Headed across to the far side of Tso Kar to a fresh water lake that was teeming with birds.
 |
| More great scenery this morning |
On the way we scanned the salt water lake that held countless shorebirds around the edges with the most numerous being Common Redshank, followed by Lesser Sand Plovers and Little Stints, with a small group of Pied Avocets seen as well. A pair of Black-necked Cranes were also feeding at the water’s edge with 2 young.
 |
| Lesser Sand Plover with chicks |
At the freshwater lake there were flocks of Bar-headed Goose and Ruddy Shelduck, with numerous common species such as Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Red-crested Pochard, a few Black-necked Grebes, loads of Brown-headed Gulls and other species.
 |
| Tso kar Eco-Lodge |
We left here to return to the lodge for a late breakfast seeing a close Little Owl en-route. Afterwards we walked along the road through the village where many Black-winged Snowfinches were the most prominent species, and we also saw a few Great Rosefinches, lots of Twite, a flyover Saker with an immature perched on a cliff overlooking the road and a couple of Upland Buzzards.
 |
| Great Rosefinch is common |
 |
| Little Owl |
 |
| Eastern Saker |
 |
| Black-winged Snowfinch |
After a siesta we headed out at 3pm and drove across Tso Kar in search of Tibetan Sandgrouse, which at a stony, sandy plateau we came across several groups numbering over 80 individuals. Wow! We managed to get great views as these groups fed either side of us and we watched them for a long time.
 |
| The bird of the trip - Tibetan Sandgrouse |
What a bird and with snow-capped peaks and the vast open spaces of Tso Kar all around us this was the most perfect and unbelievably breath-taking setting to observe our main purpose for coming to this magnificent place. Driving back to the lodge we heard a snowcock calling but couldn’t locate it high up in the mountains, so returned to the lodge for another great meal.
No comments:
Post a Comment