various types of migratory or nesting stuffed birds.  During the wintering and breeding season, up to a million birds of prey and other endangered birds travel to the area each year. A perfect observation point for birders.

Wander a few miles to the south of Batumi and you will find the delta where the Chorokhi river meets the sea. It flows down from the mountains bordering Turkey and the marshes there are abundant with wildfowl and birdlife. Armed with a good pair of field binoculars, at the time of military occupation a British officer with an interest in birdwatching and a pair of binoculars (perhaps with optical glass from Chance Brothers of Smethwick no less) would have observed a fine array of birds. Moustached Warbler, Purple Swamphen, White-winged Tern, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit, Citrine Wagtail. Certainly something to write home about, as some did.

The museum has some original posters, headlined BRITISH CONTROL, with various proclamations – in Russian and English language – by General Cook-Collis, who was military governor of the district in 1919-20. The museum points out: “He produces a lot of statements. He issued a number of commands.” Some of these included:

– It is now prohibited to litter the streets with fruit peels, shells, papers, etc or to appear in a state of intoxication in public places.

– All arms and ammunition are to be handed over to local district chiefs of police (except weapons for sporting purposes for which a licence can be produced). Persons desirous of bearing weapons for a legitimate reason must go to local police station and submit a request.

– In order that everybody should have the same time at 12 midnight (Batoum time) 31 January 1919 watches will be put forward 50 minutes and to use henceforth the time used by the British Military authorities. A cannon will be fired daily at 12 midday and this time will be used by all government offices.

– All Societies and unions with exception of those certified in a legal form must inform the Administrative Council of their existence.

General Cook-Collis also declares he will collect taxes, impose dues, customs, port dues, and be responsible for imposing taxes to enable him to maintain the roads and telegraphic communications, and to provide for the maintenance of law and order in the province.