Kazbegi

Day two and an early start to get in place for Caucasian Grouse and Caucasian Snowcock.   Both are found on the slopes of the mountains above the village, and although there appeared to be several groups all with the same intention with the open land and no hope of getting physically near the birds we set up our viewing spot and waited.   

Good morning world!

As the sun came up, the snow-topped mountains were beautiful, and we marvelled at how the different facets of the mountains were revealed as the light hit them.   THE best start to a morning's bird watching. 

The Grouse were first to appear, and although the Snowcock called often it was a while before we saw one.   

In the meantime we amused ourselves with the Grouse, the males lekking and showing their long tails off beautifully.  

In front of us a male Northern Wheatear was gathering food for its young family and throwing in some display flights for good measure.    Water Pipits were everywhere and there were some very distant and cryptic Eastern Caucasian Tur, an endemic mountain goat, which perfectly matched the colours of the high rocks - as they moved we found eight individuals.

Gentian, just one of the beautiful flowers we saw

One of the other groups found the Snowcock and word soon got out.   Soon we were all enjoying rather distant but good views with the telescope.  Hopefully there will be better to come.

Ring Ouzel was perched in a tree as we moved off for breakfast.

Breakfast

More local birding found Common Rosefinch, Greater Rosefinch, Mistle Thrush,  Common Kestrel, Raven, both Alpine and Common Swift, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, Whinchat, House Sparrow and in one of the larger copses a group of Red Squirrel some still in their winter coats and looking particularly dark.  

At one stage a distant Lammergeier (the species at the top of my list for the trip) flew away from us and gave a rather frustratingly poor view - hope I get another shot at that one!

Wallcreeper heaven

Lunch and then a trip back to the Jvari Pass, via a lovely basalt rock cliff face along the way.   Here we found Black Redstart (with rufous belly), had back-lit views of a sole Red-fronted Serin and fantastic views of Wallcreeper - both male and female were feeding young so their busy life was great to watch as they collected food and flew to and from the small gap in the rock.

Next stop produced a large flock of Twite, then on to the Russian built viewpoint for Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Alpine Chough, and Crag Martin.

Highlight of the day - Greater Rosefinch