Mongolia Day 4

As the Ger Camp wouldn’t give us breakfast until 7am we had a bit of sleep in, but the buffet was pretty damn good tbh when we eventually were allowed in. We left quite quickly to drive over to the very scenic gorge and valley of Yolyn Am, one of the must-do places on any birding trip. Well, we quickly nailed Mongolian (Kozlov’s) Accentor before walking down into the valley. 

Mongolian (Kozlov's) Accentor

It was a very birdy site with lots going on, especially along the narrow stream where a large flock of Twite were feeding. Overhead both Lammergeier and Himalayan Griffons were seen several times and further into the gorge a flock of Pacific Swifts showed nicely. It was interesting finding several migrants in the low bushes and I always get a kick out of this. Highlights were a Brown Shrike, Two-barred Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Little, Black-faced and a female Pallas’s Reed Bunting, the latter looking particularly out of place. 

Dusky Warbler

We saw all these birds in between watching up to 6 Wallcreepers (yes 6!!) flying around the large cliffs and feeding on the rock faces but never really letting us get a photo. 

Brown Accentor

A couple of Godlewski’s Bunting proved more obliging, as did a few Brown Accentors, whilst numerous White-winged Snowfinches were ever present. The small stream running through the valley enticed a flock of Twite down to drink and this area was also good for Himalayan Beautuful Rosefinch, with one male in particular being extremely confiding. 

Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch

It was a great morning’s birding and we’d been here a good 4 hours by the time we had returned to the vehicles. Our field lunch was taken nearby where our ground crew had prepared us some delicious dumplings and coffee. 

White-winged Snowfinch

Twite

Our afternoon was spent at another picturesque valley where a pair of Barred Warblers were on territory and showing amazingly well. We also found a migrating Pallas’s Warbler, another Two-barred Warbler and scoped a female Saker feeding her young on an old Ravens nest. The male did a food pass to the female at one point as well. 

Saker - phonescoped of course

Barred Warbler - phonescoped

That's better...!

As we headed back to the camp, we saw a few Citrine Wagtails and scoped a couple of Pied Wheatears to round the day off nicely. We were back in camp by 5pm and had a couple of hours off to relax, take a hot shower and rest before dinner.