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| Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi. |
Dear Birdwatcher,
The very name Mongolia conjures images of a vast, remote and
distant land; the land of Genghis Khan (Chingis Khaan) and the Mongol hordes.
While Mongolia is certainly vast and much of it is remote, it is also home to
an exciting array of poorly known and rarely observed birds that occur only
here. As we traversed this vast land, we travelled on rarely used roads, and
occasionally drove across steppe grasslands using GPS to navigate our way to
exciting wetlands where no roads venture.
In Mongolia the nomadic lifestyle, even today is still the
norm, a land of awesome landscapes, pro-fuse wildflowers and fantastic
birdlife. Mongolia conjures up images of endless grasslands, the wastes of the
Gobi Desert, yurts and wild horsemen. This is the land from whence came the
hordes of Genghis Khan and his successors, newer less colorful history followed
and today Mongolia is an unknown land, far away in the heart of Asia, about
which one hears little.
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| Nomadic Family in Khangai High Mountain. |
With its tiny population of only two and a half million
scattered across a huge area, it is one of the least densely settled countries
on earth – a true wilderness where most of the land is still the domain of wild
creatures rather than man. Mongolia is the crossroads of East Asia. In the
north is the southern edge of the Siberian taiga, in the center the seemingly
endless steppe and in the south the sands of the Gobi Desert. Adding further
diversity to this mixture are the mountains and a multiplicity of lakes and
marshes.
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| Flock of Swan Geese Anser cygnoides. |
Mongolia is one of the important breeding and stopover sites
for Palearctic species. Breeding birds occur in many different habitats (from
taiga forest through different steppes to Gobi desert including wetlands).
Migratory birds pass through Mongolia from Siberian Taiga to wintering grounds.
It means that you will have a unique opportunity to see not only breeding
Palearctic species but also migratory species during both breeding and
migration seasons. Untouched landscape and nomadic lifestyle give chance to
discover a new species for the birds list of the country. The peaceful country
and friendly field company attract many birdwatchers to Mongolia.
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| Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi. |
We started in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where we watched
Daurian Jackdaws and Pacific Swifts above the city. We soon left the city far
behind as we ventured into Mongolia’s hinterland. First nights were spent in
the Siberian taiga forest. Here in the cool broadleaf forest, the birds were
different to those we later would encounter, with many woodland species typical
of Siberia: Siberian Rubythroats dazzling us with their ruby-red throats. Pine
Buntings wheeze from a tree-tops and, while Nutcrackers and thrushes called to
attract our attention. The icing on the cake was the Black-billed Capercaillie.
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| Mongolian Ground-jay Podoces hendersoni. |
We stayed in tourist ger (yurt) camps, (locally known as
‘gers’) for accommodation, and in some places, there were no accommodations, so
we set up tents. Fortunately, accompanied throughout by our highly-experienced
camp crew, who took care of all the camp chores, leaving us free to enjoy the
wildlife. Great camping beside our personal lake, watching Relict and Great
Black-headed Gulls cavorting along the shoreline. Everywhere good numbers of
raptors: Breeding Steppe Eagles, Upland buzzards, and Saker falcons on small
rock boulders, electric poles and pylons and feeding nestlings, and flock of
Cinereous and Himalayan vultures feed on carrion on middle of steppe.
Eventually we returned to Ulaanbaatar.
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| Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii. |
The wide range of habitats is reflected in an exciting
avifauna which encompasses both Siberian and Central Asian species, including
species unique to Mongolia and its immediate surroundings. Prime specialties
include Oriental Plover, Asian Dowitcher, Black Capercaille, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Relict
Gull, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolian Lark, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Red-throated
Thrush, Chinese Bush Warbler, Azure Tit, Henderson’s Ground Jay, Saxaul Sparrow,
Père David’s Snowfinch and Pine and Pallas’s Reed Buntings, while a rich
supporting cast includes Swan Goose, Stejneger’s Scoter, Pallas’s Fish Eagle,
Upland Buzzard, Amur Falcon, Demoiselle and White-naped Cranes, Mongolian Gull,
Hill Pigeon, Asian Short-toed Lark, Pale Martin, Blyth’s Pipit, Brown Accentor,
Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Eyebrowed Thrush, Thick-billed Warbler, White-crowned
Pendu-line Tit, Steppe Grey Shrike, White-cheeked Starling, Mongolian Finch and
Grey-necked Bunting.
Late spring and early summer is a delightful season when
birds are in breeding plumage, and migrants are passing through on their way
north. Marvelous birding and travel through wide open spaces with very few
people make for a wonderful and never-to-be-forgotten experience. A real adventure
in fact. This journey provided excellent birding in this great country.
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| Domestic Camel. |
This report solely reflects the species list.
Participants contributed with observations: Anders
Grindlund, Per Undeland, Arne Holgersson, Per-Erik Pershagen, Stig Holmstedt,
Birgit and Bernt Waldemarsson
Acknowledgement certainly goes to my Mongolian team. They accompanied
us during the journey and are my friends.
Kind regards,
Michael Westerbjerg Andersen/Miksture, Bishkek 28.10.2014 DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT