Ornithological tour to the Riparian forests of Kyrgyzstan, 13 days and 7 days

Meeting at the airport. In the evening, a briefing presentation about birds of the riparian forests of Kyrgyzstan. Acquaintance with the program and guide. Overnight at hotel.

Riparian forest in the floodplain of the Chu River (600 m), Location 1. The Chu River originates in the glaciers located in the east in the high Teskey-Ala-Too Mountains and the Kyrgyz ridge. In the middle course, the river flows through the steppes of the Chui Valley and serves as the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and in the lower reaches it is lost in the sands of the Muyunkum desert in southern Kazakhstan. The length of the river is 1186 km. In the floodplain you can see various species of birds: the Pallas’ sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), and others. In the floodplain of the river you can see various species of birds: pheasants, hawks, passerines: nightingales, warblers, great tit, blackbird, magpie, several species of redstart. Overnight at hotel.

Today we will ascend to a higher climatic zone (1600-1700 m), where the Issyk-Kul hollow is located. The route from Bishkek to the east of the country, along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, leads us to the vicinity of numerous bays near the village of Kurmety. On the way to the riparian forests of Issyk-Kul, we will use the opportunity to watch birds in the coastal zone of the lake, Location 2. This is a reserve on the southern coast of the lake. Here in the shallow waters of one of the bays, nest many fulix and other bird species. Here you can also find birds listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan and other countries such as the: blackcock (Lyrurus tetrix), Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca); White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), and others. On the lake at this time you can see mallard, gray duck, red-nosed and red-headed diving, coot, big grebe. From small passerines in the coastal thickets you can see hawk warbler, Indian warbler, nightingale shorthaired, blackbird, eastern nightingale and gray-headed goldfinch. Overnight in tents by the lake.

The trip to the floodplain of the Tup River , takes about 1 hour, a distance of 30 km. The floodplain of the Tup River represents numerous modern meanders and old meanders. Here is one of the attractive riparian forests of the Issyk-Kul region. The slow flow of the river Tup and the dense riparian forest create excellent conditions for studying birds. This is a great place to stay. Here we will stay in a field camp.

This area has very favorable climatic and relief features for good rest and exploration, Location 3. There are a lot of fish in the Tup River, which attracts some species of birds during their during migration. Here you can find a lucky black-throated loon (Gavia arctica). And also we can observe mallards, gray ducks, red-nosed and red-headed dives, coots, various species of grebes. Here you can observe and study various birds, for example the: demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo); pale harrier (Circus macrourus). During migration you can see the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Here you can also find the: black stork (Ciconia nigra), blackcock (Lyrurus tetrix), and other birds. Overnight in tents.

In the morning we head to Karakol. Karakol once was of the very first major European settlements in Central Asia. This is evidenced by its buildings and museums. Today people of different nationalities live here. Almost all year round, the city receives tourists from different countries. The convenient location of the city and its vicinities almost in the heart of Tien-Shan, determined the classic Tien-Shan landscape with incredibly beautiful gorges and high-altitude valleys. The humid temperate climate created the conditions for different fauna. The route runs along the east coast of the lake. We will have an excursion to the Ak-Suu Gorge, where birdwatching can be conducted in the forest zone, Location 4. During the tour we can see such birds as: hoopoe (Upupa epops); golden bee-eater; a rodent, black kite, Buzzard, mullet, pheasant - a black swift; - Goat (Caprimulgus); - pigeons (Columba); - Streptopelia (Streptopelia) and also with luck, the saker falcon. Pheasants, small passerines can be found: various species of warblers, tits, Indian reeds, nightingale tailed tails, blackbirds, eastern nightingales and gray-headed carduelis. Then we return to Karakol. We will have a city tour. Overnight at hotel

In the morning we will make a trip to the Jergalan river floodplain. The Jergalan River is an eastern tributary of the Issyk-Kul Lake, Location 5. Numerous meandering riverbeds became habitats for various species of fish, amphibians and insects, which are good food for fulix and migratory birds. Here you can see the following types of birds: Blackcock (Lyrurus tetrix); peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and other species. Here we can also observe mallards, gray ducks, red-nosed and red-headed dives, coots, various species of grebes, pheasants. Of small passerines, hawks, Indian reeds, nightingale tailed tails, blackbirds, eastern nightingales and gray-headed carduelis nest here. Return to Karakol. Overnight at hotel.

The route passes along the southern shore of the Issyk-Kul Lake. Birdwatching in the coastal zone of the Issyk-Kul Reserve, Location 6. On the lake at this time you can see mallard, gray duck, red-nosed and red-headed diving, coot, big grebe. From small passerines in the coastal thickets you can see hawk warbler, Indian warbler, nightingale shorthaired, blackbird, eastern nightingale and gray-headed goldfinch. Of the birds, the most interesting are the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), the red-nosed duck (Netta rufina), the white-eyed dive, the black-headed laughter, the coot (Fulica atra); in foothill areas falcon saker, shahin. The Issyk-Kul Reserve is one of the oldest (1948) reserves in Central Asia with an IUCN category.

The climate in the Issyk-Kul depression varies from west to east, it also differs on the north and south coasts. On the southern coast, the average monthly temperature in July is 18 ° С, on the northern coast 17 ° С, in January, respectively -3 and -2 ° С. In the western part, the average temperature of January is -4 ° С, in the eastern part -8 -11 ° С. There are 23 species of mammals, 140 species of birds in the fauna of the Issyk-Kul Reserve. Among the birds, the most interesting are the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), the red crested pochard (Netta rufina), the coot (Fulica atra); rare species include white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), mute swan (Cygnus olor), white egret (Ardea alba). During the wintering in Issyk-Kul, there are about 60 – 70 thousand fulix and waterbirds belonging to 98 species. Overnight at guest house in the village of Bokonbaevo.

The direction of scientific studies of the reserve is the study and development of methods for protecting the wintering of fulix and waterbirds, pheasant and other animals and plants of the flat part of the Issyk-Kul depression. On the territory of the Issyk-Kul Reserve nest more than 100 species; 34 of them are fulix and waterbirds, 47 species of passerines (Passeridae), 3 species of chicken (pullum), 6 species of pigeon (Columba), 6 species of birds of prey and Strigiformes, 3 types of rollers, cuckoos and nightjars (Coracias, Cuculidae, Caprimulgus europaeus), Location 7. Perhaps during the observation we will be lucky and we will see the rare breeding species whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) – listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul is the site of its mass wintering. In winter, hunger-weakened swans become prey for golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and sea eagles (Haliaeetus). Overnight at guest house in the village of Bokonbaevo.

The route to the Son-Kul Lake passes through the mountains. Within 250 kilometers, we will rise from the mark of 1600 m to a height of more than 3000 m above sea level. During this time we will see magnificent panoramas of mountain landscapes. On the northern shore of the Son-Kul Lake we will stop at a cozy yurt camp, created specifically for tourists.

Here on the huge alpine meadows, local nomads graze cattle and produce environmentally friendly dairy products. Numerous insects inhabit the dense grass cover around the lake and the slopes of the mountains, which cannot but attract birds. Fulix nest here too. On the coast of Son-Kul, anyone can ride a horse. Overnight at Kyrgyz yurts.

The Son-Kul Lake was created by nature for migratory birds. The fresh-water lake Son-Kul is located in the center of Kyrgyzstan (Inner Tien-Shan) at an altitude of more than 3000 m. The lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountain ridges. The main source of replenishment of the lake is precipitation and groundwater. The average depth of the lake is about 20 m. Therefore, Son-Kul is a wetland for various species of birds. The warm water, abundant development of algae and invertebrates create a good food base for birds. The oval shape of the lake provides a sufficiently large distance from the middle of the lake to the shores, which, in the absence of reed vegetation in most of the lake, is an important protection condition for birds. On the lake, there were 41 species of wetland and riparian birds. Among them, there are three endangered species. The maximum number of birds is noted during the spring span and during the pre-autumn cluster. The main bird nesting sites are islets and coasts. The Son-Kul Lake with the adjacent small lakes is extremely important as a nesting site for such rare, endangered species as the demoiselle crane, the number of which we estimate at 5-10 pairs of each species. This allows us to consider the Son-Kul Lake and its adjoining lakes and shallow waters as one of the most important places of stay for wetland birds of Kyrgyzstan. The relative proximity to the Issyk-Kul Lake leads to the fact that here is one of the largest concentration points of migratory birds on the paths of autumn and spring migrations. Horned and field larks are common in meadows, and birds of prey such as saker, bearded beak, golden eagle, and kumai, which are listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan, also live here. Here you can find black-necked and red-necked grebe, red-headed duck, mallard, broad-nosed, mountain goose, whooper swan, various types of terns and gulls.

Son-Kul is a place for philosophers and artists, as well as a wonderful open space for birdwatching, Location 8. From our cozy yurt camp, we will make a trip to a place distant from tourists to watch birds. Here you can also see such rare birdsas the: great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), pallas’s gull (Larus ichtyaetus), demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo). Overnight at yurts.

In the morning we leave Son-Kul. Our further route goes deep into the inner part of Tien-Shan. We will get into the valley of the Naryn River – the largest river of the Tien-Shan mountain system. Here along its bed lies the highest high-mountain city of Kyrgyzstan – Naryn (2000 m). This is a kind of tourist nod, where many tourist routes from China, the countries of Central Asia and Europe intersect.

Passing Naryn, we will head to the riparian forests of At-Bashi, Location 9. At-Bashi is a region of the Inner Tien-Shan. The wood layer of the floodplain forests forms the poplar species – Populus and Salix willow. The inner Tien-Shan is a vast, closed and very elevated area with a very complex relief. Still in modern times, the close floristic Oligocene-Miocene relationship of the Inner Tien-Shan with the inner regions of Central Asia has been preserved. This part of the Tien-Shan is characterized by a sharply continental and arid climate. The altitud of the upper tier of the floodplain forest is 15–20 m. The lower tier is represented by shrubs — Barberis, Rosa, Caragana, Rosa, Spirea, Cataegus, Sorbus, Padus, Lonicera, Acer species, with a height of 5–8 m.

Here you can see birds: Ibidorhyncha struthersii, as well as various species of passerines and other species. As well as rare birds: Hawk Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), Dwarf Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), White-bellied Grouse (Pterocles alchata). In the evening summing up the trip in the hotel. Exchange of impressions and results.

In the morning we head back from At-Bashi to Bishkek. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport

• - Meeting and seeing off at the airport
  - Accommodation in hotels (3 *) according to the program (twin rooms)
  - Tents
  - A large tent for the kitchen and dining room
  - Three meals a day for the whole program
  - Transport according to the program
  - Guide-expert
  - Cook
  - Entrance fees to reserves
  - Camp equipment (chairs, tables, tents, etc.)
  - Consumables (water, gas, etc.)

• - International flight to Bishkek and back
• - Personal equipment
• - Single room accommodation
• - Cost of visa and consular services
• - Personal expenses in hotels: bar, international calls, etc.
• - Insurance
• - Any changes to the program