December 13, 2015



part 13:

Along the Khalkh gol
north of Sumber

text by Armin Schneider


( links to previous posts: part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 78, 9, 10, 11 ,12)


Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © K. Krätzel

Fantastic view from inside Matze’s tent
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

Excellent birding from our elevated site above the valley!
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © K. Krätzel

After another shopping trip to Sumber on 3 June, Abu had the idea to camp at a site north of the village. A couple of kilometers later we made a first attempt to find the right place but instead of this we located our first singing Chinese Bush Warblers. Because of the high density of mosquitoes down in the valley and the low density of birds we chose a campsite above the eroding bank of the Khalkh gol (Khalkh river). Here we settled down for the next few nights (3 to 6 June and again from 9 to 10 June). Although not totally mosquito-free, this site was well chosen not only for its beautiful settings but also for a set of first class bird species (see part 12: Baikal Bush Warbler).


Eagle Owl
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Chinese Bush Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © A. Schneider

Chinese Bush Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Even before the camp was ready for occupation, two Eagle Owls jumped from the rocky edge below our camp ground. To us it seemed that their large flight distance could be a hint for a more intense hunting activity in this area. The birds kept a distance of more than 150 meters despite the high probability that they had their owlets in the area (we did not find their nest, though).


Black-browed Reed Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Black-browed Reed Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Black-browed Reed Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

Radde’s Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Siberian Blue Robin
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Lanceolated Warbler
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © A. Schneider

During our stays we explored the area and the team found Black-browed Reed Warblers (just arrived and singing all day!), Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers, Thick-billed Warblers, Siberian Rubythroats, Daurian Starlings, Yellow-browed and Radde’s Warblers, one territory of a Lanceolated Warbler, 2 or 3 territories of Lesser Whitethroat and a Siberian Blue Robin trying to hide inside a bush. Furthermore, we found at least 6 territories of Chinese Bush Warbler as well as 3 Black-naped Orioles and a Yellow-breasted Bunting which was singing from the reeds. One day (4 June) we spotted a migrant White-throated Needletail which was seen by most of us thanks to the use of radio! A singing Brambling was present in the willows all the time.


Black-naped Oriole
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © T. Langenberg

Dark-sided Flycatcher
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

Common Cuckoo
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

Singing Daurian Starling
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

2cy male Yellow-breasted Bunting
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © A. Buchheim

It was not only that we had to celebrate the birthday of one of us during our stay at the camp, with lots of shashlik and drinks, the birds were responsible for repeated celebrations, too:

On 4 June Armin started another expedition and in an “African Savanna”-like habitat and he accidentally came across a bird he was not familiar with. The unknown bird was shouted out via radio and identification help was on its way soon after. What it turned out to be will be posted next!


Siberian Roe Deer
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze

Would you believe it?
Celebrating without beer!
Sumber north camp, Jun 2014, © M. Putze


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