Birds and Bird watching at Hustai NP of Mongolia

Jun

Post by Admin

Hustai National Park of Mongolia is one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) where almost a half of the total bird species in Mongolia have been registered. The park has diverse ecological habitats in small area of 49.932 ha, and that becomes a great place for a variety of bird species during migration and breeding season.

A total of 223 bird species, 119 genera, 43 families and 17 orders have been recorded in the park, including globally threatened species Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) - EN, Lesser Kestrel (F. naumanni) - VU and Great Bustard (Otis tarda) - VU, Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) – NT and Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)- CR.

Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) - Шар элэгт Хөмрөг

Raptors in Hustai NP

Birds of prey of raptors are form an ecologically important group of birds. They are considered keystone species of the mountain forest steppe, grassland steppe and river valley. Hustai National Park is home to various species of raptors from smaller falcons to the several larger species, namely the Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, and are confined exclusively to any areas of the park.
The availability of food and suitable nesting places are the two most important factors limiting these birds. Measures should therefore be taken to protect existing nesting and foraging resources and enhance the supply of these resources through management interventions.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) – Эгэл Шонхор

Merlin (Falco columbarius) – Хайргууна шонхор

Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) – Идлэг Шонхор

Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) – Нөмрөг Тас

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) – Тарважи Бүргэд

Long-eared owl (Asio otus) - Соотон Гуйванга. Summer breeder/winter migrant.

Resident and Migratory Birds in Hustai NP

The Park does get its share of migratory birds during migration period in April to June, August to September. A large number of migratory birds are seen in the southern area of the park, along Tuul River. Splendid White-naped Crane and Demoiselle Cranes are sometimes seen and are some of the water birds that are commonly seen; Larger Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Black Stork, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard etc… A small flock of around 4-8 Black Storks can also be seen foraging in the neat semi-permanent wetlands. Most of these migratory birds have been observed to breed in the Park. Some stunning residents are occured in the park too.

Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo) - Өвөгт Тогоруу

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) – Гангар Хун

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) – Хөх Дэглий

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) – Эвэрт Болжмор

Siberian meadow bunting (Emberiza cioides) - Хар сахалт Хөмрөг. Resident/winter migrant

Birding in Hustai NP of Mongolia

Bird Mongolia arranges birding tours and wildlife photography tours to Hustai NP, teamed up with our professional birding guides, partnering with ornithologists, local rangers and renowned photographers of Mongolia.

The best time to watch birds in Hustai is during the spring and fall migration period; April – June and August to September.

Beside the important birding area, the park is designated as reintroduction of Przewalski's Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii), and home to some of the most iconic mammals.

About just an hour of driving to the west of Ulaanbaatar, we can reach the entrance of the park where also tourist ger camp locates. We can watch a good documentary film about the Hustai NP in the conference room of the ger camp. After full day of exploring through the park, back to stay in the camp which provide basic services such as ger/yurt accommodation, modern facilities, full board of meals and good restaurant with mini bar.

Depending on our length of the program or our goals for watching and photographing species, we can extend and customize the trip up to three days in the park. We share the Bird List and name of the mammals which we have been seen on our previous birding trips in Hustai NP.

Top Birds: Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Saker Falcon, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Long-eared Owl, Yellow-breasted bunting, Black Stork, Swan Goose

Mammals: Takhi wild horse, Red deer, Mongolian gazelle, Red fox, Corsac fox, Asian jerboa, Siberian marmot, Daurian Hedgehog, Mountain hare and Tolai hare