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their habitat in many countries around the world.
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Birdwatching in Mongolia
Natural zones: Mongolia possesses a great range of landscapes and habitats: Lush taiga in the north, a mosaic of steppe and coniferous forests in the north and centre, endless seas of grass in the east and dry desert-steppe and desert in the south. In addition, there are several mountain ranges with sub-alpine and alpine habitats at higher altitudes, and many wetlands. Mongolia is a transition zone, where the flora and fauna of Siberia meet the very different species of the deserts and steppes of Central Asia. The country can be divided into six basic natural zones, differing in climate, landscape, soil, flora and fauna.
"Mongolian desert"
"Mongolia is one of the important breeding and stopever sites for palearctic species. Breeding birds occur in many different habitats (from taiga forest through different steppes to Gobi desert including wetlands). Migratory birds pass through Mongolia from Siberian Taiga to wintering grounds. It means that you will have an unique opportunity to see not only breeding palearctic species but also migratory species during both breeding and migration seasons. Untouched landscape and nomadic lifestyle give chances to discover new species for the birdslist of the country. The peaceful country and friendly field company attract many birdwatchers to Mongolia. Through birdwatching trips you can help to develope bird database of the country and educate young birdwatchers for the country".
"Trip map"
Electronic map of Mongolia
Tour I
20 Day Birdwatching tour from Siberian Taiga to Gobi Desert.
Expect more than 200 species for the trip depending on season.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, a capital of Mongolia and check in hotel. After lunch, visit to the Bogd Khaan Palace which is one of the oldest exhibits in Mongolia and Natural History Museum (only for early flight). Dinner at a local restaurant and return to the hotel (L, D).
"Ground nesting Steppe Eagle"
Day 2 - Ulaanbaatar-Hustai Nuruu National Park.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and drive to the Hustai Nuruu National Park to see Przewalskii’s Wild Horse and bird watching. Nesting
Amur Falcon, Hobby, Saker Falcon, Black Stork, Black Vulture, Darian Redstart, Isabelline Shrike, Daurian Jackdaw… Overnight in yurt (Mongolian tent) camp (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 3 - Hustai NP-Borogchin Lake.
Drive to the west and reach to the Borogchin lake. We will see Saker Falcon, Steppe Eagle, Upland Buzzards and big colony of House Martin and Barn Swallow. Bar-headed Goose, Whooper Swan, Grey-lag Goose, Ducks and Waders.
We will also find Asian Dowitcher, Avocets, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Harriers… Overnight in tents (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 4 and 5 - Ugii Lake.
Drive west to the Ugii lake. Western part of the lake just after arrive. Birdwatching east, south east of the lake. Overnight in tents near the lake. Next morning we will move less than 5 km to west of the lake. Fresh water fish dishes. Loon, Swan Goose,
Bar-headed Goose, Common and White-naped Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Ducks, Waders, Pallas’ Fish Eagle and White-tailed Eagle. Overnight in yurt (Mongolian tent) camp (camp B, camp L, camp D).
"Demoiselle Cranes"
Day 6 - Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu Monastery.
Drive to south west and visit to Kharhorin (Karkorum) and Erdenezuu monastery the 13th century imperial capital of thr Mongol Empire. Erdenezuu monastery was built in 1586. Steppe raptors, river valley birds. Overnight in yurt (Mongolian tent) (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 7 - Hugshin Orkhon Arvaikheer.
Drive to south west and reach to Arvaikheer town. Internet, International calls and fax service. Visit to nomadic families. Overnight in the tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 8 - Mandal Ovoo-Bayanzag (Dinosaur’s fossils discovery sites).
Drive to south of Arvaikheer town and reach to Ongi monastery. We will have Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolian Ground Jay, Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear, Mongolian Finch… This site will be very good for watching birds in thr Saxual Forest. There will be Great Grey Shrike, Isabelline Shrike. Rare Saxual Sparrow and Mongolian Ground Jay occurs here. Overnight in yurt (Mongolian tent) or tents in Saxual forest (camp B, camp L, camp D).
"Saxaul Forest in the Gobi"
Day 9 - Bayanzag-Bulgan- Baruunsaikhan Mountain.
We will visit to South eastern end of Mongol Altai Mountain. There we will see high mountain birds: Egyptian Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Himalyan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, Altai Snowcock (rare), Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, Kozlow’s or Mongolian Accentor, Desert Warbler, Guldenstadt Redstart, Wall Creeper, Mongolian Finch, Beautiful Rosefinch, Great Rosefinch… Overnight in the
tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 10 - Baruunsaikhan Mountain and Hongoryn els.
Drive to south of the Baruunsaikhan mountain and reach to Hongoryn els, which is one of the biggest sand dunes in Mongolia.
Visit to local family and ride two humped camel. Bird watching around the creek in the valley of the mountain range. We will
have Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolian Ground Jay, Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear, Mongolian Finch… Overnight in the yurt (Mongolian tent) or tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 11 and 12 - Dundsaikhan Mountain.
Birdwatching near ground spring. Midday many raptors arrive at the spring to drink water. There will be Chukar, Mongolian Finch, White-winged Snow Finch, Black Redstart, Beautiful Rosefinch, Rock Bunting, Wall Creeper (wonderful opportunities to make photo and digiscoping) and soaring raptors such as Egyptian Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Himalyan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, Saker Falcon … Overnight in the tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 13 - Yolyn am - Dalanzadgad - Mandalgobi.
Drive to Mandalgobi and overnight in tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 14 - Mandalgobi - Sum Huh Burd-Baga Gazryn Chuluu.
After breakfast we will drive to north of Bayanzag and visit to Sum Huh Burd lake. This is steppe lake with reeds. Herring Gull breeding colony, Ruddy Shelduck breeding pairs, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Common Teal, Whooper Swan and Great Reed Warblers
and passerines. Then we will continue to the Baga Gazryn Chuluu a rocky mountain range. Argali sheep (Wild Sheep), Mongolian Marmot and Rock vole. In season Black Vulture, Saker Falcon, Steppe Eagle and Upland buzzard nests with chicks. Rock Thrush,
Pied Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Brown and Isabelline Shrike. Visit to local families and overnight in the tents near rocks
(camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 15 - Baga Gazryn Chuluu - Zorgol Hairhan Lake.
We will drive passing steppe lake and reach the protected area. On the way to Ulaanbaatar, we will see typical steppe birds. Overnight in tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
"Saker Falcon "
Day 16 - Zorgol Kharkhan- Bogd Khaan Strictly Protected Area (SPA).
We will again drive passing steppe lake and reach this protected area. We will see typical steppe birds and forest birds in Bogd Khaan SPA. Overnight in tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 17 and 18 - Bogd Khaan SPA-Terelj National Park.
Drive to Terelj National Park. Forest and forest steppe birds: Black Stork, Steppe Eagle, Goshawk, Black Vulture, Black-billed
or Spotted Capercaillie (very rare), Oriental Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Tits, Willow
Tit, Azure-winged Magpie. Overnight in tent (camp B, camp L, camp D).
Day 19- Ulaanbaatar-city tour.
Drive to Ulaanbaatar. Visit to the Gandan monastery. Shopping, city tour and ending party of the trip. Overnights in a hotel (D).
Day 20 - Ulaanbaatar.
Departure.
20 Day tour price is: 2 pax US$3950 per person. 4 pax US$3470 per person.
Included:
Last year we (11 participants from Germany) had a wonderfull birdwatching tour in central Mongolia (24 days, 3 cars, 2400 km, 200
bird species). Dr. Sundev Gombobaatar was our professional birdwatching guide. He is an excellent ornithologist and was a good guide (dependable, hardworking, astute, punctual). More facts about Mongolia.
For more tours around the world visit Birdingpaltours
Single supplement: US$125.
Due to currency fluctuations and fuel cost we reserve the right to adjust any pricing prior to departure.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Transport in the country and terminal transfer. Meals (breakfast B, lunch L, dinner D). Camel and horse trek. Organize city tour and shopping. Museums and national entertainment. English speaking guide and bird watching guide. Entrance fee to the protected areas. All camping materials (tent, sleeping bag, kitchen, cooking equipment, cook etc.)
Excluded:
International transportation, Travel insurance, Visas, Departure tax, Alcoholic drinks and items of personal nature.
Notes:
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Minimum lead time 2 month.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Birding season: For Migratory species in April-early May and end of August-September. For Breeding Birds in May-June.
For resident or wintering birds (winter visitors) in December-February.
Fitness:
We will camp in tents close by bird watching areas and some time drive at long distance by dirt road over the steppe and mountains.
Equipment:
Could you bring own cameras, telescopes, binoculars, bird guide books and personal equipments (battery charger, notebook etc…)
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
Gomboo Gombobaatar, your local Birdingpal guide
Dr. Sundev Gombobaatar (Founder and Vice President of the MOS). Short name is Gomboo. Since 1993, he has worked at the Ornithological Laboratory of the NUM as a lecturer for 12 years. He is one of the founders of the Mongolian Ornithological Society. He is also a national representative of Swan Goose and Baikal Teal Task Force of East Asia, a member of Asian Raptor Research Network Center and a honorary member of the Oriental Bird Club, UK. He has worked on several domestic and the international research projects as biologist, co-leader and field team leader. Professional interests: Wildlife conservation, particularly bird species. Scientific research of wildlife populations and ecological factors affecting distribution and
numbers. Training young people for the Ornithology. Gomboo speaks English, Russian and Mongolian-native.
Uugan Uuganbauar, your local Birdingpal guide
Ch.Uuganbauar, MSc. Lecturer of Biology-Eco tourism Department, School of Nature Science Mongolian State University of Agriculture. He finished his MSc thesis on Diet studies of Saker Falcon in Central Mongolia under Gomboo and D.Sumiya's supervision at the Laboratory in 2003. He is a lecturer of the State Agriculture University. Numerous publication and papers related to wildlife in Mongolia. Professional interests: Wildlife conservation, particularly bird species. Scientific research
of wildlife populations and ecological factors affecting distribution and numbers. Training young people for the Ornithology. Uuganbayar speaks English, Russian and Mongolian-native.
Testimonials.
Bernd Nicolai. nicolai(AT)halberstadt.de Museum Heineanum, Halberstadt, Germany www.heineanum.de
Some facts about Mongolia.
Mongolia (known historically as ‘Outer Mongolia’ and known as the ‘Mongolian People’s Republic’ during the communist period 1924 to 1992) is a large upland country in northern Central Asia, lying between the south of eastern Siberia and northern China.
It is c. 2,400 km across from east to west and is c. 1,250 km from north to south at its widest point. It covers an area of 1,564,100 km2 and in 1998 had a population of 2.4 million people, with more than 1 million living in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The country is mountainous, with about 60% of the surface lying between 1,000–2,000 m (above sea level), and just 15% below 1,000 m. Mongolia contains a great array of natural habitats and associated flora and fauna. Moving just a few hundred kilometres from north to south, the landscape is seen to change from the forested mountains of the southern reaches of the Siberian taiga, to the barren Gobi desert. From west to east, the landscape changes from mountainous terrain to vast plains. The main vegetation zones encompass mountain taiga (4% of the projected surface area), the alpine belt (3%), forest steppe (mountain forest steppe, 25%), dry steppe (26%), desert steppe (semi-desert, 27%), and desert (15%).
Mongolia has a markedly continental climate with long, cold winters and short summers. The country averages about 260 cloudless days a year, and it is usually at the centre of a region of high atmospheric pressure. There are large diurnal and annual variations in temperature, low relative humidity and low precipitation, of which approximately 70% falls during the summer (June/July – early September).
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
Gombobaatar S., A.Braunlich, Sh. Boldbaatar. (2008). Birds of Mongolia: Field Guide to the birds of Mongolia by A&C Black Helm. (in press).
Flint, V.E., Boehme, R.L., Kostin, Y.V., Kuznetzov, A.A. (1984). Birds of Russia and adjacent territories. Princeton University Press. p.182-183.
Mackinnon, J., and Phillipps, K. (2000). A field guide to the birds of China. Oxford University Press. New York. p.93.
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