Spring is arriving

Finally the lock-down has eased a bit and I am again able to go to the Otzon Chuluu plantation. Spring is in the air and temperatures suddenly changed last Sunday with a spell of warm winds. The effect was obvious as the first Black Kites arrived on Monday and flocks of Bohemian Waxwings flew over the house.

There are also plenty of birds in Otzon Chuluu. Little Bunting has now been confirmed as wintering in the country for the first time as at least one bird has been observed every month from November to March.

The winter was rather disappointing when it comes to Great and Red-mantled Rosefinches. I only observed Great Rosefinch once and numbers of Red-mantled was never higher than ten. But interestingly enough one female carried a ring, but I never got good enough photos to read it. Red males were few and far between – and I never managed any good photos of them.

Long-tailed Rosefinches have been present all winter with as many as 17 counted in a day. Now the males are starting to look amazing with their red and white colours. Young males are also acquiring some red colours now, so there is great variation.

A single young Northern Goshawk has been frequenting the plantation this winter, but now an adult has also arrived. Northern Goshawk in one of my favorite raptors as it emancipated pure strength. I was lucky to get some good views of both birds.

A few Black-throated and Brown Accentos have wintered in the plantation, but now the Black-throated are arriving in numbers joined by a few Siberian Accentors, which are generally more common further east. With some patience they tend to give really good views.

Since January Northern Bullfinches have been present in varying numbers. As I scrutinized the flock I was surprised to find a single Baikal Bullfinch in the flock. Normally these nice grey Bullfinches are only seen in mature forest, but this bird made an exception.

Baikal Bullfinch to the left with Northern Bullfinches

A flock of 30 or so Hill Pigeons are a common sight in the plantation. The males are starting to chase the female. They are quite interesting to observe as they call and puff up in order to impress the females. Sadly there are also Feral Pigeons in the flock, and hybrids are not an uncommon sight.

It was a big surprise yesterday when no less than 12 Evermann’s Redstarts were present in the plantation. All males but still in rather dull plumage. I was not aware that they were such early migrants. After all it has just stopped freezing around the clock. According to “Birds of Mongolia” they should arrive in late April, but that was not the case this year.