Hello A very cold but dry morning was perfect for another wander up the mountainside in our efforts at seeking birds of the high tops. We were spoiled with a couple of Caucasian Black Grouse straightaway and could hear the Caucasian Snowcock calling loudly to each other. Then a dilemma when one 'scope user found a pair of relatively close Snowcock on a jagged peak at precisely the same time as the other 'scope user located an ambling Brown Bear! Thankfully they all stayed on view for a long period providing everyone with good views. A male Wallcreeper flew past us yodeling his flight song and alighted briefly before flying off to rock buttresses below us. Other birds included Chukar, Red-fronted Serin, Great Rosefinch, Twite, Ring Ouzel and others. The session concluded with both male and female Caucasian Black Grouse putting on a distant show of running, chasing and flying. After another late breakfast we drove to a strange geological formation which is a breeding site for Kestrel, Red-billed Chough, Wallcreeper and Red-fronted Serin. We saw them all and also lots of Black Redstarts and a Tree Pipit. We then ascended to the deep snowfields of the high peaks and the melt areas all held birds anxious to proclaim their territory for the summer. The target species of Snow Finch and Horned Lark were found with persistence and there were good numbers of Water Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, White Wagtail and Twite. The fourth Wallcreeper of the trip briefly alighted on a bridge parapet. A late lunch then left us time to explore the river valleys again and we were surprised and delighted to locate a migrant Moustached Warbler, a species we hadn't collectively seen for many years. Probably the same Wryneck was located again and there were plenty of Willow Warblers and small numbers of other migrant warblers, a smart male Red-breasted Flycatcher and an apparent 'Western' Common Redstart. New birds for the trip included a singing Hoopoe, Bullfinch and Common Treecreeper. Regards Neil M
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