RUSSIA

Ural Mountains

13–20 June 2013

Day 1 Overnight flight from London, via Moscow, to Yekaterinberg.

Day 2 We will arrive in Yekaterinberg early in the morning and drive west across a tributary of the Ural River which marks the boundary of the Western Palearctic. We will know when we are there because on one side of the sign it says Europe and the other side Asia! After stopping for breakfast at a local house, we will start our search for some of the Western Palearctic's rarest species, including Blyth's Reed-warbler, Lanceolated Warbler, Azure Tit and Long-tailed Rosefinch, in a variety of habitats ranging from inundated riverine forest to bushy pasture. At the end of the day, we will return to Yekaterinberg and check into a comfortable hotel for the night.

Days 3–6 On Day 3, after an early breakfast, we will drive north for six hours to the camp where we will spend the next five nights. We will take our time on the journey and stop at various birding spots. Our camp is west of Severouralsk and just within the Western Palearctic! The campsite is at an altitude of around 500 metres, which seems quite low but, in reality, the Ural Mountains are little more than hills, with the highest point in our area being just 1,112 metres high. Our camp is well situated in the transition zone between the forest and the tundra. At this latitude, the forest begins to dwindle at around 500m and we will be in the zone of sparse Alder, Aspen and Juniper. Lower down can be found Birch, Larch and Siberian Pine, whilst higher up we will venture into true mountain tundra. Daylight hours will be long at this time of year as we are at the same latitude as Scotland and each day we will search different locations. Western Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse can be found in the lower forests. Slightly higher up, in the transition zone, Black Grouse are resident and, on the mountain tundra, Willow Grouse are found alongside Eurasian Dotterel. Greenish and River Warblers and Little, Rustic and Yellow-breasted Buntings can be found lower down in the river valleys. Oriental Cuckoo, Black-throated Accentor, Dark-throated and White's Thrushes, Bluethroat, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Rubythroat, Pine Grosbeak and Parrot and White-winged Crossbills breed in the Siberian pine forests. Higher up, Great Snipe lek in the marshes and Arctic and Yellow-browed Warblers sing from the dwarf willows. The area is rich in owl species, with Eurasian Eagle-owl, Northern Hawk-owl, Great Grey, Tengmalm's and Ural Owls are all possible, although, as this is a rarely visited area, there are no 'stake outs'. Woodpeckers are also widespread and should include Black, Eurasian Three-toed, Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers. Of course, we will see many common European birds during the course of the week, while other special birds possible in the area include Greater Spotted Eagle, Siberian Accentor and Pine Bunting, although all are extremely rare and we will need luck on our side to see them. On our 2010 tour, breeding Swinhoe's Snipes were recorded and we hope to find them again this year.

Day 7 Sadly, following some early-morning birding, we will have to pack up at camp and head back to Yekaterinberg, birding en route of course, arriving in the late afternoon/early evening. We will check into a comfortable hotel and enjoy hot showers in our en-suite facilities. After our farewell dinner there may be time for a brief look around this historic city.

Day 8 Depending on our flight departure time, we may be able to revisit some of the sites from Day 2 Before catching our flight from Yekaterinberg, via Moscow, to London..

General Information The weather can be highly variable at this time of year and we can expect anything from hot and sunny conditions to heavy rain. The tented accommodation in camp is very basic. Walking can be quite strenuous although we will not be at high altitude, usually remaining below 1,000 metres. Visas are required.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 7; maximum group size: 14 with 2 leaders.