Ala Shan, Inner Mongolia, 2023/12

Date: December 22–24, 2023
Location: Ala Shan Left Banner, Inner Mongolia, China

Introduction: Alashan Left Banner is an excellent destination for a short winter birding trip, especially for birders interested in range-restricted and highly localized species. Although bird diversity in the desert and mountain habitats is generally low in winter, a two- to three-day trip here can still be very rewarding. With some effort, it is possible to find two highly sought-after species: Ala Shan Redstart and Mongolian Accentor, along with several other characteristic birds of the deserts and mountains of northern China.

Guide: Yinan Wu

Day 1 and the Morning of Day 2: Searching the Desert

During the first half of the trip, we focused on the desert area in search of Mongolian Accentor. Finding this species requires considerable effort. The habitat consists of vast wind-shaped sand dunes scattered with low shrubs, and the bird may appear in almost any one of them. The cold winter wind also made long hours of walking through the open desert rather demanding.

We spent one and a half days checking several sites where the species had recently been recorded, and eventually succeeded in finding Mongolian Accentor.

Although the overall number of birds in winter was not high, the desert still offered some memorable scenes. Flocks of Pallas’s Sandgrouse flying across the open landscape, and large wandering groups of Asian Short-toed Larks feeding among the dunes, were particularly impressive.

Target species: Mongolian Accentor, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Asian Short-toed Lark, Saxaul Sparrow, Steppe Eagle, Saker Falcon, Red-throated Thrush, Bohemian Waxwing.

Ala Shan Redstart (*Phoenicurus alaschanicus)*

Afternoon of Day 2 and Day 3: Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area

In the second half of the trip, we left the desert and shifted our focus to the Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area. The scenic area lies within a mountain valley, with steep rocky slopes and sparse trees. This habitat supports a different set of birds, especially species associated with arid mountains.

Above the cliffs, many Cinereous Vultures and Golden Eagles could be seen soaring. The area is also a good place to observe mammals, and we frequently encountered Blue Sheep and Red Deer inside the scenic area.

The main target here was Ala Shan Redstart, which is much easier to find than Mongolian Accentor. In fact, shortly after entering the scenic area on the afternoon of the second day, we found one in a flowerbed.

Target species: Ala Shan Redstart, Chukar, Cinereous Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Beijing Babbler, Pere David’s Laughingthrush, Siberian Accentor, Brown Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch, Pallas’s Rosefinch.