Russian Altai June 13–27, 2010

Jukka Hintikka Antero Lindholm

The Russian Altai is rarely visited by western birders, and most European groups have visited the area only en route to Mongolia. Our team of seven Finnish birdwatchers decided to spend two weeks in the area. Even though some days on the Mongolian side of the border would probably have produced some interesting species, we found it easier not to get involved in the border bureaucracy and decided to get a more profound picture of the birds of the Russian side.

The Russian Altai includes two parts: the Altai Krai and the Altai Republic. Barnaul is the biggest city in the area (capital of the krai). From birdwatcher's point of view, the Altai Republic is more interesting. It is a thinly populated, vast area of 92,000 square kilometres, and it host large woodland areas, mountains (highest peak 4506 m) and steppe.

June 12, 2010

An early start from Helsinki and the morning train to St. Petersburg. Our flight departed from St. Petersburg, Pulkovo Airport at 19.40.

June 13, 2010

We arrived at Barnaul 3.00 AM as scheduled. We met our guide Lena, who spoke good English and knew well the basic birds, and our driver Sergei at the airport. The trip started with wrong foot as we realised that the car (a 4W•drive UAZ van) was too small for our group by all standards. Anyway, it was impossible to get another car or hire a second vehicle at that time, so after some fierce work we managed to get ourselves and all our stuff in the van, even though travelling was like sardines in a tin can.

The morning hours were spent birding at Firsovo, SE of Barnaul. River Ob was flooding, and vast areas were under water. Birding at the river banks produced Common Rosefinches, Blyth's Reed Warblers, Grasshopper Warblers, Siberian Stonechats, Kingfishers, Golden Orioles, both Common and Oriental Cuckoos and Yellow Wagtails (beema type). The highlights included a singing male Siberian Rubythroat and a Black Stork.

During breakfast at a roadside cafe (delicious pies and hot tea!) we managed to find a couple of displaying Swinhoe's Snipe and our first Lanceolated Warbler was heard. Our first attempt for visitor registration was made in Gorno•Altaysk, but we missed the office hours.

After Biysk, the road was cut due to the flooding river Biya. We parked by the roadside and Lena and Sergei started to prepare lunch. We had a short walk in the surrounding woodland and found a singing Dusky Warbler, a Siberian Jay and a singing Siberian Blue Robin. In a couple of hours the road was rebuilt (literally; loads of gravel was brought to the road and the road was elevated almost a metre) and we managed to reach village Artybash and Lake Teletskoye.

We spent the night at a hunters' cottage on the hills 10 kilometres west of Artybash. This place proved to be excellent for a birder already in the evening: displaying Swinhoe's Snipe and singing Lanceolated and Pallas' Grasshopper Warblers and Siberian Rubythroats.

June 14, 2010.

Early morning birding in the forest was one of the finest hours of the trip. Species included Chiffchaff (subspecies tristis), White's Thrush, Taiga and Dark•sided Flycatchers, Radde's Warbler, Hawfinch and Little Bunting.

After breakfast we returned to Artybash and after a failed registration attempt we boarded a ship, which seemed to be designed for larger waters than Lake Teletskoye. Anyhow, we cruised all the way to the southern end of the lake with several stops en route. Most interesting observations during the stops included Hume's Leaf Warbler, Black•throated Thrush and an interbreeding between alba and personata White Wagtails.

The lake itself is picturesque and a tourist attraction. It is very deep with steep sides, which was probably the reason for the astonishing small numbers of water birds. We didn't see a single gull and only a couple of ducks, but luckily we did spot a small flock of Asian White•winged Scoters.

We spent the night in a small village at the southernmost end of the lake, near the river Chulyshman. The water was flooding here too; our campsite was supposed to be a small cape, but due to high water it had turned into an island. The water had flooded in several houses, and the village's graveyard was about to fall into the lake due to erosion.

June 15, 2010.

Since there was hardly any birds to see on our island, we had arranged an early start for our ship. Unfortunately, the wind was heavy and we decided to rest until 7.00.

We stopped at several sites when cruising back to Artybash. The birds included Osprey, Peregrine, several Siberian Blue Robins and Siberian Rubythroats, Greenish and Hume's Leaf Warblers, Black•throated Thrushes and a Red•backed Shrike. The lake itself was as stunningly beautiful and as empty of birds as yesterday.

Ticks were very abundant in the woods around Lake Teletskoye. After a short walk, it was normal to find 5•10 ticks crawling on your legs or sleeves. Some of the ticks are supposed to carry a virus which causes meningitis, so checking each others arms, legs and back was done regularly. The numbers of mosquitos here seemed very low, at least from Finnish point of view. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Artybash.

June 16, 2010

Wake•up call at 3.50 AM and birding in the surroundings of Artybash. Several roads and paths were cut due to the flooding.

Black•throated Thrushes were abundant (both adult and juvenile), Goldfinches (grey•headed subspecies subulata), Greenish Warblers, Hume's Leaf Warblers, Oriental Turtle Doves, Taiga Flycatcher and a singing male Black•faced Bunting. An interesting shrike was found next to our hotel, which we figured out to be an odd Brown Shrike.

After an excellent breakfast we headed for a long drive towards the mountains. The day was hot (+31C) and the car tightly packed, which made us all sweat. In addition, the engine radiator caused hot air flowing into the cabin, which is probably helpful in the long cold winter, but in summer it made our travel nearly unbearable.

Our aim was to get as close to the Mongolian border as we can, but we had some delays. We managed to do the obligatory immigration registration in Gorno•Altaysk, but it took us two hours of valuable time. The hot weather, overweight and upward slopes were a bit too much for the engine, and we had to stop to cool it down a couple of times.

We did not have good chances for birdwatching during the day, but we managed to observe Demoiselle Crane, Greater Spotted Eagle, Ortolan Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear and Black Stork.

Eventually, we found a nice camping spot in a valley near a small creek (1019m above sea level). Overnight in tents.

June 17, 2010.

Morning birding in the valley produced Oriental Cuckoo, several Ortolan Buntings, Dark•sided Flycatchers, both Tree and Olive•backed Pipit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Pied and Isabelline Wheatear and an adult Imperial Eagle.

After some drive we had a stop on the dry steppe. Isabelline Wheatears were everywhere, seven Lesser Kestrels, Tawny Pipit, a pair of Imperial Eagles and Skylark. A delightful surprise was a male Meadow Bunting, which was skulking in the riverside bushes but eventually seen well. The next stop produced the first Lammergeier of the trip.

We arrived at Aktash at 15.00. Surprisingly, the pre•ordered permits for the border zone were handed over to us without any bureaucracy or additional delays. After some shopping and engine fixing we continued to our accommodation: a group of small, cozy cottages in the valley bottom with beautiful views to the snow•covered high mountains. Birds in the surrounding included Black Redstart (subspecies phoenicuroides), Pine Bunting, Fork•tailed Swift and Booted Eagle. A good meal and a refreshing sauna made the day.

June 18, 2010

Birds were already active in the dark at 4.00 AM. Since we were in the bottom of the valley, the sun was not visible until 8.00. Interesting birds included Tengmalm's Owl, Brown Shrike, Black•throated Accentor and a pair of Ruddy Shelduck. Chiffchaff and Hume's Leaf Warbler were common.

Our first stop was in semi•desert near the flooding river Chuya. The stop produced quite a few new birds for us: lots of ducks, Coot, Whooper Swan, Booted Warbler, Citrine Wagtail, Mongolian Finch and Shore Lark. We observed some distant Buzzards, which caused some debat about identification of Upland Buzzard and Long•legged Buzzard.

The next town was Kosh•Agach, which is located on the flat and treeless Chuisky Steppe. On the outskirts of the town there are several ponds, which hosted Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe and Red•crested Pochard among others.

After the last•minute shoppings at noon we headed off from the main road, across the Chuisky Steppe and into the mountains. Our passports and permits were checked by the border guards, and after the last bureaucracy we were on our own in the mountain area. Soon we found Black Vulture, Steppe Eagles and Citrine Wagtails.

We drove the mountain roads into the eastern parts of Ukok Highland and camped by a small mountain lake (2283 metres above sea level). The view was surprisingly similar to the fjells of northern Finland: treeless, rounded mountain tops and slopes, a clear lake and dense thickets of Dwarf Birch and Downy Willow. We were very happy to find several Pallas' Reed Bunting next to our campsite and a Asian White•winged Scoter.

June 19, 2010

The birds in the area were both similar to and different from the birds in similar habitat in northern Finland. Wheatear, Bluethroat, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal and Common Sandpiper were just like home, but Chough, Pallas' Reed Bunting, Citrine Wagtail, Dusky Warbler and Ruddy Shelduck added an exotic feeling.

After the morning trip we had a long discussion about our next day plans. The road had suffered some damage during winter and spring, and it was not clear whether it was possible to drive further. Finally we decided to continue on foot towards the pass of Teplyj Klyuch, and Sergei drove the van as carefully as he could. Interesting birds included a brood of Great Grey Shrike (subspecies mollis), Plain Mountain Finch, Himalayan Accentor and Black Vulture. As we had nearly reached the highest point of the pass, the road was cut by snow. We decided to camp there (2851 metres above sea level, 6 km to Mongolian border, 30 km to China and 57 km to Kazakhstan), though there was hardly space for our tents among the rocks. Water was available from the melting snow. Hawk•watching from the camp site produced a Saker Falcon, Steppe Eagles, Lammergeier and Upland Buzzard. Other birds included Water Pipit (subspecies blakistoni), Crag Martins and Güldenstädt's Redstart.

June 20, 2010.

Wake up at 4.00 AM in the calm and cool morning. Our search for Altai Snowcock was unsuccessful, but in addition to yesterdays birds, we managed to see 15 Asian Rosy Finches and two Brandt's Rosy Finches. A fresh bear track was found not far from our camp, and after Sergei woke up, he told he had seen a bear in the pass yesterday evening after we were already sleeping. Even though we missed the bear, we did see a distant group of mountain sheep.

Our day was interrupted by a fierce thuderstorm. We got most of our stuff inside the car in time, but three of our group were on the other side of the valley trying to get better views of the Asian Rosy Finches, and they were of course soaking wet.

We returned yesterdays route back and continued a couple of valleys further. The next camping site was (2632 metres above the sea level) on the shore of a small, partly ice•covered lake. Shore Lark seemed to be the commonest bird in the area.

June 21, 2010.

At night there was a distant, heavy thunderstorm, which luckily never reached our camp. Morning included Chough, Shore Larks, Redshank, Twite and a Pallid Harrier. Small and medium•sized rodents (different species of marmot, suslik and pika) seemed to be abundant in the region.

While returning to Kosh•Agach, crossing a wooden bridge nearly turned fatal. The road edge fell down into the river and a third of our vehicle was suddenly on thin air. Luckily, the bottom of the van was stuck on the edge and after some fear•filled moments, we managed to exit the vehicle safely and push the van back to the road. Sergei did some reparations and after a short while, we were driving again towards Kosh•Agach.

In Kosh•Agach we had a lunch, charged batteries and did some shopping. Sergei managed to fix the damages of the bridge incident, and after that we were ready to head for our next mountain target, Elangash river valley. We had a short but heavy rain in Kosh•Agach; someone of us remembered that this village is supposed to have the lowest precipitation rate of all Russia. On a stop by the river not far from Kosh•Agach we found two Barred Warblers and two hybrid Shrikes (see Antero Lindholm's website). Our next camp was betweeen hills by a small river near Elangash mountains (2400 metres above sea level). The evening produced Golden and Steppe Eagles, Upland Buzzard, five Black Vultures and a Hill Pigeon, and even starting rain did not make us unhappy.

June 22, 2010

The weather had turned cloudy and we got some showers during the day. Birds in the area included Brandt's Mountain Finches, Brown Accentor, Demoiselle Crane, Rock Sparrow, White•winged Snow Finch, Black Redstart and Twite. Both Common and Isabelline Wheatears were numerous. Raptors were still numerous and easily watched as they patrolled the mountain slopes.

Since we were still on the foothills, we decided to move our camp further upstream. Unfortunately, we were supposed to cross the river, which was impossible due to the flood and heavy stream. We split the group in two. Three of us left with a tent and some food in their rucksacks and hiked about ten kilometres upstream into the valley. The rest of the group moved the camp a bit further upstream.

The good numbers of raptors was easily explained: there were hordes of grazing sheep and cattle in the valley, which apparently provided an never•ending food storage for the larger raptors.

June 23, 2010

The hiking group had an excellent start for the day: they woke up in calls of Altai Snowcock. The Snowcock called actively somewhere high on the mountaintop, and even though the hiking group climbed up the dangerously steep slope, they did not manage to see it. Other hiker observations included Alpine Chough, stunning views of Lammergeier and a bear skull.

However, the base camp group got their share too. At dawn, they walked about a kilometre upstream and kept scanning the hills for raptors, and they managed to spot a flock of four Altai Snowcocks far away high on the slope on the other side of the river. Other birds included Steppe and Imperial Eagles, Black Vultures and a strange Gyps, which was identified as Himalayan Griffon.

On our drive back to civilization we spotted a Saker and numerous Rock Sparrows. We stopped by the river to examine the hybrid Shrikes closely. In addition, we found a Red•rumped Swallow, Pale Martin, Coot, Gadwall and some commoner duck species.

Once on the highway we headed north back to Aktash. Overnight in the same homely cottages as a week before. June 24, 2010

Night observations included Nightjar and Scops Owl. We were back in the taiga zone, which meant Oriental Cuckoo, Song Thrush, Siberian Rubythroat, Pine Bunting, Red•flanked Bluetail and Black•throated Accentor among other already familiar species.

After breakfast we headed for our next mountain target. We followed the river Chuya up to 1400 metres above sea level. The road was a sight itself: a narrow path high above a ravine. In many places the road was badly damaged and western cars would probably not have survived the it, but it turned out to be driveable by our UAZ. Here we saw Sulphur•bellied Warblers, Pied Wheatear, Rufous•tailed Rock Thrush and Chough.

We were supposed to cross the river Chuya and continue to the plateau, but when we had almost reached the bridge, we were stopped and told that flood had destroyed the bridge just eight hours ago. The bridge was the only way the reach the plateau, so we decided to build our camp and return the next day. On the other side of the river was a small group of French hikers, who were supposed to catch their plane from Barnaul but were trapped on the other side.

We birder the area while Sergei cooked a delicious soup. Black Redstarts (phoenicuroides) were common, and we examined them cautiously. Some of the females were quite similar to European Common Redstarts. Other birds included Grey Wagtails, Golden Eagle and surprisingly a White Wagtail of the subspecies baicalensis.

June 25, 2010

We had heavy showers at night, which meant that the highest mountaintops had turned white. Birds by the river were mostly similar to yesterday, but two Alpine Choughs and a Black•throated Thrush and offered something new.

After reaching the main road we headed north. The day included mostly sitting in the hot car, but during the stops we saw a total of ten Imperial Eagles, three Black Vultures, a and next to a roadside restaurant four Hill Pigeons.

In the evening, we camped by the Katun river. We were not totally happy about the place, since it was mature pine forest and did seem to offer minimal possibilities for birdwatching. In addition, we had a steep cliff on the other side and river Katun on the other, so chances for birding in the morning were low. Once the spot was not promising and since it was juhannus (midsummer evening, a traditional Finnish holiday), we deciced to sit by the campfire with Russian drinks and discuss the trip thoroughly.

June 26, 2010

The last morning was spent more or less resting due to rain. We did not take the shortest road to Gorno•Altaysk, but crossed the river Katun and took the old road on the west side of Katun. A nice stop next to a marsh produced six Montagu's Harriers, two Hen Harriers, two Imperial Eagles and several Pallas' Grasshopper Warblers. On another stop we found three Long•tailed Rosefinches and a Booted Warbler.

In Biysk we said farewell to Lena and had some delicious pies for lunch, and continued with Sergei. Upon returning to Barnaul, we made a short afternoon stop again in Firsovo. Ob was still in full flood and mosquitoes were everywhere, but we observed Grey Heron, Garganey, Lapwing, Greenfinch, Stock Dove and other non•mountain species. This time mosquitoes were very abundant even with Finnish standards, which made evening birding rather unpleasant. In Barnaul we checked in Hotel Altai for a short nap before the long flight.

June 27, 2010

After a four•hour rest we packed ourselves in our van at 2.00 AM and left for airport, where we observed our last new species for the trip, a brood of Long•eared Owls. Our flight to St. Petersburg was in time, and we were back in Helsinki railway station at 22.00.

Something to remember

Travelling in Russia is quite difficult without any local contacts, and thus using a tour operator is usually needed. We used Ecological Travel Center (www.ecotravel.ru), which arranged us a guide, a driver, a vehicle and permits for border zone, but little else for the money. Direct contact to a local guide and driver will save nerves and money.

In general, Altai offers a wide variety for a birdwatcher. Our route offered approximately all possible habitats from agricultured lowlands (Firsovo, 300 metres above sea level) to alpine meadows (Teplyj Klyuch, 2900m) and from deciduous forests to steep taiga slopes. Each altitude offered different views and different birds, which made the travelling extra interesting.

Lake Teletskoye is arguably the most beautiful single place in Altai and it is no surprise that it is often included in the tour itineraries. However, birding on the lake was nearly frustrating due to the lack of birds. On the other hand, we had two very good mornings in the forests near Lake Teletskoye and saw some exceptionally fine taiga birds there. Taking a cruise is probably not worth the birds, but the forests should be checked.

The Snipes in the area seem to be problematic. Most of the groups who have visited the area have noted Pin•tail Snipes, though Pin•tail and Swinhoe's Snipe are virtually unidentifiable in the field by plumage. However, the displaying calls of Pintail and Swinhoe's differ significantly (Swinhoe's sounds are available at www.tarsiger.com ). All the displaying Snipes on our trip were Swinhoe's; the rest were left unidentified.

The endemic Altai Snowcock is a difficult bird to observe, but it is probably much more common than people usually think. We had only some days in the mountains and we never reached the really high altitudes due to flooding rivers and late summer, and yet we managed to observe them in two separate places.

The Sand Martins in Altai Republic should be studied carefully. We mostly had no chances for this, and thus identified only one Pale Martin. Hopefully next groups can tell more about them.

This document does not include any pictures, but some images can be found from www.tarsiger.com Use the search tool and keywordAltai.

Some pictures from the trip are also available at Antero Lindholm's and Annika Forstén's web page, http://www.caluta.liitin.net/aa.html

RUSSIAN ALTAI

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 25 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 4 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 2 5020 10 6 2 2 1 10 Gadwall Anas strepera 2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3 2 3 4 1 10 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 2 Garganey Anas querquedula 1 Green•winged Teal Anas crecca 10 4 Red•crested Pochard Netta rufina 4 4 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 10 15 2 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 2 40 25 10 15 White•winged Scoter Melanitta fusca stejnegeri 13 1 2 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 109 1 8 4 8 Common Merganser Mergus merganser 3 2 1 Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus 5 Grey / Daurian Partridge Perdix perdix robusta / P.dauuricae 1 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 1 1 2 3 Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia sibirica 1 Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus brevirostris 1 Red•throated Loon Gavia stellata 1 Black•throated Loon Gavia arctica 3 Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 1 2 1 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1 1 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2 5 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 2 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 1 1 1 Honey Buzzard sp. Pernis apivorus / ptilorhynchos 2 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 Black Kite Milvus migrans 200 10 20 50 50 30 2 10 5 50 7020 60 150 Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus aureus 1 12 2 1 1 Black Vulture Aegypius monachus 2 4 2 5 6 6 3 1 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis 1 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus 6/1 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 1 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 3/3 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nisus 2 1 2 Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 3 1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus 5 4 2 6 5 1 3 Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 4 2 1 2 4 2 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga 1 1 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 2 4 1 1 2 10 1 1 1 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos chrysaetos 3 3 1 2 3 3 2 2 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 5 3 6 5 5 1 Booted Eagle Aquila pennata 2 1 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 17 5 2 2 3 2 1010 120 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 7 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 2 1 3 1 1 Saker Falcon Falco cherrug milvipes, 'altaicus' 1 1 1 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinus 1 1 1 Corn Crake Crex crex 1 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 2 1 Demoiselle Crane Athropoides virgo 1 2 2 72 10 Common Crane Grus grus lilfordi 3 3 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 1 4 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 4 6 3 2 Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus 1 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 5 22 2 1 3 2 2 5 2 1 5 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 Common Redshank Tringa totanus ussuriensis 6 4 2 4 10 6 Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala 6 1 1sp. 5sp. Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1 1 1 Black•headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 200 50 10 10 Mew Gull Larus canus heinei 10 1 Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans barabensis,mongolicus 1sp. Common Tern Sterna hirundo 'minussensis' 40 5 5 10 1 Stock Dove Columba oenas 2 Common Pigeon Columba livia; C.l.feral (introduced) 100 6 50 10 200 3 10 Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris turkestanica 1 4 1 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis meena 15 3 5 1 10 1 1 4 1 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus canorus 10 2 1 1 3 7 4 4 2 2 4 10 Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus 7 5 1 2 2 2 2 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops pulchellus 1 1 1 1 Long•eared Owl Asio otus 3 Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus pallens 1 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus sarudnyi 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 Common Swift Apus apus apus 15 100 30 Fork•tailed Swift Apus pacificus 15 1 5 10 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis atthis 4 2 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 2 2 32 2 2 3 2 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla sarudnyi 3 1 2 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1 2 1 Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius 3 1 3 2 Grey•headed Woodpecker Picus canus jessoensis 2 1 Red•backed Shrike Lanius collurio collurio 10 2 1 3 1 Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus isabellinus 3 6 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus cristatus 1 1 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor mollis 3 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius brandtii 2 Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus apicus 1 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica bactriana 30 2 10 5 10 5 1 10 10 20 Spotted Nutcracker N. caryocatactes macrorhynchos 5 2 10 8 10 Red•billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax centralis 40 30 20 105150 50 20 40 Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus forsythi 6 2 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula soemmeringii 20 4 5 10 20 30 Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator 80 1 5 2 150 Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis, cornix 44 7 30 10 10 1 30 32 5 23 20 Northern Raven Corvus corax corax 5 4 5 10 10 2 2 105 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis dulcivox 1 1 30 5 2 1 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris brandti 1 2 2 20 40 80 50 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 10 1 7 40 40 30 Pale Martin Riparia diluta gavrilovi 1 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 5 5 7 2 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica rustica 4 1010 10 5 1 2 30 Red•rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica daurica 1 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 4 15 5 10 5 15 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris brevirostis 2 Willow Tit Poecile montana baicalensis 1 8 2 4 5 Coal Tit Periparus ater ater 5 21 1 1 Great Tit Parus major major 15 7 10 15 3 2 4 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea asiatica 3 3 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia f. familiaris <> daurica 1 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 1 Dipper Cinclus cinclus 1 Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata 3 7 2 1 Common Grasshopper Warbler L. naevia straminea 5 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler L. certhiola centralasiae 1 1 15 Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum 30 15 10 15 1 10 Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata 2 1 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis 40 30 10 20 30 10 10 6 20 3 5 10 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus fuscatus 1 5 1 10 Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi 1 1 Sulphur•bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus 3 6 Hume’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei 2 22 5 30 25 1 10 2 20 Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus 5 5 10 10 58 3 5 32 10 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 2 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 1 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis rubicola 3 5 1 1 1 15 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca halimodendri 2 14 4 1 1 1 7 2 1 1 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata neumanni 2 155 5 5 1 4 2 1 Dark•sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 3 2 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca sibirica 1 Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1/ 2 Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope 3 7 4 5 1 1 1 1 1 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica pallidogularis 25 25 5 2 1 8 Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane cyane 2 8 5 1 Red•flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2 1 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides 2 10 2 1 2050 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus 5 106 15 5 2 Guldenstadt's Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogastrus grandis 2 6 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 8 3 50 30 20 1030 5010 20 Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka 3 5 25 2 10 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti atrogularis 1 2 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 22 50 25 5 151 1 20 15 Stonechat Saxicola torquatus maurus 10 1 1 10 3 5 2 20 2 10 Rufous•tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 2 1 2 1 1 Dark•throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis 102 30 1 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 20 3 1 10 Redwing Turdus iliacus 5 3 Song Trush Turdus philomelos 4 5 2 1 5 1 3 1 1 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus bonapartei 2 8 1 2 5 5 5 5 10 White's Trush Zoothera aurea 1 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 10 1 1 4 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus 1 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskyi 10 1 200 Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana 6 50 1 Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens dahurica 30 20 Black•throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis huttoni 1 3 Western Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava beema 2 20 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola citreola 2030 5 10 10 8 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 8 5 5 10 3 5 2 1 2 1010 1 1 White Wagtail Motacilla alba personata 23 11 15 25 10 15 2 1 10 5 10 5 5 15 Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi 15 2 2 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 2 2 2 1 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis trivialis 2 1010 5 20 15 5 1 5 10 Olive•backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis 2 1 2 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta blakistoni 1 1 5 15 15 30 50 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella erythrogenys 20 10 3 10 1 1 2 20 Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos leucocephalos 1 4 10 Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides tarbagataica 2 Black•faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 1 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana 2 40 30 30 3 20 20 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 3 Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi 6 25 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 10 15 10 10 5 5 3 10 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 2 1 1 Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola altaica 3 10 15 Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti margaritacea 2 20 2 4 Asian Rosy Finch Leucosticte arctoa arctoa 15 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus 30 50 20 50 10 10 5 1 10 20 5 20 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra altaiensis 2010 10 10 4 3 1 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis subulata, major 2 2 8 10 5 2 3 Linnet Carduelis cannabina 1 1 3 Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus 1 305 10 6 5 2 Twite Carduelis flavirostris korejevi 5 10 20 1 2 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula cineracea 6 1 2 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes 1 7 1 2 1 Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus 2 1 2 Long•tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus 4 House Sparrow Passer domesticus domesticus 50 4 5 20 10 20 2 2040 40 Eurasian Tree Sparrow P. montanus dilutus <> montanus 1 2 3 30 10 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia intermedia 25 10

White•winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis 8