Grey-necked Bunting and Mongolian and Crimson-winged Finches in Far East of Turkey (3 Viewers)

[Arbu]

I'm on a trip to climb Mt. Ararat, and we have a day tour going to Ishak Pasha Palace:

Day 5 (07/17/24)
Day of rest. Dogubayazit city, excursions - Ishak Pasha Palace, Noah's Ark Park, Iranian border, Turkish bath.

I'm more interested in trying to see Grey-necked Bunting and Mongolian and Crimson-winged Finch than Noah's Ark etc. so will probably leave the group for this day to try to find them at the palace. Can anyone give any advice on the best strategy to do so?

We're also going to Nemrut crater and Mt. Suphan, and I have the morning of 22nd free in Dogubayazit, so there are other opportunities. But it sounds as if the palace is the place to focus my attention.

Thanks.

 

[jogresh]

Sounds like a great trip Rob, how did it go? How was Ararat summit? Have u written a report?
I hope one day to see these birds in that area too.
Cheers, Mike. 👍🐦

 

[Arbu]

Hmm, not one of the best trips. I couldn't find Mongolian Finch in spite of three attempts walking around Ishak Pasa. I thought I had a Grey-necked Bunting on Nemrut Crater, but now realise that Ortolans occur in this sort of mountain habitat also, and Grey-necked are not really known there, so think perhaps it was a female Ortolan. Crimson-winged Finches were easier. I also saw Alpine Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Finsch's and Isabelline Wheatears, Lammergeyer and Griffon Vultures, but these were nothing new for me.

I got sick for a couple of days in Dogubayazit and the guide told me I'd never make it up Ararat and should just go home. So I had to wait two days and find another guide. I got to the top without any problems, but it was a bit cloudy and the view was restricted. The (compulsory) mountain guides speak no English and are not up to the job - one lost two of his clients at the top a few days before we summited, and tragically they both died of exposure. Our group was all fine though.

 

[jogresh]

Cheers, interesting stuff. A friend of mine spent some time in Dogubayazit and called it Dogbiscuit. Opisska birded the wider area in the last year or 2 and put a report on BF. If I don't get Mongolian Trumper in E Turkey, then I guess it'll b Kazakhstan.. Least u got to the top of Ararat. 👍🙂