Tuesday, May 5, 2015

BIRDING MONGOLIA - Birding with Miksture (16 June – 3 July 2014)


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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