The Deskbound Birder: Mongolia - 19th May (Day 12) - Sangiin Dalai Lake to Hustai National Park (Part 1)

Friday 19 May 2017

Mongolia - 19th May (Day 12) - Sangiin Dalai Lake to Hustai National Park (Part 1)

I awoke at Sangiin Dalai Lake at 05:00 to the sound of calling Demoiselle Crane and Common Crane and was up before the rest of the team. After a quick coffee we birding the lake environs once more, Barry, Jon and I heading to the main lake. One of the smaller lakes on the way held a stunning summer plumage Terek Sandpiper as well as Long-toed Stint, Temmink’s Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and a breeding pair of Whooper Swan. We wandered through the longer rushes tryiong to find a few warblers but it seemed fairly quiet on the migrant front with just two Dusky Warbler and none of the hoped for Locustella warblers. The main lake was vast and many of the birds were very distant but we recorded 12 Snejneger's Scoter and many Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Pochard and various dabbling duck. The three shallower pools were more productive with a Baillon’s Crake showing well but a little distantly plus six White-winged Black Tern, Mongolian Gull, Black Stork, Ruff, Long-toed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper and after breakfast our best views yet of Asian Dowitcher.