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A Journey through Central Mongolia
Posted Jun 22, 2026
by
Stephen Menzie
A 2,000-mile journey, from the chilly taiga forests of the north to the sun-drenched Gobi desert of the south, via lakes, mountains and endless, rolling steppe – the Central Mongolia tour was a success is every regard.
We started with this fine, male Black-billed Capercaillie in the Siberian Fir forests.
Stephen Menzie
The cliffs and crags were home to Saker Falcons…
Stephen Menzie
…and magnificent Bearded Vultures.
Stephen Menzie
A flock of Swan Geese come in to land.
Stephen Menzie
The same lake attracted Pallas’s Sandgrouse to drink in the early morning – pretty birds by themselves…
Stephen Menzie
…but something else entirely when the morning tally reaches over 10,000!
Stephen Menzie
It was a good tour for accentor fans, with Brown Accentor…
Stephen Menzie
…Altai Accentor…
Stephen Menzie
…and the near-endemic Mongolia (Koslov’s) Accentor all seen well.
Stephen Menzie
Cranes were well represented, too. Demoiselle Crane were common…
Stephen Menzie
…but these six Siberian Cranes (a flock of four plus a duo) were a surprising and thrilling find!
Stephen Menzie
In the desert, we enjoyed close views of the delightful Saxaul Sparrow.
Stephen Menzie
In the mountains, this male White-chinned Bushchat showed well.
Stephen Menzie
It wasn’t just birds; mammals put on a good show, too, including this Corsac Fox…
Stephen Menzie
…and these Przewalski’s Horses.
Stephen Menzie
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