‘Jalman Meadows’, Mongolia

‘Jalman Meadows’, the final stop on our fantastic May 2008 trip to Mongolia, is situated in an area where steppe and taiga alternate; more larches on north-facing slopes, more steppe on south-facing slopes. In the bottom of the valley is a fast-flowing and very cold river with some woodland along its banks. Here René and I amused ourselves for hours, not only with Siberia-bound migrants but also with the likes of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers Dryobates minor, Daurian Jackdaws Corvus dauuricus and other species actually breeding.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor, ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 25 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). The same male drumming on two different surfaces, with calls from more distant female just before end. Background: Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquillaand Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi.

Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus, ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 25 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). Calls of several pairs building nests in riparian woodland. Background: Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor, Eurasian Magpie Pica pica, Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia althaea blythi, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardiand Blyth’s Pipit A godlewskii.

Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus, (with Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus and Common Cuckoo C canorus) ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 26 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). Background: Willow Tit Poecile montanus, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia althaea blythi, Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope and Common Rosefinch Erythrina erythrina.

Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis, ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 24 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). Whispering song of a male, possibly still on migration.

Long-tailed Rosefinch Carpodacus sibiricus, ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 25 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). Calls of a male accompanied by a female. Background: Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus, Great Tit Parus major, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia althaea blythi and Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni.

Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope, ‘Jalman Meadows’, Tuv Aimag, Mongolia, 24 May 2008 (Magnus Robb). Simple song at dusk, with imitations including Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Eurasian Magpie Pica pica and Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Background: herdsmen.