part seven:
INTERLUDE
text by ABu
Links to previous Mountain Birds 2012 on Birding Mongolia:
Mongolian Saiga, near Ikhes Nuur,
Jun 2012, © T. Langenberg
On our way to the Khangai Mountains, we left Ikhes Nuur on 15 June 2012 and were much delighted to see almost 30 of the endangered Mongolian Saiga Saiga mongolica, which has recently been regarded to be a species in its own right (see Handbook of the mammals of the world. vol. II, 2011. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions). Although they always were quick in taking their hooves, we managed to get some records shots. Of this rare antelope, which is endemic to Mongolia, only 750 were thought to have survived until 2004 and it is still a species hard to find, though the population has recovered: more than 7000 have been estimated in 2007 by using a line transect survey method (so the 2004 population was almost certainly underestimated).
Otherwise our drive through the semi desert did not yield any good observations and we all were glad when we came across a number of guanz, the typical Mongolian roadside restaurants. As we were waiting for our lunch to be prepared we birded the area which was in that what is commonly known as “the middle of no-where”.
Guanz in “the middle of no-where”, Mongolia, Jun 2012
Crested Lark, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, Jun 2012, © T. Langenberg
Sooty Eurasian Tree Sparrow, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, Jun 2012, © T. Langenberg
Male Desert Wheatear, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, Jun 2012, © A. Buchheim
We found Demoiselle Cranes, Desert Wheatear and Crested Larks. There were much soot-stained Eurasian Tree Sparrows (a common sight during the Mongolian winter) and even a very cool male Saxaul Sparrow which obviously tried to attract a female to his nest, built in a stable. The two females of this rarely encountered bird were very wary and we could not even get a record shot of them. He, in contrast, was much accustomed to the presence of man and so we fired hundreds of shots (three of them below).
Male Saxaul Sparrow, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, Jun 2012, © A. Buchheim
Male Saxaul Sparrow, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, Jun 2012, © T. Langenberg
Singing male Saxaul Sparrow, “In the middle of no-where”,
Mongolia, June 2012, © T. Langenberg
After having filled up our stomachs we went on to arrive at the city of Altai by the early evening. We spotted a forest patch in the distance and camped there enjoying the breathtaking view. A pair of Long-eared Owls had some chicks and Merlins were attending a nest as well. Warblers were common, especially Greenish and Hume’s. Several Common Crossbills were logged and another stunner was found: Eversmann’s Redstart.
Camp near the city of Altai, Jun 2012, © K. Krätzel
Long-eared Owl chick, near the city of Altai,
Jun 2012; © T. Langenberg
Female Merlin, near the city of Altai,
Jun 2012; © T. Langenberg
Male Evernsmann’s Redstart, near the city of Altai,
Jun 2012; © T. Langenberg
Above the forest we disturbed a Red Fox and a just fledged White-winged Snowfinch posed nicely without any fear.
Red Fox, near the city of Altai, Jun 2012; © T. Langenberg
Juvenile White-winged Snowfinch,
near the city of Altai, Jun 2012; © T. Langenberg
The next day was driving day and we got as far as the Zavkhan Gol where we camped on the river bank, just as we did in 2006. Compared to our first visit the valley was much greener now. Nice!
Camp at the Zavkhan Gol, Jun 2012, © K. Krätzel
Camels crossing the Zavkhan Gol, Jun 2012, © K. Krätzel
This soap-opera will continue with more mountain birds, claws 2, claws 3 as well as the bird below. And believe me, it is not one of the House Martins!
ABu and Mr. X, Bayankhongorijn Khukh Nuur,
Jun 2012, © K. Krätzel
So watch out on Birding Mongolia!
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