Mongolia Day 13

Well this was certainly an interesting day and one I’d kind of like not do again as we visited three different lakes today on our journey towards Hustai NP. There were many miles to travel and to be honest we didn’t see anything to write home about but with vast distances to travel and driving ‘off road’ most of the way there’s probably not much that can be done about it. In essence today was just a ‘fill-in’ day. 

Typical Mongolian Highways

Our first site was Sangiin Dalai Lake and I don’t particularly remember much about it to be honest apart from a few Stejneger’s Scoters being present.

Our second main stop and where we had our field lunch was at Takhilt Lake and this was memorable for a summer-plumaged Black-throated Diver we spent some time scoping, although it spent more time underwater than on top! On the far side of the lake a carcass was encouraging 20+ Cinereous Vultures down into a feeding frenzy. So we journeyed on through some stunning countryside, eventually making a stop at a small shop to stock up on beer and ice-creams not to far from the last lake of the day.

 

Upon arrival at Bayan Lake the regular site to camp beside the lake was mosquito infested, so we relocated several hundred metres inland where it initially appeared to be ok. However, it wasn’t! And this led to various discussions about whether we should try and find a hotel somewhere or not. In a scene reminiscent of Mutiny on the Bounty half of the group definitely wanted to get the hell out of dodge, whilst the others were adamant about staying. 

Our relocated campsite. Those are dark clouds and not mosquito's...!

After much discussion we eventually decided to stay and tough it out. I know another group took the hotel option a few days later but we were made of sterner stuff! Honest! Maybe! Anyway back to the birding, and as usually, the lake was teeming with many wildfowl (19 species), waterbirds (including 43 Eurasian Spoonbills), shorebirds and terns and the best we could come up with were 4 White-naped Cranes, 13 Common Cranes and 6 Demoiselle Cranes flew in later to roost. This is meant to be THE place for Brown-cheeked Rail and Baillon’s Crake but the few of us who braved the blood-thirsty mini vampires on a sunset excursion to the reedbed only heard both species, despite remaining until dark with the thermal camera and getting very close. We did enjoy close views of an Eastern Marsh Harrier quartering the reedbed, as well as a tytleri Barn Swallow.

Sunset over Bayan Lake