HIGHLIGHTS OF TRIP:

Snow Leopard: The undoubted tour highlight were three Snow Leopards at two different locations, including two leopards engaging in chase across the rocky ledges! Mongolian Gazelle: Some large herds seen on the snow covered steppe.

Siberian Ibex: Almost daily sightings. Fifteen in the Gobi mountains and Yol Valley. Argali: Four seen well in the Yol Valley.

Corsac Fox: Three in Hustai NP on our final full day in Mongolia.

A good selection of birds including: Daurian Partridge, Bearded Vulture, Saker Falcon, Upland Buzzard, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolian Ground-jay, Mongolian Lark, Siberian & Alpine Accentors, Azure Tit, Bohemian Waxwings, Hawfinches, Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch, Godlewski’s & Meadow Buntings.

These two male Snow Leopards were the clear tour highlight!

Photo by Lee Chin Pong

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025

Tour Summary

This was Wise Birding’s third consecutive winter tour to Mongolia. After the success of the previous year’s winter tours, we again coincided our dates with the Snow Leopard mating season when animals become more visible, vocal and easier to track in snow.

A winter visit to Mongolia for wildlife is of course very much about quality over quantity! Many of the smaller mammals are hibernating or simply less active in the colder temperatures and many of the birds have left the country until spring. However, if cats are on your wish list, then this is a great time of year to visit. Temperatures in mid-February in the South Gobi region are warmer than you might think, with average day temperatures at around -10C and dropping to -20C at night.

We were lucky this winter, with seemingly higher than average daytime temperatures for the time of year.

Despite sleeping in traditional Gers for much of the tour, one important factor was that we were never cold due to the ever-glowing wood-burning stoves in each Ger! The

food in Mongolia was, as always, very good and despite our remote location we were incredibly well looked after with a variety of meals and we were never hungry.

Was the tour a success?

Undoubtedly! With three Snow Leopards watched, filmed and photographed at leisure for more than an hour (and we narrowly missed two others!). In addition, we also saw a good selection of other mammals & birds. So, we look forward to our return in 2026.

Ulaanbaatar (UB) to Dalanzadgad (DZ)

An early morning arrival into Ulaanbaatar is typical, but the -24C temperature was certainly a shock to the system! The distance between the new Chinghis Khaan airport (50Km from UB) and DZ is around 540Km and the journey takes around 6.5 hours on

a good tarmac road.

Travelling across the vast open Steppe to DZ produced our first sightings of Mongolian Jirds. We also enjoyed good views of a number of birds including Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard and flocks of Mongolian Larks over the impressive snow-covered steppe landscape. A male Hen Harrier, quartering the roadside, wasn’t to be the only

‘Grey Ghost’ seen on the tour! A halfway comfort stop at Mandalgovi broke the journey and we arrived mid-afternoon for a good meal and sleep.

The Gurvan Saikhan (Beautiful) Mountains & Yol Valley

After a comfortable night at our hotel in DZ, we met for breakfast and headed straight out for some birding in the hope of Bohemian Waxwings and Hawfinches at a local plantation on the edge of the city. However, a phone call to Tumen soon changed our plans and we were quickly on our way, in search of our first Snow Leopard! Our local guides and friends have been studying the Snow Leopards in these mountains in theÖmnögovi Province of southern Mongolia for many years and as a result they have a great network of local herders that help monitor and keep them updated on the latest sightings.

We stayed in Gers with a local herding family, a drive of around 2hrs from our hotel. We headed straight to the nearby Snow Leopard sighting, but unfortunately, we were just a little too late. The Snow Leopard had moved on and despite waiting at the vantage point (VP), there were no further sightings, so we drove to base camp.

The following morning, we searched the valley close to base camp where Wise Birding had enjoyed views the previous two winters. Despite evidence of Snow Leopard activity in the area (scent marking and tracks) we failed to see one here, but another call from one of Tumen’s ‘scouts’ changed our fortunes dramatically.

After a drive across many tracks and picking up a local navigator or two, we arrived on site. A local guide, who had ‘eyes on’ a cat, led us to a VP where we had our first glimpses of a superb Snow Leopard. With our first views secured, we then moved to a more favourable position where we could view the crags, our views unimpaired by any nearby slopes. Incredibly we were able to watch two (!) Snow Leopards, lazing on crags, walking along the slopes and even chasing each other. What an immense privilege it was to watch these handsome cats in such spectacular surroundings. Eventually both animals disappeared (although not before showing in the same view as a Bearded Vulture!) and all that was left to do was descend the slope and meet at the vehicles for a well-earned hot drink and snack.

After a couple of days without any further Snow Leopard sightings (but plenty of other wildlife to see), we moved to another base camp near the Yol Valley. Another ‘near miss’ followed that afternoon, with a Snow Leopard on view for a while prior to our arrival in the area. However, the following day we struck gold, when the same local guide found presumably the same Snow Leopard nearby. Taking an alternative route

in the 4×4’s, we were soon on site and after a short climb, watching a sleeping Snow Leopard in the late afternoon sunshine.

Following our success with Snow Leopards, we decided to concentrate on trying to find Pallas’s Cat. However, despite a lot of effort at ‘hotspots’, we didn’t see any this year.

All was not lost though, as some spectacular wildlife experiences were enjoyed including amazing views of Siberian Ibex, Argali, flocks of Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Bearded Vultures, displaying Golden Eagles and Saker Falcons.

Leaving the comfort of our warm Gers at ‘Base Camp 2’, we headed back to UB, searching for mammals and birds on the way. A brief stop for fuel gave us an opportunity for a leg-stretch and we spotted some Hawfinches in trees across the road from the garage. Obviously, the area was worthy of exploration and we found more Hawfinches and a couple of Siberian Accentors in the plantation before leaving the DZ area. The six Mongolian Ground-jays seen as we left the Gobi, were the bird highlights for most of the group, but we also enjoyed super views of herds of Mongolian Gazelles as we headed north.

Hustai National Park

After a very welcome shower and a comfortable night in our hotel we headed out early for a final day in the Tuul River Valley and Hustai National Park. Arriving in the Tuul River Valley we were greeted with the sight of hundreds of Bohemian Waxwings in the bushes and even on the ground with Hawfinches! We saw our first Wapitis of the tour across the river in the mist, but even the keenest mammal enthusiasts were drawn to the Bohemian Waxwings that allowed such fantastic photo opportunities!

Other avian attractions included Azure Tit, Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch and Daurian Jackdaws, but it was soon time to move on.

Hustai National Park is around 1.5 hours drive west of UB where our main target would be the Przewalski’s Horse. Also known as Takhi and named after the Russian geographer and explorer Nikolay Przhevalsky, it was native to the steppes of Central

Asia and reintroduced to Hustai in 1992. We had a very enjoyable day in Hustai seeing more than 50 Takhi, large herds of Wapiti, two Tolai Hares and three Corsac Foxes. Birding highlights included flocks of Meadow Buntings & six Daurian Partridge at dusk.

We recorded a total of 11 species of mammal and 44 birds on this tour

Summary of daily itinerary 

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025

Total number of mammals recorded: 11 species

Snow Leopard                                                         Pathera uncia

The undoubted highlights of the tour were our two Snow Leopard sightings. The first, involving two animals near Buur Mountain on 18th February. We were able to watch Snow Leopards at rest, running along the slopes and even chasing each other on the crags for around an hour. The second sighting was in the Beautiful Mountains on 22nd February, when we watched one loafing in the late afternoon sunshine for an hour, before it disappeared behind the crag. A truly marvellous and unforgettable experience.

Corsac Fox                                                               Vulpes corsac

Three seen in Hustai National Park on 25th February; our final ‘new’ mammal for the tour.

Red Fox                                                                     Vulpes vulpes

Seen very well in the Yol Valley on 22nd February, with perhaps the same animal seen on our night drive there.

Przewalski’s “Wild” Horse Equus ferus przewalskii At least 50 seen in Hustai National Park on 25th February.

Wapiti                                                                         Cervus canadensis

Our first sighting on 25th February, were a few in the mist of the Tuul Valley, but later that day we saw more than a hundred in Hustai National Park.

Siberian Ibex                                                            Capra sibrica

At least 15 seen most days in the Beautiful Mountains and the Yol Valley.

Argali                                                                                     Ovis ammon

Four seen from a VP in the Yol Valley on 22nd February was our only sighting.

Mongolian Gazelle                                                              Procapra gutturosa

Large herds (up to 500) were seen on three dates in the Steppe around the Beautiful Mountains on three dates, but they were very mobile. We had our best views as we drove to UB on 24th February when a roadside herd allowed photographic opportunities in the evening sunshine.

Tolai Hare Lepus tolai We saw two in Hustai National Park on 25th February.

Daurian Pica Ochotona dauurica Seen on three dates in the Beautiful Mountains and the Yol Valley.

Mongolian Jerd                                                       Meriones unguiculatus

We had some nice views during a brief stop as we drove to DZ on 16th February and then again in the Yol Valley on 23rd.

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025

Total number of birds recorded: 44 species


Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Two seen along the Tuul River Valley on 25th February.

Daurian Partridge                                                               Perdix dauurica

Six seen at dusk very close to the entrance to Hustai National Park on 25th February.

Chukar Partridge                                                                 Alectoris chukar

Seen daily (up to 15) in the Beautiful Mountains. A very vocal species in the valleys.

Pallas’s Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus Small flocks recorded on two dates in the valleys and Steppe around the Beautiful Mountains.

Rock Dove Columba livia Small numbers seen on eight dates.

Hill Pigeon                                                                            Columba rupestris

A nice flock of 25 birds, seen well in flight and on slopes, in the Beautiful Mountains on 19th February.

Bearded Vulture                                                                  Gypaetus barbatus

Recorded on six days with counts of up to six birds and many superb views, including a roosting bird in the Beautiful Mountains.

Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus Recorded on ten days with some very close views. Daily counts of up to 20 birds.

Golden Eagle                                                                       Aquila chrysaetos

Seen on six dates in the Beautiful Mountains and the Yol Valley, with a couple of spectacular display flights seen.

Hen Harrier                                                                           Circus cyaneus

A superb male hunting alongside the road as we drove south to DZ on 16th February.

Upland Buzzard                                                                   Buteo hemilasius

Small numbers recorded on five days, mostly singles, but three were seen on 25th February around Hustai National Park.

Little Owl                                                                               Athene noctua

One around some outbuildings on the way to our first base camp on 17th February.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker                                           Dryobates minor

A vocal, but elusive bird, seen briefly near the Mongolica Hotel on 25th February.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Seen on three dates in the Beautiful Mountains, Yol Valley and north of DZ.

Merlin                                                                                     Falco columbarius

A female seen from one of our VPs in the Beautiful Mountains on 20th February.

Saker Falcon                                                                        Falco cherrug

We did well for this species (Mongolia’s national bird), seeing several in the Beautiful Mountains, the Yol Valley and in and around Hustai National Park.

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025

Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus Just the one at the Tuul river on the morning of the 25th.

Eurasian Magpie                                                                 Pica pica

A noisy party seen at the Tuul River Valley on our last day in the field.

Mongolian Ground-Jay                                                     Podoces hendersoni

A superb group of six birds on our final morning in the Gobi as we left for UB were the birding highlight of the tour for most of the group.

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Recorded on three dates, often while we were travelling, but some allowed good views in Hustai National Park.

Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus A couple seen in the Tuul River Valley on 25th February.

Carrion Crow                                                                       Corvos corone

Recorded near UB and in the Tuul Valley at the end of the tour. These are of the orientalis subspecies.

Northern Raven Corvus corax A common species recorded daily.

Bohemian Waxwing                                                           Bombycilla garrulus


Huge flocks (we estimated up to 400) on 25th near the Mongolica Hotel.

Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus Great views of at least two birds by the Tuul River on the 25th.

Great Tit Parus major Present near our hotel in UB and Tuul River on the 25th.

“Steppe” Horned Lark                                                       Eremophila alpestris

Recorded daily with some very large flocks of birds whilst travelling through the steppe. The subspecies is brandti and sometimes referred to as Steppe Horned Lark.

Asian Short-toed Lark                                                       Alaudala cheleensis

Two associating with Mongolian Larks along the approach road to Hustai National Park on 25th February.

Mongolian Lark                                                                   Melanocorypha mongolica

Great views of this unmistakable and very attractive species with large flocks seen whilst travelling to and from Dalanzadgad and on the way to Hustai National Park.

Black-throated Thrush                                                      Turdus atrogularis

A male seen briefly in the Tuul River Valley on 25th February was the only ‘pure’ individual we saw. Another male, in the Beautiful Mountains on 19th, resembled this species, but showed reddish hues to the centre of the throat and was therefore a hybrid between this and Red-throated Thrush.

Red-throated Thrush                                                         Turdus ruficolis

Great views of at least three of these in the Tuul Valley on 25th February. The males are simply stunning birds.

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025 

Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Seen on four dates around the Beautiful Mountains and the Yol Valley.

White-winged Snowfinch                                                  Montifringilla nivalis

Seen very well in the Beautiful Mountains literally at our feet as we sat at VPs hoping to see Pallas’s Cat! Small flocks were seen at close quarters in the Yol Valley too. Recorded on four dates.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Widespread and seen on eight dates.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Seen on two days around Ulaanbaatar and Dalanzadgad.

Alpine Accentor Prunella colaris One in the Beautiful Mountains on 19th February.

Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens Some excellent views whilst in the Beautiful Mountains and in the Yol Valley.

Siberian Accentor                                                              Prunella montanella

Two in Odsuren’s Plantation near DZ on 24th February. Initially thought to be rather an unusual sighting, it appears from E-Bird lists that Siberian Accentor is actually a regular winter visitor to this site with up to ten recorded in recent years.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Four in Odsuren’s Plantation near DZ on 24th February.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Birds seen in at Odsuren’s Plantation (25+) and large numbers, often feeding with the Bohemian Waxwings, near the Mongolica Hotel in the Tuul Valley. We estimated 50+ birds at the latter site.

Godlewski’s Bunting                                                         Emberiza godlewskii

Small numbers (2 – 3 birds) seen in the valleys of the Beautiful Mountains on two dates.

Meadow Bunting                                                                 Emberiza cioides

A flock of at least 30 birds in a patch of Elms in the Hustai National Park on 25th February.

Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch Carpodacus sibiricus Good views of four birds, including a male, near the Tuul river on the 25th.

Twite                                                                                      Linaria flavirostris

After hearing Twite in the Beautiful Mountains, we encountered small flocks over the following two days in the Yol Valley.

WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – MONGOLIA: Snow Leopard Quest!   February 2025

Conservation Donation – This tour to Mongolia donated 500 US dollars to our local herders to help the future of Snow Leopards. A small amount was also given from the group to thank our wonderful hosts for keeping us warm in the Gers and generally showing such wonderful Mongolian hospitality. Promoting Snow Leopard tourism in Mongolia and involving local herders in wildlife tourism is crucial to help reduce Snow Leopard conflicts with herders of livestock.

With help from our local guides we have started a Snow Leopard tourism donation fee from tourists that visit this area specifically to see Snow Leopards. The money raised will benefit the local community and help promote the positive benefits of Snow Leopard tourism. Please visit www.wisebirding.co.uk to find out more about other donations we make to help conservation projects.