Watch No 4 – there’s a Leopard tracker guiding a
couple from Australia here now and he claims to have seen a Snow Leopard whilst
scanning this morning. The only thing is that none of us actually saw it and he
was only standing 30 yards away from us at the time. So a close call or pure
string – I don’t know.
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| Rumbak Village |
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| The scenery around the village is stunning |
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| Yours truly |
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| View from above the village |
So after breakfast we walked up the valley for a
kilometre to Rumbak Village. It was an easy, slightly uphill walk, which we all
enjoyed and the highlight for me was seeing a Solitary Snipe, albeit a relatively brief view. I'd definitely like to come back and getter a longer view as it's a lifer for me. In the village they had recently harvested the local crop of grass &
wheat, and the remaining seeds were drawing in 10+ Streaked Rosefinches, a
couple of Great Rosefinches, lots of Common Rosefinches and numerous House Sparrows.
We also came across a flock of Robin Accentors, a few Red-fronted Serins, Black
Redstart, Woolly Hare and Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, which made a very pleasant
change to the practically birdless lower valley where we are based. I spent
some time taking photos and despite the harsh light managed a few decent
images.
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| Chukar |
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| This Robin Accentor was too close... |
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| Female Streaked Rosefinches |
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| Male Streaked Rosefinch |
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| Juv Common Rosefinch |
After lunch back in camp we had a break in the lovely
sunshine before doing Watch No 5. We again failed to see any Leopards. But now
there are lots of Blue Sheep spread across every hillside. I certainly feel a
lot more optimistic about our chances now! Have to say that Ganesh’s rum was
much appreciated tonight! And it now seems that the temperature is dropping
every evening and it’s much colder tonight.
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